From Shipwreck to Black Ships

Long before U.S.–Japan relations were codified in treaties, they were shaped by individuals whose lives crossed the Pacific in unexpected ways. This special panel brings together descendants of John Manjiro, Captain William Whitfield, and Commodore Matthew Perry to explore the human stories behind the advent of modern US-Japan relations. Through the remarkable encounters of a Japanese castaway (Manjiro), an American sea captain (Whitfield), and the naval commander who led the 1853 American expedition to Japan (Perry), the panel will highlight the personal connections and family memories that have helped sustain almost two centuries of US-Japan exchange.