RELATIONS DURING SULTAN ABDULHAMID / EMPEROR MEIJI PERIOD

The relations between the Ottoman Empire and the Japanese began in the last quarter of the 19 th Century. During this period, Sultan Abdulhamid II (1876-1909) of the Ottoman Empire and Emperor Meiji (1868-1912) in Japan were the respective leaders of their countries. Economical and strategic similarities brought these two countries, which are geographically distant, closer than ever before. For example, both of the countries were in particular areas of influence of such powerful continents as Europe and America and under constant threat from the Russians. Japan, while allying with England against the Russian threat, was also inclined to cooperate with the Ottoman Empire. For this purpose, the Affairs Secretary Pukucki Genichito from the delegation that had traveled to Europe under the supervision of the Japanese ambassador Iwakura, came to Istanbul as the representative of Japan in 1871, and this was the beginning of the official relationship. Even when Abdulhamid II was a prince, he monitored the development of Japan with great interest and believed that an alliance with Japan ought to be formed against the Russians. A detailed article in Hakikat Magazine's January 11 th, 1872 edition drew the attention of public to this matter once again, and Prince Abdulhamid told his private doctor, Mr. Mavroyani, to gather extensive information about Japan. However, this matter was officially taken into consideration only after the English suggested forming close relations with the Japanese to Mithad Pasha. In the first years of Sultan Abdulhamid's reign, the Japanese battleship “Seiki” came to Istanbul in 1871, and the captain and the officers of the ship were honored with varying degrees of medals. In 1881, the Padishah, with pleasure, met one of the relatives of the Japanese Emperor, Prince Kato-Hito, and his delegation in Istanbul. These were the first steps taken to develop commercial, political and cultural relations.

When the emperor's uncle, Prince Komatsu, and his wife went to Istanbul with a delegation and met Padishah in Yildiz Palace, it served to further strengthen this friendship between the two countries. This delegation, retuning from Paris, stayed in Göksu Mansion. Both sides were happy with this unofficial meeting. Prince Komatsu, his wife and the Emperor's Minister of Palace were all decorated with 1. Degree Murassa (a jewel encrusted medal), while the father-in-law of his child and assistants were decorated with 2.-3. Degree Medals. The other members of the delegation were decorated with varying degrees of Osmani, Mecidi and Compassion medals, which were distinctions for ladies. In return, Grand Vizier Kamil Pasha was decorated with a Japanese State medal. Also to express the pleasure felt from this meeting, Japan's Emperor sent Sultan Abdulhamid II a “Krizantem Medal”, which is the greatest degree of medal in Japan.

From Grand Vizier Kamil Pasha's memorandum, dated April 7 th 1889, we learn that the chest containing these gifts and medals arrived in Istanbul, and Sultan Abdulhamid II planned to give the Japanese Emperor, whom he regarded so highly as an ally, the Murassa Ottoman Medal.

The Padishah, not wanting to damage the balance with Russia, ordered the Ertugrul Frigate to be sent to Japan as a school ship, thus giving an official title to the delegation. The issue was presented as the Naval Academy students' application of theoretical knowledge. Therefore, the medal sent to the emperor was never even mentioned, and the delegation was sent from Istanbul with a ceremony on July 14th, 1889.

The Ertugrul Frigate, which had been heading towards Japan as a gesture, carrying the gifts for the emperor, sunk on the return voyage in 1890, which created a general sympathy in Japan for Turkish people. The care and kindness shown to the wounded Turks helped secure a general respect between the two countries.

Those who helped in rescuing the staff of Ertugrul were decorated with varying degrees of medals, and also, the Japanese commanders were awarded with cigarette boxes encrusted with jewels and diamonds.

The achievements of the Japanese in the following Russo-Japanese war extremely strengthened the relations between the Ottoman Empire and Japan. In 1897, it was decided that mutual embassies in metropolitan cities should be established in order to improve commercial and political relations. Additionally, in1901, in order to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his rule, the Japanese Emperor sent Sultan Abdulhamid II a palace model engraved with gold and silver strings and encrusted with corals and enamels, while supplying birds and trees unique to Japan for the Yildiz Palace. Along with these gifts, the Japanese Emperor sent carpenter pencils to Sultan Abdulhamid II, who was a master carpenter. Some of these engraved pencils had handles made of two different kinds of wood, and are full of agricultural, aviary, and floral patterns, while still others have stamped handles and ivory-strapped corners. These carpenter's pencils are on still display in the Yildiz Palace Museum as symbols of Turkey and Japan's long-time friendship and cooperation.