Podcast Summary: Todo Concostrina – “Japoneses en Sevilla”

Podcast: Todo Concostrina
Host: Nieves Concostrina
Date: October 5, 2022
Episode: Acontece que no es poco | Japoneses en Sevilla

Main Theme

This episode explores the fascinating and little-known history of the first Japanese diplomatic mission to Spain in the early 17th century. With her characteristic humor and irreverence, Nieves Concostrina recounts the story of how a group of Japanese envoys—including samuráis—landed in Spain, attempted to establish diplomatic and commercial ties, and left a unique legacy that endures in the Andalusian town of Coria del Río.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Spain’s New Law of Historical Memory (Brief Opening)

• Before diving into the main topic, Nieves comments on the recent approval of Spain’s historical memory law, underlining her skepticism about its application if symbolic tributes to Franco-era figures remain (01:21).
  • Quote:
    “Si aquí tenemos una calle dedicada a un cabrón que mató a 4,000 personas en Badajoz, como es el general Yahweh, de qué me sirve esa ley... Lo que no puede ser es crear una ley que se quede ahí como muy bonita para mencionarla y no ponerla en práctica.”
    — Nieves Concostrina (01:21)

2. Context: Japanese Isolation and First Contact

• Japan self-imposed strict isolation from the mid-1600s to the mid-1800s, rejecting foreign influence in trade, religion, and culture (02:36).
• On October 5, 1614, a Japanese diplomatic expedition disembarked at Sanlúcar de Barrameda before traveling inland along the Guadalquivir River to Coria del Río and then to Seville (02:51–03:45).

3. Why Were the Japanese in Spain?

• The story’s root lies in the impact of Christianity and missionary work in Japan, especially by Jesuit Francisco Javier (St. Francis Xavier) in 1549, whose proselytism ultimately sparked suspicion by the shogunate (04:46–05:38).
  • Quote:
    “Llegó a Japón en 1549 y al principio bien... pero acabó liando la parda, porque... los nuevos cristianos tenían que poner por delante del shogun y del emperador a ese tal dios que les acababan de colar.”
    — Nieves Concostrina (05:39)

4. The 1614 Expedition: Purpose and Participants

• Envoys represented a Japanese feudal lord seeking commercial ties with the Spanish monarchy, then Europe’s most powerful empire; he offered mass conversion of his subjects to Christianity in exchange for favored trading status with New Spain (06:39–08:41).
• The group included about 140 Japanese (mainly samurai under Hasekura Tsunenaga), along with Spanish and Portuguese companions, led spiritually by Franciscan Luis Otelo (08:44).
  • Quote:
    “El objetivo era establecer relaciones con la Monarquía Hispánica… el señor feudal ofrecía al rey de España convertir al cristianismo por el artículo 33 a todos los súbditos de su feudo… si a cambio el rey le concedía... trato de favor en el comercio con Nueva España…”
    — Nieves Concostrina (07:15)

5. The Grueling Journey

• The expedition’s route:
  • Set sail from Japan, crossed the Pacific to Acapulco (Mexico), traveled overland to Veracruz, then by ship to Spain. Many Japanese members were baptized en route as demanded by colonial officials (08:51–09:35).
  • Memorable anecdote: “El bla bla barco sería esto”—comparing the ship to a modern shared ride. (08:52)

6. Reception and Ordeal in Spain

• After arrival, the Japanese dignitaries were repeatedly stalled (“largas”) by Spanish officials. Only after ritualistic baptisms—even before King Felipe III—were they received, but the Spanish court deferred crucial decisions (09:35–10:41).

7. Journey to Rome: Bureaucratic Dead End

• Seeking papal approval, the delegation had to travel from Madrid→Barcelona→Venice→Rome, only to be stonewalled amid shifting Spanish priorities and growing anti-Christian persecution back in Japan (10:41–11:50).

  • Quote:
    “Mientras los japoneses iban de camino, desde la corte de España hacían llegar al Papa más rápido... los estaban toreando literalmente.”
    — Nieves Concostrina (11:00)

• Pope Paul V, moved by the hardship, granted Hasekura Roman citizenship but nothing more (11:50).

8. Aftermath and Legacy

• Felipe III ordered the envoys to return directly to Seville and depart. Because anti-Christian laws in Japan had hardened, returning home posed a deadly risk; some chose to stay in Coria del Río, leaving behind descendants with the surname “Japón” (12:00–12:41).

  • Quote:
    “Por eso algunos de la expedición nos empadronamos en Coria del Río. Que cualquiera vuelve.”
    — Nieves Concostrina (12:37)

• The fate of the main protagonists:

  • Franciscan Otelo was burnt at the stake upon his return to Japan.
  • Samurai Hasekura was eventually forced to take his own life.

• Shortly afterward, Japan fully isolated itself from foreign influence (12:41–13:04).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the absurdity of geopolitics and faith:
  “Aquí ni Dios daba puntada sin hilo.”
  — Nieves Concostrina (08:41)
• About the challenge facing returning Christians:
  “Así que mejor nos empadronamos en Coria del Río, a orillas del Guadalquivir. Y ahí tenemos todavía sus descendientes… mantienen el apellido Japón.”
  — Nieves Concostrina (03:47)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:57–02:00 – Brief on Spain’s historical memory law
• 02:36–04:46 – Background: Japanese isolation and early foreign contacts
• 04:46–05:39 – Francis Xavier and the Christian introduction to Japan
• 06:39–07:45 – Goals and nature of the 1614 Japanese embassy
• 08:51–09:35 – Journey and baptisms during transit
• 09:35–10:41 – Reception in Spain and diplomatic hurdles
• 10:41–11:50 – The Roman sojourn and Spanish subterfuge
• 12:00–12:41 – The mission’s failure, dangerous homecoming, and the foundation of Japanese lineage in Spain

Tone & Style

Nieves recounts the story with her typical sarcasm, irony, and sharp criticism—especially targeted at political and religious authorities, both historical and modern. The narrative is peppered with jokes, clever asides, and wordplay that add levity to the historic tale.

Conclusion

This episode blends comic insight and historical rigor to illuminate how religion, politics, and personal survival intertwined during one of the most unusual early encounters between Japan and Spain. It closes with a sense of bittersweet irony—what began as a grand diplomatic adventure ended with a few Japanese settling by the Guadalquivir, whose descendants keep the memory alive through the “Japón” surname.