So Long, Matthew Perry
2026
In the 18th century, two sailors cross the Pacific Ocean.
Featuring Japanese and Ryukyuan folk songs. This project started while in residence at the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park.
Manjiro Nakahama (1827-1898)
Born a fisherman, Manjiro was shipwrecked in the Pacific and rescued by whalers from New Bedford, Massachusetts. Manjiro was the first person of Japanese descent to live in the United States.
Upon returning to Japan, Manjiro was made a samurai.
Matthew C. Perry (1794-1858)
Perry was born to a prominent American family in Newport, Rhode Island, and was a decorated Commodore in the United States Navy.
In 1853, Perry sailed a fleet of gunboats to the Ryukyu Kingdom en route to Japan to force open Japan’s markets to US trade and commerce.
Over two centuries have passed since Manjiro and Perry landed in the Ryukyu Kingdom.
Today, the island of Okinawa is home to one of the largest United States Marine Bases outside the US borders.
Courtesy of the New Bedford Free Public Library
Performance/Installation at The New Bedford Whaling Museum
