Coria del Río

Guadalquivir river in Coria del Río

Historic letter from the first Japanese delegation to Spain

Coria del Río is a small town near Seville, on the shores of Guadalquivir river.

It is popularly known because there are some descendants of the first-ever Japanese official envoy to Spain. In early 17th century, Daimyo Date Masamune of Sendai sent a delegation led by Hasekura Tsunenaga to Europe. An embassy was then set up and six samurai stayed on. Approximately 700 of Coria's 25,000 residents use the surname Japón (originally Hasekura de Japón), identifying them as their descendants.

A statue of Hasekura Tsunenaga was donated to the city by Japan in 1992 and stands watch over the river.

The football club Coria CF hails from Coria del Río.

External links

• "Spain's Japon clan has reunion to trace its 17th century roots" from the Japan Times, December 11, 2003 (registration required)
• "Coria del Río"

Coordinates: 37°17′N 6°03′W / 37.283°N 6.05°W / 37.283; -6.05