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Perry Expedition to Japan, 1853-4
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Perry Expedition to Japan, 1853-4
Perry Expedition to Japan. 19th-century Japanese artwork depicting the fleet of US Navy Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry (1794-1858) in Uraga Harbour, near what would later be Tokyo. Perry first arrived here with four warships on 8 July 1853, returning with twice that number in February 1854. This is the left-hand panel of a Japanese diptych print. Above the coastline and ships (bottom) are the coats of arms of Japanese feudal lords assigned duties in this area. This show of force by the US resulted in Japanese fortifications being built in the bay, and the signing on 31 March 1854 of a treaty called the Convention of Kanagawa
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Media ID 9215881
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1854 Boat Boats Coast Coastline Coat Of Arms Exploration Fleet Harbor Harbour Invasion Japan Japanese Language Military Political Politics Ship Ships Symbol Symbols Text Tokyo Vessels Warfare 1853 Diptych Japanese Script Matthew Calbraith Perry Perry Expedition Sailing Vessel
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This 19th-century Japanese artwork, part of a diptych print, transports us back to the Perry Expedition to Japan in 1853-4. The left-hand panel vividly depicts Uraga Harbour, a site that would later become Tokyo. Here we witness the imposing fleet of US Navy Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry as he arrived with four warships on July 8,1853. A show of force that could not be ignored. The attention to detail is remarkable; above the coastline and ships lie the coats of arms belonging to Japanese feudal lords assigned duties in this area. These symbols represent both power and authority within their respective domains. Perry's return in February 1854 was even more formidable, with twice the number of warships accompanying him. This display prompted the construction of Japanese fortifications in the bay as a response to this perceived threat. The historical significance cannot be overstated: it led to the signing on March 31,1854, of an important treaty known as the Convention of Kanagawa. This agreement marked a turning point for Japan's relationship with foreign powers and opened up new avenues for trade and diplomacy. As we gaze upon this intricate illustration filled with sailing vessels and coastal landscapes, we are reminded not only of political maneuverings but also cultural exchange between East and West during this transformative period in history.
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