Coronado, Cowpens Take Part in Shimoda Black Ship Festival

Shimoda, Japan (May 15, 2004) - Commander U.S. Seventh Fleet, Vice Adm. Robert F. Willard, accepts a wreath from a Japanese Boy Scout before placing it at the memorial at Shimoda Park, Japan, during the 65th Shimoda Black Ship Festival. The festival promotes the theme of peaceful relations between the Japanese and American people, and commemorates the 1854 landing of Commodore Matthew Perry and the signing of the Japanese-American treaty of trade and amity at Shimoda. This year's festival commemorates the 150th anniversary of that landing. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Alan Warner (RELEASED)

SHIMODA, Japan (NNS) -- The U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Coronado (AGF 11) and USS Cowpens (CG 63) completed an historic port visit here May 14-16 to commemorate the 65th Shimoda Black Ship Festival.

Sailors from both ships took part in a host of activities, including concerts, parades and fireworks, marking the 150th anniversary of the opening of Shimoda port by the U.S. naval fleet led by Commodore Matthew Perry.

“Shimoda is the door through which modern Japan opened itself to the world and the place where the U.S.-Japan relationship began,” said Yoshinobu Ishikawa, Shizuoka Prefecture governor. “The Black Ship festival being held here with the full cooperation of the United States and the eager participation of the people of Shimoda for such a long period of time is truly significant.”

The first day of the three-day festival found Sailors participating in a number of events. Vice Adm. Robert F. Willard, U.S. 7th Fleet commander, Capt. King H. Dietrich, commander of Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, Capt. Christopher D. Noble of Coronado and Capt. Charles B. Dixon from Cowpens exchanged gifts with local officials.

Later in the afternoon, Willard and the other commanding officers joined U.S. Navy personnel and members of the community at Gyokusenji Temple for a wreath-laying ceremony, near the graves of Sailors and Marines from Perry’s fleet who died on the way to Shimoda.

The festival’s second day kicked off with an official ceremony at Shimoda Park, atop a hill overlooking the bustling township’s wharf. The celebration continued afterward with a parade through crowd-lined streets. Members of the U.S. 7th Fleet Band, U.S. Army Japan Band, and the Kinnick High School Junior ROTC joined a host of dignitaries and Japanese groups on the parade route.

“It was a great day for a parade,” said Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance) 1st Class (SW) Jerry Frantz, of U.S. 7th Fleet’s intelligence department. “The whole community was involved, and it’s great to see the joint participation between the people of Shimoda, and the different military bands and organizations.”

Afterward, volunteers dressed in period garb reenacted the historic signing of the Japanese-American treaty of trade and amity.

Throughout the festival, Sailors interacted with locals and experienced Japanese culture. From women adorned in elaborate kimonos to Wadaiko drum ensembles, the opportunities for enlightenment and jubilance were innumerable.

“I heard they were going to pull people from the audience into this giant drum line,” said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Jesse Helland, a radar technician aboard Cowpens. “Everyone said it would be a lot of fun, so I went with it.”

As Helland prepared to give the Wadaiko drums a try, his friend unexpectedly joined in.

“I was just going to watch the show and then I got pulled out there,” said Fire Controlman 3rd Class James Ahrens, also a radar technician aboard Cowpens. “It made the whole trip here worth it. I think they appreciate us being here, and I think it goes to show how we’ve grown to appreciate each other, even through tough times, and what good friends we’ve become.”

“This is such a quiet, clean, wonderful place,” said Information Systems Technician Seaman Peter Nguyen, of Coronado’s communications department. “They really seem to like us Sailors and want to do things, like visit and take pictures with us.”

“Yes, they’re very friendly and wear such exciting, traditional dress,” said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Cuong Nguyen, expounding on his friend’s warm comments.

Rainy weather brought festivities to a close earlier than expected on the last day, but the visiting Sailors enjoyed their opportunity to interact with the Japanese and renew a very old friendship.

I went to this festival as a sailor aboard the USS Benjamin Stoddertin......I THINK.....1982.

Dress Whites to get ashore for liberty.

Some buddies and myself decided to have a few beers and hit the local bar. We couldn't buy a beer......but they kept coming. When my bladder needed relief I entered the first, and only co-ed restroom I've ever been in. It was a raised tile platform with a trench of running water down the middle. The women would sit astride the trench and men would stand above it.......and there were lots of women. And lots of giggles:)

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