Sendai and the Date clan: a reality behind Keichô Embassy

Abstract

During the still recent four hundredth anniversary of Spanish-Japanese diplomatic relationships, the Keichô Embassy has been promoted almost as a linking event between the two brotherly countries. However, the Japanese's alleged interest in embracing Christianity hid a series of political motivations which had little or nothing to do with a spiritual approach. In this article, we will explain who was Date Masamune, the last promoter of that diplomatic mission, and to what ambitious plans he tried to aspire by sponsoring it.