日本で南北戦争の名残を感じる

先週末は東京タワー近辺に出かける用事があり、増上寺についでに訪問してきました。北軍の名将グラント将軍が大統領を務めた後に、明治の日本を訪問した事をご存知でしたか？まあ、自分も映画リンカーンを観た後に調べも物をしていて気づいただけですが。。。（汗）






下記に紹介した記事で増上寺で杉の木を植えたことに触れています。
Zojoji Temple, planting a tree
On July 15, 1879, the Grants visited the Tokugawa’s family temple Zojoji Temple at Shiba in Tokyo and planted a cedar tree which has grown to a giant tree today. After Ieyasu Tokugawa started to rule the Kanto region (eastern Japan), he accorded cordial protection to Zojoji as the family temple of the Tokugawa family. In parallel to the expansion of the Edo Castle, a large-scale construction project was also commenced for Zojoji and an unparalleled grand cathedral was built. The cathedral, temples and the mausoleum of the Tokugawa family were burnt down by air raids during World War II. However, its cathedral and other structures have been rebuilt. Located in its precincts are the tombs of six Tokugawa Shoguns and their wives and children.

グラント将軍の訪日についての詳しい記事は以下です。長崎についてから、浜離宮で明治天皇と会談したり、日光に行ったりしていたのですね。京都への訪問を希望していたものの、当時関西でコレラが流行していたため断念したそうです。琉球王国の帰属を巡り、中国と日本は対立関係にあったようです。

Remembering Ulysses S. Grant's visit to Japan
By Hiroshi Chida
Published: April 8, 2004

After a stressful eight years as the 18th president of the United States, in the difficult reconstruction period following the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant (1822- 1885) sought a quieter life as a private citizen and planned a vacation to England with his wife and one of his sons to meet his daughter Nellie. But this voyage mushroomed into an unprecedented journey.
The Grants embarked on a two-year world adventure on May 17, 1877, touring Europe, the Middle East and Asia. They were welcomed at every place they visited. They received a most enthusiastic welcome in China and in Japan.

Hama Rikyu and the meeting
This year marks the 125th anniversary of Grant’s visit to Japan. Grant and his family arrived at Nagasaki, Japan on June 7, 1879. He expressed that he thought was Japan “beautiful beyond description.” They were given a hearty reception wherever they went and were treated like a general making a triumphal entrance. Since his name was well known throughout the world, the Japanese government thought it was fitting that Japan should accord him a special reception, excelling that given to other foreign guests.
Grant, after traveling in Japan and seeing conditions for himself, aided by his experience as president and as a general during the Civil War, was able to give the Emperor advice which was of great value in the administration of Japan during that period. Grant and Emperor Meiji (26 years old at that time) met at Hama Detached Palace in Tokyo on Aug. 10 and Grant’s advice was received with great confidence.
For instance, he gave his viewpoint regarding the foreign policy of Europe, the danger of foreign loans, universal suffrage, the affairs of the Ryukyu Islands (a territorial dispute with China), the taxes of the people, the revision of unfair treaties to Japan, national education and the engagement of the services of foreign teachers. The Emperor replied, “I have paid close attention to what you have said and shall consider it. I thank you for your kindness.”

Emperor Of Japan: Meiji And His World, 1852-1912 (2005/06/29) Donald Keene 商品詳細を見る

明治天皇との会談については、ドナルドキーンさんの『明治天皇』に一章割いて書いてあります。まだ若く、最初はぎこちなかった明治天皇がだんだんとグラント将軍に打ち解けていく様子が描かれていました。下記にご紹介する抜粋はグラント将軍は戦争が大嫌いで、多少の屈辱を被るだけなら戦争を避けた方がいいという考えだったようです。

Grant's hatred of war and everything connected with war was astonishing in a man who had enjoyed such great success as a general. He even hated paintings that depicted warfare and told John Russell Young, the writer who accompanied the Grants on their trip around the world, "I never saw a war picture that was pleasant. I tried to enjoy some of those in Versailles, but they were disgusting. Grant was unsparing in his criticism of his own participation m the Mexican War in 1845; "I know the struggle with my conscience during the Mexican War. I have never entirely forgiven myself for going to that. I had very strong opinions on the subject. I do not think there was ever a more wicked war than that waged by the United States on Mexico. I thought so at the time, when I was a youngster, only I had not moral courage to resign."

Grant had joined the army because he hated his father's work—he was a tanner—and attending the military academy at West Point offered the only possibility of getting a good education. After graduation he left the army, but because he failed at every business in which he engaged, he had no choice but to become an army officer, despite his hatred of war. He related, "1 never went into a battle willingly or with enthusiasm. I was always glad when a battle was over. I never want to command another army. I take no interest in armies. When the Duke of Cambridge asked me to review his troops at Aldershott I told his Royal Highness that the one thing I never wanted to see again was a military parade."

歴史や伝統は苦手な分野ですが、グラント将軍の杉の木を観て、何かこみあげるものがありました。英語がどうこうではなく、英語を通して見聞を広められるようになっていきたいですよね。