Golovnin Incident

In April 1811, the Russian minister of the Marine directed the sloop Diana to explore the Southern Kuril and Shantar Islands as well as the Tartary Coast.

[3][4] The Diana sailed to the island of Eetooroop and made contact with a group of Ainu, or Kuriles, who had been sent by the Japanese to investigate the Europeans.

Golovnin proceeded to meet the Japanese military commander of the island and declared his intention to collect wood and water and then to be on his way.

To clear the Russian government of responsibility from the Chwostoff raids, Golovnin, two officers, four sailors, and the Kurile Alexei landed.

[8] The crew was tightly bound with ropes, and the Diana, now under control of Petr Rikord, shot at the castle but was then forced to set sail to avoid capture.

[9] The captives were sailed across the straits to Hokkaido and encountered many villagers, who were curious to see the Russians, because of the almost-complete absence of foreigners in Japan.

The governor handed him a letter from the remaining officers of the Diana; they explained why they could not save them in the Kurils and that they would work towards their release.

[12] The government also sent the renowned explorer Mamiya Rinzō, who had been wounded in the skirmish with Chwostoff on Etrop, to discover more about Russia's presence in the north-west of the Pacific.

However, one of the officers of German origin, Moor, had resolved to stay and pursue a life in Japan and had made significant progress in learning the Japanese language.

[14] In March 1812, the Governor received a letter stating new orders from Edo to burn any Russian ships and to imprison their crews.

[16] The crew went through the mountains to the shore to find a boat to commandeer but were arrested after eight days by soldiers and brought back into imprisonment.

[17] The new governor Oga-Sawara-Isseno-Kami, presented another letter from Chwostoff stating that his attack had been motivated by Japan's refusal to open trade with Russia.

[30] The Golovnin incident did not establish a renaissance in diplomacy between Europe and Japan, with the Japanese becoming increasingly fearful of the growing European presence in East Asia.

In 1825, the Japanese government enacted the Edict to Repel Foreign Vessels (異国船打払令 Ikokusen Uchiharairei), requiring the burning of all European ships and the execution of their crews if they were to land outside of Nagasaki.