Rare Books

KitaAmerika kōwa seijishū jōkan shinzō no sha

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Description: Printed portrait of Commodore Matthew C. Perry from a series of portraits of officers from the Black Ships. The title uses the traditional term commonly used for Qing officials to describe Perry's position. The text states that the mission had traveled a distance of 4500 Ri (17672.73km) to come to Japan from Washington.
Type: Rare Books(Opens in new tab)
Publication date: approximately 1854?
Call number: 647779
Provenance: Purchased from Asia Bookroom, October 2019.
Dimensions: 32 x 23 cm
Find out more: View in the Library catalog

Ikokusen toraiki keibi haichi zumaki, 1853?

Manuscripts

Scroll documenting Commodore Matthew C. Perry's first expedition to Japan in 1853. The scroll begins with a map showing the Pacific through Uraga Channel to Edo Bay, with the American squadron's route marked out in red. Japanese defense locations are also noted. Detailed notes on the size and types of the foreign ships are given and the number of cannon noted. Following the map are four official reports. "List of fiefdom lords' names who participated in the event of the foreign ships' arrival" is a firsthand account by Matsudaira Ecchu no kami about the first diplomatic encounters with Perry. "Advice to the local commissioners" is dated 12 June 1853 and recounts that four foreign ships were spotted from Otsu village, Miura Ward and Sagami province. The third report is dated 9 June and is written by five of the fiefdom lords reporting their meeting with the Americans. The final report, "A list of fiefdom lords' troop strength" enumerates the number of troops at the disposal of 33 lords, and their responsibilities in the event of an invasion.

mssHM 83968

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Kaei zakki

Manuscripts

An illustrated manuscript, in two volumes, describing Japan's encounters with Westerners, including Commodore Perry's expedition to Japan in 1853 and the Russian expedition to Japan in the same year. This manuscript was compiled in multiple copies and sent to Japanese daimyo (feudal lords) across Japan to keep them updated on the latest diplomatic situation. This confidential report was sent to and read by Manabe Akikatsu, seventh daimyo of Sabae Domain in Echizen province. The manuscript also includes interviews with Japanese shipwreck survivors, including Nakahama Manjirō, who was one of the first Japanese people to visit the United States in 1841. The first volume contains 112 pages and the second 136 pages; both volumes are filled with fine ink drawings and brush and wash illustrations. The illustrations include depictions of American musical instruments, an American diving suit, Japanese landscapes, buildings, fortifications and forces, American and Japanese representatives, including Commodore Perry.

mssHM 84047

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Shinkoku taihei Amerikasengō jinbutsu shōmeiroku

Rare Books

Black and white kawaraban showing a procession of Americans from Perry's second mission to Japan, with a list of the names of ships and of the surnames of prominent crew members from each ship, their rank or position and an approximation of their age. Names (given in Japanese katakana approximations) include [Matthew] Perry, [Henry A.] Adams, [Samuel] Archbold, engineer-in-chief, [Thomas] Houston, midshipman, [Samuel Wells] Williams, the mission's interpreter, and Dutch interpreter [Anton] Portman. The image depicts the Americans' uniforms and hats, which clearly seemed very unfamiliar to Japanese eyes, and some rather fanciful banners.

647772

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Amerikasen raikōzu

Manuscripts

Sketch manuscript map shows Commodore Perry's fleet entering Edo bay, probably on the 8th of March, 1854, given that seven vessels are shown. The bay is roughly outlined, showing Perry's fleet in the center, as well as the location of major landmarks including the city of Edo, the towns of Futtsu and Tateyama near to the entrance to the bay, and the three heavily fortified artificial islands which stood in the bay close to the city of Edo. Text beside the second ship indicates this is Perry's vessel, text along the shoreline tells us which clan was defending that section of coastline.

mssHM 83876

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William Henry Harrison, headquarters onboard the Lawrence sloop of war, letter to Brigadier General Green Clay, Fort Meigs :

Manuscripts

Harrison informs Clay during the War of 1812 that the available seamen at Fort Meigs will be sent to Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry for his expedition to Malden.

mssHM 23027

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Fukushō Kihadashisu Anan no zu

Rare Books

Black and white kawaraban, dating from probably the 1850s, depicts a figure who resembles other portraits of members of Perry's mission to Japan. The term used to describe his position is the Japanese equivalent of "Imperial Commissioner" - an expression originally used to designate emissaries from the Chinese imperial court, but also applied to senior members of the Perry mission. The name "Kihadansu Anan" does not correspond to the name of any members of the mission, but may be an misreading of the name of Commander Henry A. Adams or Lieutenant Joseph H. Adams. The text tells us that in response to his king's order he landed in Yokohama with an application to trade.

647774

KitaAmerika kōwa seijishū jōkan shinzō no sha

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Ikokusen toraiki keibi haichi zumaki, 1853?

Kaei zakki

Shinkoku taihei Amerikasengō jinbutsu shōmeiroku

Amerikasen raikōzu

William Henry Harrison, headquarters onboard the Lawrence sloop of war, letter to Brigadier General Green Clay, Fort Meigs :

Fukushō Kihadashisu Anan no zu