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 nearly 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 nearly 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. This year’s Black Ships Festival, the 39th annual, will kick off at 10 a.m. Friday with opening ceremonies at Rockwell Park.

Prior to the pandemic, a highlight of the event was welcoming representatives from Newport’s sister city of Shimoda, Japan, which also enjoyed a robust celebration prior to 2020.

“It’s much more than a sister city relationship,” said Spencer Viner, President of the Japan-American Society of Rhode Island, about the connection between Shimoda and Newport, where the festival was held until much of it shifted to Bristol a handful of years ago.

The event was cancelled entirely in 2020 and scaled back in 2021.

“We took some baby steps last year, and that was important, but we are emerging more fully this year,” said Vice President Steve Aveson. “We are sorry our friends from Japan cannot come,” (travel remains strictly curtailed in Japan), “But we are excited that Bristol and Newport continue to strengthen those bonds.”

On Friday night at 6:30 p.m., the celebration continues with a free Taiko Drum performance, sponsored in part by Baba Sushi and Roger Williams University, held at Rockwell Park. The Taiko is said to be the voice and spirit of the Japanese; and Odaiko New England and their electrifying drums will make a powerful impression. If you cannot see the drums Friday night, you will have three more opportunities the following day at Independence Park, where an Arts & Crafts and Martial Arts Fair will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Bristol Garden Club will be featuring Ikebana and Kokedama displays, and there will also be martial arts demos, and vendor booths. Another highlight will be a Kendama demonstration and competition — the first of its kind in Rhode Island —with prizes awarded to kids and families. Kendama is a traditional Japanese toy requiring skill and sharp reflexes. Japanese language students of Classical High School will join the festivities, making origami, calligraphy, Japanese arts & crafts, and traditional kimono dressing.

The Japanese Consulate will be featuring Japanese games, and celebrate the summer holiday of Tanabata. Guests will enjoy a Japanese cultural experience all afternoon, as Independence Park is transformed into a Japanese-American Cultural Center.

The evening of Saturday, June 11 offers a fusion of both Japanese and American culture at the Black Ships Festival Gala beginning at 6:30 p.m., presented by Toray. Held at Ochre Court in Newport, the event will include a Taiko drumming performance, dancing, an open bar, sushi by Haruki and a sit-down dinner.

Friday and Sunday both offer a unique opportunity to set sail aboard the 101’ Schooner Aurora, for the Sushi Sake Sail I & II. On Friday, June 10 at noon and Sunday, June 12, at 2 p.m., guests board the magnificent vessel from Goat Island Marina in Newport, sip sake from Gekkeikan and sample a variety of sushi while cruising around beautiful Narragansett Bay. At press time, limited tickets were still available for both sailings.

Sunday’s memorial ceremonies, at 9 a.m., at Island Cemetery on Farewell St., Newport, conclude the festive weekend with a wreath laying at Perry’s tomb by American and Japanese dignitaries.

Dr. Matthew Perry, a Bristol resident and great-great-grandnephew of Commodore Perry, will attend the festivities all weekend, and say a few words at the memorial service on Sunday. “Commodore Perry was from Newport but the family also has a nice connection to Bristol,” he said. “I’m very happy to see elements of the festival in both Bristol and Newport.”

For more information visit www.BlackShipsFestival.com or call 401-847-7666.