[(Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun )] [Author: Rhoda Blumberg] [Feb-2003]

by Rhoda Blumberg

In 1853, few Japanese people knew that a country called America even existed. For centuries, Japan had isolated itself from the outside world by refusing to trade with other countries and even refusing to help shipwrecked sailors, foreign or Japanese. The country's people still lived under a feudal system like that of Europe in the Middle Ages. But everything began to change when American Commodore Perry and his troops sailed to the Land of the Rising Sun, bringing with them new science and technology, and a new way of Blumberg's "Shipwrecked! The True Adventure of a Japanese Boy" is a companion volume.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Japan, Childrens, Historical, Middle Grade, Biography

Paperback

First published June 20, 1985

About the author

Rhoda Blumberg has written about the opening of Japan (1853-1854) in Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun, a Newbery Honor Book, which also won the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award and the Golden Kite Award. Her acclaimed histories also include The Incredible Journey of Lewis & Clark, The Great American Gold Rush, and The Remarkable Voyages of Captain Cook, all ALA Notable Books. She is the winner of the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for her overall contribution to nonfiction.

Rhoda Blumberg says that while doing research for Commodore Perry, "I read about the ordeals and strange adventures of Manjiro, then spent years replaying his life story in my mind until I felt impelled to write about him."

The author and her husband, Gerald, live in Yorktown Heights, New York.

Reviews

[Igor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite being very short, it is informative and make you curious about further developments about this relationship among Japan and the West.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun by Rhoda Blumberg describes the American initiatives taken in the mid-nineteenth century to open Japan for trading and and other international agreements. Japan had been a closed society for over two hundred years and anyone who found themselves ashore there for any reason were subjected to cruel treatment or even execution. When Commodore Perry first appeared off Japanese shores in 1853 with imposing-looking Black Ships demanding to present a message to the Emperor from US President Millard Fillmore the locals saw superior weapons and were afraid. Through slow but determined negotiations this was eventually agreed upon and that the Commodore would return the next year to negotiate a trade agreement and establish formal relations between the US and Japan. The author does a nice job of characterizing Japan's history leading up to this point to help understand the mind set of those in power as well as locals. Also details the structure of classes within Japanese society including rules for what each can wear, where they can live, and what they can do for work. I found this book quite interesting and well written and, even though I lived in Japan for three years, I still learned new things about the culture and history.

[Willow · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading "Heart of a Samurai" by Margi Preus and "Shipwrecked" by Rhoda Blumberg, I was fascinated and wanted to know more about Manjiro and isolationist Japan in the mid-1800s. This book was in the recommended reading section of Shipwrecked, if I remember correctly.

While it barely mentioned Manjiro, it did supply ample facts about policies, customs, and events surrounding Commodore Perry and the treaties and agreements eventually reached between Japan and the United States. It was a bit dry; for some reason I was expecting this to be told more in narrative form; instead, it was a bit textbooky. But having previously read a great narrative (Heart of a Samurai), my interest was already piqued so I did find this interesting. I especially liked that the appendix included the letter from President Millard Fillmore to the emperor as delivered by Perry, and the reply the Japanese wrote in return.

[Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borrow.

I was almost too quick to judge this due to its compact size but it packed a lot of punch. A really nice concise, yet detailed, history of the event that would open Japan.

I liked how this was organized and it hits lots of themes which easily lend themselves to further exploration: Meiji Restoration, feudal society, the long peace, etc.

A nice springboard to new topics!

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography of Commodore Perry primarily focuses upon his voyage to Japan to help open up the country for trade with America. The biography is well rounded as it offers points of view from the other crew members and also the Japanese they came into contact with as well as Perry. As for art work, many portraits, paintings, and drawings from the time period are presented to the reader. For young readers, I would suggest a discussion on the differences between the two cultures or maybe having the experience various aspects of the two cultures, whether this is first hand, through film, or literature.

[Shelly♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very detailed book on the landing of Commodore Perry in Japan in 1853 trying to establish trade relations with Japan - which had been a closed society for hundreds of years. It clearly marks the differences between the two cultures and tells both sides of the story to some degree. It shares a lot on the Japanese culture of the time - traditions, social structure, etc. More than I wanted on teaching my kids about this event, but still a good book. More for Middle school age or older elementary.

[Iain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent synopsis of how Perry and his Black Ships opened up Japan into the modern world. The time it took from the absolute reluctance to a modernized Japan is a testament to the Japanese people's spirit. I once heard of Japan described as a country of "inertia", slow to start but a force to be reckoned with once moving. Blumberg encompasses this nicely in the book.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was enchanted by this book. I didn't really know any of this history beyond Japan's longtime isolation. What a magical experience, to discover an entirely new culture in every possible way. Also enjoyable because the Americans or Westerners don't just end up murdering everyone, like so much of the rest of imperial history.

[Alde16 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was struck by the cultural differences between the Americans and the Japanese - each thought the other crude and uncivilized. Interesting book!

[Ramon4 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick easy read with lots of photographs. I recommend it.

[Amber Scaife · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fairly dry and more-than-fairly racially dated account of Perry's interactions with the Japanese. For kids. Really not sure how this won a Newbery Honor. Yoicks.

[Cheryl]

Fat picture-book size. Lots of illustrations, most of Americans as drawn by Japanese witnesses. Sufficient margins and back matter, therefore not terribly intimidating. This would have bored me to tears when I was young... unless a teacher or parent who valued it read it aloud to class or family. Even then, I'd not have absorbed much of it and would have needed it to be only one part of unit.

Now, I am able to appreciate Blumberg's writing and I am managing to find it engaging enough that I did finish it. However, I am not sure just how objective is the history. I get the impression that Blumberg firmly believes that it was a very good thing for Japan to open to the West. She seems to be leaving out more information that would show a contrary perspective.

Otoh, it seems as though Japan was ready for the upheaval. Perry's first visit was 1854. By 1872 all classes were abolished, including the samurai. There were no longer rules about where people could live, how they could earn a living, what they could wear. Emperor Meiji adopted Western dress. Wow. And now (well, at least as of 1985) there are annual Black Ship festivals celebrating Perry's accomplishment of opening Japan to the West by negotiated treaty. (All this according to my best understanding of Blumberg's text.)

Is it worthy a Newbery Honor? I don't know. Probably. Showing kids primary history sources is important. Showing them a key point in the history of the country that brought Hello Kitty to their homes is important. Did any of you know about this book when you were in school?

[Shella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The strength of this nonfiction book is the primary sources and the infusion of Japanese art that captured this time period. I'm sure in 1985, looking back in history had a different view than it does today. The duplicity of Perry at the time was not strongly depicted. I would make sure to point that out to younger readers. The differences in cultures was interesting to read and I am sure younger readers will enjoy that as well. I had to keep reminding myself that this was taking place in the 1850's! In the afterword, it states, "The jump from feudalism to a modern industrial society took place with astounding speed and ease. Historian still marvel at the quick change that took place without foreign or civil war." However, the wars and violence that ensued in the next 100+ years is quite dramatic and it would be great to have another nonfiction book about Japan from this point to today. This book makes me want to read more about Japanese history and 5 star nonfiction books tend to do that. If students like this- I would recommend Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus (another Newbery Honor book), whose character is mentioned in historical context in this book. Shipwrecked!: True Adventures of a Japanese Boy by Blumberg is now on by TBR list.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

For such a short read, this book is extremely informative. It broadened my understanding to the early introduction between Japan and the United States, how instrumental Commodore Perry was, how essential was the awareness and adherence to others' customs and traditions, how the errors in judgment and action result from misunderstandings, and how two seemingly opposite cultures can benefit from one another. I enjoyed the drawings and sketches included in the book, especially those done by Japanese artists, marking how they perceived their American visitors. It was interesting to read how little power and authority the emporer really held, what his noted duties were, and how shoguns were utilized. The Treaty that resulted from Perry's great efforts would protect stranded sailors and open two ports for American ships to refuel and gain provisions, thus opening up the door to future trade relationships with Japan. Commodore Perry's interactions with Japan seemed to ignite the beginnings of great change for the once isolated country; the end of feudalism, the shift in the country's capitol, fresh embrace of Western industry, and a more powerful emporer.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical look at Commodore's Perry arrivals in Japan to secure a promise that shipwrecked American sailors wouldn't be imprisoned and negotiate restocking options for whaling ships...which eventually led to Japan opening its doors to trade with the rest of the world after decades of isolation.

Rhoda Blumberg does such a great job of incorporating primary sources in her writings and the designers found firsthand witness artwork to go with it. Superbly done history telling! I highly recommend reading this with Blumberg's book Shipwrecked about Manjiro. That book chronologically comes first, and then Manjiro reappears in this story when he gets brought into Japan's debates about whether or not to negotiate with the Americans.

No content issues.

[Victoria (TheMennomilistReads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually a really good book that I read to my sons.
Commodore Perry was the first American to successfully make it to Japan without being imprisoned and set out to make a peace treaty with them in order to make trades and good relations with them. He is still celebrated in Japan today for helping them out of their solitude and leading them to eventually inspiring the emperor to wanting to end all castes there.
It was really neat to learn this history and teach my sons. They can even tell you about the various castes that existed.
This was fun and apart of history we don't tend to hear about here in the US. It is sad, in a way.

[Robin E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

More history book should be a wonderful as this one.

Blumberg used diaries, journals, and official reports to tell the story of Commodore Perry opening Japan to the US. She goes out of her way to show how the different people misunderstood each other, yet kept being gracious and as understanding as they could be. Her telling is filled with humor and insight, and the whole book is illustrated by sketches, drawings, and paintings done by a mix of American and Japanese artists that were there.

I hightly recommend this book.

[Charity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Japan's long period of strict isolationism and how it ended is another of the many blank spaces from my own education that has been filled in by homeschooling my children. This book includes illustrations made at the time by both Japanese and American artists, as well as primary sources in the appendices. Some bits were a little confusing and/or a little boring for my son, but the fact that my eight-year-old paid attention to an entire sixteen-chapter book about nineteenth-century diplomacy means Blumberg was doing some pretty solid authoring with this one.

[Lynette Caulkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blumberg created a very readable history of the United States ending Japan's isolation. It provides a cultural setting that is balanced with considerations from both sides. She lets the presumptive nature of the foreigners reveal itself without resorting to polemics. Her background information on Japan's history and society brings clarity to the interactions and to the resulting social changes without bogging the reader down. All this is accompanied with an abundance of pictures to enhance the immersion into mid-19th century Japan and its perception of the newcomers.

[Michelle Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biography
Newbery Honor Book 1986
https://www.amazon.com/Biographies-Ne...
Grades 5+
• In my opinion the book could be classified as fictionalized biography because some of the written text is an assumption that the author made about Japanese reaction to the American ships. One example was, “perhaps enemies knew how to push erupting volcanoes towards the Japanese homeland”. The book also reads very fast and gives lots of detail with more descriptive words than what might be expected in a biography.

[Shinae Wyckoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

All about the negotiations of the treaty which initiated the reopening of isolated Japan to the outside world. This book is well-illustrated, featuring many Japanese artists’ renderings of the visits of the American naval officers in the 1850’s. The book details the many strategies employed in the effort to negotiate an agreement, including banquets, competitions, entertainments, feats, bazaars, demonstrations, and all the accompanying cultural clashes.

Rec for teens, or perhaps middle schoolers with a strong interest in Japan or diplomacy.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another challenging one to rate. Parts of it are nice historical and cultural accounts, other parts (troublingly) champion whig history. The illustrations, however, are an excellent collection. I would rather have had more focus in the illustrations — why and how certain things were documented as they were. That’s obviously not the book the author wanted to write and maybe not what a non-historian would want, but it certainly seemed the more interesting and less imperial story.

[Cynthia Lint Dunker · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this one for history class (4th grade). I started reading it from Kindle, but got the hardback copy from the library. This is one to read from an actual book. The pictures are excellent and add so much to the story. We all learned so much about Japanese history and culture. And Rhoda Blumberg wrote in an easy to understand way.

[Summer Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom bought this for me a week or two ago and said she wanted me to read it. I'm so glad she did! This is the kind of book that is very accessible to young and old readers a like, detailed and well illustrated but not dry like a history text book. Its a quick read, and a great introduction to pre-World War Japan.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this with the kids over the course of a few weeks. This book introduced a time and place in history to me that I previously had no knowledge of.

I don’t know enough information about this subject to comment on the validity of the information but I do know that, because of what we read, I look forward to learning more.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really well-written. I have read about the closing of Japan in a variety of ways lately, so it was very interesting to me to read about its opening. I felt this was respectfully done as well. It deserved its Newbery Honor.

[Sully Augustine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quickly read through a library hardbound to get an idea of why Perry was sent to Japan in 1853. Not a bad overview of the impact of Perry's intrusion on Japan itself, but thin with respect to what I was after. . . A good intro for teenagers.

[K.D. Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dry but informative.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read about when Commodore Perry and his fleet of ships arrive in a Japanese Port, and their attempt to get Japan to open up to the United States for trade.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short biography of Commodore Perry and his relations to the previously closed to foreigners Japan. Lots of details and illustrations.