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Confrontacin Transpacfica. El Japn y el Nuevo Mundo Hispnico 1542-1639 by LotharKnauthReview by: C. R. BoxerThe Americas, Vol. 30, No. 2 (Oct., 1973), p. 276Published by: Academy of American Franciscan HistoryStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/980561.

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o o k ReviewsConfrontacidn Transpacifica. El Japdn y el Nuevo Mundo Hispa nico 1542-1639. By Lothar Knauth. (Ciudad Universitaria: UniversidadNacional Aut6noma de M6xico, 1972. Pp. 423. Prtlogo. Introducci6n.

Bibliograffa. Glosario. Indice. No price.)The relations between New Spain and Japan in the sixteenth andseventeenth centuries, whether direct or via the Phillippines, can be charac-terized as tenuous, fleeting, and ultimately abortive. They were typified bythe embassy of HasekuraRokuemon and Fray Luis Sotelo, O. F. M. to Mexico,Spain, and Italy in 1613-16 on behalf of Dat6 Masamune, the Daimy5 ofSendai. The aims and objects of this ill-assorted embassy were bestsummarized by the Japanese historian, Tokutomi, who aptly characterized itas a combination of Japanesewho wished to use the Kingdom of Heaven for

trade and of Spaniardswho wished to use trade for the Kingdom of Heaven.This dichotomy was the rock on which foundered all efforts to maintain ameaningful dialogue (as it is termed nowadays) between the two empires.The Castilian Crown and the Roman Church were primarily interested inspreading their faith; whereas the Japanese authorities wished to fostercommercial relations without having to favor the missionaries of a foreignreligion. Misunderstanding and conflicts were inevitable.The story has often been told before, and this reviewer cannot see thatLothar Knauth has added a new dimension to it. The author has, however,an enviable linguistic range and he has produced an excellent synthesis ofJapanese and European sources. Readers who are familiar with thestandard works of James Murdoch (A History of Japan during the Centuryof Early Foreign Intercourse, 1542-1651, Kobe, 1903), and Michael Cooper,S. J. (They Came to Japan. An Anthology of European Reports on Japan,1543-1640, London, 1965) will hardly need to peruse this book. On theother hand, it is invaluable for Spanish-American readers who do not haveaccess to English-language works on Japan and who are unfamiliar with the

Japanese historical background, which is supplied here in great detail.C. R. BOXERYale UniversityNew Haven, Connecticut

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