Commodore Perry and the Opening of Japan: Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan, 1852-1854

by Francis L Hawks

On March 31, 1854, Commodore Matthew Perry signed the Treaty of Kanagawa on behalf of the United States’ government. This moment signalled the end of the ruling Shogunate’s policy of isolationism, which had been in place since the early 16th century. Although foreign nations—the Portuguese, the British, and Spanish—had once traded there, the perceived threat from the spread of Christianity led to Japan’s borders being closed, a policy rigorously enforced by the Shogunate, who signified their resolve through systematic expulsion, detention, and execution. Perry’s success, however, contrived to open up what had once been "the curiosity of Christendom" to the nations of the world. Commodore Perry and the Opening of Japan is the official account of this historic expedition. Written in a fluent and engaging style, this first-hand report details the colorful minutiae of the voyage to "terra incognit," while situating its enterprises and motivations within a wider social and cultural context.

Genres: History, Japan, Travel, Nonfiction, Asia

512 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1856

Reviews

[Kaze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful. I wish every historical document came in such form.

[? · Rating 5 out of 5]

Japan and its people are a work of art to be appreciated You may look, but don't touch.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Narrative of the Expedtion to the China Seas and Japan credits Commodore Perry withauthorshiop although it was compiled by Francis L. Hawks, a minister for the Episcopalian Church famous at this time for a number of wrtings. He used the journals of Perry, his officers,and several scientific members of the expedition but the language appears to be mainly his own. It's necessary to make a note of this as much of the language contains perjorative remarks about the people and habits encountered and I have trouble believing that serving officers would have written in such a way in what would have been considered formal documents. On the other hand, I don't think it's up to us to judge the language of the past by the standards of today.

The prejudices were common to the West of that day and I imagine that the opposite side held equally strange ones of their own although we don't see them here. They are typical - the natives of various islands are "simple", "sweet" or "obedient". The Chinese are "degenerate" and the Japanese said to be cunning and "wily". There is a bizarre explanation given for the existence of the Japanese race and the author literally traces their origin in Mesopotamia and follows them to their eventual finding of the Japanese Islands. This struck me as so odd that I re-read it a few times trying to make sense of it and then realized that this was written before Darwin! There is also a hilarious description of their first exposure to Sumo wrestlers. *6*

Once you adjust to this, the narrative is excellent and detailed in everything about Perry's mission. There are also interesting chapters on the customs and culture and a complete analysis of the flora and fauna of wherever thaey went. The reason for the expedition was, of course, to open Japan to the nations of the world. Apparently, the West could not tolerate the fact that Japan had isolated herself from the Western nations and were simply determined to make her open up. Many tried. Commodore Perry succeeded.