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Portuguese impact in Japanese society

The portuguese navigatores in the XVI century arrived at Japan and contributed for the development of this asian country

1998/1/24

by Alberto da SIlva Cunha, Portugal

Re: A few Corrections

To Rob:

It is correct that the Edo period (that lasted for about 265 years and not, as you wrote, over 350 years) was a peaceful era. The end of the 16th century, however, was not yet peaceful AT ALL. Japanese warfare experienced a dramatic change in the second half of the 16th century due to the introduction of gunpowder. Oda Nobunaga used rifles on a large scale. The famous battle of Nagashino in 1575 between Nobunaga and the Takeda clan is the best example of the new kind of warfare used by Nobunaga's side.

About Christianity:
I expressed that the influence of the Portuguese regarding Christianity in Japan is almost negligible since it was virtually non-existent for over two centuries after its introduction by the Portuguese Jesuits and Spanish Franciscans. I am well aware of some underground priests in Kyushu, but their influence on Japan is quite small even though they may be seen as heroic peronalities in the Japanese-Christian history. Again I would like to emphazise that the fact one is a Christian let's one easily overestimate the importance of Christianity in Japan's history.

I wrote 'fortunatelly' as a provocation. I am sorry. But it's not just stupid provocation: Christianity of the 16th century was much more intolerant and aggressive than today's Christianity. For example, they intentionally destroyed Buddhist and Shintoist buildings. It is a fact that Christian missionaires destroyed the cultures and religions of many other countries of the world. It was not too long after the Spanish Christians virtually exstinct the Inka nd Maya cultures, for example, before the Portuguese Jesuits arrived in Japan. Such aggressive intolerance, I believe, may have had a destructive influence towards native Japanese culture over the centuries.

1998/1/24

by Steve

A Few Corrections

With regards to the first poster, gunpowder had very
little influence on Japan. Not until Japan began to modernize after 1868 did Japan begin making rifles on a larger unified scale. Under the Edo Period there was no need for guns anyway, since the country was 'at peace' or 'under a police state' for over 350 years (depending on your point of view).
Secondly, Christianity didn't go extinct, it went underground. After the prohibition ended, a surprising number of Christians suddenly came out of a country where they were thought to be gone (today the no. is about 1% of the total population though).
Thirdly, why you say 'fortunately' escapes me.
If left to flourish, there is no evidence it would have changed or damaged Japan in any way.

1998/1/24

by Rob, USA

Shogun

Thanks for the anonimous reaction to my topic of discussion, i am glad that there are people who knows about portuguese contacts with japanese people, back in the XVI, as you sad.
For the other people who wants to talk about this matter, see the american tv serie Shogun, with that great actor Richard Chamberlain, and you will have abetter understanding about European contacts with the Japanese people in the times of the great navigators.
PS: Sorry about some english errors that i may have commited,

1998/1/24

by Alberto da Silva Cunha, Portugal

The Portuguese Influence

It is no doubt that Portugal had a certain influence in the development of Japan back in the 16th century; however, it is a rather small one. Westener people overestimate the importance of Westener influence, foreign trade and Christianity in Japan of the 16/17th century very easily and very often.

The major Portuguese influences may have been the introduction of gunpowder and Christianity to Japan.
Gunpowder changed Japanese warfare quite drastically. You may argue that Nobunaga may not have achieved what he did against the Takeda clan, for example, without gunpower.

Christianity, on the other hand, was exstinct again less than a century after its introduction, and fortunatelly didn't have a large impact on Japanese culture at all.

I guess, the major Portuguese contribution to the Japan of today is the delicious Tempura. I am very grateful for that.

1998/1/24

by an anonymous person


Created by Schauwecker's Guide to Japan