Story

Seven centuries of changing frames.

Follow the names, images, and political roles through which Western audiences made Japan legible to themselves.

1. 1275CipanguRead chapter
2. 1543Cross, gun, kingdomRead chapter
3. 1641Secluded, yet knowableRead chapter
4. 1853Black Ships, open portsRead chapter
5. 1868Picturesque and modernRead chapter
6. 1905Model power, yellow perilRead chapter
7. 1931Empire and enemyRead chapter
8. 1945Occupied ally, economic rivalRead chapter
9. 1991Soft power, familiar JapanRead chapter