1644
November
25 We could still see the flute anchored. Around noon, I sent for the interpreters to ask the governor permission to send a vessel to the ship to ask if they needed anything, in particular boats to tow her out of the bay. However, the governor was out hunting and I could not obtain the required permission. The wind remained westerly during the evening. We have packed the major part of the gifts.
Departure of the Capelle
26 In the morning the Capelle was still there. I sent for an interpreter to ask the governor’s permission to send a vessel to the ship. Permission was given, but the vessel had to return, because the ship had set sail with a fine north-easterly wind. All the gifts have been packed.
27–29 In the afternoon, I went to Governor Saburōzaemon to take my leave and to request a favourable letter to the government in Edo so that our business there could be conducted speedily and successfully. He said that I should not worry. Next I went to Uma-no-jō, Chikugo-no-kami’s major-domo, to take leave of him as well and to request the same. He gave me a polite response and I returned to the lodge.
30 All the gifts and necessities for the journey have been loaded onto the boat for our departure tomorrow.
December
Court journey
1 After having said goodbye to our friends, I embarked with all our personnel and we sculled out of the bay. Because the wind stiffened, the interpreters and our other friends, who had come along to see us off, took their leave and we sailed on to Seto, where we anchored for the night. In the afternoon, the senior bongiois, the two junior bongioisen, and Interpreter Kichibyōe visited me. I was told that the governor had given orders that the bongiois should be informed of all my actions. I should not mind him, who was still young but had nevertheless been attached to us, but the person he was representing, namely the governor, who was also not his own person but represented the Shogun, just as he did not regard me as a person, but as the representative of the Governor-General, who in his turn represented the Dutch king.
2 We sculled from Seto to about a mile from Kawachi-ura.
3 We sculled a mile further.
4 We reached our old lodge in Hirado.
5 We reached the bay of Tasuke, where we found the junk, on which, as I mentioned on 11 November, some Christians are said to be aboard. It was being guarded by two large hayafune. Shortly after our arrival, the Chinese on the three vessels left for Nagasaki to be interrogated by Governor Saburōzaemon and Chikugo-no-kami’s secretary, who has come to investigate the affairs of the Christians.
6 We sailed to Yobuko, where we arrived around eleven o’clock. The rain forced us to use the sails as a covering for the goods, which might otherwise have got wet and soiled.
7–8 Adverse winds. We learnt that four Chinese junks had arrived in Nagasaki with large cargoes, said to be worth 200,000 taels.
9 About ten o’clock, the wind veered south-easterly and southerly, which the interpreters pointed out to the master, but he preferred a steadier wind and we had to stay here with about a hundred other boats.
13 Contrary wind. In the evening, it veered favourably and we sailed away around eight o’clock. We passed Ainoshima during the night.
14 In the morning, we reached Kajime-no-Ōshima and Shimonoseki in the afternoon. Because of the rain, we had to stay there till midnight.
15 About one o’clock in the afternoon, we passed Kaminoseki. Then the wind veered and we had to row to Tsuwa.
16 At dawn we sculled to Kamagari, where we anchored. When the wind started to blow, we set sail and sailed forth during the night.
17 We passed Ushimado and about three o’clock in the afternoon we reached Muro. We left there in the night.
18 We reached Hyōgo at seven in the morning. We remained there for several hours. At sunset we reached [1] and remained there till dawn of the next day.
20 Our luggage arrived. We took out the gifts for the governors and prepared for our journey to Miyako. Our Miyako landlord came to welcome us.
21 Early in the morning, we went to Governor Tanba-no-kami and then to Inaba-no-kami. After a short wait, we were admitted and they gave us permission to leave, thanking us for our visit and wishing us a happy journey. [List of the gifts for the governors.]
22 We are ready to depart tomorrow. In the afternoon, our bongiois came with the interpreter to convey the governors’ orders that we should not give anything to anyone on the way without the bongiois’ knowledge, that we should keep away from women, and some other small matters.
23 We left. We reached Hirakata, had a quick meal and about half an hour before dusk we arrived at our lodgings in Miyako.
24 The interpreter announced our arrival and requested a pass for the rest of our journey. We left the city about ten o’clock and reached Kusatsu in the evening. We made such good progress, that notwithstanding having to spend a day in Akasaka because of the rain, we reached the shogunal city of Edo twelve days after our departure from Miyako.
1645
January
Arrival in Edo
4 Kichibyōe went to announce our arrival to Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami and Governor Gonpachirō. They both sent one of their noblemen to welcome us. They said that our journey in the cold had been difficult and we should rest for two or three days.
5 Early in the morning, on behalf of the commissioner, a messenger came to inquire how large our party was. He wished to know our names. The rarities and medicines for the commissioner were delivered, together with some for the other nobles. We were given hope that we would be able to present the gifts on the 15th of the Japanese month, which is the 12th.
7 We sorted the gifts for the councillors, their major- domos, and secretaries.
8 Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami sent for us, because he was free from other engagements. After a short wait, he came to the common hall and congratulated us on having arrived safely after such a hazardous journey in cold weather. We thanked him and said that we were fortunate to find him so well. He had always been helpful towards the Company and ourselves in the past and we trusted that he continue to do so. He asked us several questions, such as: ‘Had the men who sailed to Nanbu arrived safely; how many ships would sail to Tayouan this year; were we still in possession of the town of Malacca after the war with the Portuguese; the number of Dutchmen in Batavia; the war between the Portuguese and the Spaniards; had another ship been sent to Tartary this year?’ I replied to all these questions to the best of my knowledge. The commissioner asked, without seeming to be suspicious – which gave us food for thought, because last year we had denied that we had sent ships anywhere but to Tartary – if the Dutch had seen those rich gold islands, which are situated 200 or 300 miles to the east of Japan, last year. I pretended not to know anything about this and acted as if I had misunderstood him. ‘What did His Excellency mean by islands lying so far off Japan which would be rich in gold?’ We left it at that. He repeated his question if one or more ships would be sent to Tartary next year. I replied that it was a far voyage into the unknown, and therefore I doubted that very much. But if the Dutch had a captain in Nanbu or thereabouts like they did in Nagasaki and could trade there annually and the ships sailing to Tartary could go there and be supplied with rice, water, and other necessities, the voyage there might be resumed. At present this was too troublesome for our ships and for the Japanese as well. The commissioner seemed to agree with me. I told the interpreter to ask – in case the Governor-General requested this – if the Japanese government was likely to give permission to trade there like we did in Nagasaki. The interpreter tried to avoid the issue, stating that the occasion was not suitable. His Excellency noticed that something was amiss and asked the interpreter what was wrong. The latter told him of my question. The commissioner sat in silence and did not reply.
9–10 We have been waiting for news of the audience, but in vain. I proposed the interpreters go to Governor Gonpachirō to greet him, but they said that this was not proper before the audience.
11 We are still waiting. Before noon, Tōzaemon went to the commissioner’s residence, but he was not in. In the afternoon, Kichibyōe and Tōzaemon returned to the commissioner. They brought the news that the commissioner was still in the palace, but he had sent a messenger to his major-domo that we would not be presenting our gifts tomorrow, but on the 28th. He would have liked it to be sooner, but our consolation was that we would probably appear before His Majesty in person. We accepted the news, but thought to ourselves that this was only said to make the long wait more acceptable.
12–14 We were told that Chikugo-no-kami’s secretary, Uma-no-jō, who had been sent to Nagasaki to deal with the imprisoned Chinese Christians, had returned last night. Five of the Chinese Christians had been hanged in the manner related by me on 17 March 1643. Two others had been pardoned on condition that they remain in Japan. Five Christians had been on the junk that we met in Tasuke near Hirado on the 5th of last month. Ebiya Shirōemon, burgemeester of Tsukishima, has sold his house.
21 Uma-no-jō visited me. He wished to see the beautiful timepiece again. We made some small talk. He reassured me that I would be given audience on the 28th. Today and the days before we have had many visitors. All have come to see the timepiece.
22–24 I was told that I would be received in audience tomorrow. Late in the evening, the interpreters told me that Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami had given orders that we should be at the castle at nine.
Audience
25 Around nine o’clock we went to the palace. We were promptly taken to the common hall. We had to sit there for three hours. A great many nobles came to see and speak to us, in particular Makino Sado-no-kami and Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami. A while later the commissioner came for a second time to present us to the King of Mito, His Majesty’s youngest uncle, the King of Hakata, and two other governors. In the meantime, the interpreters told me that I would be received in audience by His Majesty in person. Sado-no-kami came to address me for the second time. He asked if the release of the ten Dutchmen from Nanbu was not highly regarded and if they had any friends in Holland who would rejoice in their release. I replied that we all were very much impressed by it and we would always be grateful. His Excellency asked if the Dutch and the Portuguese were still at war. I replied that the war was even more intense than before and I told him of the latest happenings in Ceylon and off Goa. The cause for this had been the Portuguese refusal to allow us the jurisdiction which belonged to our fortresses and the places in our possession. This had sparked off the war between us and it was still in progress. His Excellency replied that twenty ships and other troops had been sent to their aid in Europe. They had been treated badly, implying that this was the cause. I replied that it was true that no help had been sent to them, but that the war in Europe was not as bitter as it was in the Indies. I said this so as not to give a reply that varied too much from the one given last year, in case people other than the opperhoofden were questioned about this through their dwarskijkers,
26 In the morning, I went to the residences of the principal councillors. Tōtōmi-no-kami, son of the deceased Councillor Ōi-no-kami, refused his gift, saying that while his father was alive he had accepted a small gift, but now he could not, especially a great one such as this. I had to take it back. All the other councillors were in the palace. Their major-domos promised to inform their masters of my visit and the reason thereof, but I noted that several of them would return the gifts. In the evening, Bungo-no-kami, Tsushima-no-kami, Sakai Kawachi-no-kami,
27 I went to Governor Gonpachirō to thank him in the best manner possible for the assistance he had rendered in the great honour bestowed on us. I presented him with some almonds, which he accepted. He also informed me that we would receive permission to depart soon. Next I went to Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami, who congratulated me on having seen His Majesty in person. I thanked him. He reiterated what the four councillors had told me two days ago about the import of Christians. I gave him the same reply. I asked him if anything could be done about the officials who had returned their gifts. He reassured me. He reminded me of the beautiful spyglasses for His Majesty, for he had lost his best ones. His Excellency was visiting his major-domo, Uma-no-jō, within the confines of his palace, which encloses many houses but set some distance away from his own residence. There he sent for me. Next I went to Governor Saburōzaemon, whose son was ill. He did not receive me, but sent his congratulations. Then I presented the gifts to the other gentlemen, most of whom were at the palace and the others apologized for being too busy to receive me. Governor Asakura Iwami-no-kami received me and treated me very affably. He expected to see me once more before my departure. In the afternoon, the chancellor of the Shogun, Itami Harima-no-kami, sent me some gowns, birds, and fish as presents and thanked me for the gifts. Then the interpreter was summoned to the palace to receive the gifts from the Shogun and the Prince, consisting of twenty gowns each. He received them in the presence of Councillors Bungo-no-kami, Ukyō-no-suke, and Izu-no-kami. Their Excellencies inquired if any of the gowns would be sent to Holland. The interpreter replied ‘yes’ and that the recipients in Holland were very delighted with them because they came from His Majesty. The councillors also gave us permission to leave at the first opportunity.
28 Today nothing could be done because it is Japanese New Year.
29 The commissioner sent for the interpreter to have a memorandum of the remainder. I sent it to him with some goods for the nobles. When the interpreter and the landlord arrived at the residences of the councillors, all were found to be at Court. Thus they had to return in the evening. Councillor Takumi-no-kami sent his major-domo to thank me for the gifts we had left at his residence. He presented me with some Japanese gowns and offered his assistance should the need arise. I gave his major-domo a hospitable welcome and mentioned the long-standing friendship between his master and our nation and the opperhoofden. I asked him to convey this message to his master. Governor Ōta Bitchū-no-kami sent his major-domo to thank me. I also treated him as hospitality demands. In the evening, the landlord went to Councillor Bungo-no-kami and the others to request them to accept the gifts. The reply was that if it mattered so much to the captain, the gifts could be presented again and they would be accepted.
30 Matsudaira Uemon-no-kami sent his major-domo with some silk gowns. He thanked me for the gifts. Councillors Sanuki-no-kami and Kaga-no-kami did likewise and presented me with 30 schuiten of silver. But Makino Sado-no-kami returned the gifts with his thanks, for at present he was not accepting any gifts.
31 Councillor Tsushima-no-kami sent his major-domo to thank me for the gifts, as did Councillor Sakai Kawachi-no-kami, who also presented me with 30 schuiten of silver. Afterwards the interpreters went to present gifts to the major-domos and secretaries of the councillors.
February
1 On the orders of the government, my servant from Lamey, who died last night, has been buried far outside the city, somewhere in the wilderness in a very deep hole, because the shallowness of the sea around here, in which the people and His Majesty himself go fishing, does not permit the body to be thrown in it. Governor Ōta Bitchū-no-kami’s major-domo came to thank me for the gifts. He presented me with a few Japanese gowns.
2 Councillors Matsudaira Izu-no-kami, his son Matsudaira Kai-no-kami, Makino Sado-no-kami, Andō Ukyō-no-suke, and Matsudaira Izumo-no-kami sent their major-domos to thank me for the gifts and to present me with some Japanese silk gowns. The remainder of the gifts has been packed and we sold a few goods.
3 Early in the morning, the interpreter went to Chikugo-no-kami and Gonpachirō to request permission for me to take leave of them. They did not think it necessary, the one was feeling poorly and the other had to be at Court. Nonetheless, I went to them about ten o’clock, first to Governor Gonpachirō, but His Honour had already left for the palace. I left a message with his first secretary, thanking him for all his assistance. Then I went to Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami, whom we did not get to meet because of his illness, but we spent some time with his first secretary, Uma-no-jō. We discussed several matters, including the release of the Dutch from Nanbu, which was a significant token of friendship the Shogun extended towards our nation. It was imperative that no priests were brought to Japan; the severe penalty for this and for those who brought them here; should the Portuguese have any intentions of doing this, it should be reported. There could be no greater service to the Shogun than to report this. I replied that we would certainly do so and always try to be of service to the Japanese. Then he broached the subject of a possible return of the English. He asked if I thought that the Portuguese would try to run their business in Japan through them. I replied that I did not know for certain, but I thought that – if the English did come – for the first two or three years they would not occupy themselves with any Portuguese business as it did not concern them, but when they had regained the favours of the lords of this country, they might consider this and discuss all matters with the Portuguese and enter into a contract with them.
4 We hired the pack-horses and prepared for our departure tomorrow. I settled the account with our landlord and presented him with the usual gifts. We had nothing further to do. Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami sent for me in the evening and I went.
5 In the morning, the commissioner sent one of his retainers with a map of the Indies to ask me some particulars of some places. He also asked if Batavia consisted of one place and how long we had been settled there, its urban territory, what people tilled the land, the population, the island of Java, who ruled there, who were our friends or enemies there, the nature of the siege of Batavia by the Mataram, the number of times this had happened, in whose possession Batavia had been before. He asked the same kind of questions about Ceylon, Tayouan, Malacca, the Moluccas, our possessions and those of the Spaniards, about the island of Sumatra as he had done about Java, also about Borneo, Celebes, Bali, and where did we trade or did not do so. He wrote down everything. Today was an unpleasant and rainy day. In the evening, the commissioner sent notice that I should go to his residence early in the morning. He wished to speak with me before he went to the palace.
6 Before dawn I went to Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami’s residence. I had to wait a while before he appeared. He had sent for me this early because he had been invited by the Shogun to go hunting. He told me I could leave tomorrow. I thanked him. Then he asked me if there were any galleys in Holland or other small vessels, what they were called and what they looked like, how were they propelled, by sails or by oars, could they carry heavy pieces of ordnance, could they be used on the oceans, and other such questions. I replied to the best of my knowledge. He also asked if, on the arrival of our ships, our carpenters could build a model, seven or eight feet long and according to scale. He was curious to see a model. I replied that this would be possible. During a lull in the conversation, I told Kichibyōe, as I had done at home yesterday and which he had deemed appropriate to mention if an opportunity presented itself – for he was also of the opinion that the government here was greatly concerned about the relations between our Prince and the King of England through the marriage of his son with the Princess of England, and the present ties between the English and the Portuguese, which might easily lead to ties between our Prince and these two nations – that the matter concerning our Prince – of whom I had told Secretary Uma-no-jō recently that he was related to the English king,
Departure from Edo
14 We passed Akasaka. When we were passing, we saw two norimono or wooden cages with three or four bars on both sides made in a certain way to carry captive Christians. Each contained a captive Christian from the domain of Kinokuni who was being carried to Edo. A little further we saw a man who had been crucified some days ago because he had shot a goose and a heron.
16 We saw another captive Christian outside Minakuchi in a similar norimono with seven others, including a woman and a child, who were tied on horses to be taken to Edo.
17 We arrived in Miyako. We summoned the principal lacquerers, whom we urged to bring their wares when they were finished before the start of the trade.
18 We travelled via Fushimi to Osaka.
19 We arrived there an hour before daybreak. We prepared ourselves for our departure tomorrow, if possible.
22 We embarked. The shallow water had made it impossible to embark or load our goods before.
25 We left at high tide and made fairly good progress.
March
Arrival in Nagasaki
9 We arrived safely in Nagasaki. We were welcomed by all the interpreters, the new burgemeester, and several landlords. I learnt that since our departure for the Court, twelve Chinese junks, including the ones which I mentioned last December, many large and some small ones, had arrived in Nagasaki. The value of their cargoes, calculated on the basis of the prices before the departure of the ships, was at least 600 chests, but according to the present Miyako prices they would not fetch more than five hundred. The principal junks belonged to Iquan and his mates. He had written to the governor to seek the latter’s favour. Because he had promised to import many goods and continue to do so, much to the liking of the government, this had not been in vain. Proof that he is in favour with the government is the fact that a while ago he requested permission to take with him away from Japan a certain Japanese woman whom he has kept here and by whom he begot a son, who is now with him in China, which request has now been granted him, as our interpreters assure me and she is about to leave with his junks.
11 I went to Governor Saburōzaemon to thank him for our good fortune in Edo, which was mainly due to his advocacy. I also mentioned that if Captain Elseracq did not return, His Honour’s favour would be indispensable. He gave a polite reply. He asked if Captain Elseracq would return. I replied that this was not certain, but I thought it likely. With my foreknowledge, the interpreter thanked him for the good company of the bongiois who had escorted us. Before I got up to leave, I asked if it would be possible to send a letter to Tayouan with one of the junks which was ready to sail for Quanzhou in order to inform the Governor of Tayouan of our journey to Court and what had happened there. The reply was that it was not an unreasonable request, but it had never been done before in Nagasaki and he needed to give it his full attention. I took my leave and returned to the island. The real reason for the letter to Tayouan was to inform them of the changes in the market prices of the commodities here, in order to prevent the Company suffering a loss by buying up too much because of ignorance.
12–13 A junk arrived from Fuzhou with some sappanwood, piece-goods, and pepper. Kichibyōe went to the governor’s residence to ask for his decision on my request to send a letter via China to Tayouan. No decision had yet been taken. The interpreter thought that the governor was thinking to himself: ‘What can the captain be writing about apart from his court journey? He has not written before about this. It has to be about something else, which can be nothing but the many junks which have arrived here with lots of goods which have caused a drop in the prices. This gives cause for concern.’ These thoughts show how much the government values a large import of commodities. This reply is a polite Japanese refusal, because by saying on the 11th that he would let me know of his decision means as much that one should not ask and the decision would not be forthcoming.
26 A junk from Zhangzhou arrived with some hemp cloth, alum, and pots, worth about two chests.
29 Two of our interpreters brought a print of the Angel Gabriel’s annunciation to the Holy Virgin Mary of her impregnation by the Holy Ghost. Underneath the print, the following Dutch text was printed in Italian script: ‘Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with You, blessed are Thou among the women. Luke 1, verse 28.’ They said that the governor had obtained this from an imprisoned Japanese bōzu or priest living near Shimonoseki. They had been sent to inquire what language it was, what the words meant, and if it pertained to Christianity. Chūan, the apostate priest, had said that he was familiar with the meaning of the print, but not with the language, this being neither Latin nor Portuguese nor Italian. I replied that the words meant the same in Dutch as in the priests’ prayers which were better known to them than to me, ‘Ave Maria, gratia plena’, and so forth. I added that these prints were not printed in Holland but by the Flemish and that the Flemish and the Dutch languages were similar. They were subject to the Castilians and they were Roman Catholics and we were always at war with them on account of their religion. We were neighbouring countries and when it was said that we were at war with the Castilians, it also included these peoples who were dominated by the Spaniards. Their country was overrun by the Spaniards, but otherwise they were our neighbours and we shared the same language. As no other questions were raised, I did not elaborate. I did not doubt that our ships had brought these prints here before. They also asked about the number, pointing to the chapter and verse, which they well understood, having been told by the ex-Jesuit priest Chūan. I replied truthfully.
April
6 While I was having dinner, I heard that the interpreter Tōzaemon, who spoke Dutch fairly well and who was very helpful, had slit his belly. He had been buried the same day. I also heard that two of his brothers had taken their lives in the same way before and his mother and his sister had hanged themselves.
9 Two interpreters told me that news had come from Edo that on the 29th of the last Japanese month, which is 26 March, a third son had been born to the Shogun by a third mother.2 Similarly his uncle, the King of Mito, has twenty-five sons by twenty-five different mothers, apart from his daughters. The whole empire and this town are rejoicing. The principal citizens went to the governor to convey their congratulations. This made me ponder whether I should also do so. Thus I ordered the interpreters to go to the governor’s residence to tell him on my behalf that in Europe the birth of a son to kings, princes, and great lords was highly valued and was deemed to bring prosperity and blessings to a nation, for sons meant a secure inheritance. If nations were left to the kinsmen on either side, this often gave rise to wars. I believed that this was also the case in Japan. Therefore, attaching great importance to the prosperity and peace of this nation, I sent my congratulations on this joyous occasion with the express hope that this would be to the benefit of the country. They took my message to the governor, who expressed his great delight with my congratulations and good wishes.
12 A Chinese junk arrived and in the evening another one. Both came from Nanking, richly laden with all kinds of silk piece-goods and white raw silk, valued at about 120 chests of silver. A short while ago, another small junk arrived with some merchandise such as alum and sugar.
20 A junk arrived from Nanking with white raw silk and silk piece-goods, valued at 60,000 taels.
27–29 Three small junks arrived with some sugar, alum and other stuff, valued at 4–5 chests altogether.
May
2, 4, 7 Three small Chinese junks arrived with various kinds of goods of little import, worth altogether about 6–7 chests.
11 I sent someone to Hirado with a letter for the regents about the collection of the remaining debt. I had ordered our interpreter Tōzaemon to do so when we returned from Edo and again when he left here to bring his family from there. He had promised to do so, but did not. Thus the matter had not been attended to for this long, because Hirado had been in a state of confusion, looking for Christians because of the bōzu on whom the print of Mary’s Annunciation had been found. Fourteen of them have already been traced and they have been taken to Nagasaki. The interpreters say that these Christians have been informed on by people of another domain, which is taken far more seriously than when they are found by their own people, thus the lord is in a great deal of trouble.
Today Iquan’s concubine,3 whom we have mentioned before, has left Nagasaki for China without any other female accompanying them. This would nonetheless have been permitted, on the condition that she never return to Japan, thus no one was willing to leave.
19 Four Nanking junks left for China. Shortly after, Governor Saburōzaemon came with two of his horses, which he had his stable master ride as he has been doing every five or six days since our absence from Edo. When I reported to His Honour, I usually had long discussions with him. Today was the same. There were many questions which need not be repeated here, except that he asked about the English, where they traded and if they had any castles in the Indies. I replied that nowhere did they have fortresses, but that I had been told that they were building one at Coromandel, but I could not say for sure. He also asked if we traded there and if it was an important trading centre and if it was as good for the Dutch as Japan was. I replied that it was an excellent trading centre and that we had lots of trade there. Japan was a good place and Coromandel was the same. ‘But,’ His Honour said, ‘the Dutch do not export as much cash from there as from Japan.’ It was said very politely.
24 The person I sent to Hirado returned with a letter full of polite excuses instead of money and with promises of the delivery of a good supply of rice before the departure of the ships in partial payment of the debt. I intended to repeat the request either by writing a letter or sending the same person again. Kichibyōe was present and he told me that yesterday the governor had received a letter written in Spanish.
June
8 In the morning, ten persons on horseback were led past the island to the usual place of execution outside the town to be hanged by their feet till they were dead. They were former Christians, mostly old women but also an old man who had given himself away under the influence of liquor by talking about matters relating to Christianity. They were strictly guarded. This manner of punishment is only used for Christians. Nowadays the whole town is in a state of turmoil. The citizens are not permitted to go outside the town’s jurisdiction, which at some places is less than half a mile, without permission, nor are they permitted to stay at an inn or leave without authorization. Many people who have done a long time without a guarantee that they were not Christians and had been allowed to live in a house and had no trouble with this, now have to find a guarantee and they have difficulties finding one, for everyone is at present living in fear, now they have been chased from their houses and they are not allowed into others and they do not know where to turn to, going to and fro in desperation and at least eight or nine of them have slit their bellies or hanged themselves these last few days. There are over two hundred people in prison. It is said that in Miyako there is also some trouble with regard to this matter.
A junk has arrived from Nanking, richly laden with silk piece-goods, silk and other commodities, worth at least 60 chests of silver. It brought the news that three others are to follow soon.
9 Today four or five persons who were hanged yesterday have been removed from the gallows and taken back to prison. It is said that they had informed on some others or they will do so. Indeed, yesterday and today some people were put in prison.
11 Two richly-laden junks arrived from Nanking with a cargo worth about 100 chests. Like the one before, they said that anyone who so wished was allowed free trade to Japan on the condition that he pay 100 to 200 taels to the mandarins, because there is no superior ruler in China on account of the war and the murder of the Emperor. Therefore, more junks are to sail hither.
13 Today the last of the persons who were hanged five days ago has died. It has to be remarked that these people who have been tried and the other prisoners as well have landed into this misery because they were Christians fifteen years ago, not because they are supposed to be Christians at present. This period has been set for their renunciation. Others who had apostatized before that time have been left in peace, otherwise this would have concerned the major part of this town and a host of people in other parts of this empire. Furthermore, the two renegade Chinese Christians of whom mention was made on 28 January have returned from Edo. They will be kept here for no other reason than to inspect all Chinese who arrive here to see if they recognize any of them to be Christians.
20 Governor Gonpachirō arrived from Edo with four hayafune. A crowd of citizens and two burgemeesters went to meet him outside the bay.
22 Thirty Chinese of the junk which I mentioned on 5 December have been taken to the prison in Ōmura, because seven Roman Catholic Chinese were found on their vessel. The five of whom it was claimed on 14 January that they had been hanged have lost so much of their strength in prison that only two of them could ride horse and the others had to be carried in bare norimono.
24 I went to Governor Gonpachirō to welcome him. He was happy to see me, also because I had had a personal audience with His Imperial Majesty in Edo. I said that I had to thank him and Governor Saburōzaemon for this great fortune.
30 Two junks arrived, one from Zhangzhou with sugar and hemp cloth, the other from Patani with pepper, calambac, eagle-wood, rayskins, and the like. Both are worth about 15 chests of money. The past few days eight people from Hirado and about the same number from this town have been put in prison after searches for Christians.
July
2 A small junk arrived from Zhangzhou with sugar and hemp cloth, worth about seven chests.
3 Another arrived from Quanzhou mainly with sugar and little cloth, worth about 5 chests of money. We have received 297 piculs of camphor.
7 A Chinese junk arrived from Quanzhou with black sugar and some cloth and medicines, worth about seven chests of money. It claims to have been in Tayouan in May with two other smaller ones and it brought the news that two of our ships had captured three fairly large junks off the coast of Manila. They had been loaded with hemp cloth and some silk, but one is said to have escaped. Furthermore, they claimed that Iquan sent two junks to Tonkin and the Dutch likewise sent two ships from Tayouan.
13 Three junks arrived from Quanzhou with black sugar, worth about eleven chests of money.
14 Another small junk arrived of little import.
15 Seven renegade Christians, men and women, have been carried to the place of execution to be hanged like the ones before.
16 A large junk arrived from Cambodia, loaded with deerskins, sappanwood, black lacquer, and other goods, worth about twelve chests of money. It brought tidings that a Dutch ship had been sighted off the coast of Champa and two or three Dutch merchants had been set free by the King and given leave to sail to Batavia with some Japanese from that place.
23 Two junks arrived, the one from Quanzhou with white sugar worth about seven chests and the other from Nanking with silk and silk piece-goods, worth about eighteen chests of money.
28 We have received and inspected the goods which had been ordered by Ebiya Shirōemon.
August
6 The interpreters announced that the governors had ordered them to remind us of last year’s orders concerning the ships, in particular that we should take care that on Sundays or other feast days our people did not fly any flags or display any signs of celebrating our religion in order to prevent the Japanese from renewing their memories of Christianity. This would serve to benefit the Dutch and we promised to do so.
10 I received a letter from Hirado in reply to the one I sent three months ago informing me that there was no money and they were unable to pay their debt.
11 A Chinese junk arrived from Fuzhou with about 6000 taels’ worth of goods.
12 A fresh northerly wind.
13 Late in the evening a small junk arrived from Fuzhou with some alum. The junk which arrived two days ago confirmed the aforementioned tidings of the Tartars’ progress in China and everyone in Fuzhou and its surroundings was preparing for war and resistance against the Tartars.
16 A whole fleet of junks, consisting of ten from Fuzhou, Zhangzhou, Anhai, and elsewhere arrived, all loaded with sugar and some other goods. They had intended to sail to Nanking, which was clear from the sugar packs and some oral statements, but because of the war there they had set sail hither. Their cargo was worth about 50,000 taels. It seems that much sugar has been sent to Tayouan.
17 Wind and weather as before.
18 Rumour has it that two ships have been spotted not far from the shore by a barge coming from Higo. Because of the northerly wind, which blew the whole day, they could not reach here.
19 North-easterly wind.
20 Easterly winds. The Lord of Hakata and his company visited us and our lodgings. He sent for all Dutchmen and looked at them one by one. He sat quietly for a long while and asked some questions. I showed His Highness some of our rarities, including the metal rock, but he did not show any pleasure in them and hardly turned to look at them. Then he departed from the island and shortly after he left Nagasaki. Two junks arrived, one from Fuzhou and the other from Zhangzhou.
21 Two more junks arrived, one from Quinam and the other from Fuzhou.
Arrival of the Meerman
22 From the lodge I could see a Dutch ship at sea. I sent for the interpreters and they informed the governor. He had not yet been notified of this by the guards and did not wish to believe it. Thus I could not send any Dutchmen there. An hour later it was confirmed and I sent two Dutchmen with a letter of warning on how to behave. I learnt that it was the flute the Meerman with a cargo from Batavia and Tayouan worth 265,129 guilders.
Arrival of the Beer
23 In the morning, I was given news of a second ship. I sent two Dutchmen with the bongiois and the interpreters. On their return I learnt that it was the Beer, hailing from Tonkin. I was told about the state of the country and that the trade was thriving. The cargo is worth 261,115 guilders. Today I mustered the crew of the Meerman and we started to unload the goods. I have also told the interpreters most of the news I read in the letters and in particular of the ambassador who has been sent from Portugal to the Shogun of Japan. He had been at Bantam, a town not far from Batavia. The interpreters did not deem it opportune to inform the governors, but they wished to wait till the arrival of the next ships. I also told them about the progress of the truce, but on the condition that they were not allowed to trade in our harbours, but in case of emergency, if they needed water or provisions and reached our harbours, they should not be maltreated. Furthermore, how our Prince had taken Sas van Gent and the French the town of Grevelingen in Flanders from the Spaniards by force. The interpreters wrote this down and handed this to the governors. It will be sent to Edo this same day or the next. A junk has arrived from Zhangzhou.
25 I went on board the Meerman. After the bongiois had inspected the ship – without any grievances arising on either side – and the rudder had been brought ashore, the placard with the rules everyone has to follow was read out and afterwards I myself impressed upon them the principal articles and urged them to adhere to them. The Beer has been unloaded. In the evening, a richly-laden Chinese junk arrived from Quanzhou, worth about 160,000 taels, with the news that two others were to follow.
26 The Beer has been inspected. The unloading of both ships has proceeded more peacefully and friendly than ever before.
27–28 Nothing happened.
29 Rain in the afternoon and hard winds during the night.
30 Nothing happened.
Arrival of the Lillo
31 Two Chinese junks arrived, one from Nanking, richly laden with a cargo estimated at 90 chests of money and another with sugar from Zhangzhou, worth 14 chests.
September
1 The yacht entered the bay but contrary winds forced her to drop anchor. I sent twenty towing boats to tow her inside. The friends came ashore and told me of the capture of the junks and a Spanish vessel off Manila. The cargo of the yacht is worth 143,075 guilders. In the evening, a small junk arrived from Fuzhou with a cargo worth about six chests of money.
Arrival of the Hillegersberg
2 The interpreters told me that the governors had received the news that a ship had arrived in Hirado. She was being towed here by some barges. In the evening, the said ship arrived in the roadstead. No one could go on board to find out which ship she was. I was also told that the governors had heard that another Dutch ship had been spotted off the Gotō Islands.
3 Early in the morning, the interpreters told me that it was the flute the Hillegersberg. A while later, the master and the merchant came ashore with the papers. The cargo is worth 361,012 guilders. I went to muster the crew and to warn them of their behaviour towards the bongiois and the other Japanese. In the evening, a Chinese junk arrived in the roadstead. Today little could be done because of the rain.
Arrival of the Gouden Gans
4 We have started to unload the Hillegersberg. I heard that another ship was approaching. Because of the adverse wind, I sent two Dutchmen and twenty towing boats.
5 A Japanese feast day and we only unloaded the Hillegersberg. We shall start unloading the Gouden Gans tomorrow.
6 We started to unload the Gans after she had been mustered by the bongiois and by the evening everything was on shore. I conferred with the interpreters and they agreed to request the governor to order the heads of the cities to settle the pancado, so that we could start trading. The interpreters specifically asked me if I expected as much as another thread of Chinese white raw silk, for in that case the pancado could not be settled. As long as they do not know how much silk will be imported this year, they pretend that the correct price cannot be fixed. I argued against this that, although I had written such to Tayouan, I had not been given any information on this.
7 The bongiois brought the gunpowder and lead from the Gouden Gans ashore. The crew brought their chests ashore. The whole ship was inspected. When he inspected the books, he sent for me. The books did not concern religion and were returned to the owners. He expressed his satisfaction that the master had done everything in so orderly a manner. Next the placard with the rules were read out.
8 Two interpreters came, the one to inquire after the amount of silk the Company had imported on these ships, what kinds of silk there were, and whence they originated. I gave him the particulars. He specifically asked if more white raw Chinese silk was expected. I replied as before. The other interpreter notified me that the governors had ordered the heads of the cities to settle the pancado. Later the governors also asked for the written details of the matter concerning the Portuguese ambassador.
Arrival of the Leeuwerik
9 Early in the morning, I heard the cannon being fired. Shortly after, the governor sent notice that the guards on the mountains had spotted a ship. I heard the cannon being fired again. I sent two Dutchmen with the usual orders. Shortly after I was notified that the ship had struck the rocks.
11 We have been busy airing the damaged goods. Commissioner Shinmi Shichiuemon, who arrived from Edo nine days ago, came with Governor Saburōzaemon. He looked around and tasted some of the banquet we had prepared for him, he and the governor drinking some of our drinks. He seemed like a jolly fellow. We had some small talk which need not be repeated here. Next they went to the ships. We took Brouckhorst along and sailed to the Lillo. They viewed the cabin and below the orlop deck. Some sailors climbed the mast and jumped into the water. Their Excellencies enjoyed themselves.
13 Nothing much happened. The commissioner left for Shimabara from where he will travel on to Edo.
14 The interpreters went to Sakuemon about the pancado. On their return they spoke of his earnest attempts to achieve this, which gave me much hope. A Chinese junk arrived from Quinam with a cargo worth about nine chests of money.
15 Nothing happened.
16 I have been pressing again for the settlement of the pancado. The interpreters again went to Sakuemon and the governors. They summoned the heads of the cities and ordered them to settle it. The heads said that they were conferring daily.
17 Nothing happened. In the evening, it started to blow from the south-east and around midnight a heavy storm blew up, which lasted till the following day.
19 The interpreters were sent on board to inquire how matters stood. They returned with three masters who confirmed most of what I have related above. They asked for more freedom to come and go without wasting time asking for permission on every occasion. I sent the interpreters to the governors to tell them that it was necessary to send the crew from the one ship to the other and we needed leave to go freely from the one ship to the other. The tide was turning and one could not think of everything one needed on the spur of the moment. Once one had set to work things were different from what the masters had expected. It would not be possible to make any progress if we were not given leave. They returned with the requested permission. The masters went straight to the Leeuwerik to try and save her, but because some essential tools were lacking, they had some doubts they would be able to do so. The sampans had returned with the munitions from the Hillegersberg and I sent an interpreter to the ship to find out what was needed there. He returned in the evening and told me that they needed the sampans the next morning, but it would be better to send them straightaway, which I did. The Gans and the Lillo were towed close to the Leeuwerik to aid her if need be. The governors let me know that because the ships were in such a bad shape, they thought that we would need a large number of men. They were willing to assist us with some of their own men and some of those of the Lord of Hakata, who was in charge of the guards. He had let the governors know through Regent Heizō that he would like to send his men, as many as a few hundred, to assist the Dutch. I expressed my gratitude to them.
21 The interpreters went to the governors to inform them that the pancado had been settled. They also thanked the governors for their assistance with regard to the ships. According to custom, after the settlement of the pancado, we also requested permission to have the warehouses opened. This was granted. The bongioisen came to unseal the warehouses. The goods which were to be sold first were taken out. In the evening, the news came that three Chinese junks had foundered off the Gotō Isles. One had been loaded with silk and silk piece-goods, the other two with sugar. Nothing had been salvaged.
22 We have been busy taking out the goods out of the warehouses to be ready to show them tomorrow to the merchants, who seem fairly eager. A few deputies have inspected some goods for the Shogun.
23 In the afternoon, the Leeuwerik was righted again. The master came ashore to collect some goods which had been fished up by the Japanese and taken to the lodge. The warehouses have been opened and the Japanese viewed the goods we had taken out. The bongioisen went to every warehouse to issue warnings that the merchants should handle the goods with more care and should not step on them. These warnings did help a little. When some merchants did transgress the warnings, two of them were taken into custody as an example to the others. After consultation with the interpreters, we requested the governors to release them because this was their first transgression. They granted this as a gesture of courtesy towards us. I had ordered the interpreters to go to the governors first to thank them for issuing such excellent orders.
24 We have sold a large number of goods for very good prices. We have delivered most of the goods sold.
25 We have delivered the rest of the goods.
26 We have been busy putting out more goods for inspection by the merchants.
27 The goods for the second sale have been viewed.
28 We have sold a good number of commodities.
Arrival of the Aagtekerke and the Henriette Louise
29 We have been delivering the goods sold and making more room for the ones that were not sold. Interpreter Hakuzaemon announced that the governors had ordered him to inform us that they had received a message from
30 I sent thirty barges to tow the Henriette Louise, outward bound from Siam, into the roadstead. Later I went on board the yacht to escort Senior Merchant Cæsar and the papers ashore. I found the bongiois of the Lord of Hakata and the bongiois of Saburōzaemon together, well pleased. I treated them to pastries and liquor. Then we went on shore. In the afternoon, the Siam ship arrived in the roadstead. I went on board with Cæsar and Brouckhorst to welcome Van Tzum. In the evening, the two senior burgemeesters came to my house to inform the new captain of the rules which have to be adhered to in Japan. These are:
Firstly, if any Japanese asks us anything out of order, the governors should be informed. Secondly, the Dutchmen should beware of showing any signs of celebrating any Christian ceremonies, such as Sundays and prayers.
October
1 I went on board the Aagtekerke to muster the crew and to issue orders concerning the unloading. The silk experts and the heads of the cities examined the white silk and accepted so little of the superior grade that I had to complain in real earnest. I voiced my complaints to them, but they merely countered me with words. They blamed it on the poor quality of the silk: the sorters must have been ordered to put some of the inferior grade with the superior grade. We thought that what was lost on the price would be fixed by the unequal sorting. Nonetheless, it is still a larger amount of superior grade than last year.
2 The merchants have been sorting the silk. We have started to weigh it. The yacht the Aagtekerke has been unloaded.
3 We have started to unload the Henriette Louise. We have weighed the white raw silk. At the end of the weighing, we found that, in contrast to all previous years, there was an underweight instead of an overweight. We do not know the cause.
4 We have been unloading the Henriette Louise.
5 We have put out some commodities for the first sale. I sent someone with a letter to Hirado to collect the debt, either in cash or in rice. We have not been able to get the bongiois to authorize the unloading of the ship.
7 We have been busy unloading the ship. We have also put out some commodities for inspection tomorrow. I have also reached an agreement with a few Japanese divers to raise the pieces of ordnance of the Leeuwerik, which had fallen overboard, to the surface, because the Dutchmen had not been able to find them in spite of all efforts they had undertaken. I have told the interpreters that I intended to dispatch two flutes to Tayouan in seven or eight days. Would it not be advisable to inform the governors of this and ask their permission to do so? But because it had never before been the custom for us to seek permission to dispatch any ship before we had presented the governors with gifts – which so far had not been done, because this was not possible without the European goods, which have not yet been unloaded – the interpreters advised me to ask the governors when it would be convenient for them to receive our gifts. The governors’ reply was that it would be convenient for them any time it suited the captain. With regard to the dispatch of the ships, they would take this into consideration. The second reply gave me food for thought, because we have never before received such a reply to this request. It had always been that when the captain was ready, he could dispatch the ships, except for last year’s last two ships, which had to wait out the full fifty days. This will also come to pass this year with regard to the return ship, which will be a nuisance.
8 Kichibyōe told me that last night Governor Saburōzaemon had summoned him and after he had read and translated some letters from the imprisoned Castilians in Ōmura,
9 I sent two Dutchmen with a letter to the ship. The sale of the goods has been postponed because the news of the ship might cause a change in prices.
10 Reijnier van Tzum, Cornelis Cæsar, Anthonio van Brouckhorst, and I went to present the gifts to the governors and other officials. We thanked them for their assistance, particularly with the yacht which had keeled over. They treated us affably. Next we went to Regent Heizō and the other four burgemeesters, who all, one excepted, treated us to pastries and Japanese wine. The meeting went merrily and better than in the three previous years that I was here. We considered this not only a personal honour, but especially as one conferred on the nation. The ship could not enter the bay because of adverse winds.
Arrival of the Zalm
11 I would have liked to send someone to the ship in the morning, but as the bongioisen would not go out because of the weather, I had to wait till later in the day. I commissioned two masters to go, but before the barge and the bongioisen were ready, the ship had already entered the bay. The masters went on board to inform the authorities of the contents of my letter with the rules of behaviour. Burgemeester Sakuemon came to inspect some Guinea-cloth for His Majesty. I entertained him as best as I could. I had to send twenty towing boats to tow in the ship. I learnt that it was the flute the Zalm. She brought me the latest news from Batavia and Tayouan.
12 Early in the morning, I went on board the Zalm and welcomed our friends, mustered the crew, and we started to unload the ship. This was finished in the evening. One of the interpreters came to me and, on behalf of the governors, asked me on which day I intended to dispatch the ships. They would write to Satsuma, Arima, Hizen, Ōmura, Gotō, and other places to notify them that, if our ships should go there driven by a storm or bad weather, they should be treated well and a message should be sent to Nagasaki. I decided on the 16th.
13 Rainy weather and nothing could be done. I sent Kichibyōe to the governors to ask that I be allowed to dispatch the Henriette Louise, Lillo, and Leeuwerik ten days after the departure of the first ships. I would write to Batavia with the first ships. The interpreter returned with the reply that I could send any ship I wanted on the day that was most convenient. I decided to dispatch the three ships on the 26th.
14 Rainy weather, but we did as much as we could and we held the third sale, but could deliver little.
16 According to custom, the money was taken aboard with some necessities belonging to our friends. We expected them to go on board as well and take their leave, but the bongioisen were in no hurry to take the rudder and the ammunition on board, seemingly with the foreknowledge of the governors. What should have been accomplished before noon, was not done till evening, thus the day was lost. From the interpreters we gathered that this was because of the junks which departed the day before.
17 We expected to be given permission for the ships to depart, but it was not to be. I conferred with the others and we decided to send the interpreters to the governors to ask if our ships could leave, because yesterday, which had been their appointed day of departure, had passed and the weather was now fine. If the governors refused, the interpreters should say – but not that we had ordered them to do so – that they had heard us mumble that the Chinese had presented a request to the governors for our ships to be held back – which the interpreters had told us that they had done. That we were used to this, we had heard of this before here in Japan and also in Tonkin and in other places, that we thought that if and when this reached the ears of our authorities, they would seek revenge and might even declare war on them and would do everything in their power to cause them damage. Their Honours should consider that if this did indeed happen, not we, who had never done them any harm in this trade and who were being hindered in our freedom, would be the ones charged with being the cause of such wars and disasters, but they, who were treating us as enemies and giving us a bad reputation.
Departure of the Meerman and the Hillegersberg
18 I went on board the two flutes the Meerman and the Hillegersberg after having received the governors’ permission to muster the crew and to dispatch them. But the Hillegersberg was not able to weigh anchor and left in the evening. The cargo of both ships is worth 599,754 guilders. We have taken out a lot of goods to be viewed tomorrow.
19 We have put the goods on view and many merchants came to inspect them. We have also delivered some goods of the last sale. The ships have sailed so far out to sea that they are out of sight of the patrol boats which had accompanied them.
20 We had another sale, mainly of Dutch, Coromandel, and Siamese goods. We have delivered most.
21 We have been busy inspecting the lacquerware which will be sent to Holland with the return ship. We have delivered some more goods.
22 We held another viewing day of the remaining Dutch goods, which will be sold tomorrow before the departure of the ships. We have inspected a batch of lacquerware, which will be loaded onto the ships departing for Holland.
23 The council convened a meeting to discuss some dubious and outstanding matters. Then we held a sale of different kinds of European commodities, which had been left unsold. In the evening, we reached an agreement with the lacquerers, but the rejected pieces would be accepted at their value.
24 The two ships have taken on their cargo, consisting of some lacquerware and about 100 bales of rice. The value of both cargoes is 352,755 guilders.
Departure of the Henriette Louise and the Leeuwerik
25 I went on board both ships. After the inspection by the bongiois, I mustered the crew and took leave of our friends. They departed with a fine wind. A Chinese junk arrived.
26 A Japanese feast day and nothing has been done, only some goods have been taken out for viewing tomorrow.4 A Chinese junk arrived.
27 The goods which were taken out yesterday have been inspected. We inspected some lacquerware and packed the pieces. A Chinese junk arrived with a cargo of white pancado silk and other goods, worth about 21 chests of money.
28 Another Japanese feast day and nothing has been done.
29 We have inspected some more lacquerware. We sold the goods put on view two days ago by bidding slips. We had the interpreters ask permission to have some lacquerware taken on board tomorrow.
30 A batch of lacquerware has been taken on board. We have been delivering the goods sold. We have also settled the price of the rejected lacquerware and packed the pieces.
31 A Japanese feast day. We have taken out some goods to be put on view as soon as possible. Today we learnt that, as happens all over the world, Governor Saburōzaemon has been the victim of slander.
November
Departure of the Lillo
1 The remainder of the lacquerware for Holland has been sent on board. In the afternoon, the gunpowder and ammunition was taken on board. Then I went to the yacht the Lillo to dispatch her to Tayouan with a cargo worth 313,942 guilders. She sailed out of the bay. We have put out some goods and delivered some others.
2 We have put some goods on view. We have delivered some goods.
3 We have sold the goods we put on view yesterday. We have inspected some lacquerware that had been ordered for Coromandel.
4 Five Chinese junks have departed. We have inspected some more lacquerware. The masters have found two pieces of ordnance.
5 Six Chinese junks have departed. We tried to settle the price with the lacquer workers, but we could not agree. The masters went to the pieces of ordnance to fix them, but the divers would only fix the equipment to the pieces for an exorbitant price. Thus it was not done.
6 We started to load the flutes the Beer and the Gans. The Japanese have taken the gunpowder and the ammunition on board of one of the ships.
7 The remaining goods and the crews’ belongings together with the money have been taken on board both ships so that they will be ready tomorrow, because the Lord of Hakata had informed the governors that he wished to see the Dutch ships sailing. For this purpose he had arrived around the 20th of the 9th month5 and after he had seen this, he would depart. This request had been passed on to us and we promised to be ready.
Departure of the Beer and the Gouden Gans
8 First the bongioisen came to accompany the others on board. The two aforesaid flutes departed with Senior Merchant Anthonio van Brouckhorst and his company, loaded with currency and merchandise for the sum of 516,175 guilders. But the wind forced them to drop anchor halfway through the bay, after they had tacked against the wind in view of the lord who hosted the two governors.
9 Before dawn the ships sailed and they were out of view when day broke. In the afternoon, we put out some goods on view.
11 The goods have been delivered. We have also taken out some goods.
12 We have taken out some more goods to be put on view in the afternoon. The merchants came to inspect the merchandise. South-westerly winds.
13 The goods have been sold. Northerly and north- easterly winds.
14 We have been busy delivering goods and inspecting the lacquerware for Coromandel. Some Chinese junks departed.
15 Nothing noteworthy happened. We have been negotiating with the lacquerers on the price for the wares for Coromandel.
16 We have come to an agreement with the lacquerers. We think it is rather high, but there is little we can do if we do not want to bother the governors with these matters, which has not been the custom. We have packed the lacquerware. A few Chinese junks departed and another arrived from Fuzhou with about two chests of money’s worth of commodities and one from Quanzhou, both loaded with alum.
17 We have loaded the goods on the yacht the Aagtekerke.
18 We have taken the currency on board and also the gunpowder and lead. We have taken out the last of the goods.
Departure of the Aagtekerke
19 The Aagtekerke sailed early in the morning with a fair wind. The cargo of currency and commodities together is worth 318,786 guilders. Nothing else happened.
20 The last of the goods has been inspected and will be sold tomorrow. I have sent an express mail to Hirado for money or a reply before my departure.
21 I have settled the account with the lacquerers. The goods have been sold and partly delivered. Five apostate Christians, three men and two women, have been executed. Two or three Chinese junks departed.
22 We have received some of the camphor we ordered and we have delivered some goods.
23–25 We have received some of the camphor we ordered. It has been transferred to other barrels for shipment. I received the following list of all the goods the Chinese have imported in Nagasaki on seventy-six junks since the Shōgatsu, Japanese New Year or 28 January, and the prices for which they were sold. [List on fos. 56–57; total 1,482,029 taels.]
27 I have settled the account with the assayers and the collectors. After I had consulted with each interpreter first and later with all together and also with the supervisor of the island, I proposed that they should present the following to the governors. I was about to leave for Batavia and if the authorities there asked me about the export of copper, what should I tell them. Could Their Honours give me any decision on it? Secondly, could we be given permission to trade when the first of our ships arrived as the Chinese do for several reasons? Finally, could it be granted us that in another year that, while the captain was travelling to Edo, some Dutchmen remained in the lodge so that we did not have to make do with inexperienced men, which would also be to the advantage of the Japanese? They all agreed that these were judicious requests and they would present them to the governors and inform me of the response.
28 We have been busy loading the ship. The interpreters went to the governors and, after the accounts had been settled with the assayers, they showed them how much the Dutch had imported and sold this year. Then they presented the three points we discussed yesterday. Their Honours replied that concerning the first two points, namely the export of copper and the start of trade after the arrival of the first ships, these had been ordered by the government in Edo and they could not alter them without the government’s knowledge and consent. Concerning the copper, the Japanese merchants were also requesting this. Saburōzaemon said that when the Dutch captain was in Edo, he could request this himself, for these were matters which did not harm anyone. But while he was not in Edo, the captain could not do much about it. ‘Concerning the remaining of some Dutchmen in the lodge,’ Gonpachirō said, ‘Saburōzaemon and I can discuss this.’ Saburōzaemon said that when the interpreters were with him, he and Gonpachirō could settle matters. ‘If the captain wishes to leave men here on Tsukishima, he can do so, we do not stipulate the number of men with whom the captain has to travel to Edo.
29 I went to both governors to thank them for their assistance during my presence in Japan, and that the trade had been conducted so peacefully and everything had been done in the best manner. We had enjoyed much good fortune in Edo through Their Honours’ efforts. I trusted that my successor would enjoy the same. I thanked them for yesterday’s decision. They replied that they would extend the same favours to the new captain as long as he took care that the Shogun’s orders were not transgressed. We should bear in mind that we did not trade in Japan for one year but for eternity. Next I went to Regent Heizō and the burgemeesters, but they were absent, and I returned to the lodge.