BLACK SHIPS! BLACK SHIPS!

[Taro Toporific]

ON this day: Thursday, March 31
1854 - US Commodore Perry signs the treaty of Kanagawa with Japan, opening two Japanese ports to trade with outside world.

To read more about this, visit the great website of Massachusetts Institute of Technology called -- Visualizing Cultures -- Blackships and Samurai.

[etto_neh]

Gaijin Smash - I can't take credit for the Gaijin Smash, it was my friend's creation. Which is what led to this whole thing. But anyway, the Gaijin Smash is basically just us exerting our inheritant dominance over the Japanese people. We do what we want and they can't stop us, and we have them do what we want cause they can't stand up to us. It's beautiful. It's hard to specifically define Gaijin Smash, so I'll just give you some examples....

<snip>

For the record, the first ever Gaijin Smash recorded in history was performed by Commodore Matthew Perry (no "Friends" jokes/references, they've all been done before. Twice) in 1853. Japan had closed its borders and was very isolationist. Then one day, Perry rolls up demanding Japan open it's borders for foreign commerce...

Perry: Hey! Open up Japan!
The Japanese: That's an interesting idea. Here's another one. How about we shuffle our feet until you get frustrated and leave?
Perry: A'ight. I'll be back.

7 months later, Perry returns with 9 (count 'em) gunships.

Perry: Hey Japan! Open up. Or I'll blast you clear into China.
The Japanese: .......Ah! Mr. Perry-san, welcome to Japan! Please do come in!
Perry: Gaijin Smash.













His other stories are pretty good too..

http://216.239.63.104/search?q=cache:rR2agRlzG4MJ:www.outpostnine.com/editorials/teacher16.html+smash+site:outpostnine.com&hl=en