User:JKizzieHumanities/Black Ships Festivals

The Black Ships Festivals as a pair of annual festivals celebrated in Shimoda, Shizuoka, in Japan and Newport, Rhode Island in the United States celebrating the opening of Japan following the Convention of Kanagawa, initiated by the actions of Newport native and United States Navy Commodore Matthew C. Perry. The festivals are run by the Japan-America Society and the Black Ships Festival organization, and include performances, visitations by dignitaries from Japan and United States, activities related to Japanese culture, and a gala. The festival is Shimoda's major tourist attraction.