The earliest historical relations between Mexico and Japan : From original documents preserved in Spain and Japan

This work brings together a rare assortment of archival material that finally clarifies when Mexico and Japan first entered official correspondence. Drawing on translations of Spanish, Japanese and Mexican documents uncovered by 19th‑century diplomats and later scholars, the author weaves a concise narrative that shows how the two distant empires began to exchange letters and proposals. The meticulous presentation makes the complex diplomatic web accessible, allowing listeners to hear the voices of envoys, missionaries and officials as they navigate a newly opening world.

The story centers on the early ambitions of a young Tokugawa leader, who, in the late 1590s, sought a direct channel to New Spain. With the help of a Franciscan friar and the existing Manila‑Acapulco trade routes, he drafted a Spanish‑language invitation that signals the first genuine attempt at East‑west state‑to‑state dialogue. By following these initial steps, the book reveals the fascinating cultural and commercial motivations that pre‑date the later isolationist policies, offering historians and curious listeners alike a fresh glimpse into a forgotten chapter of global interaction.