1657
October
Departure of the Bloemendaal and the Domburg
28 Fine, clear weather with a northerly breeze. In the afternoon, the patrol vessels guarding the ships which left yesterday returned with the news that the ships had put to sea last night and were already out of sight of Japan.
Interpreter Magobei came to fetch some medicinal essential oils for Governor Kiemon. I gave him as much as we could spare, but shortly after he returned them, because they had noticed that they were not well preserved in the Japanese bottles. He requested that we take them with our medicines to Edo and oblige the governor there. I promised to do so. Magobei also told me that yesterday all the interpreters had been ordered by the governors to put down in writing the quantities and the qualities of the commodities which we had sold this year, how much silver and how many commodities we had exported and our expenses for the factory this season. The governors had also divided the interpreters’ money for the commodities imported and sold this year. In all it was 3190 taels and it has been divided as follows: for the four interpreters Hachizaemon, Sukezaemon, Magobei and Shinkichi, each 500 taels; for the three young interpreters Nihyōe, Shichibei and Yosōemon each 150 taels; for the maintenance of the patrol boats 700 taels; and for the maintenance of the prison 40 taels. I was also told that Kiemon will depart for Edo tomorrow. I had the interpreters request permission for me to say goodbye to him and wish him a propitious journey, but they returned with the message that he was too busy.
30 The governor departed early in the morning in fine weather.
31 Fine weather. As they had done several times when Wagenaer was here, all interpreters came to request some money for Gen’emon, our landlord in Edo, to build a new lodge. I refused, giving them several reasons, including that all the Company’s remaining goods in his house had also burnt. However, if he did his best to collect the Company’s outstanding debts when I arrived in Edo, I might come to his aid in some way, because I know that the laments and the begging would not stop. A junk left for China.
November
2 The weather was fine and I had the island and the warehouses cleaned of most dirt.
3 Burgemeester Sakuemon had Interpreter Shinkichi ask me for some oil of amber and cloves and also for 2 gantang of olive oil. I obliged him.
4 In the morning, all interpreters came on the island and again implored me to lend the Edo landlord some money. They said that they had been pressed to do so by the burgemeesters of this city, who would join together to offer him a helping hand. I refused for the aforesaid reason. Apparently there will be enough time in Edo. I proposed that they request Governor Yohyōe for permission to beach our four sampans. We shall not need them until the arrival of the ships next year.
5 In the afternoon, the interpreters and the otona came with the Japanese doctor Genshō – who had spent some time last year with the surgeon writing down and explaining the medicines for Chikugo-no-kami. Before his departure, Governor Kiemon had commended them to write a new book about the art of healing and related matters for him in Japanese. Although this courtesy does not entail anything but great difficulties and no merit, I have given my consent to avoid any displeasure. The surgeon was sent for and I ordered him to instruct the doctor and answer any questions he might ask about surgery to the best of his knowledge.
6 I had the four sampans breamed for woodworm and tomorrow they will be beached at the other side of the bay. In the afternoon, four of Coxinga’s junks left for Amoy. One of the principal Chinese who was brought here on the galliot the Urk also left. The other ten, all simple sailors, are said to be leaving on a large junk shortly. In the afternoon, the doctor came to my room. After having enjoyed some refreshments, he immediately started to work with the surgeon. They were busy till the evening writing down how to prepare various essential oils.
7 About three hours before sunrise, there was a fire in the city. It seemed as if the bright flames were burning not far from this island, but it was deadly quiet. When day broke the Japanese told us that the house where the Lord of Shimabara stays when he is here, had burnt down. The accident is said to have been caused by some principal Chinese who are staying there. They were preparing to leave and yesterday evening had been packing some of their goods, which included some cotton.
8 It is high tide and the four sampans have been beached at Inasa. They have been covered with mats to protect them against sun and rain. Three more of Coxinga’s junks have left for Anhai. Their cargoes consist mainly of cotton and foodstuffs. In the afternoon, Burgemeester Sakuemon had Interpreter Hachizaemon inform me that one of the Hakata barges carrying Kiemon’s luggage and most important goods had foundered three days ago between Yobuko and Ainoshima when the wind surprised it. Two bongioisen had drowned. Very few of the goods had been salvaged. Therefore he requested some small things and 4–6 piculs of white sugar for the governor. I obliged him with three chests containing in all 670 catties from the eight chests which had been kept apart for the consumption of the factory members. He was very grateful. He would send them to the governor, who would be spending some days in Shimonoseki, as soon as possible. The governor had also written to take a fair amount of tent wine to Edo, because his had been lost with the barge.
9 Four more junks flying Coxinga’s flag have left. We have been told that four of the Chinese who had been brought by the Urk are sailing on them to Amoy. As far as we have been told, their cargoes consist mainly of cotton, earthenware, and some copper. According to our interpreters, the Chinese are very desirous of this. They bought the fine copper for 12 taels a picul and the inferior copper for 10 taels. But there is little of this mineral in the city, not more than 400–500 piculs, because most of the copper brought here this year has been bought and shipped by us.
10 Magobei told me that Wansick, the nachoda who, on the 21st of last month, had received 2685 taels from the Company for the 3000 reals which he had given as security in Batavia last year – which is the full value, for one real is valued at 51 stivers and one tael at 57 stivers –
12 At our request, the Miyako lacquerers came with Otona Kurōzaemon and Interpreter Magobei. After some negotiations, I contracted with them to have fifty-one shields for Bengal lacquered and gilded with foliage, to wit forty-six with fine gold for 6 taels each and five as a trial with inferior gold for 4 taels each to find out which kind would be preferred in Bengal and should be ordered in future.
13 I learnt that Governor Kiemon is still in Shimonoseki owing to the foundering of his barge. After repeated requests, he has received permission from Edo to recuperate in the hot baths in his domain, which is situated near Osaka. He can stay there till the twelfth month. If this is true, my journey to the Court will probably be postponed, because it would be considered a discourtesy if we were to arrive there before the governor. Interpreter Sukezaemon will make further inquiries of Governor Yohyōe and bring us confirmation in two or three days.
14 Governor Yohyōe sent our interpreters and two opperbongioisen with a certain Japanese doctor named Fantano Gento, who is an uncle of Intendant Heizō. He also came here last year and now he wishes further instruction in medicine from our surgeon. Therefore, he requested that he be allowed to come on the island now and again and have free access to the surgeon and the surgeon’s shop.
15 Magobei and Sukezaemon told me that confirmation had come about Kiemon’s stay near Osaka for four to six weeks. Burgemeester Sakuemon advised us to postpone our journey to Edo till that time. This advice will be easy to follow, because every year we find that it does not matter whether we undertake the journey early or late. Heizō sent to ask for a piece of steel and a Dutch lantern. Magobei took them to him.
16 The interpreters told us that at the moment [the prices for] commodities, in particular silk, are rising quite steeply in Miyako. The merchants are making large profits on the goods they bought. On each picul of Bengal silk they make a profit of 40 taels. This augurs well for next season. Magobei also showed me a note from Chikugo-no-kami in Edo, which had arrived this morning. It mentioned that he was highly pleased that the fire engine had now arrived. We should keep it stored safely and show it to no one and bring it to Edo safely. Three of Coxinga’s junks departed.
17 The otona and the interpreters came onto the island with Doctor Genshō. They told us that Sakuemon had received a letter from Edo that the former Nagasaki Governor Baba Saburōzaemon had died there twenty-five days ago. He had reached the age of 74. Inaba Mino-no-kami, Lord of Odawara, had been promoted to the post of one of the four councillors in place of the old Sanuki-no-kami. We hope that this will be to the benefit of the Company, because from a young age this gentleman has shown himself to be a friend of our nation and for some time now he has been obliged every year with various Dutch rarities which have been brought here at his request. This year some essential oils, telescopes, reading glasses and such have been brought for him.
22–23 Seven junks, all loaded with cotton, have set off for China.
27 Today eleven persons have been brought here from Ōmura and put in prison. They have been accused of being Roman Catholics. It is said that one of their friends, who lives in this city, to whom they had written a letter, has informed on them.
29 The governor sent for the surgeon. On his return he told me that one of the servants had been bitten by a cat lately. The Japanese had not cured him and he was suffering from a wound on his arm. He had applied some plaster for now and within two or three days it should be healed.
30 The surgeon went again to attend to the wound. In the afternoon, the major-domo or senior secretary of the Lord of Hakata came with a large following, together with Burgemeester Sakuemon’s son and the governor’s secretary. They visited my room and I treated them to tent wine and fruits while they looked at some rarities. After having sat for an hour, they were curious to see the fire engine, which was shown to them in the garden. We also showed them how it worked. It appeared that they were well pleased and after having expressed their gratitude for the hospitality, they left.
December
1 We learnt that yesterday another fourteen persons, just ordinary poor farmers, have been brought here from Ōmura and put in prison. After a thorough search some old popish ornaments had been found with them.
3 Very unsettled weather with hard storm winds from the south-west. This made a Chinese junk which left three days ago return at great peril and it dropped anchor in the bay.
5 The 1st day of the 11th Japanese month. The stormy weather has settled somewhat. The junk has set off again for Anhai.
6 Early in the morning, the otona and all the interpreters came to inform me that they had spoken to Governor Yohyōe about the date of our court journey. He had left it to my convenience. He had added that we need not wait for Kiemon, because it was not certain how long he would stay in his domain. Thus they and I decided that we should leave on the 20th of this month, which is the 15th of their 11th month. Then we can arrive in Edo before their Shōgatsu or New Year – which will begin on 3 February – if nothing untoward happens.
7 Rain and showery weather. The fence on the east and the west side of the island has been renewed and repaired by the governor’s carpenters. Sukezaemon came to tell me that they would inform the governor this afternoon about our intention to undertake the court journey on the 15th of this month. I told him to remind the governor at the same time that next year the 20th day of the 9th Japanese month fell very early, on 16 October. Thus – to avoid the danger of the southern winds which often prevail around that time – it was necessary to ask for a longer stay for our ships and that in future the date be set on the last day instead of the 20th day of the 9th month. Every year it has been clear that the time was much too short. Also, that the ship’s hatches be left unsealed from now on. I would be requesting this at the Court, but prior to this, the governor should be notified and presented with the necessity of this in the best possible manner with various arguments and examples.
8 Three interpreters and the otona came to inform me that Yohyōe approved of my date of departure for Edo. His Honour had also given orders that Interpreter Magobei and Junior Interpreter Shichibei should prepare to accompany me. I again proposed to them my request of yesterday. They all thought it fair and promised that they would raise the matter when the occasion arose and when His Honour was in a good mood.
10 Cold and inclement weather. Two Chinese junks left for Quinam.
11 We have been busy all day packing the gifts, which we shall take to Edo, properly.
13 We learnt that the hard storm of the 3rd of this month had caused the foundering of 138 Japanese vessels off the Hakata coast. They had been carrying rice and commodities, including many deerskins, sappanwood and sugar to Osaka. Around 104 persons, including some petty merchants and four or five lacquerers had lost their lives by drowning.
14 The otona and the interpreters came to tell me that the governor had given orders that Bongiois Yobiko San’emon, who had escorted me two years ago, should again accompany me. The bongiois had decided to depart on the 22nd. I had no objections unless it was that – this being rumoured – Governor Kiemon would return and Chikugo-no-kami would come from Edo as commissioner on behalf of the prisoners from Ōmura. I shall be given confirmation shortly.
16 In the morning the interpreters told me that for the time being no commissioner from Edo will appear here. I told them that because our lodgings in Edo had burnt down and I still did not know how or where we shall be lodged, I intend to take just the surgeon, an assistant and one servant. Therefore, we did not need so many costly Japanese servants as we are forced to take with us every year and who performed no service. Half the number would suffice. They understood this, but there were many applicants and persons recommended by the governors and others. They would confer, but they thought instead of eight we could take five, but no less.
17 In the evening, Doctor Genshō came to my room with the interpreters and two bongioisen and told me that, at his request, the governor had given permission that he and our surgeon go outside the city and look in some gardens for various herbs which were unknown to him. The surgeon and a few other members of this factory went with them and they returned in the evening, having found various medicinal herbs.
18 The last of Coxinga’s junks has left for China. On board were the two youngest Chinese of the eleven who had been brought here by the Urk.
19 I handed the otona and the interpreters the money for the rent of the barge, the wages for the bongioisen, the interpreters and the servants, whose number has been decreased from eight to five at my request, for the journey up country. It amounts to 663 taels. They divided it and sent the skipper, the onderbongioisen and others each his share. They said that the governor was poorly. Thus no opportunity had presented itself to them to propose my request. They thought they might do so in two or three days. I urged them to do so.
20 While we were busy packing the remaining rarities for Edo in the presence of the interpreters Hachizaemon, Magobei and Nihyōe,
22 The otona and Sukezaemon came to inform me that they had been to the governor on behalf of Magobei. They had notified him that only the warehouse had been burnt, his house was still standing. The governor then said that if he could manage, he should be ready to undertake the journey on the 26th of their month, which is the 30th. We should also prepare ourselves.
23 Hachizaemon came to warn me that two Chinese junks were ready to leave the day after tomorrow. The one would sail directly to Siam and the other also to Tonkin. If I wished to send any letters, he would go straight to the governor for permission. I told him that I would like to send some letters to Siam and Tonkin, but also to Batavia. He returned shortly after with the governor’s permission. I could send letters with these junks or with others as I pleased.
24 Two junks have departed, the one with Nachoda Siouniquan heading for Quinam and the other for Cambodia. I learnt that a fortnight ago a large fire had raged in Osaka, which consumed sixty of the main streets – each consisting of thirty houses. In the afternoon, we received a surprise visit from Intendant Heizō and his mother. She was carried in a norimono. They were accompanied by many male and female servants. They sat in my house for a while and after having partaken of some food, they requested to be shown the rarities and the other strange things in the factory.
25 Christmas Day. Very cold weather. In the afternoon, I gave Hachizaemon the letters which I had prepared for Batavia, Siam and Tonkin. I told him the contents, or rather as much as he needed to know and he wrote them down in Japanese. He will show them to the governor first and then hand them over to the nachodas for delivery.
26 The barge which will take us to Osaka has been brought in front of the island.
27 Rainy and cold weather and none of the interpreters came on the island. I sent to ask them to come tomorrow, because I want to know whether they have conveyed my request concerning the extended stay of the ships to the governor and what his reply was.
28 The otona came with Sukezaemon, Hachizaemon and Magobei. I asked them about my request. They replied that they had notified Burgemeester Sakuemon of it, but he had advised against it. He did not approve of presenting it to Governor Yohyōe now.
29 In the morning, I went with Junior Merchant Ernst van Hogenhouck and all the interpreters to the governor to take my leave. He was very affable and told me that he would give Bongiois San’emon a letter of recommendation on our behalf for Kiemon and Chikugo-no-kami. He trusted that we would not be held up in Edo but would obtain a speedy dispatch. He would look after the people remaining on Tsukishima. I thanked him and returned home. Shortly after, two bongioisen came to open the water-gates of the island. The gifts, provisions and other goods were loaded. The ostrich was taken in a large cage to another barge rented for that purpose.
Court journey
In the barge
30 In the morning, the remaining luggage was loaded and everything was ready for the journey. I gave the Junior Merchants Hogenhouck and Mulock instructions for the running of the factory. I urged the other subordinates to behave themselves during my absence. In the afternoon, Bongiois San’emon came with two onderbongioisen and the interpreters. We went to the barge. A crowd of Japanese was waiting there to see us off with jūbako and sakana.
31 In the morning we set sail with a westerly wind, in the evening we reached the Bay of Tasuke. We had to remain at anchor off Yobuko and Ainoshima for sixteen days because of adverse winds and rain.
1658
January
Arrival in Osaka
21 In the evening, we arrived in the river of Osaka. At midnight we reached the house of our landlord, Ebiya Shirōemon. He came to fetch us by boat.
22 I had Shirōemon and the interpreters inform the governors here of our arrival and ask them for permission to visit them personally, according to annual custom. On their return they told me that I could visit the governors tomorrow. I had the gifts and the presentation trays prepared straightaway. All our goods have been taken from the barge to the lodge. They are in good condition, but I found that there were many strange packs among them belonging to Sakuemon and the Governors of Nagasaki. We shall need four or five horses to carry them. We are forced to take them with us at the Company’s expense, because they are addressed to Chikugo-no-kami, Kiemon, Mino-no-kami and several other nobles there. This service of taking their goods grows heavier every year.
23 In the afternoon, I went to the governors. First we visited Matsudaira Hayato-sama, who treated us affably. I requested a pass to hire bearers on the highway to carry the ostrich and the fire engine safely to Edo, the more so because they are meant as gifts for the Shogun. He gave us permission and ordered as many men as needed to carry them. From there we went to the house of Governor Tanba-no-kami. When we arrived there, we were told that
24 In the morning, Magobei and Shirōemon went to the governors for the pass for the bearers. After two hours they returned with it. After much haggling, they also agreed on thirty horses for 12.3 taels each. The remainder of the goods will be transported on horses which will be hired along the road. We shall now find out for the first time the difference in the price. We have been busy preparing everything for our departure tomorrow. The landlord contracted for a part of the silk gowns for the fatherland and some provisions for the factory.
Arrival in Miyako
25 One hour before dawn the whole train set off. We lunched in Hirakata and in the evening, in pouring rain, we arrived in Miyako in our usual accommodation.
26 Early in the morning, Magobei announced our arrival to Governor Makino Sado-no-kami. He requested that we be allowed to visit him personally. In the afternoon, I went there and after a short wait, we were called inside with the gifts, which, as he had ordered last year, had been decreased by half.
February
Arrival in Edo
5 we arrived safely in Edo. We saw that many buildings had already been built in front of the main streets. Our usual accommodation had also been partly rebuilt, but fairly provisionally. I sent Magobei to Chikugo-no-kami and Kiemon and to Yohyōe’s residence to announce our arrival. Shortly after, their secretaries came to welcome us. Chikugo-no-kami sent his interpreter to fetch the fire engine, which had not even been unpacked. We had to assemble it this same evening, but when the interpreter saw that it entailed a lot of work and that he did not have enough bearers, he took only the main parts.
6 In the morning, Chikugo-no-kami sent for the remaining parts of the fire engine. He also wanted someone who could assemble it and who could explain its use. I sent Assistant Nicolaes de Roij, who is familiar with it, with Magobei. When he returned in the afternoon, he said that it had been assembled and in Chikugo-no-kami’s presence he had sprayed around with it in his garden. His Honour had looked at it with wonderment and was exceptionally pleased with it, being an instrument that was most useful here.
7 We started early to make lists of the gifts for the Shogun, the councillors and others and to copy them in Japanese. But the arrival of Inoue Uneme-dono – who is related to Chikugo-no-kami by marriage – stopped us. He still owes us 662.6.5 taels for various goods which we brought here on the account of Mito-sama and which were lost in the fire. He wanted to know what we had brought for him. But I told him politely that we had not finished unpacking yet and he would have to wait till the gifts had been presented before he could come for anything. By then we would know what was left. But I could not get rid of this impolite fellow – who bothers us every year very importunately – till I gave him three of the largest folding mirror cases and three bottles, which I had brought for my own use and from which I had treated him. He did not make the slightest reference to his debt. I intend to address him about this at the first opportunity, the more so because I have heard that his house did not burn down and he did not suffer any losses. The whole day we had many visits from several nobles and the sons of the Nagasaki Governors. They came mainly to see the ostrich.
8 I sent Magobei to Chikugo-no-kami with the list to request his advice whether the items should be increased or changed. I should also like to know if any other gentlemen should be presented with gifts in place of those deceased and Councillor Andō Ukyō-sama, who recently passed away, so that I could assign them in time. In the meantime, I ordered the presentation trays and a new appropriate cage for the ostrich, the one we brought having been found to be too ill-constructed and too small, from the carpenters. When Magobei returned home in the evening, he told me that Chikugo-no-kami had inspected the list of the gifts we intend to present and had approved it. Chikugo-no-kami had also remarked that there were three nobles who should be presented with gifts from now on in place of those deceased. He asked if we had brought enough goods. The interpreter had confirmed this. Then he gave him the names of the nobles: Naitō Izumo-no-kami, Tsuchiya Tajima-no-kami and Kuze Yamato-no-kami. He would give me further instructions later. His Honour had also instructed him that the gifts for the Shogun, the councillors and others should be packed properly and brought to his residence. They would be kept there till the day of the audience. They will be safer in the storage of his house, which consists of underground cellars, than in our accommodation, which can easily catch fire. He had also said that the ostrich will be kept in his garden. This is a most welcome offer which will relieve us from the many visitors who come to see the bird.
10 I sent Magobei with the gifts, except for the rarities, to Chikugo-no-kami’s residence. I also sent a chest with medicines which I had brought for him personally.
11 Several people came early to have a look at the rarities and the ostrich. I entertained the principal ones among them politely. In the meantime, I discussed with Magobei what action should be taken with regard to the outstanding debts. So far no one had mentioned them. He said that there was great difficulty in collecting them, because most of the goods had been burnt. But he and the landlord Gen’emon would apply all possible means to collect them. I urged them to do so, because in Nagasaki I had counted on payment and therefore I had not brought any money to pay for expenses.
12 In the morning, Chikugo-no-kami sent for the surgeon and Assistant De Roij. On their return in the afternoon, they told me that the surgeon had been occupied mainly with describing the medicines we had brought and De Roij had to assemble the fire engine in the presence of His Honour. He sprayed with it and had to explain the use of the hose. His Honour had then gone to the castle. He had ordered them to await his return, but as there was nothing for them to do, they had taken the advice of Magobei. He was afraid of fire because of the dark skies and the hard wind. They had taken their leave and had hurried home. The wind is blowing hard from the north-west and gathering force. The sky is lit up
13 Early in the morning, we could not see any fire from our lodgings. But the hard wind continued. Later we went with the bongioisen and the interpreters to our former lodgings.
14 In the morning, I suggested to our bongiois that we should go to the godown to inspect everything. He had no objections and left it to my convenience. We went together around nine o’clock. When we arrived at the ruins, we found everyone busy clearing the rubble. We saw black smoke rising high, but at a distance from us. We inspected the goods in the godown in a hurry. Most were in order. Just some provisions, which we had brought for our own consumption and to oblige the gentlemen here, and some small stuff of little value, which had been kept below, have been consumed by the fire. But our landlord has again lost everything. After we had inspected the goods, had sealed the godown and had ordered the clerk, Niemon, who is a faithful, diligent and careful man, to guard it, we returned to Asakusa without taking anything with us. Soon we noticed a fire in another place. Everyone thinks that it has to be arson, because it is near the castle.
15 In the morning, our Bongiois San’emon told me that Kiemon’s secretary had sent him a message that the Court had set the day of our audience on 15 Shōgatsu, the day after tomorrow. He also said that the Shogun has allocated as much silver as after last year’s fire to the owners of the burnt houses to induce them to rebuild their homes. It is calculated and shared out according to the ikjes and size of each house. It is said that our landlord Gen’emon received 350 taels as his share last year.
16 Early in the morning, I sent Magobei to Kiemon and Chikugo-no-kami to thank them again for yesterday’s announcement and to ask whether I might go to them in person. On his return he told me that he had conveyed my message to both gentlemen, but they were very occupied at the moment because of the fire. They expected me at their houses after the audience with the Shogun. In the afternoon, we went to the godown. The remaining gifts for the Shogun, such as the jewellery caskets, mirrors, plumes, cloosterwerck, amber beads and other things, were laid out on the presentation trays to see how they fitted. The trays were not as curiously made as they should be because of the haste and the shortness of time. Then they were packed again and sealed. Some other things that were required were selected so that nothing will be found wanting in the gifts for the Shogun. In the evening, Chikugo-no-kami let us know that early tomorrow morning we should proceed first to the house of Inoue Kawachi-no-kami before going to the Court. We should await his further instructions there.
Audience
18 Fine weather. The presentation trays were not ready and thus we could not take the gifts to the councillors and other nobles. It had to be postponed till tomorrow. Meanwhile, many visitors came to our lodgings to ask for the surplus goods. We had to refuse till all the gifts have been presented. On the strength of the document, our landlord and Magobei saw to it that the Shogun’s rice supplier in this region provided us with a supply of rice for five days, which is 125 gantang or 3¾ bales for fifty persons, at half a gantang each person per day.
19 Heavy snowfall in the morning, but around nine o’clock it lightened. Everything was ready and according to custom we went to present gifts to the four councillors Matsudaira Izu-no-kami, Abe Bungo-no-kami, Sakai Uta-no-kami and Inaba Mino-no-kami, and also to Kutsuki Minbu-no-shō, Matsudaira Izumo-no-kami, Ishigaya Shōgen-dono, Kan’o Bizen-no-kami and Ōta Bitchū-no-kami. None of them was at home.
20 In the morning, Chikugo-no-kami had his interpreter Senoosje inform us that the Court will give us our leave shortly. Furthermore, that we should not sell or give anyone anything without his orders.
21 Early in the morning it poured with rain. I sent the interpreter and the landlord to the castle. In the afternoon, they returned with the thirty gowns from the Shogun.
22 Early in the morning, I sent Magobei to Kiemon and Chikugo-no-kami to express my gratitude for the early dispatch and the reciprocal gift from the Court. On his return he reported that the said gentlemen were not at home, but he had given the message to their secretaries. I received some silk gowns from Inaba Mino-no-kami, Sakai Uta-no-kami, Bungo-no-kami, Izu-no-kami, Kutsuki Minbu-no-shō and Ōta Bitchū-no-kami accompanied by their congratulations and expressions of thanks for the gifts. I treated their secretaries to tent wine and sakana. The day has been filled with requests and comings and goings for various goods. On the orders of Chikugo-no-kami we obliged those who were important to us and the others we refused again. In the afternoon, I sent Junior Interpreter Shichibei with some of the ornamental cloosterwerck to Inaba Mino-no-kami’s residence. He also took a box with various medicinal essential oils, which I had brought from Batavia at the request of this lord. I also sent a polite reminder to Genba-dono and Uneme-dono for payment of the goods they fetched last year, because neither has shown himself. They did not send a reply.
24 One of the Shogun’s most senior shaven palace attendants came to thank me on their behalf for the gift.
25 In the morning Chikugo-no-kami summoned the surgeon. I sent him at the appointed hour. When he returned he told me that the Japanese doctor had questioned him about the preparations for some medicines. He had also explained to him how to prepare the juice of liquorice. At the request of Genba-dono, I sent Niemon with a bottle of tent wine and some fruits for him. I thought this might offer me a better opportunity to remind him of his debt and that of his son.
26 In the morning, two servants of Izumo-no-kami came to pay their master’s debt of last year. But they paid 124 taels less than stated on the memorandum drawn up by Niemon. According to them, they took just one heeresaai instead of three and they paid 35 instead of 65 taels for the half length of poudesoy, because there is no other written statement of the goods that were fetched other than the one made up by the Japanese clerk and no reliance could be placed on that because everything had been burnt. Thus in the end they paid 315 taels instead of 439.
27 Rainy and cold weather. In the afternoon, I went to the former house of Chikugo-no-kami. Apart from the gate, there was just a slightly built waiting-room. I sat down near a brazier and was told that His Honour had not yet returned from the castle. In the meantime, his secretary served Japanese food, fowl, bread and butter. I and the interpreters partook of the meal. A short while after, His Honour arrived and welcomed me. He said that he would have liked to offer me some entertainment, but the fire had rendered this spot unsuitable. After having exchanged some compliments, I thanked him for the generous gift of the Shogun’s rice to Wagenaer last year and now to us. Also for having kept our gifts in his godown and lastly for expediting my appearance before His Majesty and the dispatch from the Court. He replied that he was happy that our goods had been saved from the destructive fire. After some small talk he inquired after some things from Holland he had requested last year, in particular the exceptionally clear crystal spectacles, which he said were better for his eyesight than the other kind. I replied that experience proved that crystal glasses could not withstand the journey by sea, the lenses were corroded completely. For this reason they were no longer carried here. His Honour then said that he was pleased with the goods which he had received this time and that he noticed that we had paid attention to his demand. He would like to order some things for next year. He would send me a memorandum. He advised me to bring a beautiful map of the world, some paintings of battles on land and at sea and other such items for the Shogun next time.
28 I sent Magobei to Chikugo-no-kami to thank him for yesterday’s hospitality. But he was not at home. After he had waited a while, he had given the message to Senoosje. In the evening, several small debts of last year were paid.
March
1 Today I sent another reminder to Genba-dono and his son, Uneme-dono. Genba-dono did not reply, he is said to be ill. But Uneme-dono grew angry when he saw his account. He railed against Niemon, claiming that he had charged him too much. Most of the goods which had been fetched last year had been returned to the interpreter Hachizaemon and other such excuses, which this person is never short of – as long as we cannot disclose them to Chikugo-no-kami. In the afternoon, Governor Kiemon sent me a note that all of us should go to his house the day after tomorrow. Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami would also be present.
3 In the afternoon, we all went to the house of Governor Kiemon. He was still in the castle. We waited in the hall and his secretary Fatsiroseijmon and his other bongioisen entertained us, the interpreters and the onderbongioisen lavishly with food and drink, all served in new lacquerware. There were many dishes. Afterwards the governor came home with Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami and a deputy of the Shogun or the councillors, by the name of Kitami Kyūdayū-sama. They sent for us and when we were seated, Chikugo-no-kami spoke. He read us the old order, namely about the Shogun’s hatred for the Portuguese and the papists. That we Dutch had so far been found to be pious and sincere and therefore this Shogun gave us permission to trade here freely as in the days of the deceased Shoguns. We should continue our good behaviour and should guard against bringing any Portuguese or papist here on our ships. Should we learn that the Portuguese had any intentions of returning to this country, we should notify them in time. Likewise, if we were to make peace with the Portuguese again,
4 Early in the morning, I sent Magobei to thank the governor for yesterday’s hospitality. We are preparing to leave this place of fire as soon as possible. In the afternoon, Kiemon’s secretary came to settle the account for the goods for his master. It is about 500 taels. I thanked him for the other day and entertained him. In the evening, I went to the houses of the commissioner and the governor to say farewell. Neither was at home. The commissioner was dining at Owari-no-kami’s house and the governor at Councillor Izu-no-kami’s house. I left a message with their major-domos.
5 In the morning, on behalf of the Lord of Kinokuni, Senoosje brought 14 schuiten of silver, which the lord had sent to the house of Chikugo-no-kami. Ten schuiten were for the surgeon, three for Magobei and one for the landlord. This is truly a liberal gift, for he has done nothing but send a prepared plaster for the alleviation of the wen. In the evening, I paid Gen’emon the landlord for our consumption and lodgings according to annual custom. In addition I gave him 50 koban or 332 taels. The governors, Chikugo-no-kami and others have been urging me to give him something for the damage he has suffered this year and the last, losing his home and all his possessions in the fire. He was very grateful.
Departure from Edo
6 In the morning, all accounts were settled. Horses, bearers and all other things necessary for the journey had been arranged. The whole train left Edo around eight o’clock. Only Magobei stayed behind. We could see how far the fire of the 12th of last month had spread. In the afternoon, we reached Kawasaki. Our Edo landlord accompanied us till here. He said goodbye. We journeyed on to Totsuka.
7 We set off in the morning, lunched in Ōiso and reached Odawara in the evening. There Magobei, who had stayed behind in Edo for half a day
8 We crossed the Hakone Mountains and reached Mishima.
9 We travelled through Kanbara in fine weather and reached Ejiri.
10 We travelled through Okabe and reached Kanaya.
11 At midnight it began to pour and it continued all through the day. We could not travel further. In the evening, we were told that the water in the Ōi-gawa, which we crossed yesterday, had risen high and the river was flowing rapidly. Six people, four who were travelling to Edo and two who were on their way to Miyako, had drowned. It will be impassable for some days. We crossed it at the right time.
12 It was dry in the morning and we went on our way. We lunched in Fukuroi and spent the night in Hamamatsu.
13 We crossed Futagawa in fine weather and reached Akasaka.
14 We passed Chiryū in dense rain and spent the night in Miya.
15 We had to stay in our cramped quarters.
16 In the morning, the rain ceased with a strong westerly wind. At dawn we embarked with the intention of crossing over to Kuwana, but we had only progressed one mile when a headwind forced us to anchor. Then it strengthened and the sea became very rough.
17 The adverse wind continued and we could not cross. Our bongiois suggested that we travel over land. We hired horses, because the ones from Edo had long been returned, and around nine we left Miya. We travelled for six miles through the domain of Owari to the village of Saya, where we boarded barges and sailed along a river called Tonnemongauwe. In gusty winter weather we reached Kuwana in the evening. Our landlord told us that yesterday sixteen horses packed with the Shogun’s silver – which was taken from Osaka Castle to be transported to Edo – had passed. From now till the end of their year, which is another 10.5 months, this will be done every day with the same number of horses, which is 48,000 taels a day. The money will be distributed by the Shogun for the rebuilding of houses in Edo.
18 We travelled through Ishiyakushi in driving snow and reached Sekinojizō in the evening.
19 We set off in the morning and when we reached the Suzuka Mountains, we met with fifty of the Shogun’s horses, each packed with three chests or 3000 taels of silver. They were driven by just a few people in an orderly and quiet fashion one after the other. We stopped in Minakuchi and spent the night in Kusatsu.
In Miyako
20 In the morning, we sent the luggage which will not be needed in Miyako ahead to Fushimi. We left at dawn and in the afternoon we arrived in Miyako at our usual inn. Magobei went to announce our arrival to Governor Sado-no-kami.
21 In the morning, the governor sent his secretary with 10 schuiten of silver and five gowns as customary, for the small gift we had presented to him on our journey to Edo. He congratulated us on our success in Edo. In the afternoon, when we were ready to depart, I discovered that all our bongioisen had gone out. I sent for them because the weather is dry, but they did not return till the evening. Thus for their sake we have to spend the night here.
22 We settled with the landlord Saburōemon and around noon we left in rainy weather. In passing, we visited some temples outside the city, such as the large Daibutsu, and in the evening we reached Fushimi. I had the goods loaded on the barge and was ready to sail to Osaka, but we had to wait till midnight for our bongiois, who had to see the governor of this place,2 who is a brother of Yohyōe. When he returned, we embarked and sailed down the river.
In Osaka
23 We reached Osaka at dawn and a short while later the house of Ebiya Shirōemon, our lodgings. I had everything prepared for our journey by sea so that we could sail as soon as possible.
24 I sent Magobei to both governors to announce our arrival and to thank them for their help in ordering bearers for the ostrich and the fire engine. They were very pleased. They had received a letter from Edo telling them that we had been spared by the fire and that the ostrich had been saved. Also, that the Shogun was very taken with the ostrich. This is the first time that these governors have been visited on the journey down and it might be that this will be done from now on every year.
25 In the morning, we were told that the house in Asakusa where we had taken refuge on 12 February till our departure, burnt down on the 15th of this month together with two adjacent streets. We have left that inflammable Edo just in time. In the afternoon, one of the principal copper merchants, named Izumiya Rihyōe, came to visit us again.
26 In the morning, I settled with the landlord Shirōemon for the goods which he delivered. I advised him to have the silk gowns for the fatherland made of fine silk and to have them wadded with pure wadding. He promised to do so. In the meantime, it began to pour with rain and we could not go to the barge till the evening. I paid him for the accommodation and food and presented some gifts to him and his father, Soijin, according to custom. We went to the barge which lay at the mouth of the river. Shirōemon accompanied us by boat and after having spent some time with us, he returned to Osaka.
In the barge
30 We left with a multitude of barges and set sail. We passed Hyōgo in the afternoon and Akashi in the evening. From there we proceeded, but we had to anchor many times here and there hampered by rain and adverse wind.
April
7 We arrived in Shimonoseki in the night. In the morning, we learnt that on 23 March another horrendous fire had raged in Edo similar to the one during our stay there but in another area. It had reduced most of the city to ashes. It is distressing to be there. It can only be arson, because the hard wind makes this easy. Before the houses have been built half-way, they are burnt to ashes again.
8 The adverse wind did not drop and thus our bongiois suggested that we travel over land to Nagasaki, for we had spent a lot of time to reach here from Osaka. Governor Kiemon in Edo had advised him to do so in case of adverse wind. I told him that we would wait till tomorrow and if the wind had not veered, we would take a decision, because if the wind blew favourably, we would reach Nagasaki sooner and with less expense than if we travelled over land. But in the afternoon I noticed that they were preparing to travel over land, because the fishermen here had told them that this westerly wind would continue for six more days.
9 In the morning, the wind blew from the north-east and several barges set sail. Thus the interpreter and I urged the skipper that we should set sail with this favourable wind. We had to spend about an hour in the Bay of Isaki and finally we set sail.
10 In the morning the wind had dropped, but the sea was still rough and because we were in great danger here, we weighed anchor at dawn and intended to skull away.
11 A strong north-easterly wind blew and we could see the sea beating against the cliffs around us. Now it was very clear in what grave danger we had been in the barge two days ago. We thank the Almighty for our salvation. Our nightclothes and clothes were drenched by the seawater and we dried them as best as we could. The bongiois reserved horses for the journey over land and everything was prepared for our departure tomorrow. In the afternoon, the secretary of the Lord of Hakata arrived. He had been sent expressly to help us in any way we needed.
12 Around nine o’clock the weather was fine and the secretary came to fetch us with a kobaya. Fifteen small rented vessels carried us ashore on the coast of Hakata. We were promptly taken to a suitable house in the village of Kanezaki. There we found the horses ready. I had the 10 schuiten of silver, which I had sent to the bongiois two days ago, presented to the headman of the village together with five barrels of sake for their trouble. But it was politely refused. At last the bongiois and the interpreters induced them to accept the sake because it was drink, but they would not take the silver. We spent an hour there and then mounted the horses. After we had ridden six miles along the seacoast, we arrived in the village of Shingū, where we stopped for refreshments. On the orders of the nobleman, we were given fresh horses and we rode on. In the evening, we reached the hamlet of Hakozaki, half a mile from the city of Hakata, where we were lodged in a suitable house. Today we progressed nine miles. Another servant of the lord brought us two barrels of white sake, several kinds of fish and Japanese foodstuffs. He also offered us his help. This powerful lord is showing us great honour and friendship. Everywhere the streets were swept, men and horses are ready and suitable lodgings have been reserved. Magobei also related that this lord is expecting us in the city of Hakata. He had sent for the rich merchant Itō Kozaemon and had told him to prepare his house to accommodate us.
13 It began to rain again, but we left at eight o’clock. I paid the landlord a koban or 66 mas for accommodation and food, which is very little and only a third of what we usually pay on the ordinary road for accommodation for the night and food. But in the afternoon, while we were stopping for refreshments in the village of Futsukaichi the money was returned, being too much, with the apology that he had been given orders not to accept so much. Thus I decreased it to 38 mas. Everywhere we stopped for refreshments, the people did not dare accept any money or only very little. Also two horses were charged for one, they being small and light. We travelled on and in the afternoon we left the domain of Hakata behind us. The secretary, who had accompanied us all the while with two other escorts, bade us farewell, because he had reached the boundary of his domain. We rode on and in the evening, in dense rain, we reached Tashiro, which comes under the jurisdiction of the Lord of Tsushima, but lies in the domain of Hizen. We were lodged in a suitable house. Today we progressed eight miles.
14 We travelled through the domain of Hizen in better weather. On the road we met two noblemen of Nabeshima Shinano-no-kami.3
15 Fine weather with a northerly breeze. In the morning, it was high tide and we left on board the hayafune. We sailed down the river for two miles and then into the wide open space, which is a large bay of Hizen, with fair wind. In the afternoon, we arrived at the hamlet of Takesaki, where we had to anchor for two hours because of low tide. When the tide rose, we rowed further and in the evening we reached the hamlet of Isahaya, where we were quartered by the stewards in the lodgings of the Nagasaki Governors. Today we progressed twenty miles by water.
Arrival in Nagasaki
16 In the morning, we obtained strong horses and we left. We stopped for refreshments in Himi, where Magobei’s son welcomed us with some food. We ate some and crossed the Himi Mountains. In the afternoon, the bongioisen and the interpreters accompanied us through Nagasaki to our island. There we found our friends healthy and well and everything in good order. After the bongioisen had refreshed themselves in my house, we said goodbye.
18 Early in the morning, I went with the otona and the interpreters to Governor Yohyōe. After a short wait, he welcomed me heartily. I thanked him first for his recommendation which aided an early audience; then for the generous allowance of the Shogun’s rice after the fire on 12 February; also for the friendly hospitality shown us by his son in his house; also that he had given us a bongiois of a cheerful disposition, who had given us great assistance and shown us friendship during the journey; also that after our shipwreck off the coast of Hakata we had been quartered and shown liberal hospitality all along the way; and finally, that he had shown fatherly care for the Company’s servants on Tsukishima. I humbly requested that this would continue. The governor responded in the Japanese way with few words. He congratulated me on the early audience I had been given by the Shogun. We should comply with the Shogun’s orders. I was given my leave and I returned home. In the afternoon, the provisions and what was left in the barge were brought ashore. They have been damaged by the salt water.
21 The otona informed us that Burgemeester Sakuemon lost all the goods he had taken to Edo in the fire on the 23rd of last month. They were valued at 9000–10,000 taels and consisted of 32 packs and canasters. He could not save anything.
24 Fantano Gento, Heizō’s uncle, came with the interpreters for instruction by the surgeon in medicine and the preparation of medicines. After he had been shown some hospitality, they began to work.
25 I heard that an Anhai junk left on the 12th. When it was far out at sea, it lost its mainmast in a storm and it had to return and drop anchor off the Gotō Islands yesterday. A Nanking junk which had left shortly after, was also forced to do so.
26 With the governor’s permission, the surgeon went to the house of Burgemeester Sakuemon to attend to a certain sick and lame person. He found that the ailment was incurable owing to the long duration and old age.
27 Magobei came with Doctor Gento for the latter’s instruction in medicine. He told me that he had heard that the Chinese from Nanking had been given permission to trade in Tartary. Now instead of cotton, they were buying up copper, linen, sandalwood, fox skins and many kinds of dried seaweed which the Japanese consume and are taking it there. Also, 100 piculs of camphor had arrived from Satsuma, which the Chinese had bought up for 14.5 taels per picul. It is to be feared that the 400 piculs which we had ordered at 10 taels per picul, will not be delivered. But Magobei assured me. He had spoken to the supplier and had urged him to keep his promise. In spite of the aforesaid high price, he had promised that he would and that he would deliver it within two months, as agreed. Time will tell.
May
1 Steady rain. The governor sent Magobei to ask for some medicine for the shogunal attendant whom our surgeon had attended to several times in Edo. Kiemon had written to him for it. I promised that the surgeon would prepare it tomorrow.
4 I learnt that the Shogun had given orders that all the burnt gates, houses and streets in Edo should be rebuilt in just as costly a fashion and as beautifully as before the fires. All splendour in dress and household should also be maintained as before. Apparently these orders have been given to raise the people’s spirits. The Shogun has supplied everyone without the means to do so liberally with money. This has caused the prices of all goods in Miyako to rise substantially.
5 Today it is dry and we have inspected the island and the warehouses so that the landlords can be informed of the necessary repairs. Every day we are experiencing severe earth tremors. They have not been felt here in such numbers and for such a long period in living memory. We are also experiencing uncommonly wet and bad weather, which has spoiled and beaten down the grain in the fields. We shall have a poor wheat crop.
10 Magobei announced that Nabeshima-dono, Lord of Hizen, will arrive tomorrow.
12 In the morning we saw a multitude of hayafune, barges and smaller vessels of Hizen entering the bay. The lord will follow tomorrow. He is travelling over land.
13 In the evening, I was told that he had arrived. I had Magobei request the governor to thank the lord on our behalf for the honour he had shown us and the assistance he had given us by transporting us in his hayafune and in other ways when we travelling through his domain. He promised to do so, although he had already done so by mail.
14 In the morning, all the vessels of Hizen rowed to the guard stations. Those of Hakata left. On my behalf Magobei wrote a note of thanks in Japanese to Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami in Edo. I also sent him some Dutch paper, olive oil and medicinal essential oils, which he had asked for and which he had already paid for when I was in Edo. I also handed Magobei some ornamental cloosterwerck, spyglasses, spectacles, compasses, rose water and such, for which the Lord of Owari, the Shogun’s uncle in Edo, had asked. They will be sent there with the governor’s permission.
16 Last night we felt another severe earthquake. In the morning three of the junks which arrived recently returned to China. I was told that the Lord of Hizen left yesterday.
19 Another junk left for Anhai on a northerly breeze. Last night and this morning we felt another frightening earthquake.
26 The wind is blowing strongly from the north. In the afternoon, the last two Chinese junks left for Anhai.
31 Interpreter Shinkichi told me that about forty days ago a severe earthquake in Edo had destroyed more than 300 houses. Also, that Governor Kiemon had already left Edo and is expected here shortly.
June
1 Interpreter Hachizaemon – who returned yesterday from his trip to Arima – told me that the divers, who have been looking every day since 1653 for the silver in the burnt galleon of Andrea Pessoa, have found a goodly batch. They had found a large piece of metal ordnance with their instruments which they brought here today. It had lain deep in the ground for forty years and is still in a very good condition and can still be used.
6 A Cambodian junk arrived in the roadstead on a strong southerly wind and dense rain. It had stranded off the Ryūkyū Islands last September in a severe storm. Adverse wind had forced it to remain there for quite some time. It had sold part of the spoiled goods. The remaining goods have been brought here via Satsuma and consist of just the following. [List; worth about 6000 taels].
11 Some of the interpreters who came today with Doctor Gento, Heizō’s uncle, told me that the commodities, especially silk and fabrics, are rising steeply every day in Miyako.
15 Interpreter Sukezaemon returned from Miyako and Ise. He had left in March to visit the temples there with his family. He confirmed the high prices for the goods in Miyako. He also said that they were rebuilding the Shogun’s palace in Edo in the most beautiful way. Several of the most important lords are contributing. Each of these lords is dressing his attendants in the most costly fashion with coats of laken and rassetten, all in special colours. These goods have also risen in price. They were still busy refining copper in Osaka. A goodly quantity will be brought here shortly.
16 In the afternoon, one of the water-gates of this island was opened and shortly after Governor Yohyōe came with his suite. He said that he only came now that the tide was low to select for his own use some rare stones from the ballast stones which are set on both sides of the stairs. He spent about half an hour there. In the meantime, I had the interpreters – who were all present – invite the governor for refreshments in my house. But he declined this time. He would visit me again in a few days. After he had selected a few stones, he left.
18 I was told that news had come that the barge which transports us every year to Osaka when we undertake the court journey and which left for Osaka on the 26th of last month with costly goods belonging to several Japanese merchants, altogether worth 9000–10,000 taels, had been hit by bad weather off Akashi and had been smashed to pieces. Nothing of the cargo had been saved. We thank the Almighty that we were spared such an accident when we were in the same perilous straits off the coast of Hakata on 9 April. In living memory there have not been so many such accidents as in this year. More than two hundred barges have foundered off the coast of Hakata and many people have drowned there.
22 News arrived that the Governor of Osaka, Soga Tanba-no-kami, who had been ill for some time, died a few days ago. His eldest son has succeeded him.
26 Magobei told me that around 3000 piculs of refined copper had already been delivered to the city, but none of the merchants was here yet. He thought they might arrive shortly. He also said that he had received a letter from Satsuma that the 400 piculs of camphor which we ordered will be brought here early next month.
29 The four sampans, which are beached on the other side of the bay, have been inspected. They need some small repairs. I ordered the Japanese carpenter who made them to caulk them as soon as possible.
30 Magobei told me that Burgemeester Shirōbei had received a letter from Edo with the news that Commissioner Inoue Chikugo-no-kami has been discharged from his office because of his age – he is 76 – and a certain Hōjō Awa-no-kami has been appointed in his place. It would be desirable if the commissioner could have stayed in office for some time longer, because he is familiar with our national character and our circumstances, having had intercourse with us for such a long time, and he has always shown himself to be a friend to our nation. Experience has taught us that it is difficult to deal with inexperienced officials, especially when something uncommon happens, because they cannot or will not understand it, as we experience almost every day in many situations with both Nagasaki Governors.
July
1 Fine weather. Hachizaemon told me that Kiemon had already left Osaka and is expected here soon. He has not only been appointed governor here, but also commissioner of the prisoners of Ōmura. They number about two hundred persons, including their entire families – I have mentioned this on 27 November and 1 December. They are kept in custody here, in Hirado and Hizen. Some of them, proclaiming themselves to be Roman Catholics, so it is rumoured, intended to set fire to Nagasaki and surrounding places. This governor has been ordered to carry out a thorough investigation and to settle the case using his own judgment. Many people think that this unrest in Ōmura has been stirred up by the lord himself.
4 Rainy weather. Young interpreter Yosōemon told me yesterday that the deputies of the main copper merchants had arrived and that around 5000 piculs of that mineral was already in the city, thus I told the otona and the interpreters that they should request the governor’s permission for those merchants to visit us on the island, so that we could discuss the price with them. And if we could come to an agreement and the copper was delivered in time, could we ballast the ships with it? They promised to propose it to the governor at the first opportunity.
7 Governor Yohyōe sent Magobei and Hachizaemon for the written order which he and his confrère Kiemon had issued to us on 12 October last year when the flute the Urk was freed, concerning the seizing of Chinese junks. They do not know what he wants with it. It seems that, as we are expecting the arrival of the first ship from Tayouan any day now, he wants to find out what happened to the junk seized last year. While the document was being copied, I told them that this order deviated greatly from what Chikugo-no-kami and Kiemon said when they gave me the warning in Edo.
8 Rainy weather. I had the otona, the interpreters, their sons, clerks and other dependents to dinner. They were treated to Japanese food.
9 They came to thank me for yesterday’s hospitality. They had just been to see the governor about the purchase of copper and camphor. He granted his permission without any remarks. He had asked about the ships’ arrival. They had told him that a few were expected this month. He had been pleased and had said that if all arrived in time, we could start trading early. This may be a way of making clear that we should not ask for an extension, but that the ships should depart at the fixed time.
10 Fantano Gento, Heizō’s uncle, who has been daily receiving instruction in medicine from our surgeon for five or six months, came with Interpreter Sukezaemon to thank us. He said that he would be travelling to Edo shortly and he requested a few lines in Dutch to show there that he had received instruction from a Dutch surgeon. For Heizō’s sake and because this instruction had been given with the governor’s permission, we obliged him. He left with the interpreter.
12 Dark, rainy weather, a strong southerly wind. In the morning, the interpreters came to inform me that Governor Kiemon arrived yesterday. They had just been to welcome him on my behalf and had asked him when I could do so personally. He had said in three or four days.
13 It continues to rain and blow from the south. The interpreters and the otona came with the six factors or deputies of the main copper merchants. I told them that I was willing to purchase a good quantity of fine bar-copper, if we could agree on a fair price. In their familiar way they first held a long and unnecessary discourse about the high price of this specie and then asked 14 taels for a picul. I countered with many arguments and offered ten. They lowered the price to 13 and I raised it to 11, to show them that I had not sent for them in vain and was willing to buy. This is just 4 mas less than the price we paid two years ago. They disregarded it and stood up. They would confer and let me know their final offer. It is annoying and sad that these wily and irresolute merchants always keep negotiations dragging on for so long and only come to an agreement at the last moment. We lose precious time which could be better spent on taking delivery and packing the copper properly.
14 I was told that the ostrich which we had presented to the Shogun this year had died. The Shogun had taken much pleasure every day in seeing it run. One rainy day, while running, it had hit its chest against some wood lying about there and it had fallen to the ground and within view of the Shogun it died. Apparently they have chased the bird too much and tired it out and thereby killed it.
16 A junk from Anhai arrived in the roadstead. This is the first one this southern monsoon. It had only taken nine days to reach here. [List of cargo.] It brought a costly cargo which is worth around 60,000 taels at the present market prices.
17 Last night there was a rumour that a Dutch ship had been spotted at sea from the Nomo Mountains. But this morning it turned out to be a Chinese junk with a top sail. It came from Quinam. [List of cargo; worth around 10,000 taels.] Our four sampans have been repaired and they have been taken to water during springtide.
20 The otona and the interpreters came again with the copper merchants. But they refused to budge from their excessive quote of 12.5 taels. I finally offered them 11.2 taels. But they still thought this too low and, as they are wont to do, they said that they could not give it for less than 12 taels because of the high price in the higher regions. They left. Because precious time is lapsing fruitlessly and it is certain that it is more expensive than last year, I had the interpreters offer them last year’s price of 11.4 taels for 3000 piculs. If they will not accept this fair offer, I intend to wait for the arrival of the ships with the orders from the High Government in Batavia. In the afternoon, the governor sent Magobei with a prince’s flag with the text ‘Vive Oranje’ and a pass which had been found when the junk which arrived yesterday was searched. He wanted to know the contents. Jan van Rijck, opperhoofd in Siam, issued it to the Chinese Siqua on 30 May.
22 A strong southerly wind, mingled with rain, but in the afternoon it cleared. I went with the interpreters to the house of Governor Kiemon to welcome him. I greeted him with the required ceremony and thanked him for his assistance this year in Edo which led to an early audience and dispatch. I commended the Company’s affairs to his favour. He said that he was pleased with our success at the Court. He was happy that we had come through our perilous adventure off the coast of Hakata safely. He had learnt of this in Edo from Yohyōe’s letter. The ships were expected shortly and we should start trading soon. I thanked His Honour again as required and was given my leave. I also went to greet Governor Yohyōe and congratulated him on his confrère’s safe arrival. He thanked me and asked how many ships were expected and when. I told him and was given my leave, whereupon I returned to my house. I saw a large junk come sailing into the bay. It came from Anhai and is one of Coxinga’s junks.
24 The otona and Magobei and Sukezaemon came to inform me that they had a discussion with the copper merchants yesterday and had offered them 11.4 taels for 3000 piculs as I had ordered. But they refused to go below 12 taels. For the time being it will not be possible to settle with these tough people. Magobei promised to summon them to his house again and to warn them that if they would not deliver at this price, they would be sorry later and would be left stuck with it. In the evening, I saw a Chinese junk flying many flags and schans- kleden come sailing into the bay. Because of contrary winds, it had to be towed into the roadstead by several barges from Ōmura.
25 In the morning, the interpreters told me that the junk carried an important ambassador from Coxinga to the Japanese Shogun. He was accompanied by a large suite and brought beautiful gifts of curious silk fabrics, worth about 60,000 taels. But he had no letters for the councillors nor for these governors.
26 In the afternoon, the ambassador and his suite were brought ashore in very inferior Japanese vessels.
27 A junk arrived from Siam. [List of cargo; worth about 9000 taels.]
I was told that the gifts which the ambassador has brought for the Shogun consist of 1560 pieces of various kinds of silk fabrics. [List, including some gold cloth on a satin ground woven with the Shogun’s crest.] Nothing has yet been brought ashore. It seems that these governors are incensed that no letter has been addressed to them nor has any request been made to assist the ambassador to Edo. This will not be to his advantage. It is even said that they had already given orders for his departure, but the Chinese interpreters had represented to them that it was impossible in this southern monsoon and he would have to stay here till September or October. In the meantime, the ambassador is staying in his accommodation and no member of his suite is allowed outside. All necessities and provisions have to be supplied and the governors do not bother with them in the least. This is an indication of the bad feelings and a decision from Edo is expected shortly. I trust it will not be to the disadvantage of the Company either.
29 Fine weather. The damage has been repaired. The water-gates of the island have also been looked after by the city’s carpenters. The landlords have repaired the broken fence. Magobei told me that he had negotiated again with the copper merchants but they could not be induced to accept last year’s price. Thus I intend to wait till the ships arrive before making a decision as there is no other way to come to an early purchase.
31 We felt another severe earthquake. The interpreters told me that not only in this city had sixty people gone missing in the bad weather on the 28th
August
1 A small Chinese junk arrived from Zhangzhou with a small cargo, worth about 2000 taels. [List.] I heard that the Chinese junk which had been near Hirado had foundered off Jesinussima close by. One Chinese who had been transferred to the Hirado patrol barge, two bongioisen and their attendants and the entire crew of the barge drowned. The remaining seventy Chinese saved their lives but lost all else. In the same storm the barge of Burgemeester Sakuemon and six others had foundered off the coast of Hakata. This man has lost a great deal during his court journey in both disasters, first, in the fire in Edo, all the goods he had brought were burnt in the godown of the Lord of Hakata, and now all that he had brought from Edo has perished in the water. It is said that the barge had been loaded with about 10,000 taels of silver and commodities. Just two chests of silver and some small stuff have been salvaged.
3 The impounded equipment belonging to the Lord of Karatsu, some Japanese anchors, ropes, and some packs of hemp, which have been kept here on the island now for ten years, have been aired by the governor’s bongiois. The warehouses in which they were kept have been damaged by the storm and the bongiois stored them in two other warehouses, which he sealed, without even asking if we could spare them. Thus now these goods are spread over three places. Another junk arrived from Anhai. [List of cargo.] It had left with three others, but it had lost sight of them close to the shore. In the evening, the governor sent Sukezaemon with another pass and a prince’s flag with a text on it. Rocquan received them from the opperhoofd in Siam on his departure. It is dated 3 May. The contents are the same as the two previous ones, except for a larger number of deerskins.
4 Two junks arrived from Anhai, one belonging to Nachoda Lipsien. He has also been to Siam this year. Both junks have brought the following goods. [List.]
6 Governor Yohyōe had us shown a Siamese pass dated 3 May, brought by Nachoda Lipsien. He wanted to know the meaning of the contents. I told Interpreter Nihyōe. It is similar to the three previous ones.
7 Around four o’clock in the afternoon, First Assistant Wouter Cornelisz Ebbekin, born in Haarlem, died here in the factory. He had been ill for some time, but he had not been bedridden. I informed the otona and the interpreters immediately so that they could ask the governor for permission to bury the body tomorrow.
8 A few interpreters came and told us that when the governor heard the news, he ordered two of his servants and one bongiois to attend the burial. The body was put in a coffin and taken in a barge to Inasa on the other side of the bay, where he was buried in the presence of most of the Company servants. Two junks arrived on a strong south-westerly wind. One is said to hail from Quinam and the other from Cambodia.
9 A large junk with white sails has been towed to the roadstead by a large number of Japanese barges. It has lost its yard and the rudder is damaged. I was told that it is one of Coxinga’s junks and it had sailed here straight from Patani. In the evening, the governor sent Interpreter Shinkichi with a pass which had been found when the junk from Cambodia was inspected. He wanted to know the contents. I explained it to the interpreter. Hendrick Indijck, opperhoofd of the Company’s business in Cambodia, issued it to the Chinese nachoda Sonqua on 19 June. It stated that the nachoda would sail from Cambodia to China and he requested the ships that he encountered to let him pass unhindered.
10 Interpreter Sukezaemon came early in the morning. I reminded him of the copper. Precious time is passing. He said that he had spoken to some of the merchants two days ago. They could not accept last year’s price. But he promised to speak to them again tomorrow. It seems that the three main copper merchants are willing to deliver at that price so that they can exchange their money for commodities which the Company will be importing, but the petty merchants, who buy it in Osaka, are blocking the deal in the hope of higher profits. Burgemeester Sakuemon returned from Edo today. He spent some time in Hakata because he had to look after his possessions after the foundering of his barge.
11 The interpreters came with the copper merchants. After some discussion I told them that my final bid was 11:4 mas per picul for a quantity of 3000 piculs of fine copper weighed on the Company’s daats. They were not interested, but would rather wait for the ships and then sell the whole quantity that had been brought here, which they say is about 6000 piculs. But when I brought to their attention that they might be left stuck with it because of the shortness of time as the ships are late, they showed more interest. They conferred for a while and with many complaints about the loss they would suffer, they finally agreed to the price I offered for 3000 piculs. They left to make the division of each one’s share. They would make deliveries as soon as possible.
12 Japanese Feast of the Dead, called Bon. Two Chinese junks arrived last night, one from Anhai and the other from Quinam. Their cargoes will be noted in the separate summary at the end of this text.
13 A good quantity of copper has been brought onto the island.
Arrival of the Trouw
14 I sent Junior Merchant Hogenhouck with Magobei to look for the ship. In the meantime, the governors informed me that another dispatch boat had brought news of another ship off Nomo. I could send another barge to verify this or in case the other barge missed this ship. I promptly sent Junior Merchant Cornelis Mulock with a note. In the evening, both barges returned, having seen just one ship.
Arrival of the Bloemendaal
15 About three hours before daybreak, in clear moonlight, the other ship that the guards on the mountains had spotted yesterday arrived in the roadstead. It is the yacht the Bloemendaal, which sailed on 22 July from Cambodia with Merchant Hendrick Indijck, former opperhoofd and lately commissioner there. The weather had been fine. The cargo of the ship consists of the following. [List.] The bill of lading states a value of 37,126 guilders.
16 Fine weather. The bongioisen came early in the morning and we made good progress with the unloading of the Trouw. The ship needs ballast and the governors gave permission to load copper again. The 600 chests were loaded. With the lead which we were allowed to leave on the ship, she should be stable enough for the time being. Today all the skins in the Trouw were brought ashore. Only some sappanwood is left. I told the interpreters to ask the governor for permission to start unloading the Bloemendaal tomorrow. In the evening, Magobei told me that the governor was furious with him and the bongiois who had supervised the unloading today, because on leaving the ship, they had forgotten to seal the ship’s hatches. Thus they had to return to the ship in the dark to seal the hatches.
17 In the morning we unloaded the remaining sappanwood from the Trouw and also the Cambodian goods from the Bloemendaal. The flute was empty by the afternoon.
18 In the afternoon, the Bloemendaal was empty. The goods have been received on shore in a good condition. Three hundred chests of copper have been loaded to stabilize her. The books and the papers have been inspected, and the rudder has been brought ashore. We have received a further 550 piculs of copper. In the evening, a large Japanese barge from Hirado brought the seventy Chinese of the junk which stranded there on 28 July and the few damaged goods, worth about 2000 taels, which those poor men had managed to salvage of their cargo, which had been worth about 30,000 taels. The junk had been sent from Anhai by Coxinga.
19–21 We have received a further 1550 piculs of copper, all of which was fine and well refined. They have been packed in solid chests, which have been tied up and nailed fast. We have now a supply of 3000 piculs of that mineral till further orders from Batavia.
22 Magobei told me that the Chinese junk which arrived from Anhai on 22 July has brought the skipper or nachoda of the junk which had been captured by the crews of the Breukelen and the Urk off Pulau Condor last year, and a Chinese sailor who had also been on the Urk. They claim that last year they did not receive a full restitution or satisfaction,
23 I heard that last night a barge from Satsuma brought news that two Dutch ships had been spotted off the coast there with a large Chinese junk. They could not proceed because of the calm. I hope it is true and that they arrive here shortly.
26 One of the governor’s relatives from the domain of Chikugo went to visit the two ships lying in the roadstead. Afterwards, out of curiosity, he came to my house with a few bongioisen and he looked at a few things. I entertained him to tent wine and some fruits. Then he left full of gratitude.
27 Fine weather with a fresh northerly wind as if it is the northern monsoon. I fear that the ships which we are looking forward to every day will have a long journey, the more so because from the 13th till today no junk has arrived and around twenty of them are expected.
29 The wind is still blowing from the north with an overcast sky. Today is the first day of the Japanese 8th month and the governors and officials are presented with gifts by all the citizens of this city.4 This happens once a year to show their gratitude and it is always on this holiday.
September
1–2 The wind is still blowing from the north.
3 Last night it was calm, in the morning the wind began to blow from the east, veering southerly around noon. In the afternoon, a junk arrived from Anhai, it had been underway for thirty days and had lain off Satsuma for some time. Its cargo consists mainly of white and black sugar and some raw silk. In the evening, Governor Yohyōe sent Magobei to ask for a jackscrew. He was in urgent need of one and I obliged him with the one we have at the factory.
4 Wind as yesterday, but an overcast sky. In the morning, the governors had the interpreters inform me that a white sail had been spotted by the guards on the mountain. They thought it might be of one of our ships. Thus they gave permission to send a barge with a few Dutchmen there. Merchant Hendrick Indijck and Junior Merchant Hogenhouck went there with the instructions. In the afternoon, we were told that two more ships were approaching and I sent another vessel with two Dutchmen and the necessary instructions. About an hour later the governors sent a third message that another two ships, five altogether had been spotted close off shore. If I so wished, I could send some people there. I had the governors thanked most heartily.
5 In the morning it was still quiet and very early I sent the men with two interpreters and two servants of the governors there to meet with some of the ships if possible. But around noon the governor let me know that from the mountains six Dutch ships had now been spotted at sea. Four of them were more to the south and two more to the north off the Gotō Islands. I sent another barge with three men and the necessary instructions. After midnight the men returned with good tidings. Off the Nomo Bight they had seen six ships, but they could not approach because of the calm. They had insisted on going to three of them, namely Venenburg, Domburg and Breukelen, although they were far out to sea. They had been told that they had sailed together from Batavia and that Zacharias Wagenaer had been appointed as my successor. The three ships were carrying an excellent cargo of Bengal silk, European woollen cloth, Coromandel textiles, spices, rarities and such, worth in all 836,638 guilders. The other three ships, which had been clearly visible, were the yachts the Arnemuiden, Haas and Vink, sailing from Tayouan.
Arrival of the Venenburg, Domburg, Breukelen, Arnemuiden and Vink
6 Before noon it was still calm, but then it started to cool off from the south and before evening, following each other closely, the ships arrived safely in the roadstead. They are the Venenburg, Domburg and Breukelen from Batavia and the yacht the Arnemuiden and the flute the Vink from Tayouan. It appears that the Haas has reached the Bight of Arima. In the evening, I notified the interpreters of the cargoes of the five ships. They translated it into Japanese and around midnight they took it to the governor. They would ask permission to start unloading tomorrow.
7 The interpreters told me that the governors would like us to unload two ships simultaneously to gain time. I promised to do so. As soon as the bongioisen came and opened the water-gates, I went to the Breukelen and the Arnemuiden. After the crews had been mustered and the placard published, we started to unload both ships. Progress was smooth and Breukelen was empty before evening. Her cargo was in good condition and tallied with the invoice. Just two packs of Guinea-cloth were a little damp. Two hundred chests of copper have been loaded as ballast. We unloaded all the skins from the Arnemuiden and 120 chests of sugar.
8 In the morning, we began to unload the Arnemuiden and to load 400 piculs of copper on the Breukelen,
9 In the morning the weather had calmed and the wind was northerly. As soon as the bongioisen appeared for the unloading, we loaded the remaining copper ballast on the Breukelen. We were also bringing ashore part of the sugar from the Arnemuiden, but then the governors sent Hachizaemon to direct us to start unloading the Venenburg to save time, for the Breukelen was empty and ballasted with copper. I would have preferred to leave that till tomorrow, because we were receiving copper and occupied with other chores and I did not want everything confused. But my objections fell on deaf ears and after the crew had been mustered we had to unload. It was done in such a haste that the numbers of the packs of Bengal silk could not be checked properly. We were busy till the evening, storing the goods everywhere and we were forced to leave some of the sugar chests and cases of Dutch goods in the passages of the warehouses. I had them guarded at night.
10 Fine weather. We continued the unloading of the Venenburg.
11 Overcast and some rain. After the crew of the Domburg had been mustered and the placard published, we started to unload. The heavy rain impeded us. But most of the packs of Bengal silk were brought ashore in good condition. The Venenburg is now empty and her cargo tallies with the invoice. On the outside everything looks all right. 1000 piculs of copper have been loaded to ballast her. Permission was granted to leave the rudder hanging in the ship because it is too dangerous to remove it.
12 A junk arrived from Quinam. Heavy rain in the morning, but around noon it ceased and we started to unload the Domburg and the Vink. In the meantime, I contracted for some of the goods which have been ordered for Batavia and Tayouan, so that they can be sent for in time from Miyako. A letter arrived from Satsuma that the promised 400 piculs of camphor cannot be delivered in full because of the turnover of workmen who prefer to work in the gold mines on account of the higher wages. We have been given hope that 70 or 80 piculs of cowries or beas will be delivered before the ships’ departure, but I fear that it will not be so. Today all the skins and part of the sugar chests – seven of which were empty – have been unloaded from the Vink.
13 In the morning, we started to unload the Tayouanese cargo from the Haas.5 We also received permission from the governors to transfer the 250 sows of lead from the Trouw, which will sail from here directly to Batavia, to the Vink as ballast. Thus the Vink was set close to the Trouw and we loaded a further 600 piculs of copper instead of the lead on the Trouw. In the evening, Nachoda Kouquan, brother of Itchien, finally arrived in the roadstead with his large junk from Tonkin. The journey took him fifty-four days because of adverse wind.
14 The governors sent Magobei to inquire to which places and regions in the Indies the Company’s ships sail and with which places we traffic. Also, who the rulers of all these countries are, whether they be kings, regents, governors. I told him and he wrote it down in Japanese. These officials have asked us this before, both here and in Edo. For what reason they do so remains unknown. The remaining goods have been unloaded from the Haas and the ship has been inspected. Kouquan has brought me a letter – which the governor sent to me – from Assistant Gustavus Hansz in Tonkin, dated 18 July, from which we learnt that at the departure of this junk no ship had yet arrived from Batavia. This had given this Chinese the opportunity to buy a good batch of fine silk which the merchants had kept for us, for a fair price. Our people had bought some fine cloth with the proceeds of the Dutch lakenen that had been sold. With the letter I received a package with 25 pieces of white gauze, which Governor Kiemon had asked us last year to order for him there.
15 The experts came very early and they began to inspect the rayskins straightaway. By the afternoon they were finished.
16 Rainy weather which hinders us in displaying our goods, in particular the deerskins and cowhides. But we proceeded as much as possible with opening the silk and some of the cases with Dutch goods and taking delivery of copper. In the afternoon, the street had dried a little and we took out the remaining packs of Bengal silk and put them on display. We were finished in the evening.
17 A violent storm broke lose from the north and the north-east with driving rain. This not only prevented us from showing the goods to the merchants, but we shall not be able to display the deerskins for some days. This is a great inconvenience now that we are so hard pressed and we have such a large supply of skins. The northerly wind gathered force with driving rain and the ropes
18 The rain ceased, but the northerly wind kept blowing. The European and other goods that have been selected for sale were put on display and everything set ready. In the afternoon, the sales notice was affixed and the island was opened to everyone. A large crowd came and inspected the goods. They left in the evening.
20 Fine weather. We have been delivering the goods sold to the merchants. It took us all day.
21 In the morning overcast, the wind easterly. Early in the morning we were setting some Siamese, Cambodian and Tayouanese deerskins outside the warehouses to show them to the merchants, but soon the rain began to fall and we had to take the skins back inside. This is the second time that the rain put a stop to the sale of the skins. This is a great nuisance. Meanwhile, we delivered the remaining batches from the first sale. Except for the sugar, sappanwood and rayskins, all goods have been delivered. I struck a deal with the authorized dealer of vermilion that he will take the four barrels for 122 taels per picul. In the evening, there was another gale from the south-west, mingled with heavy rain, which continued during the night.
23 At daybreak I had another batch of Bengal silk, European woollen cloth and Coromandel textiles taken out and opened so that we can show them to the merchants tomorrow. In the afternoon, a junk arrived from Nanking. [List of cargo.]
24 In the afternoon, we had everything ready and had the kanban and the notices affixed. The island was opened to everyone and a crowd of people came to inspect the displayed goods. They left when darkness fell. In the night another Nanking junk arrived with about 40 piculs of silk, some medicines and drugs.
25 170 barrels of camphor arrived from Satsuma. The supplier wrote that he himself would be arriving with another batch shortly.
26 We have been busy weighing the Bengal silk and delivering the other goods. Except for the Formosan sugar and the bariga silk, all goods that were sold yesterday have been handed over to the buyers. Today the junk on which the Chinese ambassador, who was sent on behalf of Coxinga, arrived on 24 July has been taken to mid-stream. It is being prepared for departure. Apparently he will have to return to China without having achieved anything.
27 Master Centhamers of the Haas sent me a note that his boatswain’s mate, named Louijs Gillissen, from Eever, had died after a long illness. I gave orders to have his body put in a coffin and in the afternoon he was buried in the usual burial place. The gifts that we selected yesterday for the governors were prepared for presentation tomorrow. In the afternoon, we sold the remaining Siamese deerskins, which on average fetched far more. In the evening, when we were delivering the 200 piculs of Bengal silk bariga, which we had weighed today properly under close supervision, we found it to be too short. Usually this kind of silk has an overweight. We could not imagine what could have caused this but then we noticed that the fault lay with the daats.
28 In the morning, according to custom, Wagenaer, Indijck and I went to present the annual gifts to both governors, Kiemon and Yohyōe, to Intendant Heizō and the four burgemeesters of the city. They all accepted them gratefully. They gave us a friendly reception. In the meantime, the Siamese deerskins that were sold yesterday were handed over to the merchants. We have received 944 piculs of fine bar-copper.
29 In the morning, the governors sent Magobei to inform us that they had just received a message that a Dutch ship had dropped anchor off the west side of the Gotō Islands six days ago. She was short of water and firewood. The lord had given orders that she should be supplied with such. The ship could not approach because of the calm and the headwind. I had the governors thanked and asked permission to send a vessel there to find out the particulars. The interpreters told me that the governors had sent a tentō there.
30 In the morning, with the governor’s permission, I sent two vessels with three Dutchmen and two interpreters outside to search for the ship. A short while later, two Dutchmen, the bookkeeper and a sailor – whom the Japanese had removed from the ship as hostages, as is their custom, on the 25th off the Gotō Islands – were brought here on a hayafune of the lord and handed over to the governors. The governor sent them to us with two of their bongioisen. The men told us that they had sailed from Tayouan on the flute the Zeeridder on 20 August with deerskins, sugar and some sappanwood for Japan. But the adverse wind had forced them to drop anchor off the west coast of the Gotō Islands. On the third day, when the weather had calmed, they had taken their skiff to go ashore for water and they had been taken by the Japanese whom they had met in two barges. They informed their leaders of their predicament and they were promptly supplied with water, firewood, and 3 bales of rice. The two men were kept back and the ship had left on the 27th with a good wind. I hope she will arrive shortly. A boy died on the Bloemendaal last night. He was buried in the ordinary burial place this morning.
October
1 In the morning, a few of the main merchants inspected the Bengal silk and woollen cloth again. Sukezaemon told me that rumours were doing the rounds in the city that apart from this Tayouanese ship, a Cantonese ship was expected. This rumour has created a stir among the merchants. They have been relying on our statement that only one ship was expected with sugar and skins and thus bid high prices for our goods. The interpreter who brought the two men of the Zeeridder here from the Gotō Islands has spread the rumour. The two men had not given it a thought and let slip to the interpreter that another ship, namely the Kalf, had arrived in Tayouan from Canton and would also sail here shortly after them. This news has made the merchants very reluctant to buy the goods that were displayed yesterday. These rumours can be very detrimental to the Company, especially in this case when we are selling such a fine lot of over 500 piculs of silk.
2 The merchants came to collect the silk. It was weighed with our usual silk daats and they raised no objections. There is still no sign of the Zeeridder. Her bookkeeper had told us that they had an arduous voyage and were already short of firewood, water and rice. Moreover, there was no one on board who had made this journey before and their ignorance added to their jeopardy in these weather conditions. After a long meeting, I had the interpreters request the governors that, as no Japanese barges are willing to sail out there, they give permission to send one of our skiffs well-manned with water, provisions and other necessities to look for the ship and help her on her way. The interpreters wrote it down and went to the governors. They returned with the governors’ permission and we hastily sent off the large skiff of the Venenburg with Master Bartholomeus Verweij and fourteen strong sailors and all that was needed. They were given a written order to look for the ship along this coast and the Gotō Islands without venturing farther from the shore. When they found her, they should help her into this bay by every possible means. I also requested the governors for a pass in Japanese in case the skiff encountered any Japanese sailing along the coast. All seven interpreters signed and stamped it with their seal. On the basis of this pass, the Dutchmen should be given all assistance and not be hindered in any way. This is the first time that any vessel with Dutchmen has been allowed to sail away without any bongioisen being present.
3 A Japanese holiday.7 Magobei returned and told us that last night both he and the skiff had sailed to Sasesima – which we call the Hen and the Chicks8 – where the guard told them that the ship had been spotted from the mountains the day before. The skiff remained off the island for the night and if the ship was not visible from the mountains, she would head for the Gotō Islands.
4 The merchants came for the silk they had bought. I had the Coromandel and Bengal silk fabrics unpacked to put them on display tomorrow. In the afternoon, the governors had us informed that the Zeeridder had dropped anchor off the Gotō Islands near Oijssima. They gave permission for Interpreter Magobei to make a third trip on a Japanese barge to the Gotō Islands to ascertain this or meet with the skiff. We hope that the ship will finally manage to arrive in the harbour either with tow-boats or another way. This delay, which has now lasted for ten to twelve days, is causing us great difficulties.
5 It rained the entire day with a gusty easterly wind. Neither the ship or the skiff was seen. The remaining goods were displayed, but because of the bad weather and it being a Japanese holiday, no merchants came to inspect them. We received a further 100 chests of silver which were weighed and packed under close supervision.
6 Showery weather. In the morning the deceased was buried. The goods on display have been inspected by the merchants. Nachoda Wansick arrived with his junk from Patani. It has taken him 3½ months to reach here. His cargo consists mainly of sappanwood, deerskins, pepper, rattan and suchlike bulk goods.
7 In the afternoon, we sold the goods which were displayed yesterday. Like the previous sales, this was also very successful. While we were busy, the governors had us informed that two white sails had been spotted, one of which was close by. However, the northerly wind blew in a contrary direction and with the governors’ permission 40 tow-boats were dispatched to tow the ship inside. The governors sent us the nine men in the evening and two of their bongioisen handed them over.
Arrival of the Zeeridder
8 At daybreak the long-awaited flute the Zeeridder was towed into the roadstead by the tow-boats. The interpreter who had gone along told us that the night before a man had died on board and the master was very ill in bed. The ship brought a letter from the governor and council in Tayouan dated 20 August, in which they wrote that the yacht the Kalf, which had arrived the day before from Canton carrying just ballast, would follow with sugar and some sappanwood. The cargo of this flute consists of Formosan powdered sugar, deerskins, elk skins and some sappanwood. After the crew had been mustered, we started to unload the flute in a hurry. Coxinga’s Chinese ambassador, who arrived here from China on a junk on 24 July, has to return with all his fine gifts, letter and entourage, without ever having left his accommodation.
9 In the morning, the body of the master was buried at Inasa in the usual burial place in the presence of Wagenaer, Indijck, a few masters and other persons. The Zeeridder was empty in the afternoon. I had her ballasted with 500 piculs of copper. In the meantime, the skins were displayed and the damaged ones were removed. The merchants came to inspect the skins and the sugar. While we were busy packing 100 chests of silver, all the interpreters came with the otona. The governors had sent them to ask us what was the outcome of the matter of the junk which had been captured and sunk near Tayouan. Its nachoda has come here and handed in a request to the governor, stating that he had not received anything in Tayouan but the hulk of the stranded junk. He requested that the governors order the restitution of what was missing, which he calculated to be around 30,000 taels. We explained to the interpreters what happened last year and that Coxinga had written to Batavia about it and the Governor-General had sent him a reply. We trusted that he would have settled the matter.
Arrival of the Kalf
10 In the morning, I made a deal with the grain merchants on 7000 bales of rice and wheat, to wit a bale of Higo rice at 140 candareens and a bale of wheat of 33 gantang at 85 candareens. This is a fair price in these times. In the afternoon, the yacht the Kalf arrived from Tayouan. She was forty-three days under way. Her cargo consists of Formosan powdered sugar, red sappanwood9 and ten barrels of vermilion, together worth 31,034 guilders. The letters and muster-roll were fetched by Magobei and translated. The governors were notified of the cargo. The arrival of the ship put a stop to the sale of the deerskins and sugar because the merchants wanted to know what the ship had brought and if the goods would be sold this year. Late in the evening, the interpreters returned for information on the matter discussed yesterday. They also wanted to know about the relations between us and Coxinga and what he had written to Batavia. I explained it all to them and also that Coxinga was claiming a sum of 100,000 taels as compensation for the junk, this in contradiction to what the nachoda has told the governors. He claims a sum of 15,150 taels for what he is short for the junk and its contents. They were busy till late in the night writing this all down. They would show it to us tomorrow before reporting to the governors.
11 The ships Venenburg and Arnemuiden have been loaded with copper and rice for Tayouan. In the afternoon, we sold the remainder of the deerskins and the sugar which the Zeeridder brought in the auction-house.
12 Rainy weather and a northerly wind rose. A few merchants came for their deerskins. The Haas and Breukelen received their full load. Everything is being prepared to dispatch the four ships to Tayouan tomorrow.
Departure of the Venenburg, Arnemuiden, Haas and Breukelen
13 Rainy weather, the northerly wind blew hard. The silver and other goods were loaded. In the afternoon, the Venenburg, Arnemuiden, Haas and Breukelen were dispatched to Tayouan with the following cargoes. [Short lists with total value.] Together the value of their cargoes is 1,130,856 guilders. May the Almighty God guide them safely to the harbour of their destination.
14 Early in the morning, we started to load copper and wheat on the Bloemendaal and the Vink. In the meantime, all the deerskins and part of the sugar that had been sold was delivered. Because the Chinese nachoda Tantsinquan and the clerk or merchant Teltsin – both former headmen on the junk which the men of the Breukelen thoughtlessly captured at sea last year, took to Tayouan and which foundered there later – did not get compensation for the goods which they had loaded in Johor and were taking to Amoy in China, either in Tayouan or Batavia, because the loss they claimed was considered too excessive and improbable, they came to Japan this year and took their case to the governors here. They begged the governors to order us to compensate them for their loss. The governors thought it peculiar that we had not compensated the Chinese last year after they had urgently requested us to do so. Thus a few days ago they summoned all our interpreters and handed them the written complaints with a note of what and how many goods they had received from the broken junk in Tayouan and what they were demanding. They ordered the interpreters to question both opperhoofden, Johannes Boucheljon and Zacharias Wagenaer
Firstly, that it was true that the captured junk had been taken with twenty-four Chinese and twenty- one Dutchmen to the roadstead of Tayouan. But a few days later, when they were surprised by severe weather, the Chinese cut the anchor cable and the junk had been driven against the shore and had broken to pieces. Six Chinese and one Dutchmen drowned.10 The goods which the governor had salvaged and of which he had made a note had all been returned to the Chinese. They would also have been compensated for the remaining goods that had gone missing, if their claim of 100,000 taels had not been so excessive. This was the reason that the Governor of Tayouan had not been able to settle with the Chinese, but had referred them to Batavia, because he thought it impossible that the junk, loaded with coarse Johor goods, could be worth that much. We also trusted that Their Honours would understand this. Furthermore, the mandarin Coxinga had sent two of his trading junks to Batavia this year with two letters, one for the Governor-General and one for the Chinese captain, Bingam, and the merchant, Siqua. He demanded more than 100,000 taels for the broken junk and threatened that if he did not receive this sum, he would vilify our nation everywhere and proclaim us to be evil, dishonest men. He had also demanded 80,000 taels for another junk which had stranded and broken to pieces when it was pursued by the Dutch.
15 We have started to unload the sugar from the Kalf. The Zeeridder has been given her full load of copper and wheat for Tayouan. We have been busy ordering the provisions for Coromandel, Bengal and Siam and preparing everything for departure tomorrow.
Departure of the Bloemendaal, Vink and Zeeridder
17 We have been unloading the Kalf. The ballast stones have been unloaded from the Domburg and she was given 1000 piculs of copper.
18 We received some bar-copper which some merchants had kept. Thus this year we have purchased in total 13,000 piculs of this mineral and spent 148,200 taels on it. The Kalf was empty by the evening and we have loaded 750 piculs of copper and 510 boards on the Domburg.
20 900 piculs of copper have been shipped to the Kalf. To prevent the ship from sailing badly loaded, we shall also load 1000 bales of Higo rice.
21 In the morning, on the governors’ behalf, the interpreters came to inform me that I should depart tomorrow, but that I could remain outside the bay for a day or two. But when the governors learnt that it would be impossible for us to be ready tomorrow, Kiemon let me know late in the evening that he and Yohyōe had discussed it and they would allow me one more day. Thus I should leave here the day after tomorrow and set sail the day after. Yohyōe will depart for Edo on the 25th and we should fit in with that.
22 Early in the morning the Kalf took on rice and the remaining goods. The schuitzilver has been loaded on the Trouw and the Domburg. The cargoes of the three ships consist mainly of schuitzilver, bar-copper, rice, some lacquerware, silk and cotton gowns and provisions for Batavia and Tayouan. I have been busy settling the accounts and preparing for transport of the effects.
23 After I had received permission, Zacharias Wagenaer and I went to the houses of Kiemon and Yohyōe to say farewell. They were together and I thanked them for the favours they had bestowed on me, in particular for the extension of eight days after the appointed time.
Tumour.
See 7 March 1656, note.
Sic. Nabeshima Shinano-no-kami had died the year before. The present Lord of Hizen was his grandson Nabeshima Tango-no-kami Mitsushige.
Hassaku.
The exact date of arrival of the Haas at Nagasaki has not been noted in the dagregister. According to the report written by Boucheljon for the Governor-General, dated 30 November 1658, the Haas arrived on 7 September. (NFJ 289)
Stained, illegible.
The Kunchi Festival.
The Hen and Chicks, in Japanese Mitsuse, are five separate rocks whose names do not come close to Sasesima. It is possible that Hashima was meant, an island nearby on whose top there was a look-out.
Caliatour wood.
There is a comment above this number that this is wrong and in the margin it says: ‘1 Chinese, 6 Dutchmen’.
Sic. 6,300.