Medal 1862

This medal was anonymously produced in 1862. It commemorates three centuries of trade relations between the Netherlands and Japan. It is a fascinating example of how nations use symbolic objects to frame their shared history. The medal depicts the years 1609 and 1862, marking the beginning and the anniversary of Dutch-Japanese commerce. On one side we see the Dutch coat-of-arms. On the other, a Dutch flag hovers over the emblem of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled Japan during much of that time. The text is written in Japanese. This is a gift, a token of goodwill and alliance offered to the Japanese. In this light, we can consider this medal as part of a broader history of Western imperialism in Asia, one in which trade and diplomacy were often intertwined with military power and cultural dominance. To understand this history, researchers might consult period newspapers, diplomatic archives, and collections of similar commemorative objects. These objects help us interpret and understand how culture and institutions influence perceptions of the past.