A richly illustrated & lengthy scroll composed of 35 joined thin paper sheets (13,240 x....
Japan: [from first passage]: “Kae 6,” i.e., 1853, and at end “copied 1854.”
A rare type of “Black Ship Scroll”: our scroll is unusual as it has accounts of not only the first Perry expedition but also the competing Russian mission of August 1853. Moreover, it contains many finely rendered illustrations that do not appear in the majority of other extant “Black Ship Scrolls.”
The opening of Japan to trade was a goal of many European nations from the 17th century onwards. All attempts fell short until 1853, when the United States forced negotiations to open the island nation. These manuscript reports contain... More