Tanaka Shosuke

Japanese: 田中勝助 - たなかしょうすけ

A trader in the early Edo period. The first Japanese to cross the Pacific Ocean. A wealthy merchant in Kyoto, his European name was Don Francisco de Velasco. In 1609 (Keicho 14), he accompanied Don Rodrigo (→Vivero y Velasco), the former governor of Luzon, who was shipwrecked in Kazusa, on his return to Spain. The following year, he traveled to Novispan (Mexico) and attempted trade, but was unsuccessful. In 1616, he returned to Japan with the S. Vizcaino mission. He brought back maps, watches, five-colored ramie, and other items.

Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia About Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia Information

Japanese:

江戸時代初期の貿易業者。太平洋を横断した最初の日本人。京都の豪商で欧名 Don Francisco de Velasco。慶長 14 (1609) 年上総に漂着した前ルソン総督ドン・ロドリゴ (→ビベロ・イ・ベラスコ ) がイスパニアに帰るのに同行して，翌年ノビスパン (メキシコ) に渡り，通商を試みたが成功せず，翌 16年 S.ビスカイノ使節とともに帰国。地図，時計，五色羅紗などを持帰った。

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