If ever there was a "keep a long story short" moment in this travelogue, this is it! Suffice to say that my home stay host, Miyuki Miyashita (Miki), was gracious enough to tag along with me to Shimoda, and her husband, Yoshiaki, was kind enough to pick up my bags and transport them to their house, while Miki and I went off on our adventure. We were met at the Shimoda train station by Mr. Shigeki Shinji ("Shinjisan"), Executive Director of the Shimoda Newport Club (among many other things), and his English speaking friend, Tsuchiya Norimoto ("Norimotosan"). They led us on a whirlwind tour of Shimoda and the Commodore Matthew Perry's Black Ships connection. Shimoda has celebrated the events surrounding Perry's arrival and the establishment of diplomatic ties with the U.S. at their Black Ships Festival, held in May, for the past 48 years. Newport, RI, Shimoda's sister city, celebrates in July with it's own Black Ship's Festival, where both Shinjisan and I will be presenters in Touro Park on July 22, 2006 (more to come).
Norimotosan and Shinjisan stand by a signpost. A portrait of the sides meeting to sign the treaty. Portraits of Commodore Perry.
Come to find out that Shinjisan has been a very important person in the design of Perry Road, the path from the mooring of Perry's ships to the Temple where the treaty was signed. He had a hand in the lighting in the canal as well as the manhole cover and the light on the right, above.
This monument is in honor of Harris and Perry and is where over 1000 people celebrated this past May. The brick building was designed by Shinjisan to reflect Newport architecture (it's a public restroom). The statue on the right has an anchor from Newport as well as an eternal flame next to it that was brought from Newport by Shinjisan (with some difficulty, as you may imagine!).
Two rickshaw drivers volunteer their services for the gaigin from Newport and his hostess! A tourist black ship that gives harbor cruises.
The temple where Ambassador Harris stayed has a graveyard where five of Commodore Perry's men are buried and honored to this day.
The Host Family!
Miki and Yoshi threw a nice dinner party on my behalf . There was a ton of sushi and Chinese food, as well as beer, wine and sake. Their friends of 35 years came and we had a great time talking, telling stories (with the help of our translating bible) and singing songs in Japanese and English. It was a night I will never forget! It was wonderful that we became such good friends in such a short time!
