The Black Ships Shock: A Historic Encounter that Changed Japan

Perry’s Fleet’s Stays in Edo Bay

Commodore Perry (right) and Commander Adams in Beikan torai kinenzu (Pictures Commemorating the Arrival of US Warships). (Courtesy Yokohama Archives of History)

People viewing the ships from the village of Koyasu (now part of Yokohama). From Kurofune raikō fūzoku emaki (Picture Scroll of Customs Around the Arrival of the Black Ships). (Courtesy Saitama Prefectural Museum of History and Folklore)

Commodore Matthew Perry and his men arrive at the banquet in Yokohama. (Courtesy Yokohama Archives of History)

A kawaraban newspaper reporting on the gift locomotive. (Courtesy Yokohama Archives of History)

Kawaraban depictions of the US vessels. (Courtesy Yokohama Archives of History)

Perry, as depicted in a kawaraban. (Courtesy Yokohama Archives of History)

An Edo store selling kawaraban about the black ships. From Kurofune raikō fūzoku emaki (Picture Scroll of Customs Around the Arrival of the Black Ships). (Courtesy Saitama Prefectural Museum of History and Folklore)

The rikishi depicted in the kawaraban, performing feats of strength. (Courtesy Yokohama Archives of History)

Commodore Perry Coming Ashore at Yokohama, attributed to Wilhelm Heine. (Courtesy Yokohama Archives of History)