There and Back Again. The History of Spanish and Japanese Trade in the Early Modern Period

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.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1A. 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

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper focuses on the history of Spanish and Portuguese trade with Japan in the early modern period, particularly examining the role of silver in shaping these economic and political relationships. It analyzes the factors that influenced the trade network between Europe and Japan, considering both Spanish and Portuguese involvement, as well as the impact of local actors. The paper also explores the technological innovations that facilitated this trade and its impact on the political landscape of both regions.

• The role of silver in the development of trade relations between Spain, Portugal, and Japan.
• The influence of technological advancements on the trade network and diplomatic relations.
• The impact of European involvement on Japanese society and its political development.
• The evolving nature of Spanish and Portuguese colonial expansion in the context of this trade.
• The role of Christianity in shaping the interactions between the parties involved.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• 1A. Introduction: In a hole in the ground... This chapter sets the stage for the paper, introducing the central theme of mining and its significance in the context of early modern trade relations between Europe and Japan. It establishes the main focus of the research, highlighting the Spanish and Portuguese involvement in the trade with Japanese silver. The chapter also clarifies the scope of the analysis, defining the temporal and geographical boundaries of the study, and outlines the key research questions.
• B. There and Back Again: The History of Spanish and Japanese Trade in the Early Modern Period. This chapter delves into the historical context of Spanish and Japanese trade, examining the role of silver in shaping the relationship between the two nations. It explores the economic and political dynamics of the trade network, analyzing the impact of silver on both European and Japanese societies. The chapter also investigates the technological advancements that facilitated the trade and their role in shaping the relations between the participants.
• 1. Background This section provides an overview of the historical context, examining the global significance of silver as a precious metal and currency. It explores the sources of silver in Europe during the Middle Ages and the growing importance of Japanese and Mexican mines in the early modern period. This section lays the foundation for understanding the economic importance of silver in shaping the trade relations between Europe and Japan.
• 1.1. Silver This section delves deeper into the characteristics and historical uses of silver, highlighting its importance as a currency and its various applications in different sectors. It examines the role of silver in ancient Greek and Roman economies, its significance in jewellery and decoration, and its more recent use in electronics. This section provides a comprehensive understanding of the economic and social value of silver, setting the stage for analyzing its impact on the trade relations between Europe and Japan.
• 1.2. Spain, Portugal and Trade. This section examines the historical context of Spain and Portugal, exploring their role in global trade during the early modern period. It sheds light on the political and economic factors that influenced their involvement in the trade with Japan, highlighting the role of colonial expansion and the search for new sources of wealth. This section provides a deeper understanding of the motivations behind Spanish and Portuguese engagement in the trade with Japan.
• 1.3. Japan: How to unite a country in three easy steps This section delves into the political and social landscape of Japan during the early modern period, focusing on the process of unification and its impact on trade relations with Europe. It explores the various internal factors that contributed to the consolidation of power under the Tokugawa Shogunate and the subsequent restrictions placed on foreign trade. This section provides a nuanced understanding of the Japanese context in which the trade with Spain and Portugal unfolded.
• 2. Europe and Japan This section explores the development of trade relations between Europe and Japan in the early modern period, focusing on the role of Spanish and Portuguese merchants. It examines the introduction of Red Seal Ships, the Nanban trade, and the influence of European culture and technology on Japanese society. This section provides insights into the specific dynamics of the trade network, highlighting the interactions between European and Japanese actors.
• 2.1. Red Seal Ships This section discusses the introduction of Red Seal Ships, a crucial component of the trade network between Japan and Europe. It examines the role of these ships in facilitating trade, the regulations governing their use, and their contribution to the economic growth of both regions. This section provides a detailed understanding of a key element in the trade relations between Europe and Japan.
• 2.2. Nanban This section examines the Nanban trade, a period of intense cultural and commercial exchange between Europe and Japan. It explores the arrival of Portuguese merchants and missionaries in Japan, the introduction of new goods and technologies, and the impact of European culture on Japanese society. This section provides insights into the cultural and social dimensions of the trade relations between Europe and Japan.
• 2.3. European Influence on the Early Edo-Period. This section investigates the influence of European culture and technology on the early Edo Period in Japan. It examines the impact of European ideas on Japanese society, the adoption of new technologies, and the eventual closure of Japan to foreign trade. This section provides a nuanced understanding of the long-term consequences of European engagement in Japanese trade.
• 3. Silver Mining in Japan This section explores the importance of silver mining in Japan during the early modern period, analyzing the role of silver in the national economy and its impact on the trade with Spain and Portugal. It examines the techniques and challenges of silver mining, the economic benefits derived from it, and its influence on Japanese political and social dynamics. This section provides a detailed examination of a key economic activity that shaped the trade relations between Europe and Japan.
• 4. The End.. This section offers a brief conclusion, summarizing the main points of the paper and highlighting the significance of the trade between Spain and Portugal with Japan in the early modern period. It emphasizes the lasting impact of this trade on both European and Japanese societies, underscoring its influence on the political, economic, and cultural landscapes of both regions.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This paper explores the key themes of trade, silver, diplomacy, technological innovation, and cultural exchange in the context of early modern relations between Spain, Portugal, and Japan. It focuses on the economic and political implications of the trade network, examining the impact of silver on both regional and global economies. The study also investigates the role of Christianity in shaping the interactions between the parties involved, highlighting the complexities of intercultural exchange and the influence of European ideas on Japanese society.

Details

• Hochschule: Universität Salzburg
• Note: 2
• Autor: Sebastian Eccius (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2018
• Seiten: 27
• Katalognummer: V450382
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668861053
• ISBN (Buch): 9783668861060
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: Silver Japan Spain Trade Trans-Pacific Spanien Silber