The Tudor Society
  • 16 May – The real “John Blackthorne” of Shōgun

    On this day in history, 16th May 1620, navigator William Adams died in Hirado, Japan. Adams is thought to be the first Englishman to have reached Japan (arriving there in 1600) and was the inspiration for the character of John Blackthorne in the famous novel Shōgun.

    How did William Adams end up in Japan and why did he stay there when he had a family in England?

    Find out more about this interesting Tudor navigator in today’s talk.

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