| National Historical Site Temple in which Japan-US Treaty of Amity was signed |
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| Please Contact: ryosenji@quartz.ocn.ne.jp | |
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Black Ships and Samurai |
| by John Dower, professor of MIT | |
| Ryosenji provides to this project many graphics of Black Ship, Perry and cultural intercourse between Japanese and Americans. | |
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| Japan-US Treaty of Amity In 1854 US Commodore M.C.Perry and the representatives of Tokugawa Government of Japan signed the amity treaty which provided for the opening of the Shimoda port to American Ships. Japan abandoned the isolation policy which prohibited the contact with foreigners. Shimoda became the first town in Japan which allowed the foreigners to enter. Shimoda Treaty Negotiation was continued between Perry and Japanese officials at Ryosenji. Ryosenji was founded in 1635 by the Tokugawa government and used as a guesthouse of the government. When Perry came to Shimoda, the Tokugawa government used Ryosenji for negotiation with the American officials. Japan-US treaty was concluded, stipulating the details of the usage of the port by Americans. Americans were officially allowed to walk freely in Shimoda and communicate with the people. Grass-roots communication between Americans and Japanese were officially allowed in Shimoda for the first time in Japanese history. Ryosenji is now called "the Hall of Openning the Nation." Blackship Collection Ryosenji is famous for its rich collection of Blackship artifacts. The theme of the collection is "Cross-cultural Communication for the Japanese: Image of Japan in foreign countries and the image of foreign people conceived by Japanese." Picture scrolls, paintings, prints, maps and other original historical artifacts show the interesting encounters of Japanese and foreign people between the 16th century to the 19th century. |
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| Ryosenji Treasure Museum | |
| Black Ship Art Gallary | |
| Open: 8:30~17:00 Admission: adult ￥500 child ￥150 |
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| Largest Collection of Perry and Blackship in Japan | |
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Picture scrolls, paintings, prints, maps and other antique artifacts depicting Perry, Blackships and cross-cultural encounters of Japanese from 16th centuryto 19th century. Ryosenji Treasure Museum houses the largest collection of Perry and Blackship in Japan which consists of more than 3000 original artifacts. |
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| Narrative of the Black Ship | |
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| Historical Narrative by the priest of Ryosenji | |
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Using the photos of the artifacts of the Ryosenji Black Ship collection,
the priest gives a narrative of Black Ship and inter-course between Japanese
and foreigners from 16th century to 19th century. Incorrect shape of Japan
in the maps painted by the Europian artists, terrifying figures of the
foreigners painted by the Japanese artists, and intercourse between thecrews
of the Perry squadron and Shimoda people show the difficulties and importance
of the cross-cultural communication. Admission: ￥1000 per person |
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| Sermon "Living Buddhism" | |
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Temple is a place of communication. Communication in daily lives requires from us to make a decision and start the action immediately. Ryosenji provides an opportunity for foreign people traveling or living in Japan who want to know religious traditions, community customs, communication manners and value structures in Japan. Appointment is recommended. |
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| Temple of Fragrance |
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In May the whole temple yard of Ryosenji is suffused with the intoxicating
fragrance of Jasmin flowers. |
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| Shimoda Blackship Festival | |
| the third weekend in May | |
| Travel back to the Samurai days when Perry came to Shimoda! Shimoda becomes
an amusement park filled with Samurai warriors and merchants of the 19thcentury
Japan. You may participate in the festival wearing Japanese traditional costume. Drama "Encounter with Americans" is performed at Ryosenji. |
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| For more information, please make contact with Ryosenji. | |
| Ryosenji | ryosenji@quartz.ocn.ne.jp http://www.izu.co.jp/`ryosenji/ tel. 0558-22-0657 fax. 0558-23-6355 |
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