The Diplomacy of Gift Exchange: During the 1853-1854 Perry Expedition to Japan

With Matthew C. Perry Formal relations between the United States and Japan began with Commodore Matthew C. Perry's expedition to Japan in 1853-1854. Rhode Island native Perry, America's greatest naval diplomat as well as father of the American steam navy, brought significant technology, arts, food and spirit gifts to Japan and received gifts in return from the Japanese. The importance of gift exchange as the basis for social relations, especially in the context of diplomacy, will be examined by Perry descendant and family historian Matthew C. Perry.