into the significant events and treaties that shaped Western engagement with Japan, especially amid its transition from isolation to international involvement. The opening of the volume introduces the complexities surrounding Japan's reopening to foreign trade and diplomatic relations. It begins by recounting the pivotal events leading to the treaties signed by various Western powers, including the United States and Britain, facilitated by figures like Commodore Perry and Lord Elgin. The narrative elaborates on the initial interactions with Japanese officials, highlighting the country's unique socio-political landscape, its cautious acceptance of foreign influence, and the emerging tensions between traditional values and the pressures of modernization. Michie reveals that foreign dealings were marked by misunderstanding, prejudice, and notable resistance, establishing the groundwork for the subsequent chapters that cover the tumultuous period of repeated diplomatic crises and violent incidents against foreign representatives in Japan. (This is an automatically generated summary.)