Past Events
The Diplomacy of Gift Exchange During the 1853-1854 Perry Expedition to Japan
Seminar by Matthew C. Perry at Boston University
with Seiichiro Takahashi, Consul General of Japan in Boston
William Grimes, Discussant
Grant Rhode, Moderator
Commodore Matthew C. Perry, America's greatest naval diplomat as well as father of the American steam navy, brought significant technology, arts, food, and spirit gifts to Japan and received gifts in return from the Japanese. The importance of gift exchange as the basis for social relations, especially in the context of diplomacy, was examined by Perry descendant, and family historian, Matthew C. Perry.
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 4pm-6pm
121 Bay State Road, Pardee School of Global Studies, Boston University
Free and open to all.
