Kakichi Oaki, a master Japanese shipbuilder, was tasked with constructing a new vessel for Russian Admiral Putyatin and his crew. Their ship, the Diana, had been severely damaged and sank due to the Ansei Tokai earthquake and tsunami during Putyatin's 1854-1855 diplomatic mission to Japan.

Oaki worked directly with the stranded Russian sailors, applying his traditional Japanese shipbuilding expertise to create a seaworthy ship for their return to Russia. This joint construction effort became a significant technical and cultural exchange between Japanese and Russians in the Bakumatsu period.

His son, Oaki Kikusaburou, known as Kiku, observed and participated in the interactions between Japanese locals and the Russian visitors. Kiku's experiences later provided a perspective on the historical events surrounding the Treaty of Shimoda negotiations.

Kakichi Oaki's work enabled Admiral Putyatin's departure after the treaty's successful conclusion, directly facilitating the continuation of diplomatic relations between Japan and Russia despite the setbacks caused by the natural disaster.