A Study On The Keichou Diplomatic Mission To Europe

After the opening of new sea-route,Japan gradually had trading connection with Portugal,Spain and other European countries.In 1613(the 18^th year of Keichou),Sendai seignior Data Masamune dispatched a diplomatic mission leaded by Hasekura Tsunenaga with 180 people to Europe,it was known as“Keichou diplomatic mission to Europe”.It was Different from the Tensho Shonen delegation 30 years before,Keichou diplomatic mission took Japanese self-built vessel under the guidance of Spain seafarer.They crossed over the Pacific Ocean and reached Mexico.After a short-term visit,they went to the east coast of America by land and then crossed the Atlantic Ocean by boat and finally reached Europe.Hasekura Tsunenaga and the other members in the mission visited many cities in Europe and had an audience with King Philip III of Spain and the pope Paul V.However,when they came back to Japan after7 years,the situation of prohibition of religion in Japan was very severe so that the diplomatic envoy couldn't realize the goals of commercial intercourse and missionary agreement.Nevertheless,at that period,such large-scale Japanese sailing and foreign negotiation was still remarkable.As the studies of Keichou diplomatic mission to Europe still have some space,this thesis,taking the European overseas expansion and Christianity spread in Uncharted Waters period as background,discusses the opportunity that Sendai area dispatched diplomatic agent.What's more,choosing the main members of the diplomatic mission such as Hasekura Tsunenaga,Sotelo,Viscaino and so on,based on the existing data,this thesis combs the envoy experience,reached areas and the person they visit.Through analysis the diplomatic attitude and strategy adjustment of Tokugawa Ieyasu and Data Masamune,and the difficult situation of Keichou diplomatic mission,this thesis discusses the complex relations and contradiction between different Franciscans of Christianity,Japan and other European countries.