Priya Kapoor
Commodore Matthew Perry was a United States Navy officer who led an expedition to Japan with the goal of establishing formal trade and diplomatic relations between the US and Japan. This mission resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854, which opened up two ports in Japan to American ships and allowed the US to base a consul in Shimoda. To commemorate this event, a Japanese artist named Hibata Ōsuke created a scroll painting depicting Perry, with the original caption reading North American and Perry's portrait. The painting is now a significant historical artifact, as it not only marks the beginning of Japan's international trade relations but also reflects the power dynamics and cultural perceptions of the time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of creation | 1854 |
| Artist | Hibata Ōsuke |
| Subject | Signing of the Convention of Kanagawa |
| Medium | Scroll |
| Location | British Museum, London |
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What You'll Learn
- The painting depicts Commodore Matthew Perry's meeting with Japanese officials in Yokohama in 1853
- The meeting led to the signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854
- The treaty opened up Japan to trade and diplomacy with the US
- Perry returned to the US with art, pottery, textiles, and musical instruments
- Japan erected a monument to Perry in 1901
The painting depicts Commodore Matthew Perry's meeting with Japanese officials in Yokohama in 1853
The painting in question, 'The Landing of Perry at Yokohama', depicts a significant event in the mid-19th century, marking a pivotal moment in the relationship between Japan and the Western world. Completed in 1855, just two years after the event it portrays, the painting captures the moment Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States Navy met with Japanese officials in Yokohama in 1853. This diplomatic mission, known as the Perry Expedition, had far-reaching consequences, effectively ending Japan's self-imposed isolation and opening the country to international trade and diplomacy.
The artist, an American painter named Wilhelm Heine, was part of Perry's expedition, and his first-hand account of the event is evident in the painting's detail and accuracy. Heine's artwork provides a valuable visual record of this historic encounter, offering insight into the dress, customs, and atmosphere of the time. The painting is a careful composition, depicting a moment of cultural exchange between the Americans and the Japanese. It shows a formal meeting, with Commodore Perry and his officers dressed in full uniform, standing opposite a group of Japanese officials.
The background of the painting reveals more about this cultural clash, with American ships visible in the harbor, their modern design and powerful presence a stark contrast to the traditional Japanese buildings and natural landscape. This contrast is further emphasized by the clothing and demeanor of the two groups. The Americans are shown in formal military attire, with rigid postures, while the Japanese officials wear traditional kimono and haori, their body language more relaxed and fluid.
Heine's artwork not only captures this specific moment in history but also symbolizes a broader shift in global affairs. The meeting depicted was the first of several between Perry and Japanese officials, ultimately resulting in the 'Treaty of Peace and Amity', which opened Japanese ports to American trade and initiated a period of rapid modernization and Western influence in Japan. Thus, this painting serves as a visual reminder of the complex dynamics between East and West during this era, reflecting the tensions and opportunities that arose as these two distinct cultures began to engage more closely.
The painting is also a testament to the skill and dedication of Wilhelm Heine, who, through his artistic talent, has preserved a moment in time that continues to offer insight and understanding into the shared history of Japan and the United States. The painting is now a valuable historical artifact, providing an invaluable window into the past and a reminder of the power of art to convey cultural and historical narratives.
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![Die erschliessung Japans; erinnerungen des admirals Perry von der fahrt der amerikanischen flotte 1853/54, bearb. von ... dr. A. Wirth ... und dr. Adolf Dirr ... Mitt 6 vollbildern. 19 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81nNKsF6dYL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The meeting led to the signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854
The Treaty of Kanagawa, also known as the Kanagawa Treaty or the Japan–US Treaty of Peace and Amity, was signed on March 31, 1854. It was the first treaty between Japan and a Western nation, marking the end of Japan's period of seclusion that had been in place since the beginning of the 17th century.
The treaty was the result of a meeting between Commodore Matthew C. Perry of the US Navy and Japanese officials in Yokohama in 1853. Perry had been sent by US President Millard Fillmore with a fleet of warships and a small fleet of sloops and steam-powered ships to force the opening of Japanese ports to American trade through gunboat diplomacy if necessary. When Perry arrived in Tokyo Bay in July 1853, he demanded that the Japanese open their ports to US ships for supplies. He then left, giving the Japanese government a few months to consider.
Perry returned on February 11, 1854, with eight warships and refused to leave until a treaty was signed. Negotiations began on March 8 and lasted for about a month. The treaty was signed under threat of force, with the Japanese aware that their armaments were no match for Perry's warships. It opened the ports of Shimoda and Hakodate to American vessels and ensured the safety of American castaways, also establishing the position of an American consul in Japan.
The treaty had far-reaching consequences, leading to the signing of similar treaties with other Western powers and further weakening the position of the shogun. It also precipitated internal debate and outrage over perceived appeasement to foreign powers, catalysing the sonnō jōi movement and a shift in Japanese politics.
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The treaty opened up Japan to trade and diplomacy with the US
The painting "Matthew Perry's Expedition to Japan" by an unknown artist was created in the mid-19th century, likely shortly after the events it depicts. The exact date is uncertain, but it is estimated to be around the 1850s, as it portrays the significant moment when Commodore Matthew Perry led a naval expedition to Japan, which culminated in the signing of the Convention of Kanagawa in 1854. This treaty, also known as the Treaty of Kanagawa, was a pivotal moment in Japanese history, as it marked the end of Japan's self-imposed isolation and opened the country to international trade and diplomacy.
The treaty was signed on March 31, 1854, and comprised four short articles. In essence, it provided for the establishment of peaceful and friendly relations between the two countries, granted US ships access to Japanese ports for coal and provisions, and ensured the safety and protection of American castaways. The primary motivation for the United States to seek this treaty was to secure coaling stations for its growing fleet of steamships, as coal was a crucial resource for the navy at the time.
Beyond the practical considerations, the treaty held symbolic value. It represented a significant shift in Japan's foreign policy, which had previously been characterized by sakoku, a policy of national seclusion. For over two centuries, Japan had limited trade and diplomatic relations with foreign countries, especially Western nations. The arrival of Perry and his fleet of so-called "Black Ships" signaled a turning point, forcing Japan to engage with the outside world and adapt to the realities of an increasingly globalized economy and international politics.
The opening of Japan to US trade and diplomacy had far-reaching consequences. It not only provided the United States with valuable naval bases in the Pacific but also introduced Japan to Western ideas, technologies, and cultural influences. This exchange set in motion a period of rapid modernization and Westernization in Japan, known as the Meiji Restoration, which transformed the country politically, socially, and economically. The treaty also set a precedent for further diplomatic engagements, leading to the establishment of more comprehensive treaties and agreements between Japan and Western powers in the following decades.
In conclusion, the painting "Matthew Perry's Expedition to Japan" captures a pivotal moment in the history of US-Japan relations. The treaty that resulted from Perry's expedition opened Japan to trade and diplomacy with the United States, marking the end of the country's self-imposed isolation. This event set in motion a chain of transformations that shaped the course of modern Japan, bridging the gap between two worlds and ushering in an era of cultural exchange, technological advancement, and political realignment in the Pacific region.
As a side note, it is worth mentioning that the painting itself is a valuable historical artifact, offering a visual representation of how the West perceived and interpreted Japan during that era. The artistic depiction of Perry's arrival in Japan, with its emphasis on the ships and the power they projected, conveys the sense of a mighty force arriving on Japan's shores, an interpretation that may have been shared by those witnessing the event.
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Perry returned to the US with art, pottery, textiles, and musical instruments
Commodore Matthew C. Perry led the Perry Expedition that ended Japan's isolationism and signed the Convention of Kanagawa between Japan and the United States in 1854. When Perry returned to the United States, he brought with him diplomatic gifts, including art, pottery, textiles, and musical instruments.
Woodblock paintings of Commodore Perry closely resemble his actual appearance, depicting him as a physically large, clean-shaven, jowly man. The portraits portray him with blue eyeballs, which were associated with "blue-eyed barbarians" in Japanese culture. Some portraits of Perry depict him as a tengu, a type of creature from Japanese folklore. These portraits may reflect the intimidation felt by the Japanese at the time, as Perry's persistence and threat of force made it difficult for Japan to refuse to open up for trade and diplomacy with the United States.
A Japanese woodblock print of Perry, dating to around 1854, is captioned "North American" and "Perry's portrait". This print was likely created to mark the signing of the Convention of Kanagawa. A handscroll with a pictorial record of Perry's second visit to Japan in 1854 is also preserved in the British Museum in London.
In addition to the art and cultural artefacts he brought back, Perry also received diplomatic gifts when he returned to the United States. Congress voted to grant him a reward of $20,000, equivalent to $520,000 in 2023, in appreciation of his work in Japan. He used this money to prepare and publish a three-volume report on the expedition, titled "Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan".
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Japan erected a monument to Perry in 1901
On July 14, 1901, Japan erected a monument to Commodore Matthew C. Perry at the spot where he first landed on July 14, 1853. Perry, a United States Navy officer, led the Perry Expedition that ended Japan's 250-year-old policy of isolationism. He signed the Convention of Kanagawa between Japan and the United States in 1854, opening up Japan to trade and diplomacy with the West.
The monument, known as the Matthew C. Perry Memorial, is located in Kurihama, which was incorporated into the city of Yokosuka in the 1950s. It is now the centerpiece of a small seaside park called Perry Park. The park contains a museum dedicated to Commodore Perry and the first landing of Americans in Japan. The monument itself features a plaque with a map showing Commodore Perry's route during the first part of the Japan expedition, as well as a bust of Perry.
The establishment of the monument was initiated by the Bei-yu Kyo-kai, a Japanese organization also referred to as the "Japanese-American Friendship Society." The plaque on the monument reads: "Monument Commemorating the Landing of Commodore Perry, Ambassador from the United States of America, Who Landed at This Place, July 14, 1853. Erected July 14, 1901, by America's Friend Association."
The monument survived World War II and remains a testament to the historical relationship between Japan and the United States. It stands as a reminder of the significant role Commodore Matthew C. Perry played in shaping the course of modern Japanese history, particularly in opening up the country to international trade and diplomatic relations.
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Frequently asked questions
The painting of Commodore Matthew Perry's meeting with Japanese officials at Yokohama was created in 1854.
Matthew Calbraith Perry was a United States Navy officer who commanded ships in several wars, including the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War. He led the Perry Expedition that ended Japan's isolationism and signed the Convention of Kanagawa between Japan and the United States in 1854.
The painting depicts a significant event in history where Commodore Matthew Perry successfully forced Japan to open formal trade and diplomatic relations with the United States. This marked the end of Japan's isolationism and had a profound impact on the country's future relations with the Western world.
