Chapters 9-12, The Black Ships Return, The Treaty House, An Array of Gifts, The Grand Banquet Summary

Chapter 9: The Shogun died ten days after Perry left and there was a concern that his death would prevent Commodore Perry from returning, since the people might resist receiving foreigners. But when Perry saw that the Russians and French were still approaching Japan, he moved forward, and on February 13th, 1854, he sailed into Edo Bay with 1,600 men and nine armed ships. His arrival initiated weeks of negotiations about where the Americans would land. The two sides often threatened one another, though in subtle ways. The Japanese felt particularly threatened by the Americans and wanted them to land somewhere that would keep them relatively safe. In the meanwhile, Perry's ships surveyed and charted the...