Arukoru, tempura, tabako

The tower of Sao Vicente in Belem, the approaches of Lisbon. Built to commemorate Vasco da Gama's expedition and subsequently the first calling-place for returning explorers
You may well have wondered where Marcin has been, then given up hope, and by now completely forgotten he ever existed. Yes... I have been busy. Just last week I got back from a conference in Portugal and have been trying to catch up on my life and work ever since. But not all is lost, as there is quite a strong Portugal-Japan connection.

Cape of Good Hope... check. India... check. Japan... check.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in Japan, making the fateful landfall in 1541 or thereabouts. Subsequently they negotiated a trade settlement in Nagasaki, introduced both Christianity and firearms to the archipelago, and were promptly kicked out along with all other foreigners (bar the Dutch) by Tokugawa Ieyasu as soon as he was done establishing himself as shogun of the place. Despite this rather abortive presence, however, Portuguese influences linger in Japan to this day in the form of many Japanese loan-words: "arukoru" (alcohol), "tabako" (tobacco/cigarettes), "karuta" (playing cards), "igirisu" (Englishman), "botan" (button), "pan" (bread), "branco" (swing), and "tempura" (well... tempura). Apparently there is even a theory that "arigato" (thank you) is of Portuguese origin ("obrigado"), although this is disputed. For a longer list, see, as always, wikipedia.

Prince Henry the Navigator in the van, with a horde of Great Explorers following. Vasco da Gama is #6

Arukoru, tempura, tabako

The tower of Sao Vicente in Belem, the approaches of Lisbon. Built to commemorate Vasco da Gama's expedition and subsequently the first calling-place for returning explorers
You may well have wondered where Marcin has been, then given up hope, and by now completely forgotten he ever existed. Yes... I have been busy. Just last week I got back from a conference in Portugal and have been trying to catch up on my life and work ever since. But not all is lost, as there is quite a strong Portugal-Japan connection.

Cape of Good Hope... check. India... check. Japan... check.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in Japan, making the fateful landfall in 1541 or thereabouts. Subsequently they negotiated a trade settlement in Nagasaki, introduced both Christianity and firearms to the archipelago, and were promptly kicked out along with all other foreigners (bar the Dutch) by Tokugawa Ieyasu as soon as he was done establishing himself as shogun of the place. Despite this rather abortive presence, however, Portuguese influences linger in Japan to this day in the form of many Japanese loan-words: "arukoru" (alcohol), "tabako" (tobacco/cigarettes), "karuta" (playing cards), "igirisu" (Englishman), "botan" (button), "pan" (bread), "branco" (swing), and "tempura" (well... tempura). Apparently there is even a theory that "arigato" (thank you) is of Portuguese origin ("obrigado"), although this is disputed. For a longer list, see, as always, wikipedia.

Prince Henry the Navigator in the van, with a horde of Great Explorers following. Vasco da Gama is #6