Who was the first European to legally enter Japan in 1775?
Carl Peter Thunberg, a Swedish botanist, became the first European to legally enter Japan in 1775 during the strict isolationist period known as sakoku.
Common questions about Japanophilia
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did the term wapanese emerge as a derogatory label for non-Japanese individuals?
The term wapanese emerged by the early 2000s and was added to Urban Dictionary in 2003 before being replaced by the term weeaboo in 2005.
Which German physician smuggled Japanese artifacts out of the country to display in Europe?
Philipp Franz von Siebold, a German physician, established a medical school in Nagasaki and smuggled Japanese artifacts out of the country to display in Europe.
Who translated Inazo Nitobe's book Bushido: The Soul of Japan?
General José Millán-Astray, founder of the Spanish Legion, translated Inazo Nitobe's book Bushido: The Soul of Japan and declared that the Spanish legionnaire was also a samurai.
What event highlights the global appeal of Japanese culture in the 21st century?
Events like Japan Expo and the Cool Japan initiative highlight the global appeal of Japanese culture, from traditional arts to modern pop culture.