The 41st annual Black Ships Festival was celebrated this past weekend, with events in both Bristol and Newport.

The term “Black Ships” is a translation of the word Kurofone, given to the impressive and intimidating ships, their hulls waterproofed with tar pitch, that carried the delegation of Rhode Island native son, Commodore Matthew C. Perry, USN, to Japan 170 years ago.

There, Perry negotiated the Treaty of Kanagawa between the United States and the Edo Period Shogunate in 1854, an event which opened Japan to trade with the West and was the beginning of Japanese-American relations.

In honor of that event, for more than 40 years, the Japan-America Society and Black Ships Festival of Rhode Island has hosted a weekend of events celebrating goodwill between the two nations and Rhode Island’s pivotal role in the opening of Japan to international trade.

The event kicked off Friday with opening ceremonies in the morning and a Taiko drum concert in the evening, both at Rockwell Park. But the centerpiece of Bristol’s part of the celebration was the Cultural Marketplace, held Saturday at Independence Park and featuring over 100 artisans showcase their unique crafts, delectable treats, and captivating performances including martial arts demonstrations, intricate ikebana flower arranging, Bon Odori dancing, and a Cosplay Costume Contest.