• Date: 8 July 1853.
• Who: Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry (US Navy) sailed into Edo (modern-day Tokyo).
• Why this was a big deal: Japan had been largely isolated from the West.
• Nickname: Perry's fleet was called the "four black ships of evil" by the Japanese.

• 17th Century: Some contact with Christian missionaries.
• Reason for Isolation:
  • Fear of foreign aggression.
  • Concern over the Christian religion making subjects unruly.
  • Outlawed Christianity.
  • Expelled most foreigners and priests.
  • Japanese couldn't go abroad.
• Trading exception: Only Dutch merchants had permission.

• Brought a letter from US President Fillmore demanding trade with Japan.
• Perry made a cultural faux pas by addressing the emperor instead of the shogun.
• Language barrier: Few Japanese spoke English but some spoke Dutch.
• Return visit (1854): Perry came back with more firepower.
• Demo: Fired cannons to show US strength.
• Outcome: By 1858, a treaty with the US was signed, but its signatory was later assassinated by a disgruntled samurai.

• By the 1860s, Japan felt a need to modernize to match Western powers.
• Traditional Samurai warriors needed to evolve into a modern army.
• Cultural Shift: This sparked internal debates and factions.
• Key Players: Satsuma and Chōshū clans wanted to challenge the traditional ruling bakufu.
• Emperor swap: Emperor Kōmei died in 1866, young Emperor Meiji takes over.

• In 1867, the Tokugawa shogunate gave up power.
• Civil war erupted between the shogunate and imperial army (1868-1869).
• Outcome: Samurai lost, emperor was restored.
• Emperor's new home: Moved from Kyoto to Tokyo.
• This period = "bakumatsu" (aka the end of the bakufu).

• Key theme: Introduction of emperor as a divine figure.
• Religious note: Emphasized as the descendant of the sun goddess.
• Shintoism's Role:
  • Became the official religion briefly.
  • Importance of the belief in the imperial family's divine origins persisted.
  • Shrines like the Yasukuni in Tokyo were built to honor those who died for the emperor.

Real-World Example: Imagine if a stranger came into your home, unaware of your house rules, and demanded that you share your snacks. That's a bit like how Perry approached Japan, a nation with its own rich history and traditions.

• "Our country is known as the land of the gods..." – Mikiso Hane, Japan: A Short History.
• "Anyone who questioned the mythological origin of the imperial dynasty got into trouble." – Hane.

This period signifies Japan’s transition from a traditional society into a modern one, influenced by Western powers, yet maintaining its unique identity and respect for its historical legacy. Remember, understanding the context is key in history – every action has a reaction! 🌏📚