Another famous local story is that of John Manjirou a young Kouchi born fisherman who in a violent storm was shipwrecked on Torishima island 鳥島. Rescued some months later by American Whalers he was given passage to Hawaii. On arrival there, the ship's captiain offered to take Manjirou to his native home of Massachusetts. There Manjirou learnt English and Navigation. In 1851, ten years after the wreck, he returned to Japan and in 1853 was summonned to Edo to advise the Shogun when Perry's Black Ships arrived. He went on the become an important translator and statesman.