As part of the commemorations of the 480th anniversary of the arrival of the Portuguese in Japan, a work by Alexandre Farto aka Vhils was unveiled in the new premises of the Embassy of Portugal in Japan with the presence of the Ambassador of Portugal in Japan, Vítor Sereno, the Portuguese artist, Alexandre Farto, and the President of Cunha Vaz & Associados, António Cunha Vaz.
Performed in situ, by Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, the work celebrates the 480th anniversary of the first meeting between Portugal and Japan and perpetuates the centuries-old Luso-Japanese friendship through a contemporary language that will forever be visible at the entrance to the new building of the Embassy of Portugal in Japan.
The realization of this project results from the establishment of a protocol between the Embassy of Portugal in Tokyo, Cunha Vaz & Associados and the artist Alexandre Farto aka Vhils for the creation of a unique work of art to mark the historical connection between the two countries and the will of the three partners to make known more about this legacy through a universal language that is art, affirming the connection to culture and contributing to bringing Portugal across borders.
Remember that in 1543, three Portuguese navigators - António Mota, António Peixoto and Francisco Zeimoto – landed on the island of Tanegashima, at the southern tip of the archipelago, becoming the first Europeans in Japan. For approximately a century, and until the so-called “Edict of Exclusion” of foreigners, the Portuguese took several examples of European culture and civilization to Japan.
At the end of the 16th century, Portugal also became the first European country to officially receive Japanese emissaries.