The First European Description of Japan, 1585

First published 2014

by Routledge

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and by Routledge

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The right of Daniel T. Reff, Richard K. Danford and Robin D. Gill to be identified as authors of the translation, selection and editorial material, has been asserted by them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Fróis, Luís, -1597.

[Tratado em que se contêm muito susinta- e abreviadamente algumas contradições e diferenças de custumes entre a gente de Europa e esta provincía de Japão. English]

The first European description of Japan, 1585: a critical English-language edition of striking contrasts in the customs of Europe and Japan by Luis Frois, S.J. / translated from the Portuguese original and edited and annotated by Richard K. Danford, Robin D. Gill, and Daniel T. Reff; with a critical introduction by Daniel T. Reff.

pages cm. —(Japan anthropology workshop series; 25)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Japan—Civilization—1568–1600—Early works to 1800. 2. Japan—Social life and customs—1185–1600—Early works to 1800. 3. Japan—Description and travel—Early works to 1800. 4. Europe—Civilization—16th century—Early works to 1800. 5. Europe—Social life and customs—16th century—Early works to 1800. I. Danford, Richard K., 1964-, editor, translator. II. Gill, Robin, 1951-, editor, translator. III. Reff, Daniel T., 1949-, editor, translator. IV. Title.

DS822.2.F6613 2014

952’.024—dc23

2013034113

ISBN: 978-0-415-72757-0 (hbk)

ISBN: 978-1-315-85214-0 (ebk)

Typeset in Times New Roman PS

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