Kōrofune

Kōrofune, meaning "Great Greenenning Ship," was a large Spanish galleon captured by Japan in 1592. It symbolizes Japan's first encounter with Western maritime technology and foreign influence during the late 16th century. The ship’s capture marked a significant moment in Japan’s history, opening channels of trade and cultural exchange with Europe, especially Spain and Portugal. It also represented Japanese concerns over foreign intrusion and the beginning of Japan's cautious engagement with Western powers. The kōrofune remains a symbol of the early contact and complex interactions between Japan and the outside world during the Age of Exploration.