Condition. The photograph is in poor condition. There is heavy foxing front and back. There is a large 4 inch scratch across the top of the monument and a tear with actual loss of image on the monument. Within the image area there are several spots where the surface is broken/torn.

 
General Comment. Despite the poor condition, the photograph is of much historical significance. It shows the M.C. Perry memorial as it was on dedication day. Further it includes the four generations of Hirai men. The elder Hirai was instrumental in fixing the proper location for the monument and is noted in the US Government report regarding the memorial (see below).

1. The Matthew Perry Memorial at Kurihama with four
   Japanese men standing before it.
   

2. The USS New York entering a flooded dry dock.
   

3. The USS New York in a dry dock with the water removed.
   

4. A photograph of a building with an American flag
   in front and US naval officers on a balcony and
   Japanese in suits on the ground level.
   

General Information. The Perry Monument (photograph #1) was dedicated at Kurihama (near Yokohama) on July 14, 1901. The American Navy was represented in the harbor by the flagship USS New York, which was painted white for the occasion, the USS New Orleans and the USS Yorktown. The Commander of the American squadron was Rear-Admiral Frederick Rodgers, the grandson of Commodore Matthew Perry. Officers from the American war ships were present at the dedication ceremony. A detailed account of the ceremony is provided in a letter from the Secretary of the Navy titled "Unveiling Monument to Commodore Perry in Japan," dated February 10, 1902 and published in Senate Document 174, 57th Congress, 1st Session. This report notes.

Most interesting of all were what may be called living relics of the expedition in the persons of four generations of Japanese, the first, a bald headed patriarch of 90, who first sighted Perry's ships from a neighboring hilltop forty-eight years ago, and who identified the spot where the Commodore landed and where the memorial now stands, at the request of Admiral Beardslee and Mr. Skidmore; his son, a gay spark of 70; his grandson of 48, and his great-grandson of 18. (Senate Document 174 at page 16)

The report indicates the USS New York (ACR-2) arrived at Kobe, Japan on June 29 and stayed there until July 6. She then went to Yokohama and was stationed off Kurihama during the dedication ceremony. After the ceremony she returned to Yokohama where the French cruiser Friant was in the harbor. The report indicates that an S. Sakurai was a member of the official Japanese reception committee at the ceremony. This appears to be the individual signing the gift inscriptions on the back of these photographs. The report also mentions that numerous dinners and luncheons were held in Tokyo for the commander in chief and officers during the period from July 15-July 23, including a "dinner and Geisha dance." The New York stayed at Yokohama until at least August 2 and perhaps as late as October. As a part of the Asiatic Fleet, the USS New York took part in actions in the Philippine Islands in October of 1901. She spent the balance of the time between October 1901 and November 1903 in Asiatic waters calling in Hong Kong, various Chinese ports, Vladivostok Korea and Japan. As established by this photograph, she was in dry dock in Japan (Uraga) in May of 1902.

Technical Information.

• Print Size: The photographs are tipped to plate. The photographs measure 10 3/4 x 8 3/4 in - 27.5 x 20.5 cm.

• Mats: The mats are thick blue-green cardboard with blindstamped white decorative borders. The mats measure 13 3/4 x 16 1/2 in - 34.5 x 42.5 cm. Below are examples of the photographs/mats.
  

• Studio/Photographer Imprint "Fukazu" is blindstamped in silver in the bottom right corner of each mat. I have not found information relating to a photographer or photography studio known as H. Fakazu.
  

• Type of Photographic Prints: The photographs are black & white/sepia tone and have a flat matte finish. I believe these are Matte Collodian Printing Out Paper photographs or perhaps Matte Gelatin Printing Out Paper.

• Inscriptions/Notations on Back. Each photograph has a handwritten presentation inscription by "Captain S. Sakurai" who probably was a member of the official Japanese reception party at the monument dedication ceremony. The photographs were presented to "Warrant Machinist H.E. Kershaw, U.S. Navy." One photograph has a date of May 29, 1902 on the back. None of the others are dated. The photograph of the Perry monument has a typed note affixed identifying the four men in the photograph.

Conclusion. I believe these photographs present the Perry monument on or about the date of its formal dedication on July 14, 1901. They also depict the USS New York entering and in dry dock, probably in Yokohama. This would be during the period from July 14, 1901 to October, 1901. One photograph probably depicts Officers of the USS New York and other American ships and Japanese dignitaries. No doubt this was one of the many social events surrounding the dedication ceremony between July 15 and July 23. I believe it is very likely the event was held at a U.S. Government building or compound in Yokohama or Tokyo.