On January 1, 1868 (December 8, Keio 3, lunar calendar), the Port of Kobe was opened for foreign trade. This opening took place during a period of political instability just prior to the Meiji Restoration, after which the port gradually expanded its functions as an international trading port. The Port of Kobe is a city known for its beautiful harbor scenery and vibrant cityscape, but its history is shrouded in mystery. Why was the port opened here? The background is a complex intertwining of politics, economics, and people’s agendas, and there are many mysteries that have yet to be unraveled. In this issue, we will explore the mystery of the opening of the Port of Kobe, analyzing its history and background from multiple perspectives to unravel the story of Kobe from a new perspective.

Mysteries of the Port of Kobe and its Opening (1) Why was Kobe Chosen?”

The first mystery is why Kobe was chosen as the port’s opening port. Why was Kobe, a relatively small port town, chosen over Osaka, which was already a prosperous economic center at the time?
The key to solving this mystery lies in both geographical characteristics and political considerations. Kobe’s deep water and large harbor area made it suitable for large vessels to berth. Furthermore, Kobe was known as a natural harbor with calm waves, making it easy for vessels to berth. It did not require breakwaters and was suitable for commercial activities. Osaka, on the other hand, had shallow water and was not suitable for large vessels.
But that was not the only reason. The shogunate was concerned that foreign influence would directly affect the existing economic centers. Kobe, despite its proximity to Osaka, maintained a certain distance from the city. In other words, it was in a perfect position to limit foreign activity while still maintaining economic ties with Osaka.
In this choice, we can see the Shogunate’s painstaking attempt to strike a balance between foreign pressure and domestic circumstances. However, there is still debate as to why Kobe in particular, and not other potential sites, was chosen.

The second mystery is why the opening of the port of Kobe was delayed by five years.

The second mystery is why the opening of the port of Kobe was delayed by five years. The Japan-U.S. Treaty of Amity and Commerce promised that the port would open in 1863, but the actual opening had to wait until 1868. What exactly happened during those five years?
On the surface, the rising movement to exclude the barbarians and the opposition of the Imperial Court were the main reasons for the delay. However, this alone is not enough to explain the five-year delay.
It is thought that changes in international circumstances may have been a major factor behind the five-year delay.
The Civil War (1861-1865) had broken out in the United States, and the aftermath of the Great Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) was continuing in Great Britain. These events may have temporarily weakened the pressure on Japan from the Western powers. The five-year delay may have given the Shogunate time to soften the impact of the opening of the port and to adjust its domestic structure.

The third mystery is why the port of Kobe was opened on New Year’s Day.

The third mystery is why the Port of Kobe was opened on New Year’s Day. Normally, important political and diplomatic events are rarely held on the first day of the year. Nevertheless, why was January 1, 1868 chosen?
According to one theory, it was meant to symbolize the dawn of a new era. With the Meiji Restoration in full swing, the new Meiji government was considering the adoption of a Western calendar as part of its modernization policy, and the opening of the port on January 1 could be interpreted as an event symbolizing the adoption of this new calendar.
January 1 also marked the beginning of the New Year for Western countries. Some believe that by choosing this date, Kobe showed its consideration for the Western nations.

Mystery 4: How was the location of the foreign settlement decided?

The fourth mystery relates to the selection of the location of the foreign settlement. After the opening of the port of Kobe, a foreign settlement was established, but why was its location chosen to be where it is today?
Generally, foreign settlements are located close to the port, but in the case of Kobe, the settlement was established somewhat far from the port. What was the intention behind this choice?
One theory is that the intention was to separate the Japanese community from the foreign community to avoid friction. Another view is that the settlement was purposely established in an inland area in anticipation of future urban expansion.

These mysteries surrounding the opening of the port of Kobe are not mere historical backstories. These mysteries reflect the challenges facing Japan at the time, the intentions of its rulers, and world affairs.
Why was Kobe chosen, why was the opening of the port delayed, why did the port open on New Year’s Day, and why was the foreign settlement built in that location? The process of unraveling these mysteries is crucial to understanding the process of Japan’s modernization.
The opening of the port of Kobe was a symbolic event that marked the beginning of Japan’s journey from isolation to openness and then to a modern nation. By understanding the various factors and decision-making processes behind it, we can gain a deeper and more multifaceted view of history.
The mystery of the opening of the Port of Kobe continues to teach us the depths of history.