Description
Book SynopsisThe year 1543 marked the beginning of a new global consciousness in Japan with the arrival of storm-blown Portuguese merchants in Tanegashima Island in southern Japan. Other Portuguese rapidly followed and Japan became aware of a world beyond India. The Portuguese brought with them the musket, which was quickly copied and began to change Japanese warfare. Francis Xavier arrived in 1549 and other Christian missionaries soon after.
This is not a new story but it is the first time that Japanese, Portuguese and other European accounts have been brought together and presented in English.
Table of ContentsThe arrival of the Portuguese; the record of the musket; translation of the "Tanegashima Kafu"; the Tanegashima family and "Tanegashima Kafu"; the "Teppoki", "Tanegashima Kafu" and historical setting; Fernao Mendes Pinto and his four visits to Japan, according to the "Peregrinacam"; translation of the "Kunitomo Teppoki"; a discussion of "Kunitomo Teppoki"; "Teppo" production at Sakai; "Teppo" production at Negoro; the "Teppo" on Kyushu; Francis Xavier in Japan. Appendices: "Teppoki"; "Tanegashima Kafu" (partial); "Kunitomo Teppoki".
