Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 7
February 11, 2014 (Tue) - March 23, 2014 (Sun)
From the mid-16th to the beginning of the 17th century, during the Azuchi-Momoyama and the beginning of the Edo periods, was a time of encounters between Japan and Europe.
Hasekura Tsunenaga (1571–1622), one of the few Japanese who actually traveled to Europe, was the leader of delegates which later became to be known as the Keicho Mission sent by the feudal lord of Sendai, Date Masamune, in 1613 (Keicho 18).
This exhibit features a portrait of Hasekura Tsunenaga, which is a portrayal of Hasekura in Rome when had an audience with Pope Paul V. Together with the portrait, Europeans in Japan, as well as the Map of the World, a work reminiscent of Hasekura's travel route across the Pacific Ocean and beyond Mexico, are also introduced. These two works are examples of Nanban Art, a style of Japanese art which flourished with influences from European culture.
This exhibit aims to present an aspect of cultural exchanges between Japan and Europe four centuries ago.
Highlights of the Exhibition
PDF, 14MB）