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 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 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. 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. 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 |