13. Hasekura Tsunenaga

Today, I write about “The samurai who went to Europe”.
October 28, 1613
Hasekura Tsunenaga and the party (Approximately 180 people) depart for Europe.
Hasekura Tsunenaga take following orders from Date Masamune (feudal lord).

Meet the Spanish king and get permission of the direct trade with Mexico.
Meet the. Pope Paul V. and request to dispatch a missionary.

Three months later,
They arrive at Acapulco, Mexico.

June 10, 1614
About 30 people including Hasekura Tsunenaga cross the Atlantic on a Spanish fleet.

October 5, 1614
They arrive at Spain.

January 30, 1615
Hasekura Tsunenaga meets the Spanish king and hands a letter from Date Masamune (feudal lord).
He was baptized.
Spanish king and French queen were present at the ceremony.

August 22, 1615
They leave to Rome.

November 3, 1615
He meet the. Pope Paul V.
He hands a letter from Date Masamune (feudal lord).
He is conferred noble rank on.
However, A Christian ban was given then in Japan.
He was not able to obtain a good result.

July 4, 1617
They leave Europe.

August 26, 1620
They arrive at Japan without being able to achieve a purpose.

Afterwards, Japan closed the country to foreigners.
And they also became secret.

1873
Iwakura mission of the Meiji government discovers a letter of Hasekura Tsunenaga in Venice.
They were surprised that there was the Japanese who came to Europe more than 250 years ago.

The museum of Hasekura Tsunenaga is located in Ishinomaki-shi, Miyagi.
I went there once.
I was impressed by their “honesty for achieving the purpose”.

If you can’t find items you’re looking for, please feel free to contact me.
I will find item which you want.

Thank you.

Bid Agent in “Yahoo Japan auction”
Kazuyoshi Kawahara
kaw8456@salsa.ocn.ne.jp