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American carving a turtle, from the Black Ship Scroll
American carving a turtle, from the Black Ship Scroll

American carving a turtle, from the Black Ship Scroll

Place of OriginJapan
Dateapprox. 1854
PeriodEdo period (1615-1868)
(not entered)Handscroll segment mounted as a hanging scroll
MaterialsInk and colors on paper
DimensionsH. 10 1/2 in x W. 9 3/8 in, H. 26.7 cm x W. 21.0 cm (image); H. 30 1/2 in x W. 13 in, H. 77.5 cm x W. 33.0 cm (overall)
Credit LineMuseum purchase with assistance from the Japan Society of Northern California
Object number2012.60.23
DepartmentJapanese Art
ClassificationsPainting
On View
Not on view
InscribedOn the sixth day of the fourth month [May 2 by the Western calendar], the ship Macedonian returned after catching off the Uninhabited [Bonin] Islands seventy giant turtles, each about five feet long, and two large whales. They were prepared by the cooks for a feast when the Japanese officials came aboard ship. White sugar was mixed with raw eggs, and the meat was presented to the officials through their attendants. Lord Kurokawa ate only one piece, but none of the others would touch it. This was served to Perry also. The raw meat was roasted in its own blood, or it was sliced still quivering and eaten immediately with sugar. Large glass (kiyaman) dish. (Translation adapted from Oliver Statler, The Black Ship Scroll. Rutland, VT: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1963:75)