Italian archives continue to offer up wonderful evidence for historians of the early modern world. The rich records of Italian principalities, republics, merchants, and religious organizations offer some of the best sources for using World History approaches in the early modern period (1450-1800).

Harvard University’s Villa I Tatti recently showcased evidence of the “Boys’ Delegation” of young samurai who visited Italy in 1585. The boys had attended a Jesuit seminary in Japan and then traveled to Italy with Jesuits as part of a diplomatic delegation intended to win support for the Jesuit Mission in Japan.

Villa I Tatti provides more information about the research on the samurai boys in Italy at its website.