200 Escudos of Portugal 1997 CuNi UNC - Priest Luis Fróis

Luís Fróis (1532-1597) was a Portuguese Jesuit priest and one of the first missionaries to Japan. Arriving in 1563, he played a crucial role in documenting the early interactions between Europeans and Japanese. His detailed letters and his work "História do Japão" provide valuable insights into the culture, customs, and political events of 16th-century Japan. Fróis lived during a time of significant political instability and engaged with key figures such as Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. His contributions remain an essential source for understanding this period and the early European presence in Japan.