Ah, you're right - I forgot that the Portuguese had earlier exchange with Japan, during the 16th century. Japan-Portugal History - https://en.wikipedia.org/wik

Ah, you're right - I forgot that the Portuguese had earlier exchange with Japan, during the 16th century. Japan-Portugal History - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan%E2%80%93Portugal_relations#History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan%E2%80%93Portugal_relatio... Right, I'm connecting the dots, picturing the historical context.. That reminds me how Japanese children are taught in basic school about 黒船, "black ships", as representing first contact with the West. Black Ships - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Ships https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Ships This was part of the Age of Discovery, as the Portuguese (chronologically) led the discovery of Africa, Asia, the Americas..