Japanese Illustration of an American Warship
. . . On July 8, 1853 four black ships led by USS Powhatan and commanded by Commodore Matthew Perry, anchored at Edo (Tokyo) Bay. Never before had the Japanese seen ships steaming with smoke. They thought the ships were “giant dragons puffing smoke.” They did not know that steamboats existed and were shocked by the number and size of the guns on board the ships.
Document 1bSource: “Commodore Perry and the Opening of Japan,” U.S. Navy Museum online and MIT Visualizing Cultures
Annotations:
Historical context: The historical context is created in 1853, and discusses the American steamships that have never been seen by the Japanese, catching their interest in them.
Intended audience: The intended audience are the people who visited the U.S. Navy Museum online wanting to learn about the historical steamships
Purpose: The
Point of view:
The purpose of the Japanese illustration of an American warship is to visually represent the shock and intrigue experienced by the Japanese upon encountering the American steamships in 1853. It aims to capture the unfamiliarity and awe that the Japanese felt towards these advanced foreign vessels. The illustration likely serves as a historical document and educational tool to inform viewers about this significant moment in Japan's history of international relations.
The point of view of this illustration is from the perspective of the Japanese people witnessing the American warship. It seeks to depict their perception of the ship as a "giant dragon puffing smoke," highlighting their lack of familiarity with steam-powered ships and their surprise at the size and number of guns on board. The illustration may also reflect the cultural and artistic style of the time in Japan, providing further insight into the aesthetics and artistic expressions of that period.