The Portuguese embassy of 1517–1521 marked the first sustained early‑modern encounter between Europe and Ming China. Although formally rejected within the tribute system, the ambassadors unexpectedly met the Zhengde Emperor in person and socialized with him on multiple occasions—an unprecedented break from protocol. This presentation tries to explain how this was possible.
Contemporary records from Portugal, Korea, and China reveal that the key figure during these interactions was in fact the emperor himself, who was fascinated with foreign cultures. These encounters illuminate Ming court politics and the dynamics of cross‑cultural contact.
Speakers
James Masaki Fujitani is Assistant Professor of Transnational History at the University of Nottingham Ningbo. His research focuses on intercultural relations in sixteenth-century Asia, linking China, Japan, Korea, and Portugal. His monograph, Strangers at the Heavenly Court: The 1517 Portuguese Embassy to China, was published in 2025.
Tickets
Members of other RAS branches (Beijing, Hong Kong, Korea, etc.)
RMB 80
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Includes one drink.RAS China institutional member
RMB 80
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Buy TicketMax. 5 tickets per RAS Institutional member. Includes one drink.