Portrait of Matthew Calbraith Perry (1794-1858), US Navy Commodore and explorer aged 60 years old by Japanese artist Ikoku Ochibe Kago. Perry saw action in a number of wars and naval actions. By 1840, he had attained the rank of Commodore. He was chosen to command a US Navy expedition to the Far East that led to the opening of Japan to international trade. Perry arrived in Tokyo with four warships on 8 July 1853, returning with twice that number in February 1854. This show of force resulted in the signing on 31 March 1854 of the Convention of Kanagawa. On his return, Perry was rewarded by Congress and published an account of his voyages.