On March 31, 1854, the Convention of Kanagawa (“Japan-US Treaty of Amity and Friendship”) or Kanagawa Treaty was concluded between Commodore Matthew C. Perry of the U.S. Navy and the Tokugawa shogunate. The treaty opened the Japanese ports of Shimoda and Hakodate to United States trade and guaranteed the safety of shipwrecked U.S. sailors; however, the treaty did not create Continue reading «Historical Events Today: 1854 – Treaty of Kanagawa: Commodore Perry forces Japan to opens ports to US.»

Nichiren Shonin (日蓮) (February 16, 1222 – October 13, 1282) was a Buddhist monk who lived during the Kamakura period (1185–1333) in Japan. Nichiren taught devotion to the Lotus Sutra, entitled Myōhō-Renge-Kyō in Japanese, as the exclusive means to attain enlightenment and the chanting of Nam-Myōhō-Renge-Kyō as the essential practice of the teaching. Nichiren Buddhism includes various schools with diverging interpretations of Continue reading «Famous Birthdays Today: 1222 -Nichiren, Japan, Buddhist priest and saint. »

Emperor Go-Murakami (1328 – March 29, 1368) was the 97th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession, and a member of the Southern Court during the Nanboku-chō period of rival courts. He reigned from September 18, 1339 until March 29, 1368 (Shōhei 23, 11th day of the 3rd month). His personal name was Noriyoshi. He reigned from Continue reading «Famous Deaths Today: 1368 -Emperor Go-Murakami, Emperor of Japan.»