What are the motifs in Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun by Rhoda Blumberg?

While the primary theme of Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun is how Japanese society changed as a result of the presence and actions of Commodore Perry, a major feature of the book is its careful attempt to explain the cultural conflicts between the Americans and the Japanese. One difficulty they faced was the fact that very few people spoke both English and Japanese. Consequently, two translators, both of whom knew Dutch, had to speak and translate their messages. This made communication difficult and often confusing. Major cultural clashes included the traditional Japanese conception of honor as opposed to the American conception. The Japanese system of honor was considered brutal by the Americans and excessively elaborate. The Japanese found American manners revolting.