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The Black Ships (in Japanese , 黒船, ''kurofune'') was the name given to Western vessels arriving in Japan between the 15th and 19th centuries. In particular, it refers to ''Mississippi'' , ''Plymouth'' , ''Saratoga'' , and ''Susquehanna'' , that arrived in 1853 at Uraga Harbor (part of present-day Yokosuka ) in Kanagawa Prefecture , Japan under the command of United States Commodore Matthew Perry . The word "black" refers to the black color of the older sailing vessels, and the black smoke from the Coal -fired power plants of the American ships. Commodore Perry's superior military force enabled him to negotiate a treaty allowing American Trade with Japan, ending a 200-year period in which trading with Japan was only allowed to the Dutch , Chinese and a few other small groups. The following year, at the Convention Of Kanagawa , Perry returned with seven ships and forced the Shogun to sign the " Treaty Of Peace And Amity ", establishing formal diplomatic relations between Japan and the United States. Within five years, Japan had signed similar treaties with other Western Countries . The Harris Treaty was signed with the United States on July 29 , 1858 . The surprise and confusion these ships inspired are described in this famous Kyoka (a Humor ous poem similar to the 5-line Waka ): .]] This poem is a complex set of Pun s (in Japanese, ''kakekotoba'' or "pivot words"). ''Taihei'' (泰平) means "tranquil"; ''Jōkisen'' (上喜撰) is the name of a costly brand of Green Tea containing large amounts of Caffeine ; and ''shihai'' (四杯) means "four cups", so a literal translation of the poem is: : Awoken from sleep : of a peaceful quiet world : by Jokisen tea; : with only four cups of it : one can't sleep even at night. However, there is an alternate translation, based on the pivot words. ''Taihei'' can refer to the "Pacific Ocean" (太平); ''jōkisen'' also means " Steam-powered Ships " (蒸気船); and ''shihai'' also means "four vessels". The poem, therefore, has a hidden meaning: : The steam-powered ships : break the halcyon slumber : of the Pacific; : a mere four boats are enough : to make us lose sleep at night. SEE ALSO
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