A distinguished commodore for the United States Navy, Matthew Perry was an instrumental figure in compelling the nation of Japan to open their ports for trade before any other western forces.

THE BLACK SHIP SCROLL by Oliver Statler. 80 pages. Tuttle. $5. When Commodore Matthew Perry's U.S. flotilla pried open the door of hermetic Japan in 1854, the world gasped delightedly at the ...

Commodore Matthew Perry landed here 171 years ago. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) Navy JROTC members parade through Shimoda, Japan, during the 85th annual Black Ship Festival, May 18, 2024.