This paper is going to find its main focus in the trade with one of these peoples form the other side of the world, the Spanish and Portuguese mostly, and their major involvement in the trade with Japanese Silver and other commodities, both across the Pacific and within the region. Of course, that does not mean, that other facets are going to be excluded, quite on the contrary, they play important roles in the beginning and the end of this trading network, but the main focus is going to be with the Spanish.
One has to note, though, that although the main focus will be the Spanish ventures in this region of the world, that this will entail more then what we would today call Spain, but also Portugal and the colonial possessions of either of the two. Also, we will mostly operate in the time between 1543, the landing of the first Portuguese in Japan, and 1636, the closure of Japan to Foreigners for over two centuries (with a few exceptions, but we'll come to that). That will of course not mean, that we will exclude anything before and after, for important foundations were laid before, which would be used by many of the merchants, travellers and pirates of that time.
Table of Contents
A. Introduction: In a hole in the ground
1. Methods of Madness
B. There and Back Again: The History of Spanish and Japanese Trade in the Early Modern Period
1. Background
1.1. Silver
1.2. Spain, Portugal and Trade
1.3. Japan: How to unite a country in three easy steps
2. Europe and Japan
2.1. Red Seal Ships
2.2. Nanban
2.3. European Influence on the Early Edo-Period
3. Silver Mining in Japan
4. The End
C. Conclusions
Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the complex historical interactions between Spain, Portugal, and Japan during the early modern period, focusing specifically on how the silver trade and technological exchanges influenced their diplomatic and economic relations between 1543 and 1636.
- The role of silver as a primary global economic commodity and its impact on trade relations.
- The influence of European maritime technology and weaponry, such as firearms, on the unification of Japan.
- The dynamics of the "Nanban" trade and the significance of the Red Seal Ships.
- The social and political impacts of Christianity and the subsequent shift toward Japan's isolationist Sakoku-Policy.
- The technical evolution of silver and copper mining techniques within Japan.
Excerpt from the Book
1.3. Japan: How to unite a country in three easy steps
Japan, at the end of the 16th and at the beginning of the 17th century, was one step further down the line then Spain: It was, technically, one country – but the great question was, who would rule it in which way. To see the origins of these struggles, we need to look deep into Japan's own history, deeper then we have the time for and deeper then we need for our questions.
Long story short: We are here at the conclusion of a long period of unrest and war, both against foreign invaders, the Mongols in 1274, and against inner political factions and rebellions of various descriptions, basically throughout the entire 14th and 15th centuries, which are a confusing mess. But with the Ashigaka-Shogunate, basically a military junta, things seemed to look up and brighter, stability and prosperity, for a given definition of the terms, seemed to reign – 1468, the Onin War broke out, which ended the Ashigaka-Shogunate and came to a close in 1477, with the country in ruins and not a peace due to understanding of victory or loss, but because all sides simply exhausted themselves in something we might refer to as Total War.25
What followed was not peace, but more war, local potentates called the Daimyo warred for control over estates and later the entire country. One and a half centuries did it take before three men, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu26, began to unite and pacify Japan in this period known as the Sengoku-Period. We will not go into much detail about who killed whom when and how, but we want to take a closer look at one innovation, which arrived on Japanese Battlefields in the beginning of the 16th century: Firearms.
Summary of Chapters
A. Introduction: In a hole in the ground: Provides an overview of the research focus regarding early modern trade between Europe and Japan, establishing the timeframe and scope of the investigation.
1. Methods of Madness: Outlines the literature-driven methodology and the specific research questions regarding the impact of silver trade and technology on historical relations.
B. There and Back Again: The History of Spanish and Japanese Trade in the Early Modern Period: Analyzes the background of silver as a commodity and the distinct political and economic trajectories of Spain, Portugal, and Japan.
1. Background: Examines the nature of silver, the Iberian exploration and trade history, and the process of Japanese political unification during the Sengoku period.
2. Europe and Japan: Details the interaction between these regions through the lens of the Nanban trade, the Red Seal Ships system, and the influence of early European presence.
3. Silver Mining in Japan: Discusses the technological evolution of refining processes in Japanese mines, highlighting the adoption and adaptation of foreign techniques.
4. The End: Explores the reasons for the breakdown in diplomatic relations, the banning of Christianity, and the shift toward Japan's long-term isolation.
C. Conclusions: Reflects on the broader impact of global trade networks and the role of silver as a fuel for the early modern economic system.
Keywords
Silver Trade, Japan, Spain, Portugal, Nanban Trade, Red Seal Ships, Firearms, Early Modern Period, Sakoku, Tokugawa-Shogunate, Mining Technology, Christianity, Globalization, Iberian Union, Economic History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the trade and diplomatic relations between Spain, Portugal, and Japan during the 16th and 17th centuries, specifically looking at how the exchange of commodities like silver and new technologies shaped these nations.
What are the primary themes discussed in the text?
Key themes include the global economic importance of silver, the introduction and impact of firearms in Japan, the role of religious orders in diplomatic relations, and the geopolitical shift toward the Japanese policy of isolation.
What is the primary goal or research question?
The author investigates how the silver trade shaped relations between Spain, Portugal, and Japan, and how specific technological advancements influenced these trade and political dynamics.
Which scientific or historical methods were applied?
The work is a literature-driven paper, analyzing existing historical accounts and academic sources to draw conclusions about the socio-economic and political developments of the era.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body examines the historical background of the actors involved, the dynamics of maritime trade, the technical aspects of silver extraction, and the eventual deterioration of relations leading to Japan's closed-door policy.
Which keywords define this work?
Important keywords include Silver Trade, Nanban Trade, Red Seal Ships, Sengoku-Period, Sakoku-Policy, and Early Modern Period.
How did the introduction of firearms impact Japanese internal conflicts?
Firearms allowed low-ranked soldiers, the Ashigaru, to dominate battlefields over the traditional elite Samurai cavalry, which significantly altered the nature of warfare during the unification of Japan.
What was the significance of the San Juan Bautista expedition?
It was a galleon built by the Daimyo Masamune Date to conduct a diplomatic mission to Mexico and Europe to procure mining expertise, showcasing the technical and diplomatic ambition of the time.
Why did the diplomatic relationship between Japan and the Iberian powers eventually fail?
The relationship deteriorated due to the perceived political threat of missionaries, interference from Protestant European powers like the Dutch and English, and the eventual enforcement of isolationist policies by the Tokugawa Shogunate.
- Quote paper
- Sebastian Eccius (Author), 2018, There and Back Again. The History of Spanish and Japanese Trade in the Early Modern Period, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/450382
