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The '''Black Ships''' (黒船 ''kurofune'') was the name used by the Japanese to describe the Western sailing ships, which arrived at [[Japan|Japan's]] shores between the 15^th and 19^th centuries.  

The '''Black Ships''' (黒船 ''kurofune'') was the name used by the Japanese to describe the Western sailing ships, which arrived at [[Japan|Japan's]] shores between the 15^th and 19^th centuries.  

The most common association, however, is with the four steam-assisted boats of Commodore [[Matthew Perry]], namely "Mississippi", "Plymouth", "Saratoga" and "Susquehanna". Their arrival in Uraga Harbour on 14 July, 1853, signified the beginning of the end of Japan's self-imposed years of isolation.

The most common association, however, is with the four steam-assisted boats of Commodore [[Matthew Perry]], namely "Mississippi", "Plymouth", "Saratoga" and "Susquehanna". Their arrival in Uraga Harbour, [[Yokohama]], on 14 July, 1853, signified the beginning of the end of Japan's self-imposed years of isolation.

The word "black" refers to the black colour of the sailing ships, as well as the black smoke that issued from the coal-powered steam engines of the American ships. However, following the turmoil that followed their arrival, the term "black ship" was used by the Japanese to express a fear, or mistrust, of unknown technology. <ref>Satō, Saburō, The Structure of a Tragedy through the Coming of the Black Ships, 2000, pp. 182-195</ref>

The word "black" refers to the black colour of the sailing ships, as well as the black smoke that issued from the coal-powered steam engines of the American ships. However, following the turmoil that followed their arrival, the term "black ship" was used by the Japanese to express a fear, or mistrust, of unknown technology. <ref>Satō, Saburō, The Structure of a Tragedy through the Coming of the Black Ships, 2000, pp. 182-195</ref>