Yokosuka and Jazz Music

During the post-World War II and U.S.-led Occupation years, modern jazz emerged in Japan as sort of a "new music of freedom" .... One of Japan's jazz birthplaces was Yokosuka, where Japanese musicians performed for (sometimes raucous) audiences of America sailors and GI's .... Today, this history is commemorated through statues and art located around the downtown harbor area...

 

    

Commodore Perry & Black Ships Display At YCCI

Some photos of the special display inside the entrance hall to Yokosuka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (YCCI) .... Of particular note is a large stone, received from the city government of Newport, Rhode  Island, and presented to YCCI in a 1988 ceremony by then-Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Japan, RADM James Cossey...

 

   

== Commodore Perry's Prophecy

"In the practical and mechanical arts, the Japaniese show great dexterity; and when the rudeness of their tools and their imperfect knowledge of machinery are considered, the perfection of their manual skill appears marvelous.  Their handicraftsmen are as expert as any in the world, and. with a freer development of the inventive powers of the people, the Japanese would not remain long behind the most successful manufacturing nations.  Their curiosity to learn the results of the material progress of other to their own uses, would soon, under a less exclusive policy of government, which isolates them from national communion raise them to a level with the most favored countries.  Once possessed of the acquisitions of the past and present of the civilized world. the Japanese would enter as powerful competitors in the race for mechanical success in the future."

(From official Trip Report/Narrative 1856)

Commodore Perry Monument During WW-II

 Photographs from Yokosuka's ペリー公園 (Commodore Perry Park) .... Located in the Kurihama district, right across from the beach where personnel from Perry's naval expedition landed in 1853 .... A large monument (erected in 1901) commemorates the historical event...  

Of note, for several years during World War II, due to Japanese nationalist sentiments, the monument was toppled....

More information here:

The Matthew C. Perry Memorial Park, Kurihama (Yokosuka), Japan, 2008 (baxleystamps.com)

Retracing Commodore Perry’s footprint in Japan | Stripes Okinawa