In the course of getting to know one another, cultural mishaps were bound to happen. In this amusing scene an American sailor has decided to sample what the merchant in blue is selling. The American does not seem to be aware that this is Japanese "hair oil" made from Camelia nuts, and not meant for human consumption. The Japanese merchant appears taken-a-back by the American's effort to swallow the oil rather than apply it to his hair. The man at the left, who is holding up his hands, as if to say "no don't do that!" is probably also telling him in Japanese that this is not for eating. Look at the red face and surprised expression of the American! Such misunderstandings were common in the initial encounter between Americans and Japanese. What this scene shows is the essential curiosity that each side had about the other. This curiosity led to a better understanding on both sides. We can see the results of this mutual curiosity today. Japanese who did not generally eat meat due to Buddhist proscriptions against meat-eating, were reluctant at first to join Westerners in their meals. Americans, for their part, thought that eating raw-fish was equally barbarous. When we think of Americans eating "sushi" and Japanese downing "steaks" today, we can get some idea of how far both societies have come in the last 150 years.

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