Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun
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Overview
For centuries, Japan had isolated itself from the outside world by refusing to trade with other countries and even refusing to help shipwrecked sailors, foreign or Japanese. The country's people still lived under a feudal system like that of Europe in the Middle Ages. But everything began to change when American Commodore Perry and his troops sailed to the Land of the Rising Sun, bringing with them new science and technology, and a new way of life.
Details Commodore Matthew Perry's role in opening Japan's closed society to world trade in the 1850s, one of history's most significant diplomatic achievements.
Synopsis
For centuries, Japan had isolated itself from the outside world by refusing to trade with other countries and even refusing to help shipwrecked sailors, foreign or Japanese. The country's people still lived under a feudal system like that of Europe in the Middle Ages. But everything began to change when American Commodore Perry and his troops sailed to the Land of the Rising Sun, bringing with them new science and technology, and a new way of life.
Publishers Weekly
This 1986 Newbery Honor book tracks Matthew Perry's expedition to open Japan to American trade. The volume contrasts cultural differences that the Japanese and Americans had to overcome and explains Japanese feudal society; it is illustrated almost entirely with reproductions of period Japanese art. Ages 8-up. (Feb.) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
This 1986 Newbery Honor book tracks Matthew Perry's expedition to open Japan to American trade. The volume contrasts cultural differences that the Japanese and Americans had to overcome and explains Japanese feudal society; it is illustrated almost entirely with reproductions of period Japanese art. Ages 8-up. (Feb.) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.Children's Literature
Blumberg starts off with an intriguing line, "If monsters had descended upon Japan the effect could not have been more terrifying." She is talking about Commodore Matthew C. Perry's arrival in Japan in 1853, an event that had long-reaching consequences for that country and is the subject of this book. Blumberg is a talented writer and uses a lot of colorful language to draw the reader into a story. But this proves to be problematic because one begins to believe that the book is just that—a story—and it is easy to forget that this is supposed to be a more or less historical account of Commodore Perry's experiences in Japan. The first chapter depicts the Japanese as people who had never encountered foreigners before. While it is true that Commodore Perry interrupted an extended period of isolation, Japan had encountered people from other countries. In fact, Portuguese traders, along with Francis Xavier, a Jesuit Missionary, came to Japan in the mid-1500s, and trips to and from China were frequent. Aside from a rather flawed depiction of Japan at the beginning, the rest of the book coasts safely into more historically accurate descriptions of the events. There are many beautiful images of Japanese artists' impressions of Americans. The appendices contain interesting material, for instance, a copy of President Fillmore's letter to the Emperor of Japan. Anyone who reads this book will probably be drawn in by Blumberg's catchy writing style and find it informative. 2003 (orig. 1985), Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Books/HarperCollins Publisher,— Rihoko Ueno