Asian Travel in the Renaissance

Asian Travel in the Renaissance looks at travel in Asia for the purposes of trade, colonialism, and religious conversion by a diverse array of Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, and English figures. It contrasts the traditions and aspirations of rival trading companies and religious orders in the Renaissance era, describing the cultural politics of European contact with countries from Siam to Japan. The book comprises a series of essays written by international scholars, each of which focuses on a particular aspect of religious, cultural, political, and economic exchange. Subjects under scrutiny include Dutch methods of globalisation, the Jesuits’ attempts to introduce European culture into China, the part played by the Far East in the English imagination, and the documentary resources available to chroniclers who recorded the journeys of their countrymen. Collectively, the essays establish the importance of Asia as a place of aspiration and experience in the early modern period.

Notes on Contributors. Preface: Anthony Reid. 1. Introduction: Daniel Carey. 2. Alessandro Valignano: Man, Missionary and Writer: M. Antoni J. Ucerler, Sj. 3. The Transmission of Renaissance Culture in Seventeenth–Century China: Nicolas Standaert. 4. The Widening of the World and the Realm of History: Early European Approaches to the Beginnings of Siamese History, c.1500–1700: Sven Trakulhun. 5. The Spanish Contribution to the Ethnology of Asia in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries: Joan–Pau Rubiés. 6. A Truthful Pen and an Impartial Spirit”: Bartolomé Leonardo de Argensola and the Conquista de las Islas Malucas: John Villiers. 7. "Wherever profit leads us, to every sea and shore...”: The VOC, the WIC, and Dutch Methods of Globalization in the Seventeenth Century: Claudia Schnurmann. 8. Riches, Power, Trade and Religion: The Far East and the English Imagination, 1600–1720: Robert Markley. 9. The Political Economy of Poison: The Kingdom of Makassar and the Early Royal Society: Daniel Carey. Obituary – C.R. Boxer (1904–2000). Index.

Daniel Carey is Lecturer at the National University of Ireland, Galway. He has edited a ‘Les voyages de Gulliver: Mondes lointains ou modes proches’ (2002) and is Editor of the journal Eighteenth–Century Ireland .

"This book presents eight varied essays, each an interesting example of quality scholarly writing." — Renaissance Quarterly "The range of primary texts examined and the depth of secondary references make the book a valuable resource for .... interdisciplinary work on Europe and Asia." — Journal for Early Modern Cultural Studies " Asian Travel in the Renaissance provides some engaging studies of early modern European writing about Southeast Asia." — Studies in Travel Writing