Nanban trade

Quick Facts: Who was Nanban trade?

Subject:

Nanban trade

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The European trade with Japan (1543–1614), marked by cultural and technological exchange.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Nanban trade (南蛮貿易, Nanban bōeki; "Southern barbarian trade") was trade between Europeans and the Japanese that took place in Japan from the arrival of Europeans in 1543 to the first Sakoku Seclusion Edicts of isolationism in 1614. The Nanban trade as a form of European contact began with Portuguese explorers, missionaries, and merchants in the Sengoku period and established long-distance overseas trade routes with Japan. The resulting technological and cultural exchange included the introduction of matchlock firearms, cannons, galleon-style shipbuilding, and Christianity to Japan, among other cultural aspects. The Nanban trade declined in the early Edo period with the rise of the Tokugawa shogunate which feared the influence of Christianity in Japan, particularly the Roman Catholicism of the Portuguese. The Tokugawa issued a series of Sakoku policies that increasingly isolated mainland Japan from the outside world and limited European trade to Dutch traders on the artificial island of Dejima, under total scrutiny.

Career & Major Achievements

Following contact with the Portuguese on Tanegashima in 1543, the Japanese were at first rather wary of the newly arrived foreigners. The culture shock was quite strong, especially because Europeans were not able to understand the Japanese writing system nor accustomed to using chopsticks. They eat with their fingers instead of with chopsticks such as we use. They show their feelings without any self-control. They cannot understand the meaning of written characters.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

(from Boxer, Christian Century). The island of Jampon, according to what all the Chinese say, is larger than that of the Léquios, and the king is more powerful and greater and is not given to trading, nor are his subjects. He is a heathen king, a vassal of the king of China. They do not often trade in China because it is far off and they have no junks, nor are they seafaring men. The first comprehensive and systematic report of a European about Japan is the Tratado em que se contêm muito sucinta e abreviadamente algumas contradições e diferenças de costumes entre a gente de Europa e esta província de Japão of Luís Fróis, in which he described Japanese life concerning the roles and duties of men and women, children, Japanese food, weapons, medicine, medical treatment, diseases, books, houses, gardens, horses, ships and cultural aspects of Japanese life like dances and music.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1543: 1543 Milestone — The Nanban trade (南蛮貿易, Nanban bōeki; "Southern barbarian trade") was trade between Europeans and the Japanese that took place in Japan from the arrival of Europeans in 1543 to the first Sakoku Seclusion Edicts of isolationism in 1614.

Notable Quotes by Nanban trade

“They never touch food with their fingers, but instead use two small sticks that they hold with three fingers.”

“Their Scimitar-like swords and daggers cut so well that they can cut a soft paper just by putting it on the edge and by blowing on it.” (1615)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Nanban trade

True or False: “The Nanban trade was entirely restricted to Dutch traders operating solely from Dejima Island throughout its entire duration.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the trade eventually became limited to the Dutch on Dejima under Sakoku policies, the initial and primary European involvement included Portuguese merchants and missionaries.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Nanban trade