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Harada Magoshichiro was born about 1590.
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Magoshichiro Harada
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Harada Magoshichiro visited Luzon as an agent of Kiemon Harada, a merchant in Nagasaki, and was well versed in the conditions in the Philippines. After Hideyoshi Toyotomi carried out his expedition in Korea, Magoshichiro advised him to send an expeditionary force to the Philippines also. Pleased with his advice, Hideyoshi entrusted with him a letter dated September 15, 1591 and addressed to the Philippine authorities, which urged them to bring a tribute to Japan. Gomez Peres das Marinas, Governor General of the Philippines, in response, sent Jean Gobos to Japan. Cobos arrived in Satsuma (Kagoshima Prefecture) and was received in audience by Hideyoshi at Nagoya in Hizen Province (Saga Prefecture).
In recognition of his service, Magoshichiro was given a fief of 500 koku of rice by Hideyoshi. At Magoshichiro's advice, Hideyoshi sent Kiemon Harada as his envoy to the Philippines. In reciprocation, the Philippines sent to Japan Catholic missionaries. The exchange of envoys, however, did not result in any agreement since the views of Hideyoshi and the Philippine leaders differed. Hideyoshi sent Magoshichiro to Formosa with a letter but there was no responsible ruler in the island to give it to. Soon Hideyoshi died and what became of Magoshichiro subsequently is unknown.
