The Perry Expedition and the "Opening of Japan to the West," 1853–1873: A Short History with Documents

by Paul Hendrix Clark

By the time U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry's squadron of four ships sailed into Tokyo Bay on July 8, 1853, the Japanese Tokugawa government had already fended off similarly unwelcome intrusions by the French, the Russians, the Dutch, and the British. These Western imperialists had the power and the means to force Japan into the kinds of treaties that would effectively spell the end of Japan’s autonomy, maybe even its existence as an independent country. At the same moment, Japan was also grappling with a serious insurrection, the death of an emperor, and the death of a shogun—as well as with a series of natural disasters and associated famines. The Japanese response to this incredible series of catastrophes would permanently alter the balance of geopolitical power around the world.

Drawing on the best recent scholarship, this short introductory volume examines the motivations and maneuvers of the major participants in the conflict and sets the "opening" of Japan in the context of broader global history. Selections from twenty-​nine primary sources provide firsthand accounts of the event from a variety of perspectives. Several illustrations are also included, along with a note on historiographic interpretation.

Genres: History, Japan

168 pages, Paperback

Published May 22, 2020

Reviews

[Kari Gabel]

Well researched and well written, Clark's narration through the events from Commodore Perry's forceful visit to Japan in 1853 to the beginnings of the Meiji Restoration is a most welcome view of history through the Japanese lens. While some of these events have been heavily covered, they've never been covered in quite the way Clark does with thorough documentation supporting the assertion that Perry's opening of Japan to the West was THE catalyst for the downfall of the shogunate entirely. Clark's skillful research and smooth writing cadence make for excellent, enjoyable learning while easily proving his thesis. This work left me hoping that Clark writes a followup work regarding the Meiji Restoration period and its Iwakura Embassy in a similar fashion.

[Boyd Cothran]

Great collection of sources and context that looks at this pivotal moment from the Japanese perspective, something sadly missing in the English-language scholarship. Would work well for undergraduate courses.