Santiponce Itálica

Heritage

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Carlos Mesa Gardens and Hasekura Tsunenaga Monument

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The Japanese Keicho Embassy led by Hasekura Tsunenaga arrived in Coria del Río in October 1614. In addition to its Roman and Moorish heritage, this Sevillian town was the venue of an endearing encounter between Spain and Japan that left an indelible mark. A memory kept alive by fifteen generations of Andalusians who have preserved the surname “Japón” in honour of their ancestors.

The statue of Hasekura Tsunenaga, gifted by the Japanese city of Sendai, stands on the riverside promenade of Paseo Carlos de Mesa, as do the cherry trees, the iconic symbol of Japan. A picture-perfect setting to represent the union of two distant countries that share a natural affinity.

Virginio Carvajal Japón Japanese-Themed Space

This space was opened by His Excellency Motohide Yoshikawa, the Japanese Ambassador to Spain, on 17 November 2006. Virginio Carvajal Japón devoted many years to researching Hasekura Tsunenaga’s journey to Spain and the origin of the Japón surname in Coria del Río. He founded the Hasekura Tsunenaga Spanish-Japanese Association to strengthen the cultural ties with the people of Japan.

The room contains copies of documents related to the journey made by Hasekura Tsunenaga, such as the letter he delivered to the City Council of Seville. There is also an exhibition of Japanese art and traditional objects. Worthy of note is the scale model donated to Coria.

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