Early in the 17th century, daimyō Date Masamune of Sendai of Japan sent a delegation led by Hasekura Tsunenaga (1571–1622) to Europe. In 1613, Hasekura and the delegates visited the Spanish court of King Philip III and the Vatican. An embassy was established and six samurai stayed in Spain.
Approximately 650 of the Spanish town of Coria del Rio's 24,000 residents, as reported in 2003, use the surname Japón (originally Hasekura de Japón), identifying them as the descendants of the first Japanese official envoy to Spain. The name first appeared on an official document in 1646.
Some babies born within the town are even today known to display the mongolian spot which is common in Asians.
A statue of Hasekura Tsunenaga was donated to the city by Japan in 1992 and stands watch over the river.
Really cool post!
ReplyDeleteBanzai!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's a really good story and a small piece of history I was unaware of, a neat piece of history!
ReplyDeleteGreat content!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.larazon.es/andalucia/20210312/67mcpab7vrg5datkbw46qfm3je.html
ReplyDeleteOur son (American Father Korean Mother) had a large Mongolian spot. On an early well baby checkup we were suspected of abuse. Luckily the Dr knew what a Mongolian spot was. The Nurse was sure we had beaten and bruised our son.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, that may explain the blue heart on my left cheek. I thought it a sign of royalty.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm from Swedes and Russians.
Among the Swedo-Russian ethnic group, a blue heart is in fact the sign of royalty. All the Tsars and Kings of Sweden (present kings excepted - they're actually French) had the heart.
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