wandering haiku poet Matsuo Bashō. He showed sympathy for Christian missionaries and traders in Japan. In addition to allowing them to come and preach in his province, he also released the prisoner and missionary Padre Sotelo from the hands of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Date Masamune allowed Sotelo as well as other missionaries to practice their religion and win converts in Tōhoku. Masamune notably funded and backed one of Japan's few journeys of far-flung diplomacy and exploration in this period. He ordered the building of the exploration ship San Juan Bautista, using foreign (European) ship-building techniques. He sent one of his retainers, Hasekura Tsunenaga, Sotelo, and an embassy numbering 180 on a successful voyage to establish relations with the Pope in Rome. This expedition visited such places as the Philippines, Mexico, Spain and Rome. Previously, Japanese lords had never funded this sort of venture, so it was probably the first successful voyage. At least five members of the expedition stayed in Coria (Seville) of Spain to avoid the persecution of Christians in Japan. 600 of their descendants, with the surname Japón (Japan), are now living in Spain. When the Tokugawa government banned Christianity, Masamune had to obey the law. However, some sources suggest that Masamune's eldest daughter, Irohahime, was a Christian. Family Father: Date Terumune Mother: Yoshihime (1548–1623), daughter of Mogami Yoshimori the daimyō of Dewa Province Wife: Megohime, daughter of Tamura Kiyoaki owner of Miharu Castle in Miharu Domain, Mutsu Province Sibling: Date Masamichi Concubines: Īsaka no Tsubone (1569–1634) Shōkoin (1583–1656) Oyama no Kata (1587–1668) Shōgo'in (d. 1644) Okachi no Kata (d. 1669) Hosshōin (d. 1664) Shinzo no Kata (d. 1612) Prostitute: Kōnomae (1577–1641) Children: Date Hidemune by Shinzo no Kata Irohahime by Megohime Date Tadamune by Megohime Date Munekiyo (1600–1634) by Shinzo no Kata Date Muneyasu (1602–1639) by Shoukoin Date Munetsuna (1603–1618) by Megohime Date Munenobu (1603–1627) by Oyama no Kata Date Munetaka (1607–1626) by Oyama no Kata Mūhime by Oyama no Kata Takematsumaru by Megohime Date Munezane (1613–1665) by Shōgo'in Minehime (1616–1632) married Date Munesane by Okachi no kata Date Munekatsu (1621–1679) by Okachi no kata Sengikuhime (1626–1655) married Kyogoku Takakuni by Hossoin Tsuta married Harada Munesuke by Konomae Watari Munemoto (1600–1669) by Konomae Others Aunt: Onamihime (1541–1602) daughter of Date Harumune, sister of Date Terumune and owner of Sukagawa castle in Mutsu. Wet nurse (foster mother): Katakura Kita (1538–1610), half-sister of Katakura Kagetsuna and Oniniwa Tsunamoto also mentor