1646
October
30 Fine weather, the wind north-westerly. I had a list made of all the goods, notices affixed, and the goods put on view. Tomorrow we shall hold a sale. Nothing happened. A few merchants came to claim a discount because the lakenen had been measured too short.
31 Fine weather. Before the sale, several merchants came with their pieces of laken. I settled the matter with them and charged them less for the whole batch of lakenen and stametten. It would be advisable to follow this course of action in future. The lakenen which will be presented to the governors this year have likewise been found to have been measured too short when compared to the memorandum.
November
2 Northerly wind and drizzle. Early in the morning the copper merchant came to deliver copper. Because there was a difference of 3 catties on the balances, we have left it for the moment, the more so because Van Tzum had been more or less forced to accept the copper. The merchant brought a piece of red laken on which he wanted a reduction. I would not agree to it, but we would get rid of it with bidding slips. He agreed to this. A start has been made with weighing the sugar. I sent Hachizaemon to the governors to ask that Master Muts and the carpenter be allowed to go into town to inspect some masts or timber for the Overschie. The governors asked how many persons would go. The reply was two or three. The governors gave permission that four or five could go without guards. The interpreters who would accompany them would be sufficient. This is an excellent start. The flute has taken on water and stones.
3 Northerly wind. On behalf of the governors, or rather Saburōzaemon, the interpreters came to tell me that all the rarities have to be taken to his residence for inspection.
4 Rainy weather with an overcast sky. The burgemeester came with two interpreters and the buyer of the buffalo-horns to request a discount as he had done yesterday, because there are so many small ones among them. I objected, but to no avail and I had to give him a discount.
5 The interpreters announced that they had presented my request concerning the Nanking Chinese to the governors.
6 Fine weather, the wind northerly. The interpreters came to bring me the governors’ decision on the Nanking Chinese. They do not wish to concern themselves with the matter. If we wished to issue a pass and a flag, that was our own affair. I sent the interpreters to the Chinese to inform them of this. They will bring me their reply tomorrow.
7 Northerly wind and rainy weather. Nothing happened. I was told that the Nanking Chinese were very happy with yesterday’s news.
8 The interpreters and the Japanese merchants discussed which would be the best way of dealing with the matter. I wrote out a pass for them, which pleased them.
9 Overcast. I have not received a reply from the Chinese, although the pass and the flag are ready. I sent the interpreter there. He told me that they were busy packing their money and it was not convenient for them today, but tomorrow the matter would be settled. Rumour has it that, as gifts are arriving on some junks, a few lords are expected from Edo to receive and send off Iquan’s ambassador. Today three junks departed, two from Nanking and one from Fuzhou.
10 A junk arrived from Fuzhou, carrying black, half-spoilt sugar. It brought the news that Iquan had sent three or four envoys from Fuzhou to the Tartars. They wanted to make a deal with them. They were inclined to do so, if he subjected himself to the Tartar’s rule and shaved himself in their fashion.
11 Northerly wind. Two merchants, called Quiens and Quionseymon, came on behalf of the Nanking Chinese with two letters written in Chinese with the following contents: They gave their oath that in the month of Shōgatsu or in the two following months they would appear in Tayouan with their junks full of silk and silk goods and after they had finished trading, they would return together with our ships. Before contracting or in the event they did not appear, our ships would go there, namely to the coast of the island of Ningbo, which has a fine roadstead and a fine site at which to trade and they would be supplied with everything they needed, and if the Company so wished, they would help promote that the Company take possession of this place as they did in Tayouan. They also requested that when they came to Tayouan, they would be treated as friends, as would the junks which arrived to trade without pass or flag. I sent the interpreters to Governor Gonpachirō to thank him for all his efforts on behalf of the Company and to request his continued favour in Edo.
12 Fine weather, northerly wind. At daybreak Governor Gonpachirō set off for the Court. Governor Saburōzaemon had me informed that I could dispatch the ship whenever I liked. We were given permission to export 400 bales of rice and 400 bales of wheat.
13 Early in the morning, the Nanking Chinese sent me word that, after their departure, they would wait for our ship for two days off Meshima. Trade can easily be conducted from Tayouan if the Tartars continue victorious.
14 The Overschie unloaded her stones and was taking on her cargo when the rain put a stop to it. On behalf of the landlords, the interpreters came.
15 Northerly wind with rain. This prevented us from loading the ship. Nothing happened. The interpreters came for a second time to press me about the landlords’ request. I have been delaying them on purpose.
16 Fine weather, northerly wind. Early in the morning, the rudder of the ship and the powder were taken on board. The remaining goods were loaded and she was prepared for departure. I went on board to muster the crew, handed over the papers and returned to the lodge. I treated the bongiois to some wine and sakana.
Departure of the Overschie
17 Fine weather, the wind south-westerly. I was told that the ship had sailed out of the bay, but the patrol boat had not yet returned. The houses on the island have been inspected. In the afternoon, on behalf of the governor, the interpreters came to take note of all the goods we import and the places where they are purchased. They want to consider whether the Chinese can be missed in Japan. Thus I told them that all goods can be obtained abundantly in Batavia and the Netherlands, but I did not exaggerate. They said that China and Holland produced most goods.
18 Fine weather, southerly wind. One of the Nanking junks which left four or five days ago returned. Contrary wind had caused it some damage and it was given some timber. It had to leave again.
19 Northerly wind and fine weather. I inspected the island with the burgemeester and some of the landlords.
20 Unpleasant weather, the wind easterly. I sent the interpreters to the governor to ask when we would be given permission to travel to Edo. The reply was that we should prepare ourselves around the 26th of the Japanese month.4 In the meantime, he would appoint a bongiois to escort us.
21–22 Fine weather.
23 I sent a box with various essential oils and medicines to Governor Saburōzaemon, similar to the one I had prepared for the Shogun or Chikugo-no-kami. He was very grateful. He returned the notes with the names. I had the potency and efficacy of each written in Japanese and sent them back to him. He sent the interpreters to thank me. He let me know that he did not accept any gifts, but he could accept medicines. According to the interpreters, he was more pleased with this than if he had been given a grand gift. A junk left for Fuzhou.
24 Unpleasant weather, the wind easterly. A Nanking junk arrived. In the evening, the wind veered south-westerly.
25 Unpleasant weather as before, the wind northerly.
26 The interpreters came to tell me which bongiois had been appointed by Governor Saburōzaemon to accompany us. They made a lot of small talk. I heard that Denbyōe wanted to take his son along to Edo, but I would not agree to this, because that will add to the expenses and trouble. He claimed that it was on the governors’ orders.
27 Fair weather. Nothing happened. A junk left for Fuzhou. I invited the burgemeester and the interpreters for dinner.
28 Fine weather, in the morning the wind was southerly, veering northerly in the afternoon. Five Chinese junks departed.
29 Wind and weather as before. Four Chinese junks departed. The interpreters told me that the Nanking junk had requested that four or five of their men be allowed to sail on some of the Chinese junks to Tonkin or Cochin China. This was refused. One of the landlords told me that the apostate Chūan was putting lots of things concerning the Dutch and the Portuguese on paper. It will be sent to Edo shortly. I wish that this godforsaken troublemaker would be killed so that the Company be free from his meddling.
December
1 A Nanking junk arrived. I wanted to say farewell to the governor, but he was occupied with the Chinese and I have to wait till tomorrow.
Dagregister Kept During the Absence of Versteeghen
3 Northerly wind, sky overcast. Wilhem Versteeghen, opperhoofd of the factory, left with his company for Osaka, from where he will travel to Edo. There he will make his reverences to His Imperial Majesty and the government on behalf of the Company. May God grant him a safe journey.
4–5 A junk departed for Fuzhou. It is carrying several Nanking Chinese. They will make port first in the Pescadores to find out what is happening in their region. From there they will sail to Tonkin. Kichibyōe told me that one Geki-dono, an engineer of the Shogun, had an altercation about arms with a captain and four other persons and he had died in a fight in Edo.
7 Northerly wind with rain.
8 Wind as before and unsettled weather.
9 Easterly wind with overcast sky. Magobei told me that yesterday the governor had returned the goods to the masters of two junks – they had arrived here recently with gifts for the Shogun and had claimed that an ambassador would follow shortly to present them – and had told them that their ambassador could stay away. They had to leave within two days. Because of the shortness of time they have to sell the silk piece-goods much below their value.
10 North-westerly wind with a stiff breeze. A Nanking junk arrived and two Fuzhou junks departed. Their destination is unknown.
11 Fine weather. I was told that the Nanking junk which arrived yesterday is that of Pasmin Iquan, which left recently and for fear of the war dared not sail to its home port and has returned here to send some of its people to Tonkin, Cochin China, or Cambodia on other junks. He himself will sail with a few of his crew to Tayouan.
12 North-north-westerly wind. Four junks departed for Fuzhou.
13 Fine weather with a veering wind. The interpreters told me that a commissioner had been dispatched to all coastal towns to double the guard and keep a sharp look out for strange vessels on the Shogun’s orders. It seems they fear the Tartars.
15 On the order of the governor, the interpreters came to note the place of origin of the goods, which are imported into Japan. I told them.
16–18 Wind and weather as before. A junk departed.
19 Wind north-westerly with an overcast sky.
20 Wind as before with rain.
21 Wind as before, fine weather.
22 Northerly wind, showers.
23 Wind as before with fine weather.
24 Wind southerly. Two Fuzhou junks departed.
25 Westerly wind with a stiff breeze and a clear sky.
26 Northerly wind, fine weather.
27 A junk departed. I could not find out where to, but it is thought to be sailing to Tonkin, where many Chinese are settled.
28 North-westerly wind with a stiff breeze. Magobei told me that news had come from Edo that His Majesty was allowing both shaven and unshaven Chinese into his country to trade freely. The reason that those from Nanking had been refused was because they had come as subjects of the Tartars, whose precise religion was not known to him. But as he had learnt that the Tartars were not Christians, they are now allowed trade. This has caused a drop in the prices for many commodities.
31 Easterly wind, fine weather. Kichibyōe told me that Wilhem Versteeghen and his company had reached Osaka safely on the 13th. They covered the distance in eleven days.
1647
January
1 Changeable weather. A Fuzhou junk departed. In the evening, a strong southerly wind forced the junk to return to the bay with another one which had been anchored off Iōshima.
2 Westerly wind with rain.
3 Northerly wind. Two Fuzhou junks departed. One arrived with the news that the Tartars had not yet taken Fuzhou, but everyone had shaved himself in their fashion, with the intention of subjecting himself to him and welcoming him as his ruler. An army captain who had fled from Peking had advised them against this and had infused the faint hearts with such hope and courage against their enemy that they had built some strongholds against the enemy attack, from where they had made a sortie and had killed several thousands of Tartars or their subjects. This had at least delayed the siege till their departure. The cargo consists of the following. [List.]
5 Westerly wind.
6–7 Northerly wind, overcast, cold.
8 Veering wind, hail.
9 Westerly wind and rainy weather.
10 Easterly wind, fair.
11 Rainy. On behalf of the governor, Kichibyōe came to ask if there was any orange water. I told him that Versteeghen had taken all of this to Edo for the Shogun.
12 Storm from the west with hail and rain.
13–14 Northerly wind. In the evening we felt a severe earthquake, which shook the houses three times.
15 Fine weather, westerly wind. Four women have been hanged by their feet because they are Christians.
16 Northerly wind, fair. A Fuzhou junk returned and dropped anchor in the bay. Kichibyōe told me that the commissioner of the peripheral domains, Hineno Oribe-dono, who arrived two or three days ago, had summoned him in the evening and had questioned him about many things. The main questions and his answers were the following.
Answer: ‘It took them six to eight months to sail from the Netherlands to Jacatra, from there thirty to forty days to Tayouan, and twelve to fifteen days to Japan, if wind and weather were favourable.’
Question: ‘Did the Dutch use rosaries?’
Answer: ‘They did not have rosaries or priests, but clergymen whom they called ‘dominee’, who had a wife like everyone else, and who taught them.’
Question: ‘In Hirado the Dutch used to pray and sing. Why do not they do so now?’
Answer: ‘They used to sing psalms, which they refrain from doing now on the orders of the Shogun, who has forbidden it in Nagasaki.’
Question: ‘What kind of people are the Dutch?’
Answer: ‘I have served them as an interpreter now for five years and as far as I can tell they are men of good character, keeping to the truth and not to lies, fair in their dealings, humble and not proud or arrogant like the Castilians and the Portuguese.’
17 Wind as before, cold with snow.
18 Westerly wind, fair weather.
19 Northerly wind. The junk which returned on the 16th left again.
21 Northerly wind, fine weather.
22 Easterly wind.
23 Easterly wind veering southerly with rain. A junk which had departed recently, returned.
24 Westerly wind, fair.
25 Veering wind, rainy weather.
26 Northerly wind with rain.
27 South-westerly wind, fine weather. The junk which returned a few days ago, departed.
28–29 Unpleasant weather, northerly wind.
30 Northerly wind, changeable weather.
31 North-westerly wind, rough weather with hail.
February
1–2 Wind and weather as before.
3 I was told that a new otona or supervisor of the island had been appointed. I hope he will keep the landlords better in check than the previous otona did, when they supply us with necessities at unfair prices. They take fifteen or sixteen bundles of wood from thirty-five bundles and they charge 8 candareens for a bale of coal, which they buy in town for 2 or 3 candareens at the most. They overcharge us for everything else we need.
4 Easterly wind, fine weather. In the evening the governor sent Kichibyōe to ask if we could oblige him with 5 catties each of butter and cheese. We could, and he went straight back to the governor. He returned with a jar, in which we put 4 catties of butter and we gave him half a cheese. I could not find out which lord had asked for it, but it is certain that it was sent to Edo.
6 North-westerly wind and unsettled weather.
7 Northerly wind and cold.
8 Fine weather, the wind south-westerly.
9 Easterly wind, fine weather.
10 Northerly wind, stiff breezes and overcast.
11 Wind as before, fine weather.
12 Wind as before, cold weather with showers of hail.
13 Kichibyōe came to ask me for 10 catties of butter for Councillor Hotta Kaga-no-kami. I gave him the butter. He told me that Wilhem Versteeghen and his party had left Edo last month, on 23 January. Fine weather, southerly wind.
14 Wind as before, storm and rain.
15 Fine weather, northerly wind.
16 Fine weather.
17 Southerly wind, overcast.
18 North-westerly wind, fine weather.
19 Southerly wind, overcast.
20 Veering wind with some rain.
21 Southerly wind, fine weather.
22 Wind as before, fair weather.
25 Fine but cold weather.
26–27 Stiff northerly wind with snow.
28 Wind as before, fine weather.
March
1–2 Wind and weather as before.
3–4 Veering wind.
5 Wind as before, fine weather.
6 Stiff southerly wind, rainy, unpleasant weather.
7 North-westerly wind with an overcast sky. The burgemeester came to visit us. He said that if we wished to change the compradoor, cook, or other servants, he would put others in their places. I thanked him for his offer.
8–9 Stiff northerly wind, very cold, snow.
10 Fair weather, veering wind, mainly southerly.
11 Westerly wind, rainy weather.
12 Northerly wind, fine weather.
13 North-westerly wind, fine weather. A Fuzhou junk departed. I told the otona, who came to visit us, that during the administration of the previous otona, the landlords had overcharged us for all necessities, such as timber and coal. I recommended he put an end to this practice. He replied that the captain was expected soon and then he would see to it that the prices were lowered.
14 Westerly wind, weather as yesterday.
15 Veering wind, mainly south-westerly. Fine weather.
17 Southerly wind veering northerly, with rain.
18 Northerly wind, fine weather.
19 Westerly wind, fine weather.
20 Veering wind, rain.
21 Northerly wind, fair weather. In the afternoon, Versteeghen and his party returned safe and sound in the lodge.
December
3 Monday. I gave the junior merchants written instructions on how to comport themselves. In the afternoon the noblemen who have been appointed by Governor Saburōzaemon to escort us came. They are: Senior Bongiois Minono Stibeoije, Junior Bongioisen Jussida Neijmon and Nuro Cambioije. We said goodbye to the remaining junior merchants and a few Japanese landlords. We embarked and we sailed out of the bay with a favourable northerly wind. Our party consists of four Dutchmen and a black servant, namely, apart from myself, Assistant Jacob le Seuter, Senior Surgeon Mathijs Crousen, and Pieter Paulo van Griesper. The island burgemeester, the interpreters and a few of their relatives and other friends accompanied us on several barges. They gave us some presentation trays with fruit and Japanese jūbako and wished us a happy journey.
4 We had to remain off the southern corner of the Ninety-nine Islands because of the current. Around noon we weighed anchor and we sailed between these islands. The wind was blowing from the north and fairly stiffly. In the evening we reached the bay of Hirado, where we anchored. Not knowing how long we would have to stay here, I sent Denbyōe at once to the Lord of Hirado’s regent to greet him and to request payment of his debt, so that we would have some cash to pay for our expenses on the way, for I depended on it. When he returned he told me that he had spoken to the regent, who told him that he wished us well on our journey to the Court and that we return speedily and in good health. However, just a few days ago the Lord of Hirado had received the happy tiding from Edo that his princess had given birth to a son.
5 Northerly wind and rain. I sent the interpreter back to the Lord with the friendly request to help us with some money, if possible. If not, would he do so in future, or he could supply us with some rice, which we would otherwise have to buy from others. As he did yesterday, the regent promised to tell his lord.
6 At nine o’clock we weighed anchor and left Hirado. We reached Tasuke, a mile further, where we had to spend the whole day in drizzly weather. The wind veered southerly in the afternoon.
7 Wind and weather as yesterday.
8 Saturday. Drizzly weather, southerly wind. We rowed away to the northern point of Kabeshima, but in the evening we had to row back. Later we set sail again.
9 At dawn we sailed past the domain of Hakata and Ainoshima and many other islands, 22 miles from Yobuko, around noon we passed the domain of Kokura, the capital, and the castle, which has a beautiful, large tower, according to their manner of building. In the afternoon, we reached Shimonoseki, which is the passage which divides the Nine Provinces, or Kyūshū, the land on which Nagasaki is situated, from Chūgoku or the centre part of Japan, and which provides the entrance to the southern sea. We had proceeded for a further seven miles, when the wind started to blow very strongly and we had to return to safety. We had to stay in Shimonoseki till the next day.
11 Before dawn we weighed anchor, the wind north- westerly. Around noon we passed Kamagari, which is a narrow and fairly well inhabited. The wind veered southerly and we sailed between mountains on both sides as if through a lane and sometimes we passed through other narrows. In the afternoon we passed Tadanoumi which is well inhabited but very sandy. We sailed till the evening to reach Iwaki, which is a well-occupied place with a castle. Around midnight we passed Bingo-no-Tomo. It is remarkable that we can pass through such a passage, which is so winding and narrow with thousands of islands and cliffs and many strong currents in the dark night, although not without danger.
12 We sailed along as yesterday past many islands. We passed Ushimado, a fairly large village and a canal along which were some fine buildings. Towards the evening we arrived in Muro, which is ten miles from Ushimado. We anchored and spent the night there. It is a small but well-situated bay with houses built around it. Today we passed many more villages and towns than I have noted down. The pleasure gardens with bushes and lovely verandas are owned mainly by the clergy.
14 Friday. We had intended to go inland before dawn at full tide, but the sea was so rough that we had to return to the bight of Hyōgo. We had to rent a flat-bottomed barge on which we would travel with our personal belongings and the most fragile gifts to Osaka. When we crossed over, we saw Limbo Castle three miles away on the one side of Osaka and Sakai on the other side. The river is rather hazardous. Two very beautiful flat-bottomed vessels with houses and galleries on top and some people on it came to welcome us.
15 Fine weather. I sent another messenger to greet the governors. He told me that I was expected. First I went to the governor of the castle, Kugai Inaba-no-kami. His reception hall was filled with young noblemen, beautifully dressed, sitting in rows. I was taken to a large hall and the gifts, consisting of gielams, Tonkinese velvet, and pansies, were displayed. Shortly after, the governor, an old, stout person, came in. He accepted the gifts affably. He told me that the Governor of Miyako had travelled to Court.
16 Rain and wind during the day.
17 Fine weather. The messenger returned from Miyako. Our landlord also arrived to welcome us. The message was that the senior secretary had left for Edo with his master, Suō-no-kami, Grootrechter of Miyako.
18 Tuesday. Before dawn we left Osaka in the following order: first the two camels led by two men, a cassowary in a wooden cage, two cockatoos, a civet cat, a large perspective case, and many more, such as medicine cases, cases with liquor, several suits of armour of Governor Saburōzaemon, all being carried, then a train of thirty-four pack-horses and hacks.
19 Fine but cold weather. In the morning, I sent Denbyōe and the landlord to the secretaries or, in the absence of Suō-no-kami, the supreme commanders to thank them for their courtesy by helping us with the pass. It was already afternoon when the interpreter returned. He had only been able to see one of the officials, the other one was elsewhere, and two were out. Suō-no-kami’s secretary was willing to give us a letter concerning ourselves for his master, which also had to be signed by the other two officials. He asked us to wait till the evening, when he would send a messenger with the letter. We can but comply.
20 We left Miyako in the morning. When we were half a mile further, we had to dally to send off our friends, who had come along with their jūbako to see us off. In the afternoon, we arrived in Ōtsu, three miles from Miyako, where we dined. The whole day we travelled over and through mountains.
21 Around three hours before dawn we left Kusatsu. Rattan can be had here. We passed Ishibe, which is three miles from Kusatsu. Then we crossed the Yokota-gawa and around ten o’clock we arrived in Minakuchi, which boasts a fine castle. We had dinner here. Then we travelled through rice fields along a smooth road with trees growing on both sides. We passed through the mountains where many rivers rise and headed for the most difficult, steep road of the Suzuka-yama. We passed Sakashita at the foot of the mountains and then climbed down a mountain from which a river runs to Seki, where we had to start climbing again. We spent the night there. We passed through many small villages along the way.
23 Fine, clear, but very cold weather. All the rice fields are frozen over. Three hours before dawn we set off again. The moon shone. We passed a large village called Narumi, an hour after sunset Chiryū, at eleven o’clock Okazaki, a beautiful town with a graceful castle. We crossed over a well-made wooden bridge, 275 ikjes long – each ikje is 63/20 feet. At one o’clock we set off again and rode through Fujikawa and around half past four we arrived in Akasaka, which is 3½ miles from Okazaki, thus we are making good progress, a mile taking an hour. Today we travelled over a very pleasant and even road with trees growing on both sides.
24 Monday. Weather as before. At five o’clock we left Akasaka. An hour later we passed Goyu, a large village, at eight the town of Yoshida, and a large, long, wooden bridge. The roads through the mountains are well-trodden, with trees on both sides, whose crowns meet overhead. At ten we passed Futagawa and we saw a high mountain rising before us. We travelled on to Shirasuka, where we descended and passed the shore of the southern sea and we went along the foot of the wooded mountain, which we left behind us after half an hour’s ride. At eleven we reached Shirasuka, at about twelve Arai, where we had dinner. We had our horses and luggage put on barges to cross over an inlet of the southern sea, which was very shallow, to Maisaka, a mile further. When we reached the other side, the guard wanted to open the large perspective case to inspect it for hidden arms, but the bongiois and the pass issued in Osaka and another one given to us in Miyako prevented this. We passed Maisaka.
25 Today is Christmas. At six o’clock, before the first rays of light, we left Hamamatsu. At seven we passed the Tenryū River on barges, without any peril, because it had been dry weather for a long while. At nine we passed the town of Mitsuke, which has a fine castle, at eleven we arrived in Fukuroi, where we dined. At one we left and passed Kakegawa, which is a very large town, at four o’clock Nissaka. Today we passed through rice fields and flat country, a beautiful and delightful road, small woods and mountains. From Nissaka to Kanaya, our lodgings for the night, we had to cross two high mountains, with a valley with a fair village and some rice fields in between.
26 Wednesday. At seven in the morning, we left Kanaya, crossed the Ōi-gawa. We have hired ninety-two people to assist us, for there are no barges to take us across or any bridges. Because it has not rained for a long time, it was easy to cross. For a mile to Shimada the river is covered with cobble-stones and branches off into tributaries.
27 Thursday. At half past four we set off again. We passed Okitsu and some rivers, at dawn a small wood, and just outside that a few more rivers and then we reached the shore of the southern sea. We passed along the foot of the mountain, which is a hazardous road, with many salt sheds, at nine the town of Kanbara, then to the swiftly running Fuji-gawa at the foot of the high mountain, where all the horses had to be unpacked. We crossed over on vessels and at half past ten we continued on our journey.
28 At six o’clock we set off. At ten o’clock we arrived in Hakone, four miles up the mountains.
29 Saturday. We left Odawara at daybreak. We passed several streams and hamlets. At ten we arrived in Ōiso, where we dined. In the afternoon we resumed our journey and, without unloading, crossed the Banyū-gawa on barges, then across a wooden bridge over the Hanamizu-gawa, past a village called Hiratsuka. The road here is sandy and along the shore of the southern sea there are also wooded roads with high trees. Past the mountains and the village called Fujisawa. At four we reached Totsuka. This road is a beautiful lane with trees, some houses, leading away from the mountains.
Arrival in Edo
30 Sunday. Around four in the morning, in the clear moonlight, but the weather icy cold, we set off. We passed Hodogaya and journeyed along the shore. We saw a host of barges and the shore covered with wild duck and geese. Around seven we reached Kanagawa. We passed abundant farmland and a beautiful wooden bridge, a hundred ikjes long. At ten o’clock we arrived in Kawasaki, where we dined. We travelled along a flat road across farmland and along the shore. At noon we passed Shinagawa and at two o’clock, Thank the Lord, we arrived in Edo. We passed through at least fifty streets, each street is sixty ikjes and an ikje is 63/20 [feet] and 36 streets are one land mile. Thus we had to ride through the city for more than an hour before we reached our inn. The entire road was as crowded as if it was a market. As soon as we arrived at the inn, I sent Denbyōe to the residences of Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami, Governors Gonpachirō and Saburōzaemon, whose eldest son was at Court, to announce our arrival.
31 Monday. The Shogun has gone hawking with many of the nobles, including Chikugo-no-kami, and nothing could be done. We have ordered the presentation trays. When the Shogun returned, all the gates were closed so that the streets were safe. Several of Governor Gonpachirō’s noblemen, who are known to us, came to visit. I entertained them as best as I could. Nothing else happened.
1647
January
1 Fine weather. When we had gone to bed last night, one of Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami’s noblemen came to inform me that his master would like to see the rarities tomorrow.
2 One of Chikugo-no-kami’s noblemen told me that we should be ready tomorrow morning, which is the 28th of the 11th month, to pay homage to His Majesty. We were very happy with this news and prepared everything, although the camels have not arrived yet. They will be presented in a memorandum accompanying the gifts and delivered later to the Shogun. In the afternoon Governor Gonpachirō also sent a nobleman to inform me of this news and to congratulate me. I had him thanked for his mediation in achieving this so soon. In the evening, Gonrokurō, the second son of Governor Saburōzaemon, came with a large suite to visit us. He congratulated me on this speedy audience. He told me that they consider it a great privilege to see His Majesty. He had barely sat down when one of Chikugo-no-kami’s noblemen came to inform me that the audience had been postponed, because some matter had arisen. However, we should be prepared on the 1st day of their 12th month, which is in four days. I thanked him, anxious that something might have happened to the disadvantage of the Dutch.
3 Nothing happened. The rest of the gifts has been unpacked and the presentation trays have been ordered. The interpreter went to Chikugo-no-kami, but he could not speak to him, because today is the 28th and he was very occupied. In the afternoon, the camels arrived, fresh and healthy. I had the interpreter announce their arrival to Governor Gonpachirō. He was very pleased. He let me know that I should be ready by the 1st. Around eight o’clock in the evening it seemed as if there was a fire somewhere, the whole place was restless.
4 The whole day we had visitors. In the afternoon, Governor Saburōzaemon’s elder son came and one-and-a-half hour later the younger one. They stayed till evening and looked at everything. I treated them to wine and sakana. In the meantime, the interpreter was summoned to Chikugo-no-kami’s residence. He was asked many questions, including whether the Dutchmen were also pirates. He denied this. It was forbidden unless we were given cause to seek revenge.
‘Where was Jacatra situated?’
Answer: ‘In Java.’
Question: ‘What kind of nation was it? White or black?’
Answer: ‘A black nation.’
Question: ‘How had the Dutch arrived and settled there?’
Answer: ‘First they had come to trade and they had been shown friendship, but under this cover they had attempted to murder all the Dutchmen and steal their goods. This had been prevented and revenge had been exacted by driving them away.’
5 Before noon I sent the interpreter to Chikugo-no-kami to promote the audience.
Audience
6 Sunday. At eight o’clock we set off for the castle in this order: at the head the two camels covered with black velvet, muzzles, and straps, led by two men, then a cassowary sitting in a wooden cage, carried by six men, two beautiful, white cockatoos in a large birdcage with copper wire netting on top and at the sides, carried by two men.
Answer: ‘We were still at peace, but it had been violated and then settled again abroad. However, in Brazil we had again fallen out with them, but how this had been taken in the fatherland I did not know.’
Question: ‘Could the Portuguese enter Holland freely and we Portugal?’
Answer: ‘Yes.’
Question: ‘Was any other nation than ours and Portugal at war with the King of Spain?’
Answer: ‘Yes, the King of France, a powerful ruler, and the King of Sweden against the Emperor of Germany, who was an ally of Spain.’ I did not mention the Turk so as not to arouse any suspicions.
Question: ‘What was the rank of our leader?’
Answer: ‘He carried the title of prince.’
Question: ‘What was his level of esteem?’
Answer: ‘Next to a king.’
Question: ‘What was his name?’
Answer: ‘Frederik Hendrik.’
Question: ‘Which number?’
Answer: ‘He was the third in line.’
Question: ‘How long had our war with Spain lasted?’
Answer: ‘Well over seventy years.’
Question: ‘What kind of food did our Prince mostly eat and did he eat rice or bread?’
Question: ‘Was there no rice in our country?’
Answer: ‘It did not grow there, but it was imported in abundance.’
Question: ‘Why then did he not eat rice, or was bread better than rice? Did I also eat bread or rice?’
Answer: ‘It was an old custom, and I could not say which was better. I myself ate both bread and rice.’
Question: ‘What kind of medicines did our Prince use?’
Answer: ‘He was healthy and did not use any medicines but a few stimulants; but when he was ill, he would use them as required.’
Question: ‘What kind of medicine were stimulants and how were they used?’
Answer: ‘Such as saffron, which is tied into a cloth and cooked in the sauce of a young chicken or lamb to extract its potency.’
Question: ‘Was this saffron similar to theirs?’
Answer: ‘No, but some had been included in the medicines that I had brought with me.’
Question: ‘What age did our population reach?’
Answer: ‘Sixty, seventy, eighty, a hundred and older.’
Question: ‘Did we have chickenpox?’
Answer: ‘Yes.’
Question: ‘What were bezoar stones and pedra de porco used for and what was their potency?’
Answer: ‘According to the physicians, they were used to strengthen the heart and mixed with many other medicines they were an exceptional remedy against poison.
Question: ‘Which medicines did we hold in high esteem?’
Answer: ‘I was not a doctor and could not say, but bezoar, pedra de porco, pearls, coral, saffron, and some medicines which I had brought with me, some mixed with gold, confectio alkarmes hiacint, etcetera, and some oils such as besar, lavender, rosemary, aniseed, mace.’
When they rose, they asked me again for the name of our Prince.
Answer: ‘Frederik Hendrik.’
In the meantime, there was a lot of noise as if there was a disturbance. I was told that His Majesty had passed. While we were sitting there, the whole castle seemed to be running wild. Even though it was the 1st of their month, every nobleman had come to the castle, and all had gathered to view the rarities we had brought, there was not a single open space, they were crowding all around, it was a sight to behold how they were getting into each other’s way and totally out of proportion. The perspective case drew the most spectators and the most admiration.
7 I went to the castle to pay my respects to the councillors. First I went to Matsudaira Izu-no-kami, who was not at home but at the castle, as was the next one. Their secretaries accepted the gifts. Kutsuki Minbu-no-shō returned his in the afternoon with the apology that like last year he did not accept gifts this year. The reason seems to be that he does not hold an official function. Furthermore, the recipients of all gifts, even the Shogun, are made known in the castle, as are those who refuse them. In the meantime, Chikugo-no-kami wished to know how our ships are navigated. Because no masters, mates, nor sailors are here, I excused myself.
8 I sent Denbyōe to Kinokuni’s residence with a copper hand grenade I had brought for him.
Question: ‘There were some murmurs that we had sent a force against Manila this year. What were the results?’
Answer: ‘Yes, we had sent a force and we had lost some and won some.’
Question: ‘Why had we lost some?’
Answer: ‘Because our ships had been divided into squadrons and had not remained together.’
Question: ‘What force had we sent?’
Answer: ‘Twelve or thirteen ships and more were to follow.’
Question: ‘Was the release of [the men from] Nanbu highly appreciated and would an ambassador come as Elseracq had stated and would he be the ambassador?’
Answer: ‘The release of [the men from] Nanbu was highly appreciated, but I did not know if Elseracq would come as an ambassador.
Question: ‘Was Caron still the Governor of Tayouan and had a new Governor-General been elected?’
Answer: ‘Caron had left Tayouan for Batavia and no new Governor-General had been elected.’
Question: ‘Who governed in the absence of the Governor-General and what was his name?’
Answer: ‘The president or senior councillor, by the name of Cornelis van der Lijn, whose second- in-command was now Caron.’
Meanwhile, I was treated to some fruits. No further questions were asked. I commended the Company’s affairs to them, for when I was in Edo with Caron fifteen or sixteen years ago, I had observed their favours towards us and I had been told that this had continued. Then I was dismissed.
9 Wednesday. Fine weather but it is freezing hard. I had an early breakfast and then went to the residence of Doi Tōtōmi-no-kami, the son of Ōi-no-kami, who died some time ago and who was the Company’s toughest opponent during the five-year arrest.8 We did not find him at home, because the period of mourning for his father was now over and he had gone hunting for a few days to enjoy himself. His secretary would inform him of my visit. Next I was carried to Chikugo-no-kami’s residence.
He asked me if we were friends or foes of the Portuguese.
Answer: ‘As far as peace was concerned, we were friends.’
He said that Elseracq had said that we were enemies.
Answer: ‘It was true that the peace treaty had been violated by some subjects, but the governments had ordered them to uphold it. Five years had passed, but we were fighting again in Brazil.’
Question: ‘Why had the peace treaty been concluded?’
Answer: ‘Portugal had too little power to fight both us and the Spaniards and we took advantage of this and we had conquered many strongholds in the meantime. We had not done this out of love for them.’
Question: ‘Were we friends or foes of France?’
Answer: ‘Friends.’
Question: ‘Had we already greeted the old one, meaning the supreme one?’ I said yes.
He also said that we could make preparations for our departure. I thanked him and also for his efforts on our behalf. It was time for him to go to the castle and I took my leave. I went to Governor Gonpachirō’s residence.
10 I sent the interpreter to Chikugo-no-kami with a full medicine chest and a Makassar cloth, the sheets of parchment, tortoiseshell, and some other curios. He was very pleased, but he sent the cloth back because it was old and unsuitable. He asked for the price of the full chest. The interpreter told him 3 taels, as I had ordered. His Excellency laughed and said that he knew it was not worth 3 taels. The interpreter told him that this was just to show him that we valued his favour and that we knew that he did not accept any gifts, and therefore we asked this price. His Excellency was pleased and said that he wished to give more. He would like to talk to the captain in person. In the afternoon we felt another earthquake. The interpreter was summoned to the residence of Kinokuni, the Shogun’s middle uncle. He was asked for the muskets – which have not yet arrived – and three more were ordered. He also asked for another male buffalo, for his male buffalo had died, and just the female was left.
12 During the night there was abundant snowfall and it rained the entire day. A few more secretaries were given presents. They all accepted them gratefully. In the afternoon, the interpreter returned and the senior secretary of the Shogun’s youngest uncle, Mito Chūnagon. He greeted me very courteously and told me that he had come on behalf of his lord for instructions on how to handle the quadrant. I gave him the instructions and entertained him. We made a lot of small talk. After about an hour and a half he left. In the morning we felt a slight earthquake.
13 During the night a severe earthquake woke me. The whole house was shaking and creaking. In the morning, I sent the interpreter and the landlord to Governor Gonpachirō and Chikugo-no-kami to present the following requests:
secondly, that the captains be allowed to stay for two or three years so that the Shogun and the councillors be better served;
thirdly, some more freedom for the captain.
Gonpachirō replied that the captain could leave the matter with him if he so wished. The reason for this is that he has to discuss it with Saburōzaemon, who is in Nagasaki. Neither will decide on any matter without consulting the other first. The interpreter said that he would present it to Chikugo-no-kami. The reply was that this would be fine. As soon as Chikugo-no-kami learnt that the interpreter was there, he ordered him to go to the castle, where he would receive the Shogun’s reciprocal present. He first returned home and then went to Chikugo-no-kami to present the request. Chikugo-no-kami told him that his reply would be forthcoming. When the interpreter and the landlord arrived at the castle, Chikugo-no-kami and Gonpachirō, who had also gone there, asked them if it was the custom that the captain receive the gift in person or did they always accept it on his behalf. They replied that they always did and therefore they had come after the order had been given to present themselves there. But Chikugo-no-kami said that this time, on the Shogun’s orders, the captain would have to appear in person to receive the gift.
15 In the morning I sent the interpreter to the residence of the Shogun’s second uncle, the King of Kinokuni, to thank him for the gift of two silk gowns. He also went to Chikugo-no-kami and Gonpachirō to thank them for their efforts on our behalf, which had contributed to the great honour which had been bestowed upon us, which will never be forgotten. Chikugo-no-kami’s response was that no previous captain had received more than twenty gowns from either of the Shoguns before. I should regard this as a token of their great favour. He would like to speak to me in person and expected me in the afternoon. Gonpachirō’s response was that the captain should rejoice in the exceptional honour he had received. In the meantime, several councillors sent their secretaries with gowns and silver, according to this country’s custom, namely: 30 schuiten from Councillor Sanuki-no-kami, 30 from Councillor Kaga-no-kami.
16 Nothing happened. Some nobles sent their secretaries to wish me a happy journey.
17 I sent the interpreter to Chikugo-no-kami and Gonpachirō to ask for permission to leave. They let me know that I should send them a memorandum of the remaining goods and we should stay for another three or four days. In the evening they sent for some more goods.
18–19 Nothing happened.
20 Yesterday I expected to go to Chikugo-no-kami to say farewell, but he was out and it was postponed till today. Gonpachirō, however, let me know that we should be ready to depart.
Question: ‘Is your Prince related to England and in which manner?’
Answer: ‘The eldest son of our Prince had married the eldest daughter of the King of England.’
Question: ‘Where did this daughter live, in Holland or in England?’
Answer: ‘In Holland.’
Question: ‘Was the Prince related to France?’
Answer: ‘On his mother’s side he was of French descent.’ The interpreter did not consider it necessary to answer this, for it concerned a woman, who is not regarded highly in Japan.
Question: ‘When would we leave?’
Answer: ‘When His Excellency gave permission.’
Question: ‘What were my plans?’
Answer: ‘If I received permission, I could leave tomorrow morning.’
He replied that we could not leave tomorrow, but had to remain for a day or two longer.
Answer: ‘Yes, but more abundantly in winter than in summer.’
Question: ‘Where did they keep, on land or on water, what did they eat and what did they do?’
Answer: ‘Sometimes on land and sometimes on water, mainly in swamps, and on the shores of the seas, but they were taken for water birds and they ate whatever they found on land or in the water.’
Question: ‘Did they grow from eggs like other birds and where?’
Answer: ‘Yes, they grew from eggs like other birds and they lived near water on land, but I had no precise knowledge of this.’
He produced a falcon and asked if we had them in Holland. I have already answered this question repeatedly.
Question: ‘Did they also catch duck and geese?’
I said yes.
He asked my servant, a black man from Bengal, who had also been sent for, if there were also falcons in his country.
21 Nothing happened. In the afternoon the senior surgeon was summoned to the residence of Chikugo-no-kami with the interpreter. He asked some more questions about surgery. We received permission to leave the day after tomorrow. During the night we experienced a very severe earthquake.
22 We prepared ourselves for the journey. I sent the interpreter to Chikugo-no-kami with the requested Japanese note. He should request both Chikugo-no-kami and Gonpachirō permission for leave-taking, for we shall set off on our journey home tomorrow. He was told that this would inconvenience us and we could leave as early as we liked. They wished us a happy journey and they were pleased that everything had gone so well. Short discourse on the relations by marriage of some European rulers. The King of England’s eldest daughter is married to the eldest son of our Prince in Holland. The King of England is married to the sister of the King of France. The King of France is married to the King of Spain’s sister.
Departure from Edo
23 Early in the morning we set off on our journey, with one palanquin and twenty-two horses. In the afternoon we arrived in Kawasaki.
24 At daybreak we left Totsuka, we dined in Ōiso and in the evening we arrived in Odawara, where we spent the night. We hired horses and bearers to carry us across the mountains.
25 We left Odawara, in the afternoon we arrived in Hakone, where we dined. We spent the night in Mishima.
26 Overcast. It was drizzling when we left. In the afternoon we crossed the Fuji-gawa at the Fuji-no-yama, and we dined in Kanbara. In the afternoon we passed Yui, where we dismounted and viewed the temple, very elegantly set in a beautiful garden. We spent the night in Ejiri.
27 We continued on our journey. We rested at Okabe. In the evening we crossed the Ōi-gawa and we spent the night in Kanaya.
28 We left Kanaya at daybreak. In the afternoon we dined in Fukuroi, in the evening we crossed the Tenryū River and we spent the night in Hamamatsu.
29 We left in the morning in a drizzle. We crossed over from Maisaka to Arai.
30 The weather turned fine and we set off again. We dined in Akasaka and we spent the night in Chiryū.
31 At sunrise we left Chiryū and reached Miya before noon. We dined there and loaded the luggage onto the barges, but the adverse wind forced us to wait. We arrived in Kuwana after dark.
February
1 At sunrise we left. We rested a while in Ishiyakushi and in the evening with a strong wind we arrived in Seki where we spent the night.
2 We left in the morning, dined in Minakuchi and went on our way. The landlord from Kusatsu came more than four miles to meet us. This happened all along the way, although I have not mentioned it. It is one of their customs. We spent the night there. Another noteworthy fact is that along the entire route from Miyako to Edo in every place one passes, the most important houses are full of whores.
3 We left Kusatsu, passed Ōtsu and reached Miyako in the afternoon. I had Chikugo-no-kami’s letters delivered to some officials at the Emperor’s residence. In the evening Heizaemon, alias Heizō, former regent of Nagasaki, sent a messenger to welcome me and to congratulate me on my success in Edo. He would have liked to visit me and discuss some matters, but Japanese custom prohibited this. Nonetheless, for old times’ sake he was still favourably inclined towards us. He would write to his son Heizō in Nagasaki to help us as much as he could. I was sorry to hear that a certain merchant from Nagasaki, who had arrived some days ago, has said that the Nanking Chinese have been permitted to trade again. But I was happy to hear that in the past two months just one small Fuzhou junk had arrived.
5 Today is the Japanese Shōgatsu. Today and the next it rained hard and incessantly.
7 Overcast. Nothing happened. We prepared for our journey, although we shall not be able to sail before the 12th or the 13th due to the shallowness of the river. The King of Kinokuni sent me three samples of [gun] barrels which have to be made in the fatherland. I promised to have this done.
9 We prepared for our departure tomorrow.
10 It rained the whole day and we were forced to remain here.
11 We were ready to embark when we were told that today is the 7th day of the Japanese month and an unlucky day. It is not a Japanese custom to depart on this day, not even the Shogun will do so. Thus whether we like it or not, we shall have to wait till tomorrow. The same applies to the ninth and the fifteenth, according to Japanese custom, by which we are forced to abide. When one has already embarked on one’s journey, one can travel on, but one should not start a journey on these days, for they believe that one will then encounter only adversity and danger.
12 We embarked, but owing to the strong adverse wind we had to remain in the mouth of the river.
13 We had to stay here because of the contrary wind.
In the barge
14 Fine weather and a northerly wind.
15 The whole night there were strong winds with showers. In the morning we weighed anchor, the wind south-westerly. We had passed Akashi when contrary winds forced us to return. The weather calmed and we dropped anchor.
16 We set sail again, but contrary wind forced us back.
17 We weighed anchor and in the afternoon we passed Muro and in the evening Ushimado. We waited off Hibi because of the calm. Today we sailed 33 miles.
18 Early in the morning we weighed anchor, but because of the calm and a contrary wind we had to row. By rowing and sailing we reached Bingo-no-Tomo. We travelled thirteen miles today.
19 We weighed anchor and with high tide we passed Fourissiro where we stayed a while because of the calm.
20 Rain during the night. In the morning the sky was overcast, but we sailed from Kamagari. Because of the rain we had to row and in the afternoon we passed Karōdo and reached Tsuwa, a small island with a hamlet and a fine sandy beach, where we stayed till the evening, waiting for the rain to abate and then the wind veered northerly. We set sail again.
21 We arrived in Kaminoseki. After a short stay we rowed further to the entrance of the bay, where we stayed till the tide came in. We weighed anchor and about ten or eleven o’clock, a south-westerly breeze rose veering north-easterly and we could sail further during the night.
22 We arrived in Shimonoseki. We had barely dropped anchor when the wind veered contrary thus we stayed there and went ashore to enjoy ourselves. Since yesterday we have travelled 35 miles. We were taken to a temple where we were shown many old curiosities such as certain Japanese songs and texts written by Taikō-sama13 himself before his death.
23 We could do little but row a short distance away from Isaki and wait for a fair wind. In the evening, on behalf of Governor Saburōzaemon’s brother, a nobleman came from Kokura to bring us a Japanese gown, some wine, and sakana. He congratulated us on our success in Edo.
24 The wind was westerly and we could not sail.
26–27 Very bad weather, a howling storm from the west. We had to ride at anchor in the bay. Rain and driving snow. It seemed as if we were in the fatherland in mid-winter.
28 The weather cleared somewhat and we were able to send our boat to Shimonoseki, 1½–2 miles away, for some provisions, as we are almost out of food.
March
1–2 Westerly wind and we could not do anything.
3 South-easterly wind and fine weather. We weighed anchor and set sail. In the afternoon we reached Jinoshima. We have travelled fourteen miles.
5 Calm and fine weather. We rowed along and in the evening we reached Ainoshima and sailed further.
6 After midnight we had almost reached Himeshima, which is fourteen miles from Ainoshima, when the wind veered southerly and we were forced to return and stay in an open bay off Genkai. In the afternoon, because the wind was veering westerly and we dared not remain there because of the rushing sea, we weighed anchor. We rowed around the bight where we discovered a lovely bay and a fine village called Cattatamij. We spent the night here.
7 The wind veered northerly and we rowed away in the evening and then hoisted sail. We headed for Shikanoshima, where we spent the night.
8–9 Bad weather with storm winds, hail, and snow.
10 Sunday. The weather has calmed somewhat. On behalf of the regents of the domain of Hakata, to which this island belongs, a nobleman came to ask if we needed anything and we would be provided for. We thanked him and returned on board, but he remained with us on his kobaya to tow us further with a number of fishermen in case of a calm.
11 Unsettled weather, southerly and westerly winds, and we could not do anything.
12 The wind northerly, but still unsuitable for us to leave. Today we have been on the barge for a month.
13 The wind still westerly. In the evening a nobleman from Hakata came with some hayafune, kobaya, and other small vessels to offer his services on behalf of the regents, because his lord was at the Court. He could tow us to Yobuko, fourteen miles away, in the domain of Karatsu. From there we might easily sail to Nagasaki. He also offered us provisions if we needed any.
14 One day after another passes and contrary winds keep on blowing and the weather remains foul. Today it is twenty days ago that we arrived in Shimonoseki and since then we have progressed just 28 Japanese miles. The senior bongiois decided today to write to Governor Saburōzaemon by surface mail to advise him of our situation. I also wrote a letter to the junior merchants at the factory in Nagasaki.
‘Friends, Our journey to Edo went smoothly to Osaka in eleven days and then as usual via the land route to Edo, where we arrived on 30 December. On 6 January, which was the 1st day of their 12th month, we were received in audience by the old and the young Shogun. To keep it short, seventeen days after we departed.
I sent the preparer of sakana to Hakata to purchase some provisions, for we are almost out of supplies. The wind keeps blowing from the south-west, which is remarkable and it feels like we are in the middle of the southern monsoon.
15 Early in the morning there was a southerly breeze and we weighed anchor and set sail. When we reached the island of Genkai, the wind veered contrary and, although we declined their offer politely, on the orders of the regents of Hakata, we were towed along by their vessels, which had followed us, first ten or twelve of them and finally twenty-seven, in all at least 120–130 men strong, supervised by a nobleman on a small hayafune.
16–17 The wind is westerly and we could not do anything.
18 Tuesday. Before daybreak we weighed anchor. The wind is northerly. We said farewell to the nobleman and thanked him, but he had seven or eight vessels accompany us for a further three or four miles. Then, to our regret, the wind veered westerly again and we had to drop anchor behind Cawassima, which belongs to the Lord of Karatsu. We had barely been there, when a nobleman arrived with some vessels. He had orders from his lord to direct us to the proper bay and to provide us with anything we needed. We thanked him. In the afternoon, in a very rough sea, they towed us from here, which is three or four miles from Yobuko.
19 The wind veered south-easterly and we weighed anchor and left Yobuko. When we reached the entrance of the bay or the bight of Kabeshima, we met a contrary wind. During the day the wind veered northerly and we set sail. Before evening fell we reached Micourasa, three miles from Hirado, where we had to drop anchor because of the contrary wind and counter-current.
20 Two hours before daybreak the wind blew northerly and we set sail. About seven o’clock we had to drop anchor at Tasuke because of the counter-current. A nobleman came on board and offered us assistance. I sent Denbyōe to Hirado to remind the lord to settle his debt. He had not paid us any of it on the journey up country and we were in need of the money. If he could not settle it in full, we would appreciate 3000 or 4000 taels and if he did not have any cash, we would accept rice.
Arrival in Nagasaki
21 Strong winds from the north and an overcast sky. We weighed anchor and continued our journey. When we were two miles away from the bay of Ōmura, a hayafune and another well-manned vessel came to meet us. They told us that the Lord of Hirado had sent a messenger to their lord with the request that, should the Dutch captain appear off their coast with a contrary wind, he would assist him to Nagasaki with tow-boats. They had been waiting for us to find out if we needed any boats. We conveyed our gratitude for their offer, but the wind was favourable and we could sail on. He accompanied us to Seto, which was three miles further. Shortly after noon, Thank God!, we arrived in Nagasaki, where we found all the friends safe and sound.
22 Nothing noteworthy happened. The new otona told me that five Chinese junks had left for Tonkin with a capital of 15–20 chests. This might cause the Company’s trade some disadvantage. As they promised, they have started to rebuild the houses about which we had some arguments in the past. But I had to press them that all the houses be built with a plaster wall at the back to prevent burglaries and the ensuing trouble as much as possible.
23 Northerly wind. I had wanted to pay my respects to Governor Saburōzaemon, but the bad weather prevented this.
24 Northerly wind veering southerly. Fine weather.
25 Veering wind and fine weather.
26 South-westerly wind with rain.
27 Northerly wind and fine weather.
28 Veering wind and an overcast sky.
29 Wind and weather as before.
31 Southerly wind and weather as before. Today fourteen Roman Catholics, six men, five women, and three youths were taken to the court house. Their heads have not yet been shaven. Among them is a certain apostate Christian priest, who had lived on Amakusa. The governor had received certain information about his former faith and had promptly sent some noblemen there to arrest him without questioning him first.
April
1 Veering wind and weather as yesterday. I was told that one of the three men has died and that the two others and the five women were still alive and hanging.
2 Easterly wind, rainy weather.
3 Northerly wind and weather as before. Today the three youths whom I mentioned before have been ordered to shave their heads and they were taken to the governor. He pardoned them with harsh reprimands and then set them free. The ones that were hanged were taken down, chopped to pieces and burnt to ashes, which were thrown into the sea.
4 Wind as before, overcast.
5 Northerly wind with hard rain. It cleared during the day.
6 Veering wind, overcast.
7 Today is Sekku, a Japanese holiday, it being the 3rd day of the 3rd month, which is always celebrated.
8 Unpleasant weather, southerly wind, veering west.
10 Fine weather. On behalf of the governor, Interpreter Hakuzaemon told me that Councillor Izu-no-kami had sent him a letter requesting some glasses from the Dutch. He could not specify exactly what was meant, but they thought reading glasses. I sent two large ones to the governor. On one side they are ground concavely and they can be used instead of spectacles. He was very pleased with them. Because they have to be given under the pretext of a sale, Kichibyōe proposed a very low price. His Excellency was pleased with this and let me know that if the ships brought more – for I had just the two – and other lords wished to purchase them, I could sell them for a much higher price. Variable winds.
11 Magobei and Hachizaemon came. The governor has given them permission to accompany the surgeon and one or two other Dutchmen into town and to the mountains to look for herbs or violets and enjoy themselves without a bongiois to watch them. On their return they met His Honour in his palanquin on the road. He halted and greeted them kindly and was curious to look in their baskets to see what they had picked. Then he continued on his way.
13 Fair weather with a northerly wind.
14 Southerly wind veering easterly with an overcast sky.
15 The whole day rain with a northerly wind.
16 Wind as before, fine weather in the evening.
17 Veering winds with very fine weather.
18 Very fine weather, westerly wind, veering northerly.
19 Weather as before with veering winds.
20 Overcast, the wind as before.
21 Easter. Southerly wind with an overcast sky. So far no Chinese vessels have arrived, Thank God! I hope this will remain so and the Company will not suffer. I have kept insisting that all the houses of the island be surrounded by small fences to prevent burglaries.
22–23 Wind and weather as before.
24–25 Fine weather, veering winds.
26–27 Southerly and south-westerly wind with an overcast sky and rain.
29 Fine weather with veering winds.
30 Southerly wind veering easterly, overcast. On behalf of Governor Saburōzaemon, the otona came with two interpreters to ask for some small things for Lord Shinano-no-kami, who lives in Yodo. I obliged him.
May
1 Wind and weather as before with much rain.
2 We felt a slight earthquake during the night. Overcast with rain in the morning, in the afternoon fine weather with an easterly wind.
3 Fine weather, veering winds.
4 Fine weather, but in the evening the sky was overcast. In the morning a northerly wind from the land veering south-westerly from the sea in the afternoon.
5 The whole day it rained and the wind was easterly.
6–7 Fine weather with variable winds.
8 As before. On behalf of Governor Saburōzaemon, a nobleman from Kokura came with three interpreters to see the Dutch. I entertained him to the best of my ability.
11 Southerly wind and very cold with an overcast sky.
12 Hard rains, wind as before, overcast.
13 Excellent weather, the wind south-south-easterly veering south-westerly. In the afternoon a cannon was fired and a Nanking Chinese junk is said to have arrived. This has created a lot of agitation here. The burgemeester of the island came to inform me of it. Everyone is dying for news about the Tartars and wants to hear all the details. When they sailed past the island, we counted about a hundred men and they are clearly subjects of the Tartars, for their hair is shaven in that fashion. They made a great deal of noise and sounds of celebration by banging their gongs and cymbals and sounding trumpets. They flew a white flag on top, with a red round pancake and a blue border and a pennant with various colours, from the top white, then yellow, red, blue, and red. On the bow were two red banners and at the stern two green ones, on both sides along board both fore and aft were whole and half-sized pikes for their defence. After they had dropped anchor, a guard was put near them.
14 This morning the bongioisen went on board. The junk and all the crew were inspected meticulously, they were subjected to body searches and they had to take off their clothes, which were searched closely. Then they were free to go on shore. Their cargo consists of the following. [List.]
The Lord of Gotō has left and Kōriki-no-kami has arrived.
Oribe-dono, who will stay for another seven or eight days, sent for Denbyōe and asked him about the Dutch captain. He ordered him to congratulate me on the great honour I had enjoyed at Court.
15 Fine weather, southerly wind. Three more junks arrived in the manner of the Fuzhou junks with several coloured flags and pennants. They reported that they came from a place near Fuzhou which had not yet been subjected by the Tartars and another will arrive shortly with an envoy. They are being kept on board for the moment.
16 Overcast with veering winds. Nothing happened.
17 Wind and weather as before. The junk which was fitted out by the Chinese interpreters on the 9th has left without any cargo because they lost their cargo with their ship off the Gotō Isles. They had escaped by the skin of their teeth. It seems that the governor has decided this, because no junk had arrived before that time to announce that they had been allowed free trade again.
18 Overcast and drizzle. Southerly wind. The expected junk has arrived. The envoy it has brought is not taken seriously, although he seems to be the Governor of Fuzhou’s younger brother and he behaves with enough pomposity. He has brought several women and a carriage in their fashion, three donkeys, and three buffaloes. When the governor’s interpreter went on board, he seated himself in an armchair on the poop of the junk and had two men hold a canopy above him and had the nachoda or the master of the junk speak with the interpreter, implying that he considered the interpreter too much beneath him to open his mouth to him. Three times a day they shoot off muskets and play their instruments. The flag is hoisted in the morning and lowered in the evening.
19–20 Rainy weather, variable winds. Nothing happened. The four Fuzhou junks are preparing to sail without having set foot on shore. They have exchanged around 80 bales of rice and other foodstuffs for some sugar. The envoy has not changed his attitude and acts as if he has obtained what he came for. The Japanese do not bother with him and merely laugh at him.
21 Clear but cold weather. North-westerly wind. In the evening the four junks with the envoy left for the entrance of the bay. They could not sail further and stayed there together. According to the interpreter, rumour has it that the Tartars have asked Korea to submit itself to them, if they do not do so peacefully, it will be done forcibly. We expect confirmation of this.
22–23 Fine weather, veering winds, mainly from the south.
24 Fine weather, veering winds.
25–26 Northerly wind. The Lord of Amakusa arrived.
27 Northerly wind. I was told that the Ambassador had been sent by Iquan’s son, who fled with about three hundred vessels and is hiding near Nanao. I cannot get the true gist of it, because every single one of the interpreters, both of the Chinese and the Dutch, has to swear an oath and sign it with his blood that he will not disclose anything to the foreigners about themselves or the others or about any matter which might harm Japan in any way. They immediately inform the governors of any matter which comes to their attention during their intercourse with the foreigners which might harm the Japanese or is of interest to them. This shows how suspicious they are of the Dutch and other foreigners, whom they only tolerate because of the benefits they derive from the trade.
28 Fine weather, the wind south-westerly. In the evening, I dispatched a messenger with a letter in the Japanese manner to the Lord of Hirado to collect the debt he owes us.
29 I was told that Iquan’s son and his younger brother have gathered in the Pescadores with at least seven hundred junks and a host of men. They were able to take with them many of the most important merchants with a great treasure of money and goods. The Tartars are progressing peacefully, putting everyone under their rule. If his sons surrendered, the Tartars offered to free Iquan and give him a high office. His Japanese wife has died. The great conquests of the Tartars are carried out in the most civilized manner to the satisfaction of the subjugated: no one may rob anyone of a single penny or commit any thefts. The Nanking junk is waiting for the response from the Court. It will take some time before it receives permission to sell its commodities and receives its return cargo.
30–31 Fine weather, variable winds.
June
1 South-westerly wind. Governor Saburōzaemon came to visit the island. At our request he also visited a certain garden which has been created near our lodgings, which he enjoyed. We played a game on the table while he enjoyed some sakana and a drink. After he had raised his glass to me, he left very pleased. Nothing of importance happened. He merely asked how we were and when the ships would arrive. He was also curious about uncommon flowers in our country and wished to know if they could be brought here. He gave orders that the burgemeester should find out.
2 Unpleasant weather, hard rain and a south-easterly wind. The Lord of Hakata left. He had intended to visit the island, but the shortness of time, having just arrived from the Court and not having been home yet, made him decide to postpone it till his return.
3 Overcast, south-westerly wind. The Shogun has given a certain gold and silver mine permission to open. It is situated about three or four miles from Nagasaki in the domain of Oribe-dono.
4–5 Fine weather.
6 Overcast, drizzle.
7 Japanese Sekku. Weather as before, northerly wind.
8 Fine weather. I received a letter from the regents of Hirado in reply to the one I sent them with the messenger on the 29th of last month to collect the lord’s debt. They claim that he still cannot repay, because of the poor crop.
9 Whitsun. Fine weather. Four Roman Catholics have been taken to the court house. They will be hanged by their feet. Easterly wind.
10 Unpleasant weather.
11 Overcast, fine weather, south-westerly wind. To my surprise no foreign vessels have arrived so far and it is to be feared that the matter has not been settled yet. None of the newly-arrived Chinese may stay here and the remaining ones may well leave.
12 Fine weather, south-westerly wind. The Nanking Chinese have been allowed to sell their coarse wares, but they found no buyers, because these are all hoping for low prices when the southern monsoon brings more junks.
13 Overcast, rain, northerly wind.
14 Overcast, veering wind.
15–16 Wind and weather as before.
17 Fine weather, westerly wind veering northerly during the night.
18–21 Fine weather, northerly wind.
22 Easterly wind, rain.
23 Fine weather, northerly wind.
24 Weather as before, south-westerly wind.
25–26 Fine weather, westerly wind. The gold mine near Mogi near Nagasaki in the domain of the Lord of Arima is being exploited daily, but so far they have found little gold and silver, for they are still working the entrances.
27–28 South-westerly wind.
29–30 Easterly wind, overcast, rain.
July
1 Southerly wind.
2 Today the Nanking Chinese have accepted last year’s pancado for their white silk, which is to their disadvantage, but otherwise they would be forced to remain here till this year’s pancado is settled, which might cost them more rent, if they stay as long as that, than it does now. In short, it is a bad state of affairs and the island burgemeester and the interpreters condemn it, but they have to accept it, although it goes against their feelings on the matter, which can only be prevented by staying away. Thus all foreigners, and especially the Chinese who come to trade here, of whom they take little notice, should take into consideration whether they wish to suffer the forced and unlawful restrictions for gain and profits or forgo them.
3 Fine weather, south-westerly wind.
4 Variable wind, fine weather during the day.
5 Fine weather, westerly wind.
6 Overcast, rain. In the evening a cannon was fired and a large junk arrived in the roadstead.
7 Hard rain with a northerly wind. The junk is from Cochin China. Last year it came here from Cambodia, where it belongs. In the afternoon, two junks arrived, one of which had been fitted out on 17 May with the help of the Chinese interpreters. They say that they have come from the island of Sonchiouw – which is about 45 miles at sea off the coast of Nanking and is about the size of Shikoku – whence many of the most important Chinese, who did not want to submit to the Tartars, had fled.
8 South-westerly wind.
9 Another junk arrived, it seems it is a companion to the ambassador’s junk. It will return in his company without landing here. Unsettled weather with rain and southerly winds.
Arrival of the Witte Paard
10 Wind and weather as before. About seven o’clock in the morning, unexpectedly, a Dutch ship was seen sailing into the bay, even before the look-outs had notified the governor that a ship had been spotted.
11 Wind and weather as before but abating later, so that the ship could be towed to the front of the lodge before evening. Weather permitting, she will be unloaded tomorrow. I discussed the unloading with the island burgemeester, who is favourably disposed towards the Company, and the interpreters and told them of the disorder which always arises during the unloading. We shall do our best together to forestall this.
12 Excellent weather. I went on board to muster the crew.
13–16 Fine weather, south-westerly wind.
17 Overcast, southerly wind. In the afternoon the governor sent Hakuzaemon to inform me that I should give immediate orders to have the ship cleaned from top to bottom, because the priest of the Buddhist faith, called Sessō Oshō-sama, one of the three wise men of Japan, wished to visit the ship. I sent orders to the ship to have her cleaned in time. I had the bowsprit draped with a white linen cloth. We were ready by the time he arrived. He looked her over, a few sailors jumped from the topsprit into the water, which he enjoyed very much. The priest declared that our ships were neat, well-made, and sturdy.
18 Overcast, southerly wind. Rain, thunder, and lightning.
19 Fair weather, south-westerly wind. One of the Chinese junks said to have sailed to Tonkin to trade had landed on the coast of Cochin China either because of contrary winds or ignorance. The inhabitants attacked it and seized the goods. If this is true, the Company will not suffer any disadvantage from the purchases they would have made.
24–25 A few yokome of the outer regions came.
26 Fine weather, easterly wind. It is rumoured that two ships have been spotted. Through a telescope I could see two large flags, the one on top and the other in front, but I did not recognize them. I had preparations made to be ready for the bongioisen. Two vessels with three Dutchmen and two letters of instruction were dispatched with the bongioisen and an interpreter. Without going on board, they discovered that they were two Portuguese galleons carrying the king’s pennants. The second Japanese barge and an interpreter rowed to the port and spoke with them. They were told that four years ago the King of Portugal had dispatched an ambassador to the Shogun of Japan. Last year they had sailed from Goa via Macao and at 28 degrees latitude contrary winds had forced them back via Jacatra. This time they had sailed directly from Goa via the Ryūkyū Islands where they had taken on fresh water.
27 Fine weather. Around nine o’clock I sent for the burgemeester and all the interpreters. I asked them if it were not advisable to propose to the governor to send a barge with a Dutchman or just a letter of advice to the outer island to appraise any incoming Dutch ship of the situation. For the two galleons are blocking the entrance to the bay of Nagasaki and when our ships arrive, which we are expecting at any moment, and they spot the Portuguese ships with all their pieces of ordnance, they might be at a loss to know what this means,
28 The Lords of Higo, Amakusa, Bungo, and Arima arrived. The Lord of Hakata is expected tomorrow with a great many vessels and at least thirty thousand men.
29 Three times the hayafune went along side and on two occasions fifteen or sixteen men went on board, but on the last occasion the master refused this, he would only allow two or three.
30 The interpreters went on board just once. Nothing extraordinary was done, but rumour has it that the entrance of the bay was being closed off with booms (Fig. 10). Barges were keeping a close guard. A large force had gathered there. Kyūshū, or the Nine Provinces, where Nagasaki is situated, will produce at least 100,000 men.
31 At midnight Chikuzen-no-kami, Lord of Hakata, arrived. This year he is in charge of the guards here. He, Governor Saburōzaemon, and the other lords conferred till six o’clock and then he left again.
August
1 Fine weather. The hayafune went to the ship and requested once more to be given the pieces of ordnance, the gunpowder, and balls. They refused as before, on the grounds they were an embassy. Their hopes were raised by the message that they should wait for the messenger with news from Edo. The Lord of Hakata, who remained here the entire day, wishes to settle the matter himself without asking anyone for assistance. He wants to use soldiers instead of rowers to avoid being hampered by useless people.
2 Excellent weather. Before daybreak, both junks of the Chinese ambassador sailed to the bight of the bay, called Kōzaki, to put to sea at the first opportunity.
3 Fine weather. The interpreter, who had been sent by the governor, told me that two ships were approaching. I sent two barges with the bongioisen, but they saw none. The outermost observation post told them that it had been the two Chinese junks with the ambassador.
5 Every day they are busy conferring. According to the interpreters the governor gets hardly any sleep. In the afternoon, a junk was spotted. It arrived in the roadstead in the evening. Today for the first time, the barge of the lodge has taken water to the flute, because if the Portuguese had spotted our longboat, they might have made a claim to have access to theirs daily.
6 The governor had the interpreters inform me that the junk which arrived yesterday came from Tonkin and had left on the 12th of the 6th month.16
7 The interpreter, who went yesterday, went again today with a kobaya and a tentō. In the afternoon, I was told that the ship which was mentioned yesterday was close to Nagasaki. A junk arrived from Zhangzhou with shaven Chinese.
Arrival of the Berkhout and the Kampen
8 Another tentō was dispatched in the morning. Shortly after, Junior Merchants Johan de Groot and Boucheljon sent me a message that the flute the Berkhout was approaching and the Kampen was off Iōshima. They had left Siam on 2 July in company of the Jonker, which they lost in bad weather on the 25th off the coast of Cochin China near the Boxhoorens. I received a letter from the opperhoofd, Jan van Muijden, informing me that all was well and he was sending me an extraordinary cargo. Rice was very expensive and could not be had. I can look forward to a third flute from there. The cargo consists of sappanwood, deerskins, cowhides, rayskins, namrak, eagle-wood, and elephant’s teeth.
9 About midnight another junk arrived from Tonkin. Early in the morning I went with a bongiois to the Berkhout to muster the crew and give the necessary orders.
Arrival of the Jonker
11 Northerly wind. The crew of the Kampen has been mustered and we started to unload, but because the bongioisen had much to do at the governor’s, we did not start till late. In the meantime, a ship was reported to be off shore. I think it might be the Jonker. I have been told that there is no one on board who knows his way around the bay of Nagasaki. I sent Shōsuke to the governor to request that one or two Dutchmen be sent to meet her.
12 Northerly wind. Variable winds in the afternoon and calm, which prevented the Jonker from entering the bay. At nine o’clock, on behalf of the governor, Shōsuke came to thank me for the loan of the cables and returned them. I think that the request has been made more to test our willingness to aid them than for any other reason. I think that they will think twice before asking our assistance, because several times, when the burgemeester and the interpreters have asked me about it, I have rebuffed their suggestions with such sound arguments that they wholly agreed with me.
13 Around midnight, on behalf of the governor, Kichibyōe came to ask me for some oakum with which to caulk the junk. There was none on shore, so I wanted to send a messenger on board, but this was not necessary as they were supplied from the town in the meantime. Around noon Matsudaira Oki-no-kami arrived with his son, a younger brother, and a host of people. The Jonker hove to in the roadstead. In the evening, Hachizaemon came with a Dutch pass and a Siamese gold mas to ask what these meant and if they had anything to do with the Pope.
14 The Japanese Bon. Fine weather. The Kampen has been unloaded. The rudder and ammunition have been left on board as was the case with the Berkhout. The Portuguese have received some fresh food. They are becoming suspicious of the activities of the barges, large and small, which are being loaded with timber and bamboo and other stuff. They were talked out of it. Although it is their Bon Festival, the governor and the lords gathered at eight in the evening.
15 Fine weather, easterly wind. Early in the morning, I saw that the mouth of bay was closed off by barges. They are still working at it. On behalf of the governor, Shōsuke asked me to write a note to inform the expected ships of the situation and to reassure them. They should anchor outside the bay till further orders or till this affair has reached a conclusion. I did as asked and wrote four letters. Four interpreters, Kichibyōe, Denbyōe, Hakuemon, and Hachizaemon repeated what Shōsuke had said. We should not be worried or afraid for this did not concern us. The closure of the bay and all other preparations were directed only at the Portuguese. I had the governor thanked for his fatherly concern for our welfare. I wrote the four notes and Hachizaemon took them aboard.
16 Fine, dry weather, very hot and variable winds. Early in the morning I went to muster the crew of the Jonker and then we started to unload.
17 At daybreak we could see the bridge of ships in the entrance of the bay with several towers, two or three tiers high, and strengthened with various strange instruments of war, looking more like a castle than a bridge. It seems that they have been preparing for this for three or four years, and now finally they can carry out their plans unhindered, taking their time and at their ease – for the Portuguese are letting them get on with it. But it is of little significance, because they can easily blast it open with their cannon and their fireballs,
18 They are busy night and day closing the bay. The Portuguese are watching it passively. I went with the bongioisen to the Berkhout to inspect the chests and such. All books and papers were checked and returned. The hand guns were taken from on board and put into safekeeping. He said that the governor had ordered to leave the rudder and munitions on board for the time being.
19 Very early in the morning, the interpreter came to tell us that the governor was annoyed that the hand guns had been taken from board yesterday. This is a test to see if we mind. I told him that we would comply with his wishes whether he wanted to leave them on board or not. We went on board the Kampen to inspect the chests and the papers. All went well. A note was made of the hand guns and they were left on board without being put under seal. This is done with the hope that we shall let them use them against the Portuguese. I trust that I shall be able to excuse that without incurring their displeasure.
20 We have inspected the Jonker and the hand guns were left on board. They are busy preparing everything for the arrival of the commissioners.
22–23 Northerly wind. Nothing extraordinary happened.
25 Easterly wind veering south-westerly. Rain showers. The officials have not yet arrived. I think this is deliberate so that before their arrival everything will be dealt with in such a way that the release of the Portuguese will create little commotion. I was told as the truth (whether it is credible or not) that in the year 1640 none of the Portuguese would have been killed, but they would have been left to go in freedom, if the mail from Edo had arrived two hours earlier or later.17 It may also be that for the Portuguese to carry out their plan, they will be directed not to Nagasaki but to Hirado or Yobuko under certain conditions, saying that as long as they simply carry on their trade, Japan will not be in any danger. But this is implausible, and it is more likely to be what the common feeling is, that should the envoy of the new King of Portugal not return, five or six galleons might arrive to find out what really happened, which would create formidable problems here. To prevent this, this time they will let them leave with explicit threats not to return or they will be dealt with rigorously.
26 Overcast, rain. South-westerly wind. A junk arrived from Cochin China. Some barges in the mouth of the bay made way to let it pass.
27 Veering wind. Downpours. Every day many vessels and people are leaving. The bridge of ships is remaining there till the officials arrive to show them how they have acquitted themselves. It is a disaster and everyone thinks they have made a laughing stock of themselves.
28 Calm weather. South-westerly wind. A tentō brought the news that two Dutch ships had been spotted. The governor confirmed it and a vessel was sent to them with instructions. Only one ship was seen, but it was too far and the wind swung around to the wrong direction. The interpreter was ordered to stay there and he returned at ten in the evening. Yesterday’s junk has been unloaded. On the orders of the governor, the burgemeester and the interpreters showed me a small bundle of deerskins. In the presence of two noblemen, they wished to know what kind of skins they were and where they came from. They went to all the ships and two more persons came. We decided that they were not from Batavia, Siam, Cambodia, or Tayouan. The skins were probably bought in Manila and these poor souls will have to take them back without being allowed to sell any.
Arrival of the Jonge Prins
29 Fair weather. Northerly wind. Before noon, Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami and the second governor, Gonpachirō, arrived. Their journey took fifteen days. They immediately had a conference with the governor and the lords. They carried the Shogun’s order, which consists of five points, translated into Portuguese. The gist of it is as follows:
In consideration of the fact that the new King of Portugal has sent this ambassador to the Shogun of Japan, he has spared their lives. Otherwise they would not have escaped their due punishment, of which they were well aware, for contravening the orders and mandates issued to them before.
In the afternoon, the ship which was spotted yesterday appeared at the entrance of the bay. Frederik Coyett, my successor, sent me a note. He had left Batavia on 12 July in the company of the Os and he had arrived in Tayouan on the 7th of this month, from whence he sailed on the yacht the Jonge Prins on the 17th. I had the burgemeester and the interpreters request the governor he be allowed to come on shore. But the governor was too busy to receive them. Late in the evening, on behalf of the governor, Magobei came to congratulate me on the arrival of the ship with my successor. He apologized that he had been too busy to attend to my request, but tomorrow morning he would do so. I sent a tentō with a note to Coyett to inform him of this.
30 About nine in the morning the bongiois came and we went to the Jonge Prins at the entrance of the bay to welcome Frederik Coyett and to muster the crew. I saw the Japanese battle array and found them utterly inadequate, worse than I had ever thought. The mustering went well and to the satisfaction of the bongiois. Coyett came on shore with us. The yacht will remain outside the bay till further orders. I sent the burgemeester and the interpreters to Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami and Gonpachirō to welcome them on our behalf. They expressed their sympathy for us and said that the Dutch are very sincere people. They asked after our well-being and congratulated me on the arrival of our ships and the new captain. Fine weather with veering winds.
31 Nothing noteworthy happened. I informed the personnel of the contents of our superiors’ letters. I was told that the entrance of the bay will be opened in two or three days.
September
1 On behalf of the governor, Hachizaemon asked us if we would unload the ship outside the bay, as the Chinese also did, because she might have to remain there for a few more days. I discussed it with the council of the factory. It will put us to great expense and will put the goods in danger of getting wet, breaking, being stolen and such, the more so because our sampans are unsuitable and only large vessels could be employed at high tide.
2 At the request of the governor, the deer and the dodo were taken to the council house and then returned. In the evening, the Lord of Hakata came onto the island with both governors and a large suite to have a look at the aforesaid. They were fairly pleased with them. The deer has to be given to the Lord of Hakata. We are awaiting the fate of the Portuguese.
3 The Portuguese have been supplied with rice, water, and other provisions.
Arrival of the Zwarte Beer
4 Fine weather as before, south-westerly wind. Early in the morning, Chikugo-no-kami, Saburōzaemon, Gonpachirō, and Kōriki-no-kami were rowed to the entrance of the bay. They ordered the Portuguese to weigh anchor and leave. They were told to go as far as Takabokojima before they could hoist full sail.
6 Fine weather. Today the large globe was shown to Chikugo-no-kami. He was more than pleased but sent it back for the time being. All the rarities were locked away in the warehouses. The governor had instructed the burgemeester and the bongiois to do so without my knowledge. This is to prevent Chikugo-no-kami from seeing the rarities, although some have been sent specially for him. In short, there is great envy among the officials. The Lord of Hakata, whom the governor has allowed to have the white deer, asked for the price for it. I expressed my gratitude for his courtesy in aiding us with the towing boats and the other favours he extended to us during our return from the court journey.
7 I went with Coyett to the ship, where we inspected all the books and the papers. The crew was given instructions on how to behave. Chikugo-no-kami sent for the large globe. The interpreter asked the governor if he could also have a parrot. The governor allowed this, but he excused the telescope for the time being, although Chikugo-no-kami was very desirous to have it, by saying that he did not know in which warehouse it had been stored. The governor ordered the interpreter to tell His Excellency when he handed him the parrot that some animals could be sold.
8 Fine summer weather. The bongioisen are still unavailable and we could not unload the Beer. On the order of the governor, the parrot and some other birds were handed to Matsudaira Oki-no-kami, who is a blood relative of the Shogun and lord of the four provinces of the island of Shikoku. We can but comply with his order. Many other lords departed.
9 The Beer has been unloaded.
10 I sent the burgemeester and the interpreters to the governors to request the settlement of the pancado. They returned with the message that they had been given orders to see to it. They asked why so little pancado silk had been imported.
11 The governor has given permission to settle the pancado tomorrow. Okabe Uma-no-jō, Chikugo-no-kami’s secretary, came to visit us with his son and his suite. I entertained them. He wished me a good voyage home and Coyett a good journey to Edo. He would meet him there. A junk arrived from Quanzhou with few goods.
12–13 Nothing happened. I have been looking forward to the settlement of the pancado. The wind northerly.
14 I urged the island burgemeester to remind the governor and the burgemeester that the pancado needs to be settled. On behalf of Sakuemon, Denbyōe told me it would be done in the afternoon.
15 Variable winds. The governor’s noblemen came and all the warehouses were opened.
16 We made preparations for the first sale. Chikugo-no-kami apologized for bothering us every day but it was on behalf of the Shogun and requested we send him the rarities and the requested objects. They were sent to him before the governors had inspected them, who, out of envy might keep one of the carpets, the camlets, and the Roman cloth before returning the rest so that they could also capture the Shogun’s favour by presenting him with something rare, without the knowledge of Chikugo-no-kami. I had the interpreters answer his questions as they deemed fit. It seemed satisfactory. In the evening the interpreters asked if some white pancado silk could be measured to be presented to the Shogun.
18 Fine weather, the wind south-westerly. The skins have been put on view and most have been inspected. I went to the trade centre. But trade was put off because, on the advice of the interpreters and the factory personnel, we wished to make use of the new balances which Denbyōe had ordered from Shirōemon, our former island burgemeester, in Osaka to prevent any duplicity. Chikugo-no-kami sent for many objects and inspected them. The world maps, copper horses, and other things assigned as presents for the Shogun, were rejected because, according to the interpreter, Japan would look too small compared to the rest of the world in the eyes of the Shogun.
19 Fine weather. We have not yet received a decision on the balances, which can be inspected by anyone in the saleroom. We had put them there for inspection before trade commenced to prevent any arguments. It seems that they cannot decide. Denbyōe, who ordered them, says that the Japanese are not bothered about fair play. In the afternoon, on behalf of the governors, the burgemeester and interpreters Kichibyōe, Denbyōe, Shōsuke, and Hachizaemon came to announce that the Dutch had been residing in Nagasaki for eight or nine years now and all had been well up to this year.
20 The first sale has been held. I was told that many letters have arrived from the Court. Chikugo-no-kami asked when we could have a ship ready to sail, for His Excellency would love to sail on one and view it all over. As soon as the bowsprit of the yacht was ready, we would let him know.
21 Southerly wind, fine weather. Some goods have been delivered.
22 A very strong northerly wind with rain.
23 Nothing happened. The burgemeester and the interpreters have compared a balance which they had ordered themselves with the one we had made.
24 Fair weather. The Nagasaki burgemeester has complained that the people up country keep making profits. This has been noted and will be used to their benefit, but I do not know how.
25 The second sale has been held. Complaints have been vented to the governors that the silk piece-goods have been sold for prices which are too high. The whole town had vied with one another, which raised the price. In short, they think that the Dutch are here only to transport the goods.
Arrival of the Hillegersberg
26 The Prins is ready to sail. I went on board with Coyett and Brouckhorst. Shortly after, Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami and both governors came. The anchor was weighed and we set sail, but becalmed we could do little. We entertained the officials as best as we could and they left satisfied.
27 Fifteen towing boats have been sent to Cabessima to tow the Hillegersberg here. In the afternoon Chikugo-no-kami had one of his noblemen inspect the quadrant and test it.
28 The Hillegersberg arrived in the roadstead. I went on board to muster the crew. I heard that Chikugo-no-kami and the governors had sent for the silk merchants and had asked them why they had bought the silk for such a high price and had been so desirous of it. The merchants were given a fright. They should sell the copper to the Dutch for a high price. Notwithstanding my continuous sweet reminders to the burgemeester and the interpreters, I still have not been told the price.
29 South-westerly wind. Coyett and I went to Chikugo-no-kami and the governors. We were received in audience and the interpreters wrote down the following and we translated it:
The Dutch and the Portuguese concluded a treaty for ten years, of which we have informed the Shogun. The councillors in Edo have also been informed, but they do not seem to understand it, because the Portuguese have been banished from Japan and may not trade here, but this year the latter have come here with two ships which has aggravated their case. Therefore the Dutch should not have close relations with them and should make known here what their relations are with the others. But if we keep this a secret and others disclose it, the Company will suffer for it.
I replied that in the Indies we did not trust the Portuguese, nor did we allow them trade in any of our places, and in Brazil we were at odds with each other.
October
1 The Hillegersberg has been unloaded. The burgemeester and the interpreters came to inform us that the price for the copper, which we contracted for yesterday for 9 taels per picul, had been raised to 9 taels 2 mas. We thought this strange and improper. We could not agree to this, even though time is running short, but we have to prevent further breaches of contract. We went to the governors to present them the annual gifts and we also went to Heizō, who had gone to see his dying father in Miyako. We also visited all the burgemeesters to thank them for the favours – as they have to be called – which they extended towards the Dutch factory this year. Some of the burgemeesters were not at home, but the others were very hospitable and treated us to sakana.
3 Rainy weather, which delayed the sale. We started in the afternoon. In the evening copper was delivered onto the island.
4 A Japanese holiday.21 We started to weigh the copper in the afternoon.
5 Northerly wind. We are being pestered every day. Every time a delivery of goods is made, they have some complaint about it. Either the goods are rotten, spoiled, or undeliverable and they repudiate the sale. They try to get their profits every which way they can, justified or not. Even the interpreters collude with them to the Company’s detriment.
They state openly that we should advise Batavia that
6 Fair weather. It is the 9th day of the 9th Japanese month and a Japanese holiday. Visits are made to one’s superiors. Nothing could be done.
7 Some copper has been received and the goods sold have been delivered. It has not passed off without annoyances. Chikugo-no-kami and the governor are much pleased with the walking stick which can be fired. They will have some made.
8 Fair weather. We have delivered goods, which cannot proceed without aggravation.
9 In the evening, we decided to proceed with the loading of the ships and to re-engage some young men whose contracts have expired.
10 The buyers of the Bengal silk came to warn us not to sell the remainder of the Bengal silk, although we wished to proceed with the sale, for this would create serious problems. We shall have to keep the eight canasters, because if they are sold for less than in the previous sale, the merchants would claim a reduction for the previous batch sold, which had been sold for 80 taels more than usual. The dagregister ends here prematurely.
Kublai Khan, first Mongol ruler of China, twice sent fleets to conquor Japan. The second expedition was in 1281. Both attempts failed.
Araki Thomas or Ryōhaku. Diaries kept by the Heads of the Dutch Factory in Japan, Vol. X, 1646–1647 (Tokyo: Shiryō Hensanjo, The University of Tokyo, 2003), p. 24, n. 64.
Gotō Ryōjun (Miquel). He was a younger brother of Gotō Shōzaemon Sada’asa and an older brother of Gotō Sōan. Their father was Gotō Sōin. We could not identify Goto Siosabro.
3 December 1646.
Tokugawa Tadanaga; Suruga Dainagon.
i.e. 3 and 6 Jan. 1647.
After Antonio van Diemen’s death on 19 April 1645, Cornelis van der Lijn acted as Governor-General of the East Indies. The Heren Zeventien formally appointed him Governor-General on 10 October 1646. Van der Lijn remained in office until 7 October 1650. He was succeeded by Carel Reniersz.
The embargo on Dutch trade (1628–1632) imposed by the Japanese authorities. At the basis of the controversy lay the actions of Pieter Nuijts, at the time Governor of Formosa.
This may be Uesama funbetsu shidai mimaishita. See Diaries kept by the heads of the Dutch factory in Japan, Vol. X (Tokyo: Shiryō Hensanjo, The University of Tokyo, 2003), p. 92.
Sic. Grandson.
See 18 January 1642, note.
Sanjūsangendō.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Antoku Tennō in the battle of Dan-no-ura in 1185.
The old Iquan, Zheng Zhilong, father of Coxinga.
14 July 1647.
The Dutch sentence is puzzling.
The Shimabara Rebellion in 1637–1638, when Opperhoofd Nicolaes Couckebacker sailed to Arima with one flute to assist the Shogun’s troops.
Kamematsu. He was not Tokugawa Iemitsu’s youngest son; Iemitsu’s fourth son, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, was born in 1646. See the entry of 9 April 1645.
Sic. 17 October 1647.
The Kunchi Festival.