The original text is available at: www.amazon.com/First-European-Description-Japan-1585/dp/041572757X

"They don't like big eyes" 4 centuries later : anime

European: goes on a nice stroll through the countryside. Japanese: “why are you punishing yourself like that?”

"We play ball using our hands. The Japanese play ball using their feat." Meanwhile, today, Portugal's most popular sport is soccer and Japan's is baseball.

Portuguese: obeys gravity Japanese: floats to spite him

"The Japanese have short noses and small nostrils." - *shows a picture of Oda Nobunaga's massive nose*

Europeans : **do something** This letter : not in Japan they don't.

European: takes a stroll outside. Japanese: what penance is he subjecting himself for?

I like the implication that he embraced someone in greeting and the Japanese thought it was hilarious.

*Portuguese man arrives in Japan* Japanese: "I hate all your facial features and I want the metal boom stick thingies...desu." Portuguese: 👍👁👄👁👍🤑🤑💣💣💣

"We dress the same the entire year" - oh, written by a South European, for sure! ;)

I like how both Europe and Japan had good and bad things instead of presenting one side or the other as "better". This really looks like a fair comparison

Bear in mind this was written in 1575, during the Sengoku Jidai. It was a time of immense warfare. That might be why violence was so common and discipline so strict.

Account of Dutch employer of the VOC about living on their trading post at Deshima; -These people are a devious lot. They despice us, but are yet very polite. They rarely come to the point in matters of business, which makes negotiating very time consuming and agrivating. Yet they are very persistant when they think they can make some profit. They rarely allow us to get off this wretched little Island in the midst of sewer infested harbor water, that reeks to high heaven on warm days. And when they do it's always under guard of grumpy guys with shaven heads and razor sharp swords, we call queerlookers, while they call themselves ''Tsjemurray'', or something like that.. The only nice thing about this place are the women they send us for our entertainment. We call then ''Keesjes'', (which means something like ''F...ies''), while they call them Geisha's. At least they are clean and without the Spanish Pox (syfilis). They drink a brew made out of fermented rice, which they call ''Hupsakee'', but tasts like horsepiss and does nothing, unless you drink great amounts of it. Good thing I brought a stockpile of good Dutch gin with me. They do not allow us to worship on sundays, nor read the Bible. But since they can't even see the difference between a cash book and any other scripture that's hardly a problem. And we do our praying after dark and in silence. The factor (boss) has managed to learn their language. And there's also a local magistrate called Ooka who knows Dutch. I learned him to play chess, and he became quite good at it in a short period of time. He has been to the Netherlands for six months about 12 years ago and especially was impressed by our ship building and the way we use windpower. He did not like the climate (too wet) and even less our food, which gave him a bad stomach. All in all not such a bad guy. And not so aloof as the rest of them. Still I look forward to the time my stint in this place is over within 10 months, and I can return to Batavia (Jakarta) and from there, God willing, back home.-

"Killing a man is common", "Killing in one's own home is common". Yet, if someone kills another, then "they, too are killed." Lot of killing each other going on in Japan.

"In Japan, ambiguous words are considered the best language, and are the most highly esteemed." This is true even today.

Is *that* why monsters, that are supposed to be scary, in Japanese films, have big, round, googly eyes?! It always came across as comical to me.

I like how a lot is mirrored in the japaneese describsion of the portugese. Like showing emotions with no restraint

"Women in Europe don't use wigs, shave the front of their heads, and don't like visible face paint" *Queen Elizabeth I has entered the chat*

So different than the Japanese description of the first Europeans from a couple of weeks ago. Which was 'they look different than us' then 4 chapters on this thing they call a gun.

Europe: lets see what on the other side of the world Japan: let not see what's on the other side of the world

It's very interesting that this is the writing of someone who experienced that cultural shock first hand, and not second hand accounts like some previous texts. The Portuguese description is quite vivid and even objective.

"Japanese display their scar as honour" 18th century European: write that down!

"We play ball using our hands. The Japanese play with their feet." What a weird concept. That'll never catch on.

Japanese student after writing something down: What the heck did I just write

I love the factual aspect of this testimony. There is no judgement, just facts.

"Europeans say tomato. Japanese say tomato." Another European in 1548: What the hell is a tomato?

most of the things he explains, are still true today, and part of their culture. 1.- No hugs/embrace culture, 2.- Being direct with words is something pretty much nobody does there 3.- whiteness and black hair, is still highly desirable 4.- seasonal clothing culture

Europeans: *does something* Japanese: "We don't do that here."

"They seem to have a custom of drawing under age girl rolled in tentacles"

2:04 The reason for Japanese of the period to suffer the marks of "the Pox" more than Europeans was the lack of dairy cultivation in Japan. A lesser ailment, "Cowpox," arose within European populations (and lent to the mystique of the beautiful, pock-free milkmaid) which mitigated the more serious virus if contracted later, while the Japanese had no such natural defenses available to them. ='[.]'=

Listening to this it is interesting how China and Europe were so similar, yet despite the cultural influence from China the culture of ancient Japan show such contrasts. Especially in regard to female conduct.

The wig matter is ironic given the big wigs that got so popular in Europe.

Black teeth are a sign of beauty? "Listen here nippon, I have here something what we call meth..."

I really enjoy the narrations about Japan. Love to see more!

11:34 "Ambiguous words are considered the best language and are the most highly esteemed." No wonder characters in Japanese Videogames and Anime are always so Goddamn evasive when it comes to explaining the plot.

2:45 "We dress the same throughout the four seasons". Well, if there was a giveaway that the account came from a very mild southern european climate (Portugal in this case), this is it.

Ancient Greek description of Ancient Egypt pls!!

I always love detailed accounts of foreign lands that aren’t overtly hostile or condescending. This was really a fun comparison between the Portuguese and the Japanese of the era.

"Hey, babe! My truck's acting up. I need to borrow your car." Japanese wife: "That'll be 75¢ per mile."

Somewhere in Europe, 1585 Woman: *drinks wine* Man: *gets offended*

Please do Pero Vaz de Caminha letter to Portugal's king uppon reaching Brazil!

This is interesting not only for the contrasts between cultures being observed, but also for the insights into European culture of the late 16th century (the "ancestor" of the culture I live in). For example, the observation about "going for a stroll". I guess I'd always figured that walking around for no particular reason other than recreation / relaxation / exercise would have been something that didn't happen until after the development of mechanical transport, but apparently they were doing it at least a few centuries earlier than that. Also the observation about "playing ball": the Europeans back then found it novel that the Japanese didn't use their hands when doing so; a few centuries later the Europeans invented a ball game where you don't use your hands and now it is by far the most popular sport on that continent. Maybe no one else finds that sort of stuff fascinating but I do! Thanks for the videos, keep up the great work.

Oh man, I always love learning about the Portugal's first contact with other nations, especially considering they were in many cases the first Europeans to enter in contact with them. It's also quite nice how they don't sound judging or think themselves as superior, but rather just present the facts.

These readings of primary sources are an increasing pleasure to me. Now I know what I can expect, so I anticipate them more. Thank you both for doing this service to the historically (in both senses of the word) curious.

Can you make videos about these? European historians about Korea? Chinese historians about Taiwan before Han people's migration? Chinese historians about Korea? Chinese historians about Southeast Asia?

I only just discovered this channel. I've seen a number of videos already just today and I *_really_* like what you're doing here! Please continue!

"We play ball with our hands" *SHAMEFUL DISPRAY!*

It's a strange thing to think about how much of the social contrasts between the two cultures have changed over time yet the physical differences stay the same, how over hundreds of years these remain true. How we are literal physical reincarnations of our ancestors, I probably find that more mind blowing then I should

Hands down the best video he has done yet and most important I would say!

What a lovely channel to stumble across. Definitely going to subscribe. Love the way the speaker reads.

Fascinating. Thanks for sharing this.

Very interesting thanks for uploading 👍🏽

At least some aren't very different from today, especially regarding emotion and social etiquette.

*House burning to the ground* Japanese guy: „I‘m okay with this“

Dear Japan, we still much admire you and what an amazing country you have become.

Interesting how both the Portuguese and Japanese noted how differently they each showed emotions. Last week the Japanese noted the traders showed their emotions “with no restraint” and here the Portuguese are saying how the Japanese would take their house burning down lightly

No channel has me rapt and enthralled like this one does. Truly mesmerising, fascinating.

If you like these type of texts, I recommend "Pilgrimage" by Fernão Mendes Pinto. It describes his voyages to India and his exploration of the far east

Your channel is fantastic. Thank you so much for your work.

Thrse insights into the minds of people from the past is so fascinating. One of my favorite channels.

What I love about these foreign accounts of then distant and unfamiliar lands is that us moderns can learn just as much about the contemporary culture/society of the visitors/observers as that of the peoples being described. Truly a window into the past and the closest thing history buffs will ever have to a time machine .

Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful. I love hearing these sorts of accounts. I also love how the Japanese always depict westerners with the most outrageously large noses!

im so gratefull your channel exists

This was amazing. Thank you

Fantastic insight into both great cultures. Thank you for uploading this treasure

It seems the Europeans had a lot more respect for the Japanese than vice versa.

Hi thanks for sharing this information VERY VERY interesting

Awesome thank's for the video

"in Japan they kill no matter how trifle the sum" HE STOLE MY WIFE COMB DEATH SENTENCE

Keep it up amazing history channel becoming one of my favorites

Very interesting. Thank you.

Great narrative, insightful.

Very interesting to see how much changed for both countries and what stayed the same.

As a Japanese I think his observation was correct. I believe killing part was based on his interaction with samurai. Samurai was strict and disciplined as hell. 100% loyalty and obedience was required for servants. One casual mistake led them to be killed.

This channel is an excellent homeschool aid. Thank you!

I always enjoy your videos, keep surprising us

One of my favorite pieces in the Ancient Art Museum in Lisbon: the "nambam" screens. it's like a "comic book", there are always a few more details to discover. Best wishes to all from Lisbon Portugal.

Thank you for jumping right into it instead of going on a drawn-out tirade unnecessarily rephrasing/explaining what the title already does.

As a portuguese, I loved to hear this, thank you. But I'd love to know how much of this is true, how much is the product of misundestading, and how much is a case of some japanese having a go at the ignorant foreigner! :D

Do more Portuguese encounters with natives in the discovery ages

Interesting that Europeans had fewer pox marks, considering that this is before vaccination or even before the introduction of variolation.

This is one of the best channels on KZfaq.

LOVE THIS. your vids about japan are so good. subbed.

Am currently re-reading Tales of the Otori, and this video provides some nice context and curiosities. Nice read if you like Japan, specially at this period of time

Portugal is the most celebrated country in Japan, for its enormous contribution to Japanese history, for having influenced the development, opening, modernization, cultural and technological expansion that allowed the eternal civil war to end and that solidified the union of Japan. All students in Japan learn about Portugal and Japanese scholars increasingly add crucial aspects of Portugal's influence on Japan. The influence of the Portuguese can be seen in language, cuisine, medicine, art, technology and even clothing, as it has become fashionable to dress Portuguese style. There are several festivals that celebrate the arrival of the Portuguese, especially in Tanegashima where, in addition to the great celebrations in which the population dresses according to the season, children also participate by singing the Portuguese anthem, while scale replicas of the Portuguese boats parade through the crowd. Unlike the Japanese and the people with whom the Portuguese maintained contact, who admire the Portuguese, the Europeans who most envy Portugal finance media propaganda to falsify, denigrate and encourage hatred against the Portuguese and consequently this reflects negatively on all Europeans. This is living proof that there are countries in Europe that do not understand in the slightest how a global empire is built, as it is not through force, hatred or propaganda, but rather through true respect for the diverse peoples of the globe.

Such an excellent channel; subscribed! Your channel needs at least a million subs. Please keep it up!

Genuinely fascinating this

"Wearing printed fabric is foolish". oh how the times has changed

What strikes me the most about this is just how little has changed in 435 years! There are still many elements of truth in terms of how to describe contemporary cultural differences between East and West!

Very interesting 👍 of course, the perspective is limited to certain places and times

New 2 channel...need sum like this in my life👍🏽👌🏽🤩

I love to see how as the world becomes easier to travel, our customs bleed into each others. often slowly cutting out the worst of us. while we still have very far to go, it is assuring to see the nature of man seems to go towards compassion as well as the path of least resistance.

You gotta love the guy telling this as if he just explored Japan in the old times. It gives the video life

wow. simply incredible

I am so glad I found this channel

Concerning the difference in beauty standards of the eyes, I watched a movie once (foreign film) that explained that the Mongols considered women with very thin eyes to be beautiful because it was more difficult for demons to enter the body of the women. This is relevant to Japan because I am pretty sure there is a custom for women to wear a head covering at their wedding to cover their 'horns'. Related to eyes and beauty standards I also remember hearing that some tribes in the middle east on first seeing Lawrence of Arabia with his blue eyes thought it was hideous too, they apparently described it as looking at the sky through his skull which was not very attractive to them.

Japan has a fascinating history and culture. Thanks 4 video. 💕

I just found this gem of a channel

Very nice and interesting