Post by Spain on Mar 26, 2011 19:37:17 GMT -5
October 1594
The Land of the Rising Sun. One of the men on the ships had told him about how the inhabitants of the land had deemed their home to be birthplace of the sun, how the people were exotic to behold and their customs were very different from their own.
Antonio Fernández was no stranger to foreign lands and would consider himself a pretty seasoned traveller, if there was any such group. After all, he had been with Christopher Columbus when he made his first voyage to the West Indies. However, that is not to say that these people were as primitive as the ones he had encountered there, for the people here had managed to at least have running water. Though given the fact that they had passed several people wearing no more than what looked like a large piece of cloth that was fashioned to look like a large robe, he could not help but feel that this country was backwards. Even peasants back home wore something like a loose tunic and some form of pantalons... at least, out of the ones that he saw. However, someone had explained to him that it was something called a "yukata," that it was something that people wore on a day to day basis. However, to the Spaniard, it looked more like something of a dress to him.
However, that was not to say that they were not without commonalities, after all, Antonio had spotted a group of farmers harvesting rice last month, bending over and pulling the grains out. And for a moment, it almost reminded him of home, albeit, the overall feeling he got made him feel even more like a stranger in a strange land. Shifting in his saddle, he did his best to get comfortable. Sensing its master's discomfort, the horse grunted, side-stepping a little before the Spaniard pulled him back on the path.
Riding on horseback for Lord knows how long it has been, Antonio turned to his companion, olive green eyes observing as he rode on stoically. No, this time, they were not on a military campaign or some diplomatic mission. Granted, what he was doing now was not completely unrelated to his attempts to gain exclusive rights to trade with Japan, after all, it was the only way he would be able to bring the good news of Christ's redemption of everyone's souls to this land. Though he was not exactly pleased with the fact that Portugal had appealed to the Pope and used the papal to expell his men from the country. In fact, the entire situation seemed ridiculous to him. After all, were not they all men of God, if so, then why were they fighting over who had the right to preach there?
It did not really matter to Antonio, they managed to find a way to get into Japan and that was all that mattered. Though, it would be pretty satisfying once his sibling and rival found out that he had been bringing his missionaries into the country under mendicant orders from the Philippines.
The thought caused Antonio to smirk as he imagined the look on Portugal's face when he realized what was going on.
"Señor Fernandez," he finally said, addressing the missionary that he was travelling with, "do you know how much longer until we get to where we're headed?" The man turned to him slightly, though his eyes were focused ahead still. His brown robes pronounced his renunciation of all worldly possessions and his full devotion to the Lord. Antoino tried his best not to get the appearance get to him too much, for though he was wearing a simple tunic and pantaloons, the plainest that he could find, it still looked lavish in comparison.
'We'll be there soon, Toño," the man replied, we are suppose to be meeting our guide for this region in the village and he will take us to the place we will be staying."
With that, Antonio merely muttered in understanding before looking up at the key. The days had been ending earlier here and he could not help but feel antsy. After all, his stay was to be a lot shorter than his companions. His masters had granted him permission to travel to his part in order to find potential trade benefits and yet seek to bring Christianity to the natives there. Though he could see the potential benefits in trade with the country, he could not help but feel resistance from the people as they shared the Gospel with them.
But hey, tomorrow was another day, he told himself, and Christ awards those who faithfully carry out his mission. And with that, Antonio formed the sign of the cross, muttering a small prayer as they continued to ride on.
Notes:
- Sorry it took me a while to get this up, work has been keeping me busy.
- I read that the Jesuits who were in Japan represented Portugal, which considering the underlying political issues, I could not let Antonio travel with them. Thus, I moved the date until later (but before everyone got kicked out, I think...) and made him travel with another order.
- Sorry for the lack of real substance here, but I figured that I would set it up with the Spanish motivation and provide an idea of what happened so far.
The Land of the Rising Sun. One of the men on the ships had told him about how the inhabitants of the land had deemed their home to be birthplace of the sun, how the people were exotic to behold and their customs were very different from their own.
Antonio Fernández was no stranger to foreign lands and would consider himself a pretty seasoned traveller, if there was any such group. After all, he had been with Christopher Columbus when he made his first voyage to the West Indies. However, that is not to say that these people were as primitive as the ones he had encountered there, for the people here had managed to at least have running water. Though given the fact that they had passed several people wearing no more than what looked like a large piece of cloth that was fashioned to look like a large robe, he could not help but feel that this country was backwards. Even peasants back home wore something like a loose tunic and some form of pantalons... at least, out of the ones that he saw. However, someone had explained to him that it was something called a "yukata," that it was something that people wore on a day to day basis. However, to the Spaniard, it looked more like something of a dress to him.
However, that was not to say that they were not without commonalities, after all, Antonio had spotted a group of farmers harvesting rice last month, bending over and pulling the grains out. And for a moment, it almost reminded him of home, albeit, the overall feeling he got made him feel even more like a stranger in a strange land. Shifting in his saddle, he did his best to get comfortable. Sensing its master's discomfort, the horse grunted, side-stepping a little before the Spaniard pulled him back on the path.
Riding on horseback for Lord knows how long it has been, Antonio turned to his companion, olive green eyes observing as he rode on stoically. No, this time, they were not on a military campaign or some diplomatic mission. Granted, what he was doing now was not completely unrelated to his attempts to gain exclusive rights to trade with Japan, after all, it was the only way he would be able to bring the good news of Christ's redemption of everyone's souls to this land. Though he was not exactly pleased with the fact that Portugal had appealed to the Pope and used the papal to expell his men from the country. In fact, the entire situation seemed ridiculous to him. After all, were not they all men of God, if so, then why were they fighting over who had the right to preach there?
It did not really matter to Antonio, they managed to find a way to get into Japan and that was all that mattered. Though, it would be pretty satisfying once his sibling and rival found out that he had been bringing his missionaries into the country under mendicant orders from the Philippines.
The thought caused Antonio to smirk as he imagined the look on Portugal's face when he realized what was going on.
"Señor Fernandez," he finally said, addressing the missionary that he was travelling with, "do you know how much longer until we get to where we're headed?" The man turned to him slightly, though his eyes were focused ahead still. His brown robes pronounced his renunciation of all worldly possessions and his full devotion to the Lord. Antoino tried his best not to get the appearance get to him too much, for though he was wearing a simple tunic and pantaloons, the plainest that he could find, it still looked lavish in comparison.
'We'll be there soon, Toño," the man replied, we are suppose to be meeting our guide for this region in the village and he will take us to the place we will be staying."
With that, Antonio merely muttered in understanding before looking up at the key. The days had been ending earlier here and he could not help but feel antsy. After all, his stay was to be a lot shorter than his companions. His masters had granted him permission to travel to his part in order to find potential trade benefits and yet seek to bring Christianity to the natives there. Though he could see the potential benefits in trade with the country, he could not help but feel resistance from the people as they shared the Gospel with them.
But hey, tomorrow was another day, he told himself, and Christ awards those who faithfully carry out his mission. And with that, Antonio formed the sign of the cross, muttering a small prayer as they continued to ride on.
Notes:
- Sorry it took me a while to get this up, work has been keeping me busy.
- I read that the Jesuits who were in Japan represented Portugal, which considering the underlying political issues, I could not let Antonio travel with them. Thus, I moved the date until later (but before everyone got kicked out, I think...) and made him travel with another order.
- Sorry for the lack of real substance here, but I figured that I would set it up with the Spanish motivation and provide an idea of what happened so far.
