In this episode of Half-Arsed History, discover the story of the disgraced samurai Hasekura Tsunenaga, who attempted to reclaim his family’s honour by becoming the first ever Japanese ambassador to Europe.

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Images (L to R):

• Deruet, Claude. Hasekura Tsunenaga in Rome. Oil. 1615. Galleria Borghese, Rome, Italy. Via Wikimedia.
• Unknown. Portrait of Hasekura Tsunenaga. Oil on Canvas. 1615. Sendai City Museum, Miyagi, Japan. Via Wikimedia.