French version
Hasekura Tsunenaga支倉常長alternative words: Tsunenaga Hasekura keywords: explorer , famous person related topics: Date Masamune related web sites: http://www.town.osato.miyagi.jp/introduce/kanko/memorial.htm , http://www.city.sendai.jp/kyouiku/museum/hasekura/ explanation: Born a high ranked samurai family and vassal of Date clan near Sendai in 1571, Hasekura Tsunenaga was the first Japanese who reached Europe to meet the Pope in the 17th century by passing through Pacific Ocean, Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. After he had returned back to Japan, he was confined in a secret place because Christianity became forbidden in Japan during his voyage. He died in 1622 in obscurity. The replica of San Juan Bautista, the ship used by him to cross the Pacific is moored at Ishinomaki harbor. | |