Drifting Toward the Southeast: The Story of Five Japanese Castaways : A Complete Translation of Hyoson Kiryaku, As Told to the Court of Lord Yamauchi of Tosa in 1852 by John manjiro

by John Manjiro (Editor), Hyoson Kiryaku

Drifting Toward the Southeast is the remarkable adventure story of John Manjiro. In 1841 the young fisherman was shipwrecked off Japan, rescued by the crew of an American whaling ship, and brought to Massachusetts where he was riased and educated. Manjiro is the first known Japaese to live in the United States and return to Japan without facing harsh punishmnet for breaking Japan's isolation laws. His observations shaped the image of American held by the Japanese during the period of isolation.

Genres: Japan, History

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 2003

Reviews

[Bill Ibelle]

Read this as primary source research material for some of my own writing, so it's pretty touch to rate this in terms of stars. It was dry, but absolutely fascinating to me because I'm writing about the incredible experiences of the author of this journal.

[Owlseyes]

(in 2016...)



http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/139...

[Jindřich Zapletal]

This is a really, really sweet book. It is a report of (originally) five Japanese castaways at the end of Japanese period of isolation (1840's) who were picked up by American whalers. The most prominent one of them (Manjiro) visited Massachusetts, participated in California gold rush, and did many other remarkable things before finding his way back to Japan.

Japan at the time had death penalty for both exit and entry, so it was pretty patriotic of Manjiro to seek re-entry. He spent several months in jail and filed a report for the shogunate authorities, which is what this book is, with maps, illustrations, and descriptions of the wide weird world beyond Japan. He found his way out of jail and into the shogunate bureaucracy and played a role in the opening of Japan, so there is even an appropriate happy end to the whole story.

The book is not long, it is a really informative historic document, and it is undeniably touching. The edition is really nice. If you are interested in the history of Japan, you should not miss this one.

It made me wonder, if today there was a North Korean castaway who wanted of all things to go back to his country even though he could expect death penalty upon entry, and he would insist on doing it even after he found his place in the US, would we consider it sweet? Would he find people who would want to help him with it and provide material help to that end?

[Eliot]

A beautiful modern edition of this autobiography, with illustrations by both Manjiro and the original Japanese transcriber.
Manjiro's tale of being a castaway, finding his way to Hawaii and subsequently America, and becoming a whaler is a fascinating view of 1840s seafaring life, with looks into American life and the status of Hawaii.

[Anna]

This book was really interesting and offered an outsider's view of the United States which was fascinating to read about. I previously knew nothing about John Manjiro, so this book was really informational and helpful. Also, for some reason, I actually teared up towards the end so . . . that just says it all really.

[Jack]

A very hard to find, limited run book. Translation of Manjiro’s report when he returned to Japan from Fairhaven Ma. The illustrations are wonderful. It is an incredible and real story.