Details the first official contact between the cultures of the expanding modern United States and the conservative ancient Japan.

"First edition."

Ships from the East -- The Japan expedition mobilizes -- Along the China coast -- Dress rehearsal -- Islands without people -- Poker diplomacy -- Contact -- Sayonara -- Return to base -- Between the acts -- Behind the screens -- Re-entry -- Pourparlers -- Treaty-making -- Side-shows -- Into the opened port -- Curtain.