Today in History: Japan
Today in History–July 29–the Library of Congress features the country of Japan. On this date in 1858, the United States and Japan signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce (the Harris Treaty), which helped establish diplomatic ties between the two countries. Find out more about early U.S.-Japanese relations and Townsend Harris, the man who negotiated the treaty, by visiting the Today in History section. Then, follow the links below to access more resources and primary sources related to this island nation.
Japan primary sources from the World Digital Library
Japan images
- Japan/Japanese
- Fine Prints: Japanese (pre-1915)
- The Floating World of Ukiyo-e: Shadows, Dreams, and Substance (online exhibition)
- On the Cutting Edge: Contemporary Japanese Prints (online exhibition)
- Japanese Censorship Collection
Books, reports, & other texts related to Japan (1500-1929)
Pacific Encounters in 19th Century Japan
Japanese songs, speeches & interviews
South Manchurian Railway Company Publications
1858 front-page newspaper articles: Japan
Historical newspaper articles: Townsend Harris & Japan
Timeline & select newspaper articles: Russo-Japanese War (1904-1906)
More historical newspaper articles: Japan
Japan: U.S. veteran’s oral histories
Japan films and streaming webcasts
U.S. legislation related to Japan
Global Legal Monitor articles related to Japan
Japan Places in the News articles
Japan country study (history, culture, industry, and more)
Japan timeline BBC
Japan-related blog posts from the Library
- The Dawn of Showa Now See Hear blog June 4, 2018
- Japan and the Olympics Before the 1964 Tokyo Games 4 Corners of the World
- Japan in U.S. Children’s Books: “A New World” Library of Congress Blog July 12, 2021
- Mapping Imperial Japanese History through the B-Collection 4 Corners of the World September 10, 2018
- Perry in Edo Bay: The Dawn of the U.S.-Japanese Relationship Library of Congress Blog
- Searching for Current Japanese Laws and Regulations In Custodia Legis blog post, May 19, 2014
- Teaching the Japanese Tea Ceremony: Mine Somi Kubose Folklife Today May 10, 2017
- Yuki Usagi: The Japanese Snow Hare Folklife Today January 14, 2018
Related resources