2019-11-30 Sat

Between the years 1582 and 1590 Japan sent Four Samurai Boys through Portugal, Spain, and Italy. They did not constitute a proper diplomatic mission as they did not represent the Japanese government and did not conduct any negotiations, but their visit was an important development not only for the Catholic Church in Japan but also for European perceptions of Japan.

Three Christian daimyo (noble lords) were sent accompanied by two companions. All four were young teenagers who had been brought up in the Christian faith. Their guide and mentor was Diogo de Mesquita, a young Jesuit who had only been six years with the Jesuits in Japan. The small ship, in which they traveled, left Nagasaki on 20 February 1582 and they did not return until 21 July 1590. Among 8 years of the journey, they only spent one year and eight months in Europe.

Portuguese mint, in the year 1998, issued a special 200 Escudo commemorative coins celebrating the Japanese Mission to Europe that happened between 1582 and 1590. Known as the “Enviados Daimios Kyushu”, the coin was issued to commemorate the 4th Centenary of the visit of Japanese noblemen.

The obverse of the coin depicts the Portuguese Coat of Arms on the left with value and date. A 16th-century sail ship on water representing the journey from Japan to Europe is seen to the right. The coin is inscribed with “REPUBLICA PORTUGUESA” at the top.

The reverse depicts busts of 4 young men sent to Europe between 1582 and 1590 as representants of the Christianized Daimios (Lords) of Kyushu on the right. Portuguese Legend “ENVIADOS DAIMIOS KIUSHU” to the left and the same in Japanese characters is seen before the busts.

Image Courtesy: https://picclick.co.uk/