The Dawn of US Japan Relations circa 1853

The Perry & Harris Exhibition – The Dawn of U.S. Japan Relations is a special exhibit at the Edo-Tokyo Museum that will display photos, documents and artifacts relating to Commodore Matthew Perry’s historic trips to Japan and the events surrounding the 1858 Treaty of Amity and Commerce Between the United States and Japan, better know as The Harris Treaty.

In 1853 US Naval Commander Mathew Perry arrived on the shores of Japan in search of a foreign trade treaty. He was not well received and threatened the use of force if he was not allowed to present a letter from the president to the Shogun. In fear of the modern weaponry on Perry’s “Black Ships” the letter was accepted. Commander Perry returned for a response in early 1854 and found that all of his demands were met in the Convention of Kanagawa.

Townsend Harris took Commander Perry’s work one step further when he negotiated the 1858 Treaty of Amity and Commerce Between the United States and Japan which gave Americans the right to live and trade, unfettered, in Tokyo and Osaka and allowed for the free export of Japanese gold and silver among other things.

Thus began what some considered a one-sided relationship between the United States and Japan, a relationship that continues to evolve over time. The Perry & Harris Exhibition – The Dawn of U.S. Japan Relations will be on display through June 22nd.

Event Details:

Location: Edo-Tokyo Museum (1F Special exhibition gallery), Ryogoku Station, West Exit (map)
Dates: April 26 – June 22, 2008 (Closed Mondays)
Hours: 9:30am – 5:30pm (Saturdays until 7:30pm)
Admission: Adults Y1300, College Student Y1040, Students & Children Y650
(Special Exhibit Only, see website for available discounts and combination tickets)

Source: Wikipedia, Mathew C. Perry & Treaty of Amity & Commerce
Photo Credit: Wikimedia, Perry1852LibraryOfCongress