Treasure of Vietnam - Japan relations

Documents and paintings in the Japanese Culture exhibition at the Vietnam National Museum of History, Hanoi (from January 16 to March 9) show that Japan and Vietnam established diplomatic relations more than 400 years ago.

Color painting on paper, illustrating the voyage of the Shuin-sen merchant ship to Vietnam - Photo: provided by the Vietnam National Museum of History

Many scholars have spoken out about Lord Nguyen Hoang's achievements in opening up the country and asserting sovereignty over the sea and islands. Now, in the exhibition, another of his achievements is also highlighted: establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. This is shown through the official letter sent by Lord Nguyen Hoang's government to the Hideyoshi Shogunate (Japan) to establish trade relations. The official letter is dated the 14th year of Quang Hung reign, Le Trung Hung dynasty, 1591.

“In the late 16th and 17th centuries, cultural and commercial exchanges between Vietnam and Japan developed strongly. Lord Nguyen allowed Japanese merchants to establish a Japanese town in Hoi An for trading. Many Japanese merchants married Vietnamese women, had children, and settled down in Hoi An for a long time,” said Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Chien, Deputy Director of the Museum of History. Vietnamese merchants are also considered to have brought the first elephant to Japan. Japanese archaeologists have also discovered many ancient Vietnamese ceramics dating back to the 14th century.

Another artifact that shows the Vietnam-Japan relationship is the painting of Van Quoc Nhan Chay. The painting is divided into about 40 panels, each panel depicting a group of characters. “This is an image of the Japanese imagining people from different countries. In the third section, there is a picture related to Vietnam. This panel depicts women and men. Next to the woman is the word Dong Kinh, referring to women from Northern Vietnam. The word Giao Chi is drawn, referring to men from the Central region,” said a Japanese representative.

Other notable artifacts include: The Red Seal License (red seal license) issued by the Tokugawa Shogunate for the Red Seal Ships to go to Giao Chi (Dang Trong) for trading, Edo period, 1614. The painting of the Red Seal Ships of Giao Chi carrying goods depicts a ship crossing the sea to Hoi An (Dang Trong) for trading, Edo period, 17th - 18th century.

The exhibition also introduces many other valuable artifacts.

According to Thanh Nien