The New Spain Perspective on Japanese Military Technology and the Royal Artillery Foundry of Manila: A Global Aftermath of the Imjin War

Abstract This article examines the circulation of expertise and armaments across and beyond the Hispanic world as a result of the Imjin War. Fear of an invasion from Hideyoshi’s Japan prompted the viceroyalty of New Spain – responsible for the Philippine Islands – to transport Hispanic foundries to Manila. These foundries made use of the labour and expertise of Chinese and Filipino artisans, further mediated by Catholic religious orders, to cast new bronze cannons combining American and Asian metals. Chinese craftsmen then brought this technical experience to Beijing in 1615 to make artillery pieces for the Wanli emperor modelled on those produced at the Manila foundry. These weapons were used to defend the Ming Empire’s northern borders. The Manila cannons also made their way eastward to the American continent and were installed at the important port of Veracruz to aid in the defence of the waterways linking the Hispanic Atlantic and Caribbean.