3-003-849 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Outrage at the British Embassy at Japan: midnight scene in Mr. Alcock's room at To-Sen-Ji, Jeddo - from a sketch by our special artist, 1861. '...as our readers will recollect, the Secretary to the Mission, Mr. Olipliant, found himself, with only a hunting-whip in his hand, in the presence of two armed Japanese. He was, of course, instantly disabled, and must have been killed in a moment more had not Mr. Morrison, hearing his cries for assistance, rushed into the room and shot one of the assassins dead. The other one, who was in armour, then retreated...'. After the signing of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Amity and Commerce in 1858, diplomatic relations were formally established between the United Kingdom the Tokugawa shogunate. Sir Rutherford Alcock was appointed Consul-General in Japan and took up residence at the British Legation in Kobe. In 1859, the first legation in Edo (now Tokyo) was opened at the Tozen-ji temple in Takanawa. Alcock moved to Edo and was promoted to Minister Plenipotentiary. By 1861, security had become a significant concern at Tozen-ji. An attack was launched on the British Legation by members of the Sonno joi movement (revere the emperor, expel the barbarians), and Alcock was severely injured. From "Illustrated London News", 1861.