2-321-557 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Counting the compensation money for the murder of Mr Richardson, Japan, 1863. Charles Richardson, a British merchant, was murdered in September 1862 by retainers of Shimazu Hisamitsu, after he refused their demand that he dismount from his horse in the traditional gesture of respect to a daimyo. The Japanese government apologised and agreed to pay £100,000 in compensation to the British, but Satsuma Province, where the killing occurred, refused to apologise or pay its share of £25,000. This led to the British naval bombardment of the city of Kagoshima in August 1863. A print from "The Illustrated London News", 12th September 1863.