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 Fernão Mendes Pinto
The Voyages And Adventures, Of Ferndiand Mendez Pinto, À Portugal: During his TRAVELS for the space of one and twenty years in The Kingdoms of Ethiopia, China, Tartaria, Cauchinchina, Calaminham, Siam, Pegu, Japan, and a great part of the East-Indiaes. With a Relation and Description of most of the Places thereof; their Religion, Laws, Riches, Customs, and Government in the time of Peace and war. Written Originally by himself in the Portugal Tongue, and Dedicated to the Majesty of Philip King of Spain
Done into English by H. C. Gent. London, Printed by F. Macock, 1653
In fólio. First English edition. Mendez Pinto (1509-1583) was a Portuguese adventurer, a soldier, sailor, merchant, doctor, missionary and ambassador. He embarked to India in and traveled for 21 years, fought and traded in China, Tartary, Pegu and the neighboring countries, sailing in every sea. Mendes Pinto went to the mouth of the Mekong River and was in Japan before the arrival of St. Francis Xavier. He became later his friend and traveling companion. He traveled extensively in Asia between 1537 and 1557. In 1542 he landed in Japan and gained the favor of a feudal lord, to whom they claim to have given the first firearm to have entered Japan, the Portuguese “arquebus”. The weapon was rapidly reproduced and had a major impact on the ongoing Japanese civil wars. He is credited for the opening up of Indo-China trade. He joined the Society of Jesus and St. Francis gave him the money with which to build the first Jesuit establishment in Japan. Mendez accompanied the Jesuits as ambassador from the Portuguese Viceroy of India to the King of Bungo. This is one of the greatest books by a European traveler in the East and is a classic of Portuguese literature. WING M 1705. This work reflects the vigor and energy of one of Portugal's most fantastic explorers. Streit V, 407. Cordier Biblio. Japónica, 39. Reiss &; Auvermann: Auction 40, 670.
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