Oliver Statler
Lane, Dr. Richard (translations):

Limited Edition: The Black Ship Scroll, Weathermark (John Weatherhill), Tokyo, hard cover, 1963, 5 1/4 x 10 1/4, issued in 1,500 copies for private distribution to members and friends of the Japan Societies of San Francisco and New York (not for sale). White textured paper over boards, with black cloth back strip lettered in white. No price printed on dust jacket.

Public Edition: Basically same as above except not issued in limited quantity. Different title page, contains a note regarding a correction (see below) and one instance of corrected text. Dust jacket has pre-printed price (inside flap at upper right).

This book consists of a 30 page introductory essay regarding the Perry Expedition to Japan and 40 internal pages of the actual scrolls that were painted documenting his visit to Shimoda in 1854. Color scroll paintings are also on the inside of the front and back cover extending across to the adjoining page. Each painting has been translated and comments based on contemporary records provided. In the comments it is noted that these paintings fall in the category of folk art and typical of this art, the foreigners were depicted as they were "supposed" to look rather than the way they really were.

Both editions of the book are available on-line. To order, click here

For a web site with images of several pictures (with discussion) from the scrolls, click here.