Jhr. Francois Frederik de Casembroot, wegens het forceren van de doorvaart in de Straat van Shimonoseki met het schip de Medusa, penning geschonken door zijn officieren 1888

This bronze medal commemorates an event in 1863, when Lieutenant-Commander François Frederik de Casembroot forced a passage through the Strait of Shimonoseki with the ship Medusa. It was a gift from his officers. The medal depicts a specific moment in Dutch naval history, reflecting the complex interplay of imperialism, trade, and military power in 19th-century East Asia. The Dutch, like other Western powers, were keen to establish and maintain trade relations with Japan, sometimes using military force to achieve their goals. The Strait of Shimonoseki was a key strategic point, and controlling it meant controlling access to Japanese markets. The medal itself is an artifact of institutional pride, commissioned to celebrate and commemorate a specific act of military force. These objects offer valuable insights into the values, beliefs, and self-image of institutions and nations during moments of expansion and conflict. We can learn more about the relevant Dutch colonial history through archival research.