A highly significant and historic diplomatic letter from Vietnam toJapan written in 1591 is now on display in Japan together witheight other old letters.
The letter was written by aVietnamese mandarin seeking to set up diplomatic relations with thenorthern Asian nation on behalf of his nation.
It wasfound in a shop dealing in rare books in the old royal capital of Kyotoand placed with the other letters in the Kyushu National Museum.
“The letter expresses Vietnam’s strong determinationto trade with Japan,” said Reio Fujita, a representative of themuseum. “It is a valuable document showing that the two countries set upan official relationship more than 400 years ago.”
Japanese historians estimate that Vietnam sent about 20 letters toJapan during that period, including one to Shogun ruler TokugawaIeyasu (1543-1616) in 1601. This was once considered the oldest letterfrom Vietnam to Japan, but it was lost many years ago.
The new discovery is the first proof Japanese historians have of arelationship formed under the even older rule of Shogun ToyotomiHideyoshi (1537-98).
The newly found letter opens with thewords: “From An Nam (the former name of Vietnam ).” It was sent toGeneral Hideyoshi on March 21, 1591.
The letter was signedby Mandarin Nguyen Thu Gian on behalf of Vietnamese King Le The Tong.The writer expressed the king’s wish to set up diplomatic relations withJapan and said An Nam’s royal court had sent elephant tusks asgifts to the Japanese ruler together with the letter.
The museum has also recorded General Ieyasu’s letter in which he agreed to the request.-VNA
The letter was written by aVietnamese mandarin seeking to set up diplomatic relations with thenorthern Asian nation on behalf of his nation.
It wasfound in a shop dealing in rare books in the old royal capital of Kyotoand placed with the other letters in the Kyushu National Museum.
“The letter expresses Vietnam’s strong determinationto trade with Japan,” said Reio Fujita, a representative of themuseum. “It is a valuable document showing that the two countries set upan official relationship more than 400 years ago.”
Japanese historians estimate that Vietnam sent about 20 letters toJapan during that period, including one to Shogun ruler TokugawaIeyasu (1543-1616) in 1601. This was once considered the oldest letterfrom Vietnam to Japan, but it was lost many years ago.
The new discovery is the first proof Japanese historians have of arelationship formed under the even older rule of Shogun ToyotomiHideyoshi (1537-98).
The newly found letter opens with thewords: “From An Nam (the former name of Vietnam ).” It was sent toGeneral Hideyoshi on March 21, 1591.
The letter was signedby Mandarin Nguyen Thu Gian on behalf of Vietnamese King Le The Tong.The writer expressed the king’s wish to set up diplomatic relations withJapan and said An Nam’s royal court had sent elephant tusks asgifts to the Japanese ruler together with the letter.
The museum has also recorded General Ieyasu’s letter in which he agreed to the request.-VNA
