In 1853, U.S nNavy steamships landed in Edo Bay, Japan (Avakian 25). Matthew Perry had

come to deliver a message from the U.S to the Emperor, Komei. The message's

primary request was that Japan open its ports for trade. Unlike the citizens, that welcomed the

Americans, the government was angered at their appearance. The Tokugawa Shogunate,

determined to keep Japan in isolation, prepared for battle. The sSamurai's ancient weapons,

however, would not stand a chance against the modern, Western guns and warships. Reluctantly,

they negotiated.

On March 31, 1854, the Treaty of Kanagawa was signed, opening up trade between the

U.S and Japan.(Avakian 28) It was the first treaty between a Western nation and Japan. The

Tokugawa shogunate had failed to keep Japan in isolation. The signing of the treaty gave other

Western countries the opportuntity to negotiate similar treaties with Japan. Most of the them,

however, granted the foreigners extra territorial rights, something many of the Japanese found ...