O'Fallon Martial Arts

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4. CIVILIZATIONS CLASH

Western Sailors Frequently Stop in Okinawa

The whaling industry brings Western sailors to Okinawa regularly in the 1820s � 1840s. Women's fashion drives the demand for whale-based products. Corsettes made from whale bones were a standard item for women.

Whaling industry brings more Western sailors to the shores of Okinawa Whale bone corsettes are in high demand in western society

Western whaling crews frequently stopped at Okinawa to negotiate trade matters to no avail Sailors stop in Okinawa to barter and trade thinking Okinawa was independent. In reality, Okinawa was under Japanese control. It was a capital crime to engage in commerce with Westerners. Tokugawa allowed Samurai to punish those who would deal with any westerners. This caused the Western whaling industry to grow more frustrated with Okinawa in their refusal to help re-supply whaling ships.

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Revised 1 Jan 2009

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	Sailors stop in Okinawa to barter and trade thinking Okinawa was independent. In reality, Okinawa was under Japanese control. It was a capital crime to engage in commerce with Westerners. Tokugawa allowed Samurai to punish those who would deal with any westerners. This caused the Western whaling industry to grow more frustrated with Okinawa in their refusal to help re-supply whaling ships.