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Questions and Answers
What was the mission assigned to Commodore Matthew Perry in 1852?
What was the mission assigned to Commodore Matthew Perry in 1852?
What concept motivated the Americans in their interactions with Japan?
What concept motivated the Americans in their interactions with Japan?
How were the 'Black Ships' depicted by artists on each side of the encounter?
How were the 'Black Ships' depicted by artists on each side of the encounter?
What was one outcome of the Perry Expedition?
What was one outcome of the Perry Expedition?
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What were Japanese officials warned about Perry's voyage prior to its arrival?
What were Japanese officials warned about Perry's voyage prior to its arrival?
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What was a major factor in the U.S. desire to trade with Japan?
What was a major factor in the U.S. desire to trade with Japan?
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What portrayal often characterized Commodore Perry in Japanese art?
What portrayal often characterized Commodore Perry in Japanese art?
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What was the long-standing policy of Japan before the arrival of Perry?
What was the long-standing policy of Japan before the arrival of Perry?
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What was the primary reason for Perry's arrival in Japan?
What was the primary reason for Perry's arrival in Japan?
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What did Perry present to intimidate the Japanese upon his arrival?
What did Perry present to intimidate the Japanese upon his arrival?
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Which event marked Perry's formal agreement with Japan?
Which event marked Perry's formal agreement with Japan?
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What was the erroneous belief Perry held regarding the agreement he signed?
What was the erroneous belief Perry held regarding the agreement he signed?
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What visual characteristic was commonly depicted in portraits of Matthew Perry?
What visual characteristic was commonly depicted in portraits of Matthew Perry?
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Why did some Japanese artists not get the chance to see Perry in person?
Why did some Japanese artists not get the chance to see Perry in person?
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What was the significant impact of Perry on Japanese history?
What was the significant impact of Perry on Japanese history?
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How did the Japanese describe Perry's cabin on his flagship?
How did the Japanese describe Perry's cabin on his flagship?
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What was the main reaction of the Japanese government to Perry's initial visit?
What was the main reaction of the Japanese government to Perry's initial visit?
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How many ships did Perry bring during his return to Japan in 1854?
How many ships did Perry bring during his return to Japan in 1854?
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What role did Matthew Perry play in altering Japan's isolationist stance?
What role did Matthew Perry play in altering Japan's isolationist stance?
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What concept drove the Americans’ desire to open Japan for trade?
What concept drove the Americans’ desire to open Japan for trade?
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How were Commodore Perry's 'Black Ships' perceived in Japan?
How were Commodore Perry's 'Black Ships' perceived in Japan?
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What was a significant consequence of the Perry Expedition?
What was a significant consequence of the Perry Expedition?
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What was one artistic representation of Perry in Japan?
What was one artistic representation of Perry in Japan?
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Why were American demands significant during Perry's arrival in Japan?
Why were American demands significant during Perry's arrival in Japan?
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What was a critical societal perception that affected the portrayal of foreigners?
What was a critical societal perception that affected the portrayal of foreigners?
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Which factor contributed to Japan’s stubbornness to maintain isolation prior to Perry's arrival?
Which factor contributed to Japan’s stubbornness to maintain isolation prior to Perry's arrival?
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What was Perry's strategy when he arrived in Japan in July 1853?
What was Perry's strategy when he arrived in Japan in July 1853?
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What misconception did Perry have regarding the nature of the agreement he signed in 1854?
What misconception did Perry have regarding the nature of the agreement he signed in 1854?
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What was the consequence of shōgun Tokugawa Ieyoshi's condition during Perry's visit?
What was the consequence of shōgun Tokugawa Ieyoshi's condition during Perry's visit?
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Why did American leadership display a show of force during Perry's expedition?
Why did American leadership display a show of force during Perry's expedition?
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What was one notable physical feature emphasized in Japanese portraits of Perry?
What was one notable physical feature emphasized in Japanese portraits of Perry?
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What was the public perception of Westerners in Japan during Perry's visits?
What was the public perception of Westerners in Japan during Perry's visits?
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How did Perry's decision to maintain distance affect Japanese artists?
How did Perry's decision to maintain distance affect Japanese artists?
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What was the significance of the Convention of Kanagawa signed on March 31, 1854?
What was the significance of the Convention of Kanagawa signed on March 31, 1854?
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What approach did Perry take prior to formally presenting the president's letter?
What approach did Perry take prior to formally presenting the president's letter?
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What did the Japanese call Perry’s cabin on his flagship?
What did the Japanese call Perry’s cabin on his flagship?
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What was a contributing factor to the United States' desire to open Japanese ports to trade?
What was a contributing factor to the United States' desire to open Japanese ports to trade?
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How did artists in both Japan and the United States portray Commodore Perry?
How did artists in both Japan and the United States portray Commodore Perry?
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What major event in 1854 involved Commodore Perry and Japan?
What major event in 1854 involved Commodore Perry and Japan?
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What negative perception influenced how foreign visitors were depicted in Japanese art?
What negative perception influenced how foreign visitors were depicted in Japanese art?
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What was one of the primary methods American forces relied on to compel Japan to open its ports?
What was one of the primary methods American forces relied on to compel Japan to open its ports?
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What role did the Dutch play in Japan’s initial response to Perry's expedition?
What role did the Dutch play in Japan’s initial response to Perry's expedition?
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What was the underlying ideology that motivated the Americans during their interactions with Japan?
What was the underlying ideology that motivated the Americans during their interactions with Japan?
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What was a prevalent theme in the portrayal of foreign encounters in art following Perry's visit?
What was a prevalent theme in the portrayal of foreign encounters in art following Perry's visit?
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What was the main purpose of Perry's initial visit to Japan in 1853?
What was the main purpose of Perry's initial visit to Japan in 1853?
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Which event signified Perry's show of force upon returning to Japan?
Which event signified Perry's show of force upon returning to Japan?
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What misunderstanding did Perry have regarding the Japanese government?
What misunderstanding did Perry have regarding the Japanese government?
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How did the Japanese perceive the blue eyeballs depicted in Perry's portraits?
How did the Japanese perceive the blue eyeballs depicted in Perry's portraits?
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What was a cultural significance of Perry's cabin, according to Japanese artists?
What was a cultural significance of Perry's cabin, according to Japanese artists?
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What was a reason for the Japanese indecision during Perry's first visit?
What was a reason for the Japanese indecision during Perry's first visit?
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Which aspect of Perry’s portrayal in Japanese art stood out during his visits?
Which aspect of Perry’s portrayal in Japanese art stood out during his visits?
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What impact did Perry's crew experience compared to how he was depicted?
What impact did Perry's crew experience compared to how he was depicted?
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What was one effect of Perry's strategic decision to remain elusive prior to formal negotiations?
What was one effect of Perry's strategic decision to remain elusive prior to formal negotiations?
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In what way did Perry's return in February 1854 differ from his initial plan?
In what way did Perry's return in February 1854 differ from his initial plan?
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Study Notes
Opening of Japan to American Trade
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The term "illegal alien" is considered outdated and insensitive when referring to undocumented immigrants.
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Historical artworks often depict encounters between different cultures with an "alien" vibe, similar to science fiction.
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Artists in Japan portrayed American Commodore Matthew Perry's arrival in 1854 with exaggerated and exotic features, often depicting him as a strange or demonic figure.
Commodore Matthew Perry
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Matthew C. Perry, an American naval officer, led the Perry Expedition in 1853.
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Perry's mission was to open Japanese ports to American trade through gunboat diplomacy.
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The expedition was driven by factors such as:
- Growing commerce between the US and China
- American whalers in Japanese waters
- European powers seeking coaling stations in Asia
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Perry's demands included the safe return of shipwrecked foreign sailors, who were often imprisoned or executed in Japan.
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The Americans believed in Manifest Destiny and the superiority of Western civilization and Christianity over Asian nations.
Japanese Reaction to Perry's Arrival
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The Japanese were aware of Perry's voyage but were reluctant to abandon their policy of national seclusion.
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Extensive internal debates ensued in Japan regarding the response to this potential threat.
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Perry's initial arrival in 1853 was seen as an attempt to intimidate the Japanese, with a show of force and a letter threatening destruction if they resisted.
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Perry's return in 1854 with ten ships and 1,600 men further emphasized the American military presence.
The Convention of Kanagawa
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Despite initial resistance, Perry was granted permission to land near Yokohama.
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The Convention of Kanagawa was signed on March 31, 1854, opening two Japanese ports to American trade and establishing diplomatic relations.
Portrayals of Perry in Japanese Art
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Japanese woodblock paintings show Perry in his actual appearance, with a large frame and a clean-shaven face.
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Portraits often emphasize his blue eyes, associating them with threatening or monstrous figures in Japanese culture, which could reflect the Japanese perception of intimidation at the time.
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Some portrayals depict Perry as a tengu, a spiritual being.
Perry's Influence on Japanese History
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Perry became a significant figure in Japanese history, recognized by 90% of school children in the country.
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Despite the historical significance of his mission, Perry remained secluded during his visits, leading to some Japanese referring to his cabin as "The Abode of the High and Mighty Mysteriousness".
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During the initial visit in 1853, Japanese artists immediately sketched Perry's fleet, but few had the opportunity to see Perry in person due to his seclusion.
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The text raises the question: should dehumanizing portrayals of foreigners be banned for perpetuating harmful stereotypes, or do they help people understand the new and uncomfortable?
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The text concludes that perceptions can be deceiving and often influenced by prejudices and cultural influences.
Matthew Perry and the Opening of Japan
- Matthew Perry was an American naval officer who played a key role in ending Japan's isolationist policy in the mid-19th century.
- Perry's mission was to force open Japanese ports to American trade, using gunboat diplomacy.
- The mission was driven by factors like growing American commerce with China, the presence of American whalers in Japanese waters, and the desire for coaling stations in Asia.
- The Japanese government was initially hesitant to change its policy of seclusion but ultimately signed the Convention of Kanagawa in 1854, opening ports to American trade.
- American leadership intended to use a show of force to intimidate the Japanese, leading to Perry's return with a larger fleet.
- Perry was portrayed in Japanese artwork as a strange and even demonic figure, with emphasis on his blue eyes and imposing presence.
- These portrayals were influenced by Japanese cultural perceptions of Westerners as "blue-eyed barbarians" and by the perceived threat posed by Perry's fleet.
- The artwork demonstrates the contrasting perspectives of the encounter, with the Japanese artist drawing a very different image of Perry than the one held by Americans.
- Despite his influence on Japan, Perry was largely inaccessible to the Japanese public, contributing to his mystique and the exaggerated portrayal of him in artwork.
Commodore Matthew Perry and the Opening of Japan
- The term "illegal alien" is no longer used to describe undocumented immigrants, but historical art about imperial powers encountering new cultures often reflects the "first contact with aliens" theme familiar from science fiction.
- Both sides of an encounter often portray the other in exaggerated and exotic ways, exemplified by Japanese artistic depictions of Commodore Matthew Perry's arrival in 1854.
- Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry (1794-1858) was an American naval officer who played a key role in the forced opening of Japanese ports to American trade through gunboat diplomacy.
- Perry's expedition was driven by American interests in expanding trade with China, protecting American whalers, and securing coaling stations in Asia.
- The Japanese were aware of Perry's arrival through the Dutch and debated how to respond to this potential threat to their sovereignty.
- In 1853, Perry arrived in Japan and demanded an audience with the Ryukyuan King, securing promises for trade with the United States and purchasing land on the Ogasawara islands.
- Perry attempted to intimidate the Japanese by presenting a white flag and a letter threatening destruction if they resisted.
- The Japanese were indecisive due to the illness of Shōgun Tokugawa Ieyoshi and Perry left, promising to return in a year.
- However, Perry returned after only six months with ten ships and 1,600 men, aiming to "command fear" and "astound the Orientals."
- After initial resistance, Perry was permitted to land in Japan and the Convention of Kanagawa was signed in 1854, opening Japan to trade with the United States.
- Perry's arrival and the signing of the Convention of Kanagawa marked a turning point in Japanese history, ending their isolationist policy.
- Japanese woodblock paintings of Perry often depict him as a large, clean-shaven man with blue eyeballs, reflecting the Western stereotype of "blue-eyed barbarians" and associating blue eyes with threatening figures in Japanese culture.
- Some portraits depict Perry as a tengu, a spiritual being, highlighting the Japanese perception of him as a powerful and possibly supernatural figure.
- Despite observing Perry's fleet, few Japanese actually saw him in person due to his deliberate attempts to maintain his authority and inaccessibility.
- The inaccessibility contributed to a perception of Perry as a "high and mighty mysteriousness" among the Japanese.
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Description
Explore the historical significance of Commodore Matthew Perry's mission to open Japan to American trade in 1854. This quiz covers the context, motivations, and impact of the Perry Expedition, highlighting cultural exchanges and diplomatic efforts. Test your knowledge on this pivotal moment in history.
