The Observation To China Of “Senzai-Maru” In 1862

"Senzai-maru " was sent to Shanghai by shogun for a two-months trip in 1862. Most of the " Senzai-maru " members has both western sinology accomplishment and the world view of "Dutch learning ". During the trip, the members study actively, observing the situation of the community, military and society, and leaving a lot of notes. " The members of " Senzai-maru" proposed to rich the country, enhanced the army and open to the outside world according to what they have been seen in Shanghai. These proposes have been acted after they came back to Japan. At the same time, the Japanese changed their view to Chinese.The first chapter of this paper describes the complex international environment of Japan in Bakumatsu period. During the period of seclusion, as the representative learning, "Rangaku" has been introduced to Japan. The lower samurai of Japan accepted the western learning and formed a certain world view in their mind. The broke out of the Opium War in 1840 not only ended with China’s failure, but also awakened Japan’s dream. Japanese different communities contribute ideas and exert efforts to the government. With the continuous penetration of Western forces in China, Japan also can not avoid the impact of the Western countries, and Bakumatsu Japan faces a complex international environment.The second chapter focuses on the preparation and operational conditions of the "Senzai-maru" delegations. Before "Senzai-maru" delegation started their trip, they should first solve the problem of their ships. Shogun bought boats, hired British captain and crew for them and recruited the entourages of "Senzai-maru" delegation. Also, this chapter tells the purpose of the trip. Third, it gives the preparations of delegation before the travel, such as buying goods, applying for subsidy, worship and other activities. Last but not least, it tells "Senzai-maru" arrived at Shanghai after suffering a lot of difficulties of their first launch and of the record the change of the geographical coordinates and weather they had written down along the way.The third chapter mainly describes what "Senzai-maru" had seen and heard in Shanghai noting by diary of the delegation members. During the time in Shanghai, the members visited Shanghai actively. Except their common schedule activities, the members have different observation of the Shanghai, and took rich notes. Through summarizing their notes, most members saw the two sides of Shanghai as a modern city, the old town and the open port. The old town of Shanghai remains rural regional outlook and the prosperous open port leaved them the impression of a modern city in both scale and momentum. Most of members are interested in western civilization, they went to bookshop, visited western consulate, bought western books, artifacts and so on. The members also saw the dark side of the modernization of Shanghai, such as the opium, the brothels and the worrying of sanity situation.Second, "Senzai-maru" entourages observed the influence of the western force in China. After the outbreak of the Taiping movement, the Qing Dynasty falls into badly social unrest, and refugees could be seen everywhere. The Qing dynasty combined western force exterminating Taiping Army, such set the wolf to keep the sheep action attracted the contemplation of the Japanese samurai. As a local government institutions of Shanghai, Taotai station remained its old institution and keep its dilapidated house left deep impression to the members. Local government was so poor that greatly reduces Chinese’s position in the minds of the Japanese. The penetration of western force in Shanghai reflected on the state sovereignty, for example, the Britain built new bridge in Shanghai and charge the across money, the Britain controlled Shanghai customs to conclude tariff rates which are accord with their own interests, and the customs director are arranged by British. The Qing dynasty sent money to Britain and France to help them to destroy the Taiping Army, and the Britain and France sent soldiers to occupy the fort. The Western countries sold the weapon to Taiping Army at the same time. The Japanese saw the development of the western force in China and the loss of national sovereignty. Staffs were all thinking strategies to cope with the western countries.The fourth chapter is the records written by the delegation, and most of them are printed after collating. The "Chinese concept" of the members had changed through their own experience, from look-up to despise. Their records had a positive effect on Japan. Most of the members involved in the national salvation movement after they return to their country. Japanese Samurai "understanding" in China have changed dramatically. Some of the entourages set up the army, some of them proposed to open the door to the outside world and others engaged in business to try to save the country on economy, they all had certain influence on the following Meiji restoration.