Journey to the East of Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich. Great journey, "temporary wives", two blows of the saber and the beginning of the Trans-Siberian Railway
According to the tradition introduced by Catherine the Great, all Russian heirs, starting from Paul I, after completing the course of science, went on a journey.
Most often there were two trips: a large one - in Russia, a little less - in Europe.
But for the heir to the throne, Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich, an unusual, grandiose, sea and land tour was planned, which combined both travels. Moreover, both parts of the journey had to pass through the territory where not a single crown prince had previously been, excluding the last part of the journey.
Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich
Travel was given great national importance.
Alexander III decided to establish the Great Siberian Railway and the heir, Nikolai Alexandrovich, had to personally be present at the start of construction in Vladivostok and bring the first wheelbarrow of soil for the railway embankment.
Well, in addition to educational goals, Nikolai also had to communicate and establish personal relationships with the reigning persons of the states along the travel route.
October 3, 1890 Tsarevich Nicholas and his companions set off. In Vienna, he visited the residence of the Habsburgs, the Vienna Opera, from there he went to the port of Trieste, where three Russian ships were waiting for him - the frigates "Memory of Azov", "Vladimir Monomakh" and gunboat"Zaporozhets".
There, the heir was waiting for his brother, 18-year-old midshipman Georg, who continued the journey with him.
Armored cruiser "Memory of Azov" and semi-armored frigate "Vladimir Monomakh"
On October 26, 1890, Nikolai and his brother boarded the frigate "Memory of Azov" and proceeded to Greece by sea.
Tsarevich Nicholas visiting the royal family in Greece. 1890
There he was also joined by his cousin, Prince George of Greece, and in early October the Russian squadron set off for the shores of Africa, Egypt, Alexandria, where they made a stop.
And while the ships were sailing along the Suez Canal, the crown prince with his retinue made a trip along the Nile to modern Aswan and back, examining the monuments ancient egypt.
Tsesarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich (fifth from left) during a trip. Egypt. 1890
From Suez, Russian ships followed to India, to Bombay.
Here the heir and his companions went ashore and made a long land march across India along the route: from west to east - from Bombay to Calcutta, and then south - to Ceylon.
They met with local rulers - rajas, hunted, sightseeing, bought souvenirs and received gifts.
Tsesarevich with companions in India
Then there were sea crossings to Thai Bangkok, and from there to Chinese Nanjing.
On deck armored cruiser"Memory of Azov"
From Nanjing, Nikolai travels along the Yangtze River on the Russian Volunteer Fleet steamer Vladivostok to the city of Hankou, where there was a large tea factory owned by the Russian trading house Tokmakov, Molotkov and Company.
In the cabin campaign of the cruiser "Memory of Azov"
On April 15, 1891, accompanied by six ships of the Russian fleet, Nikolai Aleksandrovich arrived in Japan, in the port of Nagasaki.
Nagasaki raid. - 1891
A cordial meeting of the distinguished guest was organized, to which Prince Arisugawa arrived.
However, the visit of the heir to the Russian throne also caused great concern among the Japanese: not everyone in Japan watched with pleasure the strengthening of Russia in the Far East.
Nagasaki. The heir to the Tsarevich and Prince George of Greece look from the balcony at the spiritual procession arranged in honor of His Highness.
Nikolai and his companions spent 9 days in Nagasaki.
The Tsarevich incognito got acquainted with the city and, together with the officers of the squadron, repeatedly visited the suburb of Nagasaki Inasamura, which was called the Russian village.
About 600 sailors from the wrecked large frigate Askold lived here for some time in the 1870s. It was then that Russian-Japanese families arose here, as well as a Russian cemetery.
Squadron officers with their Japanese "temporary wives".
The term "providing a temporary wife" was used in Japan to refer to a type of relationship between a foreign citizen and a Japanese citizen, according to which, during the stay of a foreigner in Japan, he received a wife for use and maintenance.
At that time, the Russian fleet regularly wintered in Nagasaki, and during their stay there, some Russian officers bought Japanese "temporary wives."
A contract was concluded with the officer, according to which he received a Japanese citizen at his full disposal, pledging in exchange for this to provide her with a decent content - food, premises, hired servants, a rickshaw, and so on.
Such an agreement was concluded for one month and, if necessary, extended - up to a year or even three years. The cost of the contract was 10-15 dollars per month.
Sometimes for a poor Japanese girl, this was the only way to earn a dowry and subsequently marry. The institute of "temporary wives" existed until the war of 1904-1905.
The heir to the Tsarevich in the city of Nagasaki in a rickshaw 1891.
At the end of April, the Russian squadron left Nagasaki and arrived at the port of Kobe.
Kobe. The hotel in which the officers of the squadron of the heir to the Tsarevich were received. - 1891
On the same day, the heir and his entourage travel to Kyoto, where they stay at the Tokiwa Hotel.
A crowd gathers outside the hotel, hostile cries are heard. The Russian diplomatic mission received a threatening document, signed in blood.
On April 29, Nikolai and Prince George, accompanied by Prince Arisugawa, set off in rickshaw-carried carriages from Kyoto to the city of Otsu. There they visited the Temple of Salvation revered by the Japanese.
Kyoto. Temple of Salvation, inspected by the Tsarevich
Returning back to Kyoto, a long procession of 40 rickshaws slowly moved through the streets of Otsu, crowded with people.
At this time, a policeman named Tsuda Sanzo, who was in charge of order and was in a crowd of bowing townspeople, pulled out a samurai sword and hit Nikolai twice on the head.
The street in Otsu, where an attempt was made on the life of the Tsesarevich.
P. Ilyshev, Attack on Tsarevich Nicholas
He was saved from death by the Greek prince George, who accompanied the crown prince and beat off another blow with a cane.
The rickshaws who ran up twisted the assassin, and one of them "brought the villain into an insensible state ..."
Nikolai was quickly taken to the nearby home of a haberdashery owner, where he was bandaged and his bed prepared.
Father. The house into which the Tsesarevich was brought after the assassination attempt and in which the first dressing was performed.
However, Nikolai refused to lie down in it, and after dressing he sat down at the entrance to the store, calmly lighting a cigarette. His first words were: "It's nothing, if only the Japanese do not think that this incident can change my feelings for them and my gratitude for their hospitality."
Then, under the protection of the heir, they escorted him to the building of the prefecture of Otsu, where he was provided with qualified medical assistance. A few hours later, they quietly drove to Kyoto.
On April 30, Emperor Meiji himself arrived there to visit the Tsarevich.
This meeting took place on the morning of May 1, and the emperor offered to send a special delegation to Russia, headed by Prince Arisugawa, to apologize for the incident, but the crown prince refused this proposal.
On May 4, a telegram arrived from Alexander III with an order to urgently depart for Vladivostok.
Before sailing, "Memory of Azov" was visited by Japanese delegations with gifts and addresses of condolences from residents of various cities in Japan.
Gifts from the Japanese to the Tsesarevich.
Rickshaws were invited to the frigate, helping to detain the attacker and to whom the heir owed his life. Nicholas personally awarded them the Orders of St. Anna, in addition, each of them received a lump sum award of $ 1,500, and they were assigned a pension of $ 500 a year.
Japanese rickshaws who saved the Tsesarevich from the impending danger of an assassination attempt on him in the city of Otsu.
On the day of departure, the last meeting of the Tsarevich with Emperor Meiji took place on the frigate "In Memory of Azov", after which the squadron departed for Vladivostok.
The office of the heir to the Tsarevich on the frigate "Memory of Azov".
The bed of the heir to the Tsarevich on the frigate "Memory of Azov"
Cruiser "Vladimir Monomakh". His artillery. 6 inch gun.
The squadron with the Tsarevich, who arrived in Vladivostok
The triumphal arch erected in Vladivostok in 1891 in honor of the visit of the Tsarevich
It was here that the main state task facing Nikolai was solved - the laying of the Great Trans-Siberian Railway.
An heir with a wheelbarrow at the very beginning of the future highway Vladivostok - Moscow.
On May 20, the heir solemnly said goodbye to the crew of the "Memory of Azov" and to all the ships and left Vladivostok, setting off through Siberia to St. Petersburg, where he arrived on August 4, 1891.
During the journey, 51,000 versts were covered, of which 15,000 were by rail, 5,000 were in a carriage, 9,100 were on rivers, and 21,900 were on seas.
The team of the frigate "Memory of Azov" was V.D. Mendeleev, son of a famous chemist, amateur photographer. It was he who compiled the photographic chronicle of this journey.
Vasily Dmitrievich Mendeleev
Travel of Nicholas II to Japan
At the beginning of 1890, Alexander III decided to send his son on a trip to Asian countries, and the prince returned back through Siberia. During the journey, Nikolai had to receive a large amount of information that could be useful to him later. The heir traveled on the newest cruiser "Memory of Azov". The cruiser was named in honor of the 74-gun sailing battleship Azov, the first in the Russian fleet to be awarded the St. George flag for valor in the Battle of Navarino on October 8, 1827.
Despite the rather powerful armament (two 203/35-mm and thirteen 152/35-mm guns), in terms of external decorations and interior decoration, the “Memory of Azov” could give odds to the richest yacht. On the bow of the ship were the Order of St. George, ribbons with bows, the imperial crown, a laurel wreath and palm branches. In the decoration and equipment of officers' quarters, precious woods (red, walnut and teak) were widely used. A large place on the ship was occupied by special cabins for the heir to the throne and his retinue. One decoration of these cabins cost the treasury more than 78 thousand rubles. Special awnings were installed on the quarters, poop, waist and all bridges to protect from the sun and rain. Already on the way, in England, additional electric fans were purchased. They also purchased 700 electric lamps and installed additional lighting on the upper deck.
The conversion of the cruiser into a yacht caused an overload of 800 tons. Therefore, two 152-mm cannons, part of the ammunition load and other equipment had to be removed from it. All this was loaded onto a special ship, sent in advance to Vladivostok. However, the removal of guns from ships, when they interfered with the fun pastime of members of the imperial family, was the norm in the Russian fleet. Here, for example, is the report of the Naval Technical Committee for 1874. Vice-Admiral Kazakevich turned to the committee with a request to remove the stern 152-mm gun from the frigate "Rurik", "since when sailing with His Highness, there is only one free place for food dinners given by His Highness." The Grand Duke, and part-time Admiral General Konstantin Nikolayevich was a great liberal and a drinker. Needless to say, the gun was immediately removed ...
So, the cruiser "Memory of Azov" has become a beautiful toy. For the first time in the Russian fleet, triple expansion steam engines were installed on the cruiser, which made it possible to power up to 17 knots, however, sailing weapons were also left. The three-masted cruiser was very beautiful under sail, but in terms of speed and maneuverability, she was much inferior to purely sailing ships. At the same time, the masts, rigging, sails and other equipment had a lot of weight and dimensions, which significantly affected the combat capability of the cruiser. But, alas, then the sails in the Russian fleet were carried not only by cruisers, but even by destroyers. We abandoned sails only in 1895.
Together with the Tsarevich, his brother George also went on a journey. The general of the retinue of His Majesty Baryatinsky supervised everything. Nikolai was to be accompanied by young guards officers, Princes Obolensky and Kochubey, and Life Hussar Volkov. Prince Ukhtomsky was enlisted as a chronicler in the retinue. Later he will publish a book describing the journey of the heir. Alas, it was only a parody chronicle of the journey, moreover, it still passed the strict censorship of Nicholas II himself.
Nikolai and his retinue left Gatchina on October 23, 1890 and reached Trieste by rail through Vienna. Alexander III decided not to torment his son with a trip to the northern seas. And indeed, on the way from Plymouth to Malta, the cruiser withstood a strong storm, which washed away all the expensive bow decorations.
On October 26, Nicholas and his retinue boarded a cruiser in Trieste and went to Piraeus to visit the Greek King George I and his wife Olga. By the way, Queen Olga Konstantinovna (1851–1926) was the niece of Emperor Alexander II. In Piraeus, the cousin of Nicholas, the Greek Prince George, joined the travelers. November 7 "Memory of Azov" left Piraeus and three days later arrived in Port Said. Then, along the Suez Canal, the cruiser reached Ismailia. There, Nicholas was greeted by the Khedive (ruler) of Egypt, Hussein. The prince spent three weeks in Cairo and on a journey along the Nile.
I think there is no need to list the sights visited by the prince, meetings, dinners, etc. All this is beautifully described by Ukhtomsky. But the more cheerful side of the journey completely fell out of the "life of the Highest Travelers." Here, for example, is how Nikolai described a visit to the Russian consul in Luxor. Oriental dancers were hired by the Consul. Nicholas and company got them drunk, and “They took off their clothes and did everything in the Eva costume. For a long time we did not roll with laughter at the sight of these dark bodies that pounced on Puli [brother George]. One finally stuck to him, so only with sticks we freed him from it..
From Ismailia, "Memory of Azov" proceeded to Aden, and from there to Bombay. In India, Grand Duke George Alexandrovich was diagnosed with consumption (tuberculosis). His father ordered him to urgently return to Russia on the cruiser Admiral Kornilov.
In February 1891, when Nikolai was hunting in Ceylon, the Tamara yacht, which belonged to Nikolai's second cousin, Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich, entered the port of Colombo. By the way, do not let the word "yacht" mislead the reader. It was a rather large (displacement 1000 tons) seaworthy vessel with a crew of 80 people. Nikolai was glad to see Alexander and Sergei Mikhailovich. The Grand Dukes enjoyed hunting in the jungles of the island. But soon a telegram arrived in Colombo announcing the death of Mihajlović's mother. The brothers left the Tamara and set off for Russia on a fast English steamer.
After India, Nicholas visited Singapore, the island of Java, Siam (now Thailand), Saigon (Vietnam was then a French colony), Hong Kong, Hankou and Shanghai. Finally, on April 15, 1891, the "Memory of Azov" entered the raid of Nagasaki.
The Japanese authorities greeted the heir to the Russian throne with pomp. However, on April 29, in the small town of Otsu, an assassination attempt was made on Nikolai. One rickshaw was driving along Nikolai Street, and two others were running to the side, helping the driver. The heir was followed by a carriage with Prince George, and the third, also in a rickshaw, was the Japanese prince Arisugawa. The street was only eight paces wide. The cortege stretched out, numerous Japanese policemen pressed against the walls of houses. And then the policeman Tsuda Satso rushed to the heir. After Nikolai writes to his mother: “We had hardly gone two hundred paces when suddenly a Japanese policeman rushed into the middle of the street and, holding a saber with both hands, hit me on the back of the head! I shouted to him in Russian: what do you want? And did a jump over my jeep rickshaw Turning around, I saw that he was running at me with a saber raised again, I rushed down the street with all my legs, pressing down on the wound on my head with my hand..
It all happened so quickly that most of the escorts and the police were dumbfounded. The Greek prince reacted the fastest. He knocked Satso down with one blow of his fist. The saber fell from the hands of the attacker, the rickshaw carrying the heir grabbed it and tried to kill Satso. But here the barely alive terrorist was tied up by the police. Later investigation revealed that the samurai Tsuda Satso was an extreme nationalist. Whether he was mentally ill, as Japanese officials claimed, is debatable.
A bowler hat sewn from hard fabric saved Nikolai's life. The wounded heir was sent to the nearest shop, where the wound was washed and two stitches were put on him.
There was no danger to the prince's life. Japan did not want to quarrel with Russia then. The Emperor of Japan took an unprecedented step. He personally visited the "Memory of Azov". Almost the entire deck of the cruiser was littered with valuable gifts. But Alexander III did not come up with anything smarter than sending a telegram to the cruiser commander: “Set aside further travel. Go to Vladivostok immediately."
The Japanese, of course, were offended. But of great importance this episode in Russian-Japanese relations did not have. The opinion of many historians is erroneous that the attack in Otsu made Nicholas hate Japan. Alas, until 1905, Nikolai judged Japan by bowing and smiling officials and geishas ready for anything. Nikolai deeply despised the Japanese, they were some kind of subhuman for him, and Nikolai never called the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun other than “Japs” and “macaques”. Unfortunately, the vast majority of Russian generals and admirals thought so too.
May 4, 1891 Nikolai arrived in Vladivostok. There he happened to be present at the laying of the monument to the pioneer of the Amur, Admiral G.I. Nevelsky, as well as dry dock, etc. In Vladivostok, Nicholas received an imperial rescript: “Having commanded now to start building a continuous railway across Siberia, which has to connect the abundant gifts of nature of the Siberian region with a network of internal rail communications, I instruct you to declare such my will, upon your entry back to the Russian land, after reviewing the foreign countries of the East”.
Nikolai personally laid the foundation stone for the Ussuri section of the Trans-Siberian Railway. The Tsarevich famously rolled a wheelbarrow with earth and threw it into a cliff.
On the way home, Nikolai made a long journey through Khabarovsk, Blagoveshchensk, Nerchinsk, Chita, Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Tomsk, Tobolsk, Surgut, Omsk, Orenburg, Moscow, and on August 4, 1891 arrived in St. Petersburg.
The assassination attempt on Otsu, according to tradition, was marked by the ringing of bells throughout Russia and prayers for the miraculous rescue of the Tsarevich. Apollo Mikhailov wrote sublime verses on this occasion:
Royal youth, twice saved!
Revealed two times touched Russia
God's providence is a shield over you!
A whirlwind rushed the news of thunder,
Raising the hidden flame in the hearts
In the general impulse to pray, the saint.
With this prayer throughout the Russian land,
With all hearts You are more deeply absorbed ...
Walk on your way and be cheerful and calm,
Pure before God and bright in soul.
Liberal Russia reacted to the incident in Otsu with humor. Poems composed by Senator Onu, who, by the way, accompanied Nikolai on his journey, circulated all over Russia:
Incident in Otsu
Understand the king and queen!
Is it sweet for mother, father,
If the son is beaten by the police?
And Tsarevich Nikolai,
When you have to reign
You look don't forget
What the police are fighting!
Saying “twice saved”, Apollon Mikhailov meant the catastrophe of the royal train on October 17, 1888 in Borki. The cause of the disaster was our two traditional troubles - fools and roads. “Over the hillock” they laid heavy rails of 28–30 or more pounds per linear foot, and we have light rails (22–24 pounds). In Europe, there was a ballast made of gravel, and we have sand. Their sleepers are metal, and ours are wooden, and even too lazy to tar them. As a result, a large and heavy royal train of fifteen cars had to be transported not by one, but by two steam locomotives, and not passenger ones, as in ordinary passenger trains, but goods ones, not designed for high speed driving. But the king liked fast driving. Freight locomotives swayed at high speed and knocked out the rail, the train went downhill. Only by a miracle did all the members of the imperial family survive.
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According to an ingrained tradition, all Russian heirs to the throne, starting from Paul I, having completed the course of science, went on a journey. Most often there were two trips: a large one - in Russia, a little less - in Europe. But an unusual, grandiose sea and land tour was planned for Nikolai, which combined both travels. Moreover, both parts had to pass through the territory where no crown prince had previously been, excluding only the last part of the path. The plan for this grandiose tour was developed by representatives of the General Staff and the Synod. It was composed by the tutor of the Tsarevich, General Grigory Grigoryevich Danilovich, who was assisted by Admiral Ivan Alekseevich Shestakov, geographer Alexander Ivanovich Voeikov and Captain 1st Rank N.N. Lomen, who later acted as commander of the frigate "Memory of Azov".
His Imperial Highness the Heir Tsesarevich and Grand Duke Nikolai Alexandrovich. "Overview of the Path". Sheets from the book by E. Ukhtomsky "Journey to the East ..." 
This event was given great national importance and the trip was carefully prepared. Alexander III decided to establish the Great Siberian Railway, and the heir Nikolai Alexandrovich had to personally be present at the start of construction in Vladivostok. Well, in addition to educational goals, Nikolai also had to communicate and establish personal relationships with the reigning persons of the states along the travel route. The journey of the crown prince, which lasted 300 days, was unprecedented. In Russian history, this was the first trip of the emperor's son to countries far from Russia. The route ran through Warsaw, Vienna, Trieste, Greece, the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt, the Red Sea, Aden, the Indian Ocean, India, Ceylon, Siam, Java, Singapore, China, Japan and boundless Eastern Russia.
During the entire journey, the Tsarevich was accompanied by five people: the head of the entire journey, Major General of the retinue, Prince Vladimir Anatolyevich Baryatinsky, the adjutant wing, Prince Nikolai Dmitrievich Obolensky (Life Guards Cavalry Regiment), Prince Viktor Sergeevich Kochubey (His Highness' Cavalier Guard Regiment), Evgeny Nikolaevich Volkov (Life Guards Hussar E.V. Regiment). An official from the Ministry of the Interior, Prince Esper Esperovich Ukhtomsky, was seconded to write a book about the trip.
Abroad, a student of the Wanderer A.P. Bogolyubov watercolorist Nikolai Nikolaevich Gritsenko (in Trieste), naval doctor Vladimir Konstantinovich von Rambach (in Cairo) and flag-captain of His Imperial Majesty Rear Admiral (later Adjutant General) Vladimir Grigorievich Basargin (accompanying him in Siberia).
The journey began on October 23 (November 4), 1890 in Gatchina after a prayer service. Emperor Alexander III with the Empress entered the carriage of the imperial train to see the heir to the throne to the nearest station - Siverskaya. The path to the sea flashed quickly. In Warsaw, travelers only transferred to a foreign imperial train. Emperor Franz Joseph arranged a solemn meeting for the heir to the Russian throne.
In Vienna, he visited the residence of the Habsburgs, the Vienna Opera and from there went to Trieste, a city and port belonging to Austria, but located on the Adriatic Sea in Italy. Three Russian ships were waiting for him there - the frigates "Memory of Azov", "Vladimir Monomakh" and the gunboat "Zaporozhets". In Trieste, they were joined by the younger brother of the Tsarevich - 18-year-old Grand Duke Georgy Alexandrovich, who served as a midshipman on the "Memory of Azov".
"Memory of Azov" and "Vladimir Monomakh" in Piraeus, late 1880s-early 1890s
On October 26 (November 7), the travelers set off for Greece. After staying with the royal family in Athens (with the godmother of Tsarevich Olga Konstantinovna and her husband, King George I of Greece), the travelers moved on. With them went the son of the Greek monarchs, Prince George (great-grandson of Emperor Nicholas I, cousin of Nicholas and George Alexandrovich).
Tsarevich Nicholas and his entourage visiting the royal family in Greece (1890)
Grand Duke George Alexandrovich. Prince George of Greece
Sheets from the book by E. Ukhtomsky "Journey to the East ...", artist N.N. Karazin
The squadron went to the shores of Africa, to Egypt, to Alexandria, where the travelers made a stop. From November 10 to November 7, the cruisers were on the roadstead in Port Said, and for two weeks Nikolai and his retinue got acquainted with Egypt - they went down the Nile to modern Aswan and back, visited Cairo and its environs, inspecting the monuments of Ancient Egypt, climbed the pyramids.
Egyptian route
Tsesarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich (fifth from left) during a trip. Egypt. 1890
Illustrations from the book by E. Ukhtomsky "Journey to the East ...", artist N.N. Karazin.
Before breakfast at the pyramids
From Suez, Russian ships followed through Aden to India, where they arrived on December 11 (23) in Bombay, where they were greeted with fireworks.
The cruiser anchored in the harbor of Bombay, and the Tsarevich went ashore, where a 42-day entertainment program awaited him. The heir with his companions in the period from December 11 to December 31, 1890 made a long land campaign in India. The British authorities offered the writer Sir Donald Mackenzie Wallace to accompany the Tsarevich on a trip to India. He was a well-known diplomat who knew Russian well and had once been the secretary of the Indian Viceroy, Lord Defferin. The honorary mission was shared with him by Colonel Gerard of the Bengal Army. The trip was planned to be quite long - up to five weeks. The composition of the participants, in comparison with the Nile, was reduced. With Nikolai went: Prince of Greece, Prince V. Baryatinsky, Prince E. Ukhtomsky, Prince V. Kochubey, M. Onu, Dr. V. Rambach, artist V. Gritsenko and three guards officers.
Indian route
Madras group of the heir to the Tsarevich with satellites in India
Hiking route in India (with partial rafting on the Ganges): Bombay, Delhi, Agra, Lahore, Amritsar, Benares, Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, Colombo (Ceylon). The journey of the crown prince in India was to combine acquaintance with the history of the country, the culture of the peoples inhabiting it, and, of course, the satisfaction of the passion that was characteristic of the peoples of Russia and their kings no less than the Hindus and the rulers of this region.
The Tsarevich hunts a leopard in India
Illustrations from the book by E. Ukhtomsky "Journey to the East ...", artist N.N. Karazin
Having visited the island of Elephanta, examined the Parel Palace and made an incognito tour of Bombay with a visit to the native quarters, on December 13 (25) the crown prince left by train for inner India. From the Nandgaon station, travelers on chariots went to the possessions of the native ruler Nizam. Nizam is an honorary title, something close to the Viceroy. Before the Russians there was a real, colorful, wretched pagan India. At the town of Rodza, by order of the Nizam, a camp was set up for the guests. The local court, unusually flattered by the attention of such a distinguished guest, spared no expense in hospitality.
The Tsesarevich visiting the Maharaja of Benares
Illustrations from the book by E. Ukhtomsky "Journey to the East ...", artist N.N. Karazin
Having examined the Mughal mausoleum, where the clothes of the prophet Mohammed himself are kept, Nikolai made excursions in the vicinity of Rodza. In Davletobad, which in the Middle Ages was called the "fortress of the gods", he examined the monuments, overgrown with jungle. This was the world of ancient Ellora. Dilapidated shrines, altars, monastic premises, pagan sanctuaries are the greatest archaeological monuments of the planet, a triumph of original sculpture and architecture of bygone eras. Nicholas was struck by the famous palace of the god Shiva "Kailash", a monument of monolithic art, carved from one colossal mass of stone, separated from the mountain. "Kailash" or Rang Mahal, Nikolai examined carefully, bypassing many galleries of the temple-cliff, as if wanting to feel inner world stone pantheon, the pagan spirit of these bizarre and rough forms of rock inspired by man and as if opening a page from the Mahabharata.
They met with local rulers - rajas, hunted, sightseeing, bought souvenirs and received gifts.
Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich and Prince George during a trip to India
Chess table, a gift to the Tsarevich in India
After the farewell illumination in the city of Madur, the hour of departure from India came. On December 31 (January 12) in Ceylon, the Tsarevich met with Grand Dukes Alexander and Sergei Mikhailovich, returning from distant lands on the Tamara yacht, who had arrived on the island to hunt elephants. They were waiting for a joint excursion deep into the island, visiting the Kandyan temple and the “tooth of the Buddha”.
Tsesarevich, Grand Duke Nikolai Alexandrovich in Colombo (Ceylon). Tsarevich Nicholas, Grand Dukes Alexander and Sergei Mikhailovich, Prince George of Greece in Colombo (Ceylon). From the funds of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation 
In the National Botanical Garden of Colombo in 1891, an iron tree was planted by the Tsarevich, which is now visited by tourists.
Unforeseen changes in the composition of the detachment were introduced by the illness of Grand Duke George Alexandrovich. He had a constant high temperature, doctors found clear signs of tuberculosis in him, which in a humid tropical climate could dangerously worsen. On January 23, 1891, George transferred to the cruiser Admiral Kornilov, which was heading to Russia to return to his homeland.
Afternoon rest of the highest persons on the frigate "Memory of Azov" (Tsesarevich, Prince George, Grand Duke George Alexandrovich) 
In the cabin-campaign of the cruiser "Memory of Azov"
Sleeping sailors in the heat
Tsesarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich, Prince George and Grand Duke George Alexandrovich with officers of the frigate "Memory of Azov" 
January 31 (February 11) "Memory of Azov" with "Vladimir Monomakh" left Ceylon and, connecting with the Pacific squadron, through Singapore (February 18) and Batavia on the island of Java (February 23) proceeded to Bangkok (March 7).
Frigates "Memory of Azov" and "Vladimir Monomakh". 1891
February 23 Russian ships came to Batavia (the capital of the Netherlands Indies, modern Jakarta), thereby finding themselves in the Southern Hemisphere. This was done for the celebration of crossing the equator. They spent the holiday according to the tradition established in the Russian fleet - with the arrival of the sea king Neptune with his retinue and swimming in a pool built of canvas (as biographers note, Nikolai and Georg did not swim).
In Batavia, they arranged for the heir to hunt for crocodiles and catch elephants. On February 26 (March 10), the Tsarevich ascended the Javanese volcano Papandayu, in the heart of the island.
In Bangkok, Nicholas is a guest of the Siamese (Thai) King Rama V Chulalongkorn for a week. The heir was given an exceptionally warm welcome, he was awarded the highest Siamese order, and received personal gifts from the king.
Tsarevich Nicholas (left) visiting the Siamese king
Illustrations from the book by E. Ukhtomsky "Journey to the East ...", artist N.N. Karazin
On March 13 (25), Nikolai Aleksandrovich followed to Nanjing via Saigon (March 15), Hong Kong (March 23) and Shanghai. From Nanjing, he traveled along the Yangtze River on the steamer of the Russian Volunteer Fleet Vladivostok, accompanied by gunboats, to the city of Hankou, where there was a large tea factory owned by the Russian trading house Tokmakov, Molotkov and Company.
Russian tea factory in Hankou
On April 15 (27), 1891, accompanied by six ships of the Russian fleet, led by the flagship cruiser "Memory of Azov", the squadron under the crown-pennant entered first into Kagoshima (Hiroshima), and then into the port of Nagasaki. By April, almost the entire Pacific squadron had gathered for the raid of Nagasaki: “Memory of Azov”, “Vladimir Monomakh”, “Admiral Nakhimov”, boats “Manchzhur”, “Korean”, “Beaver”, clipper ship “Dzhigit” and three steamships of the voluntary fleet : "Petersburg", "Vladimir" and "Baikal". Actually, the visit to Japan began with Nagasaki, where Nikolai and his companions stayed for 9 days.
Nagasaki raid. 1891
The Tsarevich incognito got acquainted with the city and, together with the officers of the squadron, repeatedly visited the suburb of Nagasaki Inasamura (or Inasu), which was called the Russian village. About 600 sailors from the wrecked frigate Askold lived here for some time in the 1870s. It was then that Russian-Japanese families arose here, as well as a Russian cemetery.
Inas. Russian colony near Nagasaki, examined by the Tsarevich
Inas. Squadron officers with their Japanese musume - "temporary wives"
Illustrations from the book by E. Ukhtomsky "Journey to the East ...", artist N.N. Karazin
In the city, Nikolai Alexandrovich bought souvenirs and even met tattoo artists. Interest in tattoos, which in Japan were used only by members of the lower classes, was not accidental. Having received an "English upbringing", the crown prince could not have been unaware of the spread from the second half of XIX century in British aristocratic circles, the fashion for "tattoo". It is obvious that the Russian Tsarevich in his desire to acquire a tattoo followed the example of his English relatives. Two Japanese craftsmen were delivered to the frigate "Memory of Azov". One made a tattoo to Nikolai Alexandrovich, and the second to his cousin George the Greek. So the future Russian monarch had an image of a dragon on his right hand - with a black body, yellow horns, a red belly and green paws. This information, despite the secrecy of the visit of the masters, nevertheless leaked into the Japanese press.
1912-1913. On the right forearm, a dragon is visible, made in Nagasaki 
Shortly after Easter, which fell on April 22 (May 4) in 1891, Nikolai Aleksandrovich visited an exhibition of ceramics in Nagasaki, saw the Suwa Shinto shrine and took part in feasts.
The heir to the Tsesarevich in Nagasaki in a rickshaw. 1891.
Nagasaki. The heir to the crown prince and Prince George of Greece look from the balcony at the spiritual procession arranged in honor of his highness 
Japanese procession in honor of the Tsarevich. Nagasaki. Start of the procession
Model of the ship "Memory of Azov", made by order of Nikolai Alexandrovich during his stay in Japan in the city of Nagasaki in the firm of Emiro Eizaki 
Nagasaki. A raft loaded with gifts from the Japanese for His Imperial Highness the heir to the Tsarevich. 1891
Nagasaki. Tea House Amachi-san, where the Tsarevich spent the whole evening playing billiards
On April 23, the Russian squadron left Nagasaki and arrived at the port of Kobe on April 27. In Kobe, they met with a delegation headed by Prince Arisugawa Tarukhito (Arisugawa-no-miya Tarukhite).
Kobe. The hotel in which the officers of the squadron of the heir to the Tsarevich were received. 1891
From Kobe, the Tsarevich and his entourage traveled by land to Kyoto, where they stayed at the Tokiwa Hotel. Since this was the first visit of the heir to a foreign throne to Japan, and due to the rapid growth of military influence Russian Empire in the Far East, the Japanese government paid great attention to this visit in order to contribute to the improvement of Russian-Japanese relations. However, the visit of Nikolai Alexandrovich also caused great concern among the Japanese population. Not everyone in the country watched with pleasure the strengthening of Russia in the Far East. On the same day, a crowd gathered outside the hotel, and hostile cries were heard. The Russian diplomatic mission received a threatening document, signed in blood. As early as November 21, 1890, the Russian envoy in Tokyo sent a dispatch to St. Petersburg, which spoke of hostile demonstrations by Japanese students who threw stones into the gazebo of the garden of the imperial mission, where ladies gathered at the envoy's wife who wanted to look at the procession that took place on the occasion of the opening of the Japanese parliament.
Heir Tsarevich and Prince George
On April 29 (May 10), Nikolai and Prince George, accompanied by Prince Arisugawa-no-miya, set off on carriages carried by jan rickshaws from Kyoto to the city of Otsu (Otsu). There they visited the Miidera Temple (Temple of Salvation), revered by the Japanese, admired the beauty of Lake Biwa, visited the bazaar, where Nikolai bought many small souvenirs.
Kyoto. The monastery gate of the Buddhist temple, examined by the crown prince
Kyoto. Temple of Salvation, inspected by the Tsarevich
Kyoto. Buddhist Temple and Sacred Lake, inspected by the heir to the Tsarevich
Yokosko. Bronze colossal Buddha and the Tsarevich and squadron officers sitting on it
Buddha carved into a rock near Kyoto. Examined by the Tsarevich
On their way back to Kyoto, a long procession of forty jan rickshaws moved slowly down the crowded street. The heir rode in a manual carriage, which was driven by one driver, two other "pushers" pushed the jan rickshaw on both sides from behind. Prince George of Greece and other persons of the retinue rode next.
On Shimo-Kogarasaki Street, one of the policemen, Tsuda Sanzo, suddenly rushed to Nikolai and managed to deliver two glancing blows with his saber. He was saved from death by the Greek prince George, who accompanied the crown prince, who beat off another blow with a cane. The driver of the heir knocked down the assassin, and the driver of Prince George, seizing the sword, hit Tsuda Sanzo on the neck and back, causing insensibility, which allowed the head of the guard of the Russian retinue to tie the criminal.
Tsuda Sanzo (1855-1891) On May 27, 1891, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in Hokkaido, often referred to as "Japanese Siberia." He died in prison from pneumonia. According to another version, he starved himself to death. In Tsuda's home village, after the incident, it was forbidden to name children after him, and Tsuda's relatives became outcasts. 
Tsuda Sanzo's saber and Nikolai's bloodied handkerchief among other things
All this happened in a few seconds. Nikolai was quickly taken to the nearby house of a haberdashery owner, where a bed was prepared for him. However, Nikolai refused to lie down in it and, after bandaging, sat down at the entrance to the store, calmly smoking.
A street in Otsu where an attempt was made on the life of the Tsarevich
Otsu. The house into which the crown prince was brought after the assassination attempt, and in which the first dressing was performed 
The house in the city of Otsu, in which the first dressing of the Tsarevich was performed after the assassination attempt
According to E.E. Ukhtomsky, the first words of the crown prince were: "It's nothing, if only the Japanese would not think that this incident could somehow change my feelings for them and my gratitude for their hospitality." Then, under the protection of the heir, they escorted him to the prefecture building, where he was provided with qualified medical care. A few hours later, he was discreetly taken to Kyoto. This incident is known in history as the Otsu Incident.
Already on April 30, Emperor Meiji arrived from Tokyo in Kyoto, who offered to send a special delegation to Russia to apologize for the incident, headed by Prince Arisugawa-no-miya, but the crown prince refused this.
Emperor Meiji
On the evening of April 30, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire received a telegram from the Russian envoy about an attempt on the life of the heir to the Russian throne. Two hours later, at 10:30 p.m., the Foreign Ministry sent a telegram to Gatchina to Alexander III. "Kyoto, April 29, 1891. Today, on the street, in the city of Otsu, a lower-ranking policeman rushed at the Tsarevich and hit him on the head with a saber. The wound is to the bone, but, according to our doctors, thanks to God, it is not dangerous. His Highness is cheerful and feeling well. He wants to continue the journey, led everyone to delight with his composure. The Japanese are in complete despair. Prince Baryatinsky reports in detail. I expressed my indignation by telegraph to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Japanese authorities sincerely sought to make amends, Mikado reported to St. Petersburg almost daily about the health of the heir to the throne, but nothing could be changed.
Alexander III and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire decided to end the Tsarevich's journey through Japan. The visit to Tokyo has been cancelled. Before sailing, "Memory of Azov" was visited by deputations with gifts and addresses of condolences from residents of various cities in Japan.
Osaka. The palace in which the heir lived and recovered after the assassination attempt on Otsu
Gifts from the Japanese to Nikolai Alexandrovich at the "Memory of Azov"
On May 6 (18) Nikolai turned 23 years old. In this regard, he received gifts from the imperial couple and the people of Osaka.
On the same day, rickshaws were invited to the frigate, who helped to detain the attacker and to whom the heir owed his life. Nicholas personally awarded them the Orders of St. Anna, in addition, each of them received a lump sum award of $ 1,500, and they were assigned a pension of $ 500 a year.
Japanese jan rickshaws who saved the crown prince during an assassination attempt on him in the city of Otsu
The office of the heir to the Tsarevich on the frigate "Memory of Azov"
The bed of the heir to the Tsarevich on the frigate "Memory of Azov"
Desk in the cabin-study of the Tsesarevich on the frigate "Memory of Azov"
Orchestra on the frigate "Memory of Azov"
According to an ingrained tradition, all Russian heirs, from Paul I to Alexander III, after completing the course of science, went on a journey. Most often there were two trips: a large one - in Russia, a little less - in Europe. This time, a completely unusual, grandiose, sea and land tour was planned for Nikolai, which combined both trips. Moreover, both parts of the journey had to pass through the territory where no crown prince had previously been, excluding only the last part of the journey.
Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich
The journey was carefully prepared, as it was given great national importance. Alexander III decided to establish the Great Siberian Railway and the heir, Nikolai Alexandrovich, had to personally be present at the start of construction in Vladivostok and bring the first wheelbarrow of soil for the railway embankment. Well, in addition to educational goals, Nikolai also had to communicate and establish personal relationships with the reigning persons of the states along the travel route. Nikolai was accompanied by the head of the entire journey, Major General of the retinue, Prince Baryatinsky V.A., as well as the adjutant wing, Prince N.D. Obolensky (Life Guards Cavalry Regiment), Prince V.S. Volkov (Life Guards Hussar E.V. Regiment). An official of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Prince Ukhtomsky E.E. was seconded to write a book about the trip.
Tsarevich Nikolai in the uniform of the Life Guards Hussar Regiment of His Majesty
October 3, 1890 Tsarevich Nicholas and five of his companions set off on a long journey. In Vienna, he visited the residence of the Habsburgs, the Vienna Opera and from there went to Trieste, a city and port belonging to Austria, but located on the Adriatic Sea in Italy. Three Russian ships were waiting for him there - the frigates "Memory of Azov", "Vladimir Monomakh" and the gunboat "Zaporozhets", as well as his brother, 18-year-old midshipman Georg, who continued the journey with him further
Armored cruiser "Pamyat Azov" and semi-armored frigate "Vladimir Monomakh" in Piraeus, late 1880s-early 1890s 
From Trieste on October 26, 1890, the heir boarded the frigate "Memory of Azov" and proceeded to Greece by sea.
Tsarevich Nicholas visiting the royal family in Greece. 1890 
There he was joined by his cousin, Prince George of Greece, and in early October the Russian squadron set off for the shores of Africa, Egypt, Alexandria, where the travelers made a stop.
Before breakfast at the pyramids
While the ships were sailing along the Suez Canal, the Tsarevich and his retinue made a trip along the Nile to modern Aswan and back, inspecting the monuments of Ancient Egypt.
Tsesarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich (fifth from left) during a trip. Egypt. 1890
From Suez, Russian ships followed through Aden to India, where they arrived on December 11 in Bombay. Here the heir with his companions went ashore and in the period from December 11 to December 31, 1890 made a long land trip across India along the route: Bombay, Agra, Lahore, Amritsar, Benares, Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, Colombo (Ceylon).
The Tsesarevich visiting the Maharaja of Benares
They met with local rulers - rajas, hunted, sightseeing, bought souvenirs and received gifts.
Madras group of the Heir to the Tsarevich with satellites in India
The Tsarevich hunts a leopard in India
Chess table, a gift to the Tsarevich in India
Leaving Ceylon on January 31st, In the National Botanical Garden of Colombo in 1891, an iron tree was planted by the Tsarevich, which is now visited by tourists.
"Memory of Azov" with "Vladimir Monomakh" through Singapore and Batavia (Java Island)
Frigates "Memory of Azov" and "Vladimir Monomakh". - 1891
Music in Java
follow to Bangkok. There, Tsarevich Nicholas is a guest of the Siamese (Thai) King Rama V Chulalongkorn for a week.
Tsarevich Nicholas (left) visiting the Siamese king
The heir was given an exceptionally warm welcome, he was awarded the highest Siamese order, and received personal gifts from the king.
Boats of the Siamese king
Saying goodbye to the hospitable king, Nikolai Alexandrovich followed on March 13 to Nanjing.
On the deck of the armored cruiser "Memory of Azov"
From this city, he travels along the Yangtze River on the Russian Volunteer Fleet steamer Vladivostok to the city of Han-kou, where there was a large tea factory owned by the Russian trading house Tokmakov, Molotkov and Company.
In the cabin campaign of the cruiser "Memory of Azov"
Afternoon rest of the highest persons on the frigate
"Memory of Azov" (Tsarevich, Prince George, Grand Duke George Alexandrovich). 
On April 15, 1891, accompanied by 6 ships of the Russian fleet, Nikolai Alexandrovich arrived in Japan.
Nagasaki raid. - 1891
A cordial meeting was organized for the honored guest, to which Prince Arisugawa-no-miya Tarukhite arrived. However, the visit of Nikolai Alexandrovich also caused great anxiety among the Japanese population. Not everyone in Japan watched with pleasure the strengthening of Russia in the Far East.
Nagasaki. The heir to the Tsarevich and Prince George of Greece look from the balcony at the spiritual procession arranged in honor of His Highness.
Japanese procession in honor of the Tsesarevich. Nagasaki. Start of the procession
The visit to Japan began from the city of Nagasaki, where Nikolai and his companions spent 9 days. The Tsarevich incognito got acquainted with the city and, together with the officers of the squadron, repeatedly visited the suburbs of Nagasaki, Inasamura or Inasu, which was called the Russian village.
Jenas. Russian colony near Nagasaki, examined by the heir Tsesarevich.
About 600 sailors from the wrecked frigate Askold lived here for some time in the 1870s. It was then that Russian-Japanese families arose here, as well as a Russian cemetery. Jenas. Squadron officers with their Japanese temporary wives. 
The term "temporary wife" in Japan was used to describe the type of relationship between a foreign citizen and a Japanese citizen, according to which, during the stay of a foreigner in Japan, he received a wife for use and maintenance. Foreigners themselves, in particular Russian officers, called such wives musume from the Japanese word for "girl, daughter." The institution of temporary wives arose in Japan in the second half of the 19th century and lasted until the war of 1904-1905. At that time, the Russian fleet, based in Vladivostok, regularly wintered in Nagasaki, and during their stay there, some Russian officers bought Japanese women for cohabitation.
The heir to the Tsarevich in the city of Nagasaki in a rickshaw 1891.
Traditionally, a contract was concluded with a foreign citizen, under which he received a Japanese citizen at his full disposal, pledging in exchange to provide her with maintenance - food, premises, hired servants, a rickshaw, and so on. Such an agreement was concluded from one month, and if necessary, extended up to a year or even three years. The cost of such a contract was 10-15 dollars per month. Virgins were especially valued, for the right to deprive a Japanese girl of innocence had to pay more. Musume were mostly teenage girls under the age of thirteen. Often, poor Japanese peasants and artisans themselves sold their daughters to foreigners, sometimes for a poor Japanese girl, this was the only way to earn a dowry and subsequently marry. Grand Duke Alexei Romanov (1850 - 1908) in 1871 was appointed senior officer on the Svetlana frigate, on which he sailed to North America, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, visited China, and in 1872 looked into Nagasaki. The son of Alexander II, Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich was one of the first to pay tribute to the exotic. Then the Grand Duke arrived in Vladivostok, from where he returned by land through Siberia.
Model of the ship "Memory of Azov", made by order of Nikolai Alexandrovich during his stay in Japan in Nagasaki in the firm of Emiro Eizaki
He had a temporary wife in Japan and another Grand Duke, the grandson of Emperor Nicholas I and a childhood friend of the future Emperor Nicholas II - Alexander Romanov (1866-1933). He played a significant role in the development of domestic military and civil shipbuilding, in the development of the infrastructure of coastal cities, and was one of the founders of Russian aviation. Alexander Romanov graduated Maritime School and served in the Navy. In 1886 he circumnavigated the world on the Rynda corvette. The Grand Duke was a professional military man, he was a comprehensively educated, intelligent and disciplined person. Grand Duke Alexander Romanov visited Japan, during his stay in Nagasaki he lived with a young Japanese woman. He then touchingly recalled this in his memoirs in exile after decades of a happy marriage with Grand Duchess Xenia.
Nagasaki. A raft loaded with gifts from the Japanese for His Imperial Highness the heir to the Tsarevich. - 1891
Therefore, the local population treated the Russians kindly, and local merchants were glad to see them. As E. E. Ukhtomsky mentions, there was a drinking establishment here with the symbolic name "Kbak Kronstadt".
Nagasaki. Tea house Amati-san, where the Tsesarevich spent the whole evening playing billiards.
On April 23, the Russian squadron left Nagasaki and arrived at the port of Kobe on April 27.
Kobe. The hotel in which the officers of the squadron of the heir to the Tsarevich were received. - 1891
On the same day, the heir and his entourage travel to Kyoto, where they stay at the Tokiwa Hotel. On the same day, a crowd gathered outside the hotel, and hostile cries were heard. The Russian diplomatic mission received a threatening document, signed in blood. On April 29, Nikolai and Prince George, accompanied by Prince Arisugawa-no-miya, set off in rickshaw-carried carriages from Kyoto to the city of Otsu.
Heir Tsesarevich and Prince George
There they visited the Miidera Temple, revered by the Japanese,
Kyoto. The monastery gate of the Buddhist temple, examined by the crown prince
Kyoto. Temple of Salvation, inspected by the Tsarevich
admired the beauty of Lake Biwa,
Kyoto. Buddhist Temple and Sacred Lake, inspected by the heir to the Tsarevich
A Buddha idol carved into a rock near Kyoto. Examined by the Tsarevich
We visited the bazaar, where Nikolai bought a lot of little souvenirs, many of which are easily identified with the items presented at the exhibition.
View of the Japanese exposition
Acquisition of Tsesarevich
On their way back to Kyoto, a long procession of 40 gin rickshaws moved slowly down the crowded street.
Street in the Father, where an attempt was made on the life of the Tsesarevich.
At this time, a policeman named Tsuda Sanzo, who was in charge of order and was in a crowd of bowing townspeople, pulled out a samurai sword and hit Nikolai twice on the head.
P. Ilyshev, Attack on Tsarevich Nicholas
He was saved from death by the Greek prince George, who accompanied the crown prince, who beat off another blow with a cane. The rickshaws who ran up overpowered the assassin, and one of them brought Sanzo to an insensible state with the sword of a policeman, which allowed the head of the guard of the Russian retinue to tie up the criminal. Nikolai was quickly taken to the nearby house of a haberdashery owner, where a bed was prepared for him.
. The house in the city of Father, in which the first dressing of the Tsesarevich was performed after the assassination attempt.
According to E.E. Ukhtomsky, the first words of the Tsarevich were: “It’s nothing, if only the Japanese didn’t think that this incident could change my feelings for them and my gratitude for their hospitality.” Then, under the protection of the heir, they escorted him to the building of the prefecture of Otsu, where he was provided with qualified medical assistance. A few hours later, he was discreetly taken to Kyoto.
Kyoto. A hotel in which, on the orders of the Japanese Emperor, the officers of the squadron of the heir to the Tsarevich were received. Here the officers received the first news of the assassination attempt on the person of His Highness the Tsarevich
On April 30, Emperor Meiji himself arrived there to visit the Tsarevich. This meeting took place on the morning of May 1, and the emperor offers to send a special delegation to Russia to apologize for the incident, headed by Prince Arisugawa-no-miya, but the crown prince refused this. On May 4, an urgent telegram arrived from Alexander III with an order to urgently depart for Vladivostok. Before sailing, "Memory of Azov" was visited by deputations with gifts and addresses of condolences from residents of various cities in Japan.
Gifts from the Japanese to the Tsesarevich.
On May 6, rickshaws were invited to the frigate, who helped to detain the attacker and to whom the heir owed his life. Nicholas personally awarded them the Orders of St. Anna, in addition, each of them received a lump sum award of $ 1,500, and they were assigned a pension of $ 500 a year.
The Japanese janriksha who saved the Tsesarevich from the impending danger during the assassination attempt on him in the city of Otsu.
On May 6, Nikolai turned 23 years old. In this regard, he received gifts from the imperial couple and the people of Osaka.
Janriksha cart presented to the heir to the crown prince in Osaka by master Daisuke Akiha
The emperor gave him a painting scroll, and the empress a black lacquer shodan bookshelf (it was present at the 1893-1894 exhibition, but its whereabouts are currently unknown.).
On the day of departure, the last meeting of the Tsarevich with Emperor Meiji took place on the "Memory of Azov". During this last meeting, the Inuomono carpet was brought to Nikolai.
Osaka. The palace in which the Heir lived and recovered after the assassination attempt on the Father.
The house of a wealthy Japanese, examined by the Tsesarevich
Yokohama. "Grand Hotel", where squadron officers stayed
Yokohama. The hotel where the squadron stayed.
Yokosko. Bronze colossal Buddha and the Tsesarevich and squadron officers sitting on it
The office of the heir to the Tsarevich on the frigate "Memory of Azov".
The bed of the heir to the Tsarevich on the frigate "Memory of Azov"
Cruiser "Vladimir Monomakh". ship church
Cruiser "Vladimir Monomakh". His artillery. 6 inch gun.
His Highness the Tsarevich and Prince George among the officers of the squadron
His Imperial Highness the heir Tsarevich, Prince George and Grand Duke George Alexandrovich with the officers of the frigate "Memory of Azov".
Tsarevich's squadron in Vladivostok
The triumphal arch erected in Vladivostok in 1891 in honor of the visit of the Tsarevich
It is here that the main state task of the heir begins - the beginning of the construction of the Great Siberian Railway .
On May 20, Nikolai solemnly said goodbye to the crew of the "Memory of Azov" and to all the ships, and on May 21 he left Vladivostok, setting off through Siberia to St. Petersburg, where he arrived on August 4, 1891. During the journey, 51,000 versts were covered, of which 15,000 were by rail, 5,000 were in a carriage, 9,100 were on rivers, and 21,900 were on seas. It took about two months for the Tsarevich to return. Along the Ussuri on the steamer "Bulletin" 
The path through Russia ran through Khabarovka (future Khabarovsk), 
The future emperor was present and grand opening monument to Count N.N. Muravyov-Amursky
Arrival of the heir to the throne in the city school.
Blagoveshchensk
The triumphal arch erected in Blagoveshchensk in 1891 in honor of the visit of the Tsarevich
Nerchinsk, Chita, Irkutsk,
Tsarevich Nicholas among the Buryats
Tomsk, Tobolsk, Surgut, Omsk, Orenburg and took about two months. According to the tradition of that time in each locality, in which the heir to the Russian throne stayed at least for a few hours, triumphal arches were built. Most often - from a tree. gifts from different peoples Russia. Composition Yakut camp
Gifts from different peoples of Russia. A dish of Orsk jasper, decorated with the crown of the Tsarevich under a crown of Ural precious stones. Brought from the Bashkirs of the Orsk district.
Gifts from different peoples of Russia The team of the frigate "Memory of Azov" was V.D. Mendeleev, son of a famous chemist, amateur photographer. It was he who managed to compose a kind of photographic chronicle of the journey.
112 years ago, on August 16, 1891, the heir to the Russian throne, 23-year-old Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich, the future last Russian autocrat Nicholas II, completed his three-month journey through Siberia.
By the time the Tsarevich arrived in Vladivostok, a Triumphal Arch was built of stone and brick with an unquenchable lamp in front of the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. In Soviet times, the arch was destroyed. Since then, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge, much has changed in the country and in the world. And on May 16 of this year, the Arc de Triomphe, which has long been called the Nicholas Gate, contrary to the forecasts of skeptics, returned to the city on the Pacific coast. She returned in the presence of guests from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Khabarovsk, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. In front of the parade of sailors, border guards, Cossacks, to the sounds of a naval orchestra and repeated volleys of weapons, the archbishop of Vladivostok and Primorsky Veniamin blessed the creators of this magnificent structure, their hard two-year work was crowned with success. The Royal Gates were recreated in their original appearance.
On a cloudy October day in 1890, the crowned family saw off the young heir to the throne from Gatchina on a trip around the world. Emperor Alexander the Third sensibly judged that his son's trip would broaden his horizons and later help him manage a vast country. On the main-bram-topmast of the guards frigate "Memory of Azov" the flag of the heir to the throne was raised. As in a colored kaleidoscope, European and Eastern countries- Greece, Egypt, India, Siam, China, so unlike Russia. However, the main goal of the trip was the country that almost cost the future king his life - Japan. In the samurai kingdom, they looked askance at their big neighbor, and Japanese newspapers wondered if the trip of the Russian heir was connected with the study of military affairs in Japan. The Japanese called the Orthodox church, which opened then in Tokyo, "overwhelming with its impressiveness." The frigate "Memory of Azov" first entered the port of Nagasaki, called the "Russian Gate of Japan".
The first visit of the Tsarevich was to the Russian cemetery. The monks of the Buddhist temple take care of the Russian graves even today. They still keep a gift from the royal retinue - a portrait of Nicholas II. At the end of April 1891, a cavalcade of forty rickshaws serving the royal retinue crossed the city of Otsu in a winding snake. One of the policemen suddenly rushed out of the crowd and hit the crown prince on the head with his sword. Either his hand trembled, or the young Nikolai quickly reacted, but the wound turned out to be light. True, the visit had to end. The reasons for the assassination attempt were various, although one of the Tsarevich's close associates suggested that foreigners in Japan had long been sowing hostility towards their northern neighbor, instilling prejudice against the Russian people in native radicals.
On May 6, while still in Japan, the Tsarevich celebrated his 23rd birthday with friends and associates. Immediately after that, the frigate weighed anchor and headed for Vladivostok. And already on May 11, the townspeople gathered on Admiralskaya Embankment to meet the distinguished guest. The city was cleaned up, decorated with banners, flags and garlands of flowers. From the ports of the fortress, three cannon volleys and a loud “hurray” sounded.
The next day, May 12, Nikolai went ashore. The meeting with the people took place at the newly built arch. On the main street of the city - Svetlanskaya - the troops stood up like trellises. Sailors lined up on ships at the entrance to the Golden Horn Bay. Volleys of cannons were heard - church bells sounded, and the mayor Ivan Makovsky brought bread and salt on a silver platter. In the evening, the city was festively illuminated, and from the sea, its terraces and slopes of the hills looked very colorful. Boats and boats in the bay were also decorated with lights, and the entire fleet squadron looked like a bright fairy tale in the night against the background of the dark sky and the mountains bordering the bay. On May 17, the Tsarevich took part in the laying of the monument to Admiral Gennady Ivanovich Nevelsky. He laid a mortgage plate at the base of the monument, after which the installation of the foundation began.
People who knew the admiral brushed away tears. On October 26, 1897, the monument was inaugurated. Another ceremony with the participation of the heir is the laying of the dry dock. He was named after Nicholas. To the sounds of a solemn salute, the Tsarevich laid a memorial plaque. “Now there is no need to turn to the expensive services of foreigners to repair our ships,” the local newspaper wrote, “and hundreds of thousands of rubles will remain with us.”
However, the main purpose of Nikolai's journey to Far East was the bookmark of the Trans-Siberian. In the highest rescript addressed to him, it was written: “I order to begin the construction of a continuous, through the whole of Siberia, railway, which has to connect the abundant gifts of nature in the Siberian regions with a network of internal rail communications. I instruct you to declare such my will upon entering the Russian land again ... ”May 19, 1891 was the birthday of the Trans-Siberian Railway. A laying place was prepared on an embankment two versts from the city. The Tsarevich loaded the wheelbarrow with earth with a shovel and drove two dozen meters to the place of the first kilometer of the future highway. To connect Vladivostok with Moscow, it took an incredible number of such wheelbarrows.
The laying of the station building took place in the city. Next to the first stone on a silver board was inscribed: “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit in the Summer of the Nativity of Christ 1891, the month of May 19th. In the prosperous reign of His Imperial Majesty the Sovereign Emperor, Autocrat of the All-Russian Alexander III, in the city of Vladivostok, this first stone was laid for the final section of the Siberian Railway (Ussuri Road) under construction ... "
On February 1, 1896, the South Ussuri section of the Siberian railway was put into operation. During the days of his stay in Vladivostok, the heir was shown the surroundings of the city, he tasted food in the barracks of the Siberian naval crew, watched an exhibition of the most skillful works of Sakhalin convicts, visited the Society for the Study of the Amur Territory and donated a thousand rubles for its development.
Tsarevich Nicholas left Vladivostok on May 21, 1891. His journey was described in detail by Prince E. Ukhtomsky, who later published several solid volumes on fine paper with the finest engravings. They can be seen in the library of the Primorsky Society for the Study of the Amur Territory. And gifts to the heir and his purchases are in the Hermitage. Thirteen years ago, they again visited Vladivostok - on their way to Japan, to the exhibition "Journey to Nagasaki". The circle of travel of the hereditary emperor of Russia, 100 years long, then closed, but the historical passage of time brought him into a new orbit.
The crown prince stayed in Vladivostok for ten days - from May 11 to May 21. At first it was assumed that the frigate "Memory of Azov" would enter the Golden Horn Bay in June. However, the attack of the samurai on the young heir in the city of Otsu changed plans. At the insistence of the Mother Empress, the visit was curtailed. This tragic episode is described in the large exhibition "Journey to the East and the Return of the Tsarevich" at the International Exhibition Center of the Arseniev Primorsky Regional Museum. Here you can also see the Order of St. Anna of the fourth degree, with which the Tsarevich awarded two rickshaws who detained the attacker and saved his life.
Then this sad event stirred up all of Japan, they feared a war with Russia and even indemnities. But, as was reported from St. Petersburg, the sovereign and empress felt deep satisfaction in connection with the sincere participation shown in relation to the crown prince by the emperor, the government and all the people of Japan. Given this position of the Japanese side, Russia did not demand any compensation. In Japanese historiography, the assassination attempt was called the Otsu Incident. The municipal museum of this city opened an exhibition dedicated to this event.
As is known, by decision of the governments of the two neighboring countries, 2003 was declared the Year of Japanese Culture in Russia. The Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation prepared an exhibition that opened in Tokyo. Visitors to the new exhibition had a rare opportunity to hear the voice of the last Russian emperor. The pages of the Tsarevich's diary are also presented here, of particular interest, of course, are the entries made immediately after the assassination attempt on Otsu. In Moscow, in the archive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, there are copies of this unique document, as well as copies of telegrams sent by the Japanese Emperor Meiji to Alexander III.
Vladivostok is also known for the fact that it was here, on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, that the first demonstrative prayer service in Russia for the executed royal family was served. The new exposition has a section titled “Vladivostok Echo of the Yekaterinburg Events”. The section contains many interesting documents, for example, a set of postcards found in a cache during the demolition of an old house 30 years ago. Postcards taken from the investigation file of Sokolov, who conducted the official investigation, show members of the Romanov family and views of the Ipatiev House. In 1921, Sokolov was in Vladivostok, and, apparently, these photographs are from that period.
In the retinue that accompanied the crown prince during his journey, there were, as you know, an artist and a photographer. The last was Vladimir Dmitrievich Mendeleev, the son of a famous Russian scientist. He took many pictures and prepared a large album, which is kept in the Saltykov-Shchedrin National Public Library in St. Petersburg. Primorsky photographer Yuri Lugansky made high-quality photocopies. In addition to the new exposition, local historians have developed a route for a unique excursion "The Romanovs in Primorye", visiting which you can learn about the stay of not only the Tsarevich, but also the other six Grand Dukes of the Romanovs on the coastal land.
It should be noted that the project cost of the exhibition is within 700 thousand rubles, and it would be very difficult to implement this project without the support of sponsors and citizens. So, the first substantial contribution was made by the Far Eastern Railway, its representatives were awarded honorary invitation cards to the opening of the exhibition.
Returning to the opening of the Arc de Triomphe in Vladivostok on May 16 of this year, it is worth recalling that the first arch was also built with public money, only part of the funds was allocated from the city budget. Then the merchants of the city forked out in a big way. After all, it was from Vladivostok that the return of the heir to the throne to his native Fatherland began. Triumphal arches were erected along its entire route. All of them were later destroyed, and now Vladivostok again became a city that set a good example and resurrected the Arc de Triomphe. It is always difficult to take the first step, but what a memory it will echo in future generations!
Vladimir MARTYNOV,
sob. corr. "Beep".
Vladivostok.
