GUALTIERI, Guido.

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Relationi della venuta degli ambasciatori giaponesi a Roma fino alla partita di Lisbona. First edition of the most complete and detailed early account of the first Japanese travellers to Rome. The goal of the embassy, organized by the Jesuit Alessandro Valignano, was to introduce the Japanese envoys to Pope Gregory XIII, thereby strengthening the Jesuit mission in Japan and recruiting more support for it in Europe. The envoys spent eight years away from Japan.The embassy was composed of four young Japanese men belonging to converted daimyo families of Kyushu: Ito Sukemasu Mancio and Chijiwa Seizaemon Miguel, respectively representing the daimyo of Bungo and Arima, and two relatives of the ruler of Omura, Nakaura Jingoro Juliano and Hara Nakatsukasa Martihno. Aged between 12 and 15, they were accompanied by Jorge de Loyola and Diogo de Mesquita. Gualtieri's account begins with a geographical description of Japan and the customs of its inhabitants, then introduces the motives of the embassy. The main body of text is dedicated to the envoys' journey, describing their departure from Nagasaki in 1582, arrival in Lisbon, and visit to Portugal, as well as their trip across Spain and Italy to Rome. In the capital, the envoys assisted in funeral of Gregory XIII and the election of Sixtus V. The final chapters cover their visits to Bologna, Ferrara, Venice, Mantua, Milan, and Genoa, before the return to Nagasaki.This is one of three editions published in the same year. One was issued i

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