ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Nanban trade period

Okay kiddo, let me explain the Nanban trade period to you in a way that you can easily understand.

A long time ago, there were different countries all over the world who liked to trade with each other. One of these countries was Japan, which is a country in Asia. During the Nanban trade period, which happened between the 16th and 17th century, the Japanese traded with countries from Europe like Portugal, Spain, and the Netherlands.

Now, you might be wondering, what did they trade? Well, they traded a lot of things like silk, spices, and even guns and cannons! Can you imagine how exciting it must have been to receive something as powerful as a cannon in Japan, which was a very traditional and peaceful country at the time?

During this period, the Japanese people also learned a lot from the Europeans, like new ways to do things, new religions, and even new architectural styles. This is why you might see some buildings in Japan that look a lot like European buildings from that time period.

Overall, the Nanban trade period was a really important time in Japan's history because it helped them learn about and connect with the rest of the world. They also gained important knowledge and tools that helped shape their future.