Expéditions

1854 · réf. 215028 — Japan. Circa1854. Black and white woodblock map with illustrations 32.2 x 41.5cm. Laid down on thick paper. Printed black border line at lower corner and occasionally in other areas along the border not printed otherwise good. This woodblock print map shows the defence layout around Tokyo Bay against the arrival of the American fleet. Names of lords who are responsible for defending particular areas are written with their rankings in terms of wealth sizes. In the centre the American ships are illustrated in detail. There are five sailing ships painted in red and three steam ships. These eight ships entered the bay on 6 February 1854. Thus this map most likely depicts the scene around that time. A caption on the left reads: 'The United States of America founded by Washington 77 years ago sent Matthew Perry with the President's letter in 1853; Perry revisited Edo in 1854.' . unknown