1.
arrival from abroad, coming from overseas, introduction from a foreign country
The arrival of people, things, or cultural elements from foreign countries to Japan. Primarily used in historical contexts to describe the transmission of culture, technology, religion, and people from the Asian continent to ancient Japan.
仏教は六世紀に渡来した。
Buddhism arrived from abroad in the sixth century.
渡来人が日本に技術を伝えた。
Immigrants from the continent brought technology to Japan.
この植物は江戸時代にオランダから渡来したと言われている。
This plant is said to have been introduced from the Netherlands during the Edo period.
USAGE:
Primarily a historical term. The most common usage is 渡来人 (people who came from the continent to ancient Japan), referring especially to immigrants from the Korean Peninsula and China who brought advanced technology, writing, and culture to Japan in ancient times.
Also used for plants, animals, and cultural elements that were introduced to Japan from abroad in historical periods.
Not to be confused with the katakana loanword トライ (try, attempt).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 渡来人: immigrants from the continent (historical)
- 渡来品: imported goods (historical)
- 大陸から渡来する: to come from the continent
- 渡来種: introduced species