Black Ship Festival

Shimoda, Japan, a small village south of Tokyo, was the site of the 38th Annual Black Ship Festival. The festival was first held in 1934 and commemorates the opening of Japan to foreign trade in 1854 by Commodore Matthew Perry. Shimoda was one of two ports opened to American ships. At that time U.S. Naval vessels were painted black, thus giving the festival it's name. Aboard EDWARDS for the one day transit from Yokosuka to Shimoda were Rear Admiral Thomas B. Russell, Jr., Commander Naval Forces Japan, and Mr. Thomas Shoesmith, U.S. Charge D' Affaires.< /td>