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List Of Westerners Who Visited Japan Before 1868
This list contains notable Europeans and Americans who visited Japan before the Meiji Restoration. The name of each individual is followed by the year of the first visit, the country of origin, and a brief explanation. 16th century * Two Portuguese traders, António da Mota and Francisco Zeimoto (possibly a third named António Peixoto), land on the island of Tanegashima in 1543. They are the first documented Europeans to set foot in Japan. *Fernão Mendes Pinto (1543, Portugal) Claimed to be one of the first Westerners who visited Japan and wrote about the introduction of guns to the Japanese, though the account is almost certainly untrue. *Francis Xavier (1549, Spain (on Portuguese mission)) The first Roman Catholic missionary who brought Christianity to Japan. *Cosme de Torres (1549, Spain) A Spanish Jesuit (on Portuguese mission) who successfully converted Ōmura Sumitada to Christianity – the first Christian ''daimyō''. * Luis de Almeida (1552, Portugal) A Portuguese Jesu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Meiji Restoration
The , referred to at the time as the , and also known as the Meiji Renovation, Revolution, Regeneration, Reform, or Renewal, was a political event that restored practical imperial rule to Japan in 1868 under Emperor Meiji. Although there were ruling emperors before the Meiji Restoration, the events restored practical abilities and consolidated the political system under the Emperor of Japan. The goals of the restored government were expressed by the new emperor in the Charter Oath. The Restoration led to enormous changes in Japan's political and social structure and spanned both the late Edo period (often called the Bakumatsu) and the beginning of the Meiji era, during which time Japan rapidly industrialized and adopted Western ideas and production methods. Foreign influence The Japanese knew they were behind the Western powers when US Commodore Matthew C. Perry came to Japan in 1853 in large warships with armaments and technology that far outclassed those of Japan, wit ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
