Portugal, The Original Travelers to the Orient
10/4/2024
Our visit to Portugal stands the Monument of Discovers on the waterfront of Lisbon. Built in 1960, it stands as a monument to the height of Portuguese at the turn of the 15th century.
Monument of Discoveries
It seems the country over 400 years later remains steadfast in their pride in their heroes, the navigators, who crossed the cape of Africa to continue up the coast and find the one and only isolationist country: Japan.
In the US, the cultural craze and obsession with Japan spans from the tech and automobile revolution in the 1980s, to the explosion of manga and anime, and popular shows like Shogun, it seems that history does in fact repeat itself.
Imagine the 1500s, when the Portuguese first landed on the southern Island of Japan, (Tanegashima Island). The truest culture shock ever lived. And soon, all the collection of goods of Japan became status symbols of the Portuguese. A round trip could take up to two years!
And so the must visit in Lisbon: The Museum of the Orient. A must visit for any fans of Shogun, highlighting the era when the Southern Barbarians visited Japan during a time of internal political turmoil, with the European introduction of guns, in the age of Samurai.
The Museum of the Orient in Lisbon highlights the trade between the Portuguese and the Japanese, a must see for the true first discoverers of Japan!
The unimaginable feat of crossing the Southern tip of Africa to get to Japan. A 2 year round trip, generally 8 months at sea at the time. Macau is another clear stop!
Japan Folding Screens
The Japanese folding screens depicted how the Portuguese were viewed, the southern island where the trade was first made, and even the lifecycle of Jesus.
Collections from the Orient
The Portuguese traveled through the Orient, reaching Japan, China, Thailand (Siam), and India. The common these was the travelers and navigators prided themselves on unique collections, whether they be small perfume bottles, metals, depictions of Jesus, artwork, drawings, and ceramics. These items represent the fortitude of the long journey, and the diligence in preservation of the artifacts. Some of these items are well beyond 400 years old!
The artifacts, even basic infantry samurai warrior armor, to drawings of different sports from the Koreans, or ceramics from China, showcase an appreciation of the world beyond during the Portuguese renaissance. An incredible European empire making the first trade contact with East!
The Portuguese celebrate Japanese culture
The top floor is the cultural exhibit and customary Japanese traditions, from the gods wishing in the new year, to fertility and virility displays. I highly recommend seeing the "new" world through the lens of the Navigators in Portugal.
Must visit: Pasteis de Belem!
Must See: Monuments and old cars by the Tigus River.
Food: Bracula de Braus (Cod Fish/Egg/Potato) and another Pastais de Nata location
Must Ride: Electra Scooters
I loved that you could rent an electric moped, similar to a Lime Bike but a moped with helmet for two people you could ride on the road!
