1641
1 November
1 Fine weather, southerly winds. Today, by order of the Governor-General, Jan van Elseracq has been proclaimed opperhoofd of this factory in the presence of all Company servants and Maximiliaen Le Maire transferred all effects to him. Le Maire made preparations to depart for Tayouan and Batavia the day after tomorrow.
2 Wind and weather as yesterday. After having requested permission through Interpreter Kiffioije, Le Maire and Elseracq went to the residence of Governor Saburōzaemon. They bade him an official farewell and commended the Company’s affairs to him. His response was phrased in the same way as Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami’s on the 22nd of last month – the Governor-General should be informed of this, namely, how, during the time of Captains Couckebacker and Caron in Hirado, warehouses and houses of stone had been built contrary to Japanese customs, that throughout the length and breadth of Japan everyone had been talking about it, so that it had come to the Shogun’s attention.
Departure of the Meerman
3 The wind north-easterly. After the crew had been mustered and the flute the Meerman had been inspected by the bongioisen, Maximiliaen Le Maire set sail with some of the factory’s employees. The value of the cargo amounts to 461,497 guilders. May God grant her a safe passage to Tayouan.
4 The wind south-westerly, fine weather. We started to pack the gifts for the presentation in Edo and we gave orders to prepare a sound barge for the sea passage to Osaka.
5 The wind west-south-westerly. Scheumon, a citizen of Hirado, brought us the news that a Dutch ship had arrived there. This news was immediately forwarded to the burgemeester of the island for the benefit of Governor Saburōzaemon, who sent his congratulations.
Arrival of the Zaaier
6 The wind north-north-easterly. The gifts have all been packed to be transported in barges and on horses. In the evening, the flute the Zaaier arrived a mile from the roadstead. With the governor’s permission, two interpreters went there, who reported back that she had sailed from Tayouan fifty-six days ago and that adverse winds had forced her to drift off the islands of Korea, the China Coast, and Japan.
7 Wind and weather as before. I sent Interpreter Denbyōe to the governor’s residence to request barges to tow the ship to the roadstead. At two o’clock in the afternoon, the ship anchored in front of the island. After the ship had been inspected, Senior Merchant Cornelis Cæsar came ashore with the bongiois’ permission. He reported that they had sailed from Tayouan on 10 September and after a stormy and perilous voyage, they had finally arrived here with a cargo valued at 51,994 guilders, consisting of the following. [List.]
8 A list of the commodities has been given to Governor Saburōzaemon. He gave permission for the unloading thereof. He gave orders that he should be informed of the news that was communicated to us orally and in writing. We passed on as much as we deemed opportune to the sworn interpreters.
10 Fine weather, northerly winds. The ship has been unloaded and inspected. The placard with the regulations which the crew have to obey has been proclaimed. Interpreter Hachizaemon informed us that Governor Saburōzaemon would send a copy of the pass which came on the Zaaier with a letter by express mail to Edo tomorrow. This will probably be the reason that the ship cannot leave before a reply has come.
11 Fine weather, southerly winds. All the munitions have been brought ashore by the bongioisen and taken into their custody.
12 Rainy weather. The commodities were shown to everyone and two hours before sundown they were sold for the following prices. [List.]
13 Rainy weather. The white raw silk has been sorted by the heads of the five shogunal cities and delivered to them for the former price or pancado. [Prices.]
14 We offered the following lots for sale and they were sold for the following prices. [List.]
15 Northerly winds, rainy weather. We have been busy delivering the aforesaid goods.
16 North-westerly wind, fine weather. Today the cowhides and the damaged deerskins have been delivered. We received a letter from Regent Kura-no-suke in Hirado in reply to the one we sent him on the 12th, in which he declares that it is impossible and he knows of no way to pay off some of the debt of the Lord of Hirado before the departure of the Zaaier, but we should be patient until next year when it would be paid to the last candareen.
17–18 Unpleasant, rainy weather, variable winds. Nothing happened, just some junks, which had left three days ago, had to return forced back by adverse winds.
19 Fine weather, northerly winds. About twenty junks sailed away. We have been delivering the candy sugar and the black sugar. Some white and blue floor-slabs have been taken on board the Zaaier and she has unloaded some of her ballast.
20 The wind westerly, fine weather. We have been busy loading stones and unloading ballast. Nothing else happened.
21 Unpleasant, rainy weather. In the afternoon, Governor Saburōzaemon had us informed that a barge should be rented to transport the munitions, which had arrived as presents for the Shogun, to Osaka. He would give us a letter for the governor there, who would store everything in the castle until further orders from the Court. I ordered the interpreters to hire a suitable barge to set sail for Osaka in ten days with the other barge. He also returned the calambac which he had kept in his residence for twelve days, of which he kept 2.8 catties for the Shogun, which would be paid for according to the sale of the remainder, which we immediately offered for sale together with 22 ounces of coral.
22–24 Unsettled weather with northerly winds. We have been shipping stones, empty chests, and the money to the Zaaier.
Departure of the Zaaier
26 North-westerly wind, fair weather. Around nine in the morning the Zaaier departed for Tayouan with a cargo amounting to 57,510 guilders. After the papers had been closed, Governor Saburōzaemon had Interpreters Kichibyōe and Denbyōe inform me that this year many Japanese letters and presents for several persons had come from different quarters, which contravened the orders of the Shogun, but that he and Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami had turned a blind eye and let it pass, but in future they would have to report this to the government and this would have grave consequences for the Dutch. Therefore, he recommended the captain let our people in Batavia, Tayouan, Siam, Tonkin, and Cambodia know that they should not send any letters from expatriate Japanese or any goods or oral greetings to Japan, to prevent any difficulties for the Dutch. I accompanied the bongiois in the barge to inspect the Zaaier. On behalf of the governor, he told us that on his arrival in Tayouan and Batavia, Senior Merchant Cæsar should be ordered to inform the governor4 and the Governor-General that they should send many ships to Japan in future, so that Japan would not be short of commodities.
27 Westerly winds, unpleasant rainy weather. We have been making the cases for the shells.
28 Rainy weather, westerly wind. In the morning, the Zaaier anchored in Nagasaki Bay. With the governor’s permission, I sent one of the interpreters to inquire if they needed anything and if they had suffered any damage in last night’s storm. The reply was that the hard adverse winds had forced them to seek a harbour. As soon as the weather permitted, they would set sail again.
29 Northerly wind, fine weather. Early in the morning, the Zaaier set sail on course to Tayouan. We have been making the cases for the grenades and other gifts.
30 The wind as before. We have been packing the mortars and other things. Nothing noteworthy happened.
December
1–2 Fine weather. The mortars, ordnance, and other necessities for the journey have been loaded.
Court journey
5 Wind as before. We set sail.
6 We arrived in Hirado Bay in the evening.
7 The wind easterly, fine weather. I went ashore to inspect the Company’s effects, which are in the care of a Japanese. I found everything in good order, protected against rain by roofs. After I had been brought up to date and had commended the caretaker to take good care of everything, I returned on board.
8 The wind north-westerly. Early in the morning, we departed and due to contrary winds we anchored in the bay of Tasuke an hour later.
9 We were forced to remain in the bay of Tasuke.
11 We departed with a south-south-westerly wind and after sailing for six hours, strong northerly winds forced us to seek harbour. In the evening, we anchored in the bay of Karadomari. Today we covered fourteen Japanese miles.
12–14 Wind and weather as before with hail, snow, and severe cold. We remained anchored in the aforesaid bay.
15 Fair weather, the wind westerly. An hour after noon we set sail, anchored after sundown in Ainoshima, having covered seven miles.
16 Three hours before dawn we set sail, arriving in Shimonoseki in the evening, having covered 21 Japanese miles.
17 In the morning, the wind was westerly and we set sail. During the night we passed Kaminoseki.
18 Due to contrary winds, we dropped anchor fourteen miles north of Kaminoseki, having covered 47 miles.
19 Before the tide turned, we rowed away and in the evening we reached Tadanoumi, having covered eleven miles.
20 North-westerly wind. Before sunset, we reached the bay of Bingo-no-Tomo, ten miles further on.
21 In the evening, the wind was westerly and we set sail.
22 We reached the bay of Hyōgo in the evening, 43 miles further.
23 We set sail in the evening with a westerly wind.
24 We arrived in Osaka with the barges with the ordnance.
26 Around ten o’clock in the morning, we went to the governor’s residence. His secretary told us that he was in the castle and that he was having a meeting with some other lords, but he expected him within an hour.
28 We have been busy hiring horses and coolies. I requested a note from the master of the horses that all the luggage and gifts would be delivered undamaged in Edo and if there was any damage, he would compensate us for it. In the afternoon, I sent Interpreter Hachizaemon to inquire after Machiya Gorōbei and Fukushima Shinzaemon, debtors to the Company. He reported that Gorōbei was living in dire circumstances in a small house in the bad part of town, hardly being able to secure enough rice for his wife and children to live on. His house – where the Company’s servants used to stay – has been sold by his creditors with everything in it. After they had shared the proceeds, they were still a large sum short and they keep threatening him daily that they will sell his wife and children as slaves, which he has been able to prevent with prayers and supplications. Fukushima Shinzaemon has likewise fallen into poverty. He has left his wife and children, who are being supported by their friends. He is living in a small village in the country and is making a very poor living. In brief, the Company cannot expect a single candareen from them. In the evening, the father of Cangia Sebe came to our lodgings. I had sent for him through the interpreters.
29 The landlord, Tarroijemon, and Kichibyōe warned us that one of the senior commanders of the Castle, named Denzō, would visit us in the guise of a merchant, because he did not want the Dutchmen to recognize him. We should not pay him any more respect than an ordinary person and we should feign ignorance. He appeared in the afternoon with a suite of about fifty men, who all had to remain outside. He and three of his sons and four noblemen came inside. With no more than the ordinary courtesy, in our presence the landlord and the interpreters treated him to sakana and wine – which he sent unashamedly into his body by large cupfuls. He asked if there was any Dutch wine, he would like to taste some. I sent for tent wine, Spanish wine, and arrack, which he consumed in a moderate manner and – after many strange and unusual discourses and questions which took more than three hours – he left contentedly. In the evening, the pass promised by Governor Tanba-no-kami was handed to us. Everything was ready for our departure and I ordered the horses be packed at dawn to set off for Miyako.
30 At dawn, we left Osaka. In the afternoon, we reached Hirakata, where we had a meal. At sunset, we reached Miyako. There we were ordered to stay in the house of Kōzuke Saburōemon.
31 In the morning, I sent Kichibyōe to the residence of the Grootrechter of Miyako to ask permission to pay our respects to His Excellency according to annual custom. His senior secretary informed us that His Excellency had left for Edo and we could speak to him there. Whenever we wished, we could proceed on our journey. In the afternoon, I sent Interpreter Hachizaemon to the house of the old landlord, Soyemon, to ask if the sixty Japanese silk gowns which had been ordered by Le Maire last season – on the orders of the Governor-General – from his brother Stibioye would be ready on our return from Edo, when we would pay for them and take them to Nagasaki. The messenger reported that Soyemon and Stibioye were being confined to their houses because of their debts and had no credit. We would run the risk of losing the money if we gave them cash. We decided to postpone the order till our return from Edo and then see if another well-known merchant could make them to the liking of the Governor-General.
1642
January
1 In the morning, we left Miyako. In the evening, we reached Kusatsu, where we spent the night, having covered seven miles.
3 We left Sekinojizō in an intense cold. After three miles, it started to hail and snow so hard that we were forced to stay in Ishiyakushi, having travelled five miles.
4 It continued to hail with gales and rain so that we could not proceed.
5 Unpleasant and muddy weather. We left and several horses packed with luggage fell and we had trouble getting them up. In the afternoon, we reached Kuwana, where we had luncheon. After we had shown the shogunal guards the pass given to us by the Governor of Osaka, the whole train embarked in barges to cross over to Miya. We spent the night there, having travelled twelve miles.
6 We left Miya and had luncheon in Okazaki. In the evening, we reached Akasaka. Today we travelled twelve miles.
7 We departed, had luncheon in Arai, where we shipped all luggage and horses. We spent the night in Hamamatsu, travelled 10¼ miles.
8 We left in the morning and reached Fukuroi in the afternoon and Kanaya in the evening.
9 In the morning, we passed the Ōi-gawa, dined in Okabe in the afternoon and spent the night in Ejiri, covered 10½ miles.
10 Hard rain forced us to stay in Yoshiwara, travelled eight miles.
11 The rain eased in the afternoon and we proceeded on our journey. We arrived in Mishima in the evening, having travelled 5½ miles.
12 We left in the morning. We reached Hakone with great difficulty. Several horses fell and stayed down. After we had our luncheon, we hired some fresh horses and coolies to act as support for the descent. We crossed the mountains tripping and falling, spent the night in Odawara, travelled 7½ miles. Sent a messenger to Edo to announce our arrival to Governor Heiemon.
13 In the afternoon, we reached Ōiso, where we had luncheon, and in the evening Totsuka, having travelled ten miles. On our way we found a dead man lying there who had had his throat cut. The landlord told us that several murderers were lurking about that place. Two months ago, four persons of note, who had spent the night in his house, had been murdered with their servants and the bodies had been chopped to pieces. Various means had been deployed to catch them, but in vain, and, in fact, they were getting more cunning by the day.
Arrival in Edo
14 We left and had our luncheon in Kawasaki. About two miles further, close to the road, we saw eighteen crucified people, sentenced twenty-two days ago, being thirteen Japanese priests and five women, who had been seduced by the priests and had been used for some time to satisfy their lust. Their husbands became aware of this and complained to the judge, thus they were executed for this reason.
15 We have been busy unpacking the gifts and the luggage and inspecting it to see if there was any damage. In the afternoon, Governor Heiemon sent a messenger to let us know that he had informed Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami of our arrival in Edo and requested the Dutch be given a speedy audience. The reply had been that it would be on the 28th of the 12th Japanese moon, which is 29 January.5
16 The secretary of Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami came to our lodgings to welcome us on his master’s behalf. Governor Heiemon had informed him of our arrival and he was pleased about our speedy arrival at the Court. Yesterday he was in the Shogun’s palace and he had informed the government in person of this and he had immediately requested a speedy audience and departure.
17 We have been busy placing the gifts for the Shogun and his son on presentation trays and setting ready the gifts for the councillors and other officials. The gentlemen whom we have to present with gifts are: [List with gifts on fos. 31–36 for: Councillors Ōi-no-kami, Sanuki-no-kami, Hotta Kaga-no-kami, Matsudaira Izu-no-kami, Sakai Kawachi-no-kami, Bungo-no-kami, Tsushima-no- kami, Takumi-no-kami, Matsudaira Uemon-no- kami; the Chancellor of the Shogun, Itami Harima- no-kami; Bizen-no-kami (Governor of Edo), Asakura Iwami-no-kami (Governor of Edo), Ōta Bitchū-no- kami (commissioner), Kutsuki Minbu-no-shō (commissioner), Hori Shikibu-no-shō (commissioner), Matsudaira Izumo-no-kami (commissioner and councillor), Andō Ukyō-no-suke (commissioner and councillor of the junior council), Sakai Bingo-no-kami (son and heir to Councillor Sanuki-no-kami), Matsudaira Kai-no-kami (son and heir to Councillor Izu-no-kami), Makino Sado-no- kami (son and heir to Councillor Takumi-no-kami), Doi Tōtōmi-no-kami (son of Councillor Ōi-no- kami), Kugai Inaba-no-kami (Governor of Osaka), Itakura Sūo-no-kami (Grootrechter of Miyako), Hizen-no-kami (Lord of Hirado), Tsuge Heiemon (Governor of Nagasaki), Baba Hikoshirō (eldest son of Saburōzaemon, Governor of Nagasaki)].
18 Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami summoned both interpreters. They reported that he had ordered them to inform us of the following: he had first asked after our well-being and if we were tired from our journey and if time was hanging heavy on our hands. They had replied that we were all well and time would not drag as long as we could oblige the government. He also said that he was well aware that in former years the Dutch had been lodged in large houses, but that now they were put up in a small house, but this had been done in the interests of the Dutch. Furthermore, he would confer with Governor Heiemon on the pass of the old Shogun, which had now been sent to Japan and had been brought to Edo by the captain, because the captain had declared that the pass had been sent to regain the former prerogatives,
About four or five years ago, Captain Caron came here to Edo to pay homage to the Shogun and the government, bringing with him a large chandelier which could bear thirty candles.6 The Shogun had been delighted with it and throughout Edo it had been said that the Dutch were highly regarded by the government, which made them wax proud and they began building some large houses in Hirado, which resembled castles and towers in Japan, the like of which had never been seen before.
19 Unpleasant and rainy weather. We have been busy arranging the gifts on the presentation trays. In the evening, some five streets from our lodgings a fire started, which was extinguished by a whole lot of people – after it had consumed two houses. Governor Heiemon heard of this and that the Dutchmen were worried. He immediately sent a messenger to inform us that we need not worry about any fire in our neighbourhood, because he had given orders that in such a case fifty of his servants would immediately go to the Dutch and take them and their possessions to safety. We had him thanked for his care and courtesy.
20 In the morning, Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami sent a servant to the inn to inform us that he had requested a speedy audience of the government several times and the reply had been that it would be granted within a few days. Thus, we should be prepared. In the afternoon, several noblemen and secretaries of councillors came to visit us, mainly driven by curiosity.
21 Rainy weather. Around noon, the secretary of the commissioner came to announce that the interpreters had been ordered to take both the Shogun’s passes to his residence early tomorrow morning. He would examine them and if he deemed it opportune, he would show them to the councillors, who would be meeting in the shogunal palace the next day. It might well happen that the captain would then be summoned, or even before, to present the gifts to the Shogun. If not, then this would take place within six days, thus we have to be prepared. I thanked him and promised to send the passes to his house in time and to be prepared to present the gifts whenever we were summoned.
Audience
22 Early in the morning, I sent the interpreters to the house of the commissioner to hand him the passes.
‘Tell the Dutch captain that he has gone to a great deal of trouble to come from so far and to present such great presents to His Imperial Majesty and His Majesty’s son.
23 In the morning, we went to the residence of Governor Heiemon to thank him for his troubles and assistance and to present him with gifts. After a short wait, he received us and he congratulated us and accepted the gifts gratefully. He was in poor health and had not been out of doors for two months nor had he received any visitors but was under constant medication. Therefore, we had to excuse him, for he wished to rest a while, but he ordered his main retainers to treat us well and we were hosted to many dishes and drinks. After this entertainment, which lasted for at least two hours, His Honour reappeared, and we thanked him for the friendship and courtesies extended towards us. We also requested him to commend the interests of the Company favourably to the councillors when he showed them the Shogun’s passes, so that we would regain our former prerogatives.
24 In the morning, we were ready to go and present the gifts to the other authorities, when a servant of Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami came to announce to us that both interpreters and the nobleman Skinosij (who was our guard) were summoned to the castle to receive the Shogun’s gifts for the captain. We remained indoors for the rest of the day without doing anything. About an hour before sunset, they returned with the present of 200 schuiten of Japanese silver and twenty silk gowns.
25 We presented gifts to the following gentlemen: Councillors Ōi-no-kami, Sanuki-no-kami, Takumi-no-kami, Matsudaira Uemon-no-kami, Itami Harima-no-kami (Chancellor of the Shogun), Kan’o Bizen-no-kami and Asakura Iwami-no-kami (Governors of Edo), Kutsuki Minbu-no-shō, Hori Shikibu-no-shō, Andō Ukyō-no-suke, Matsudaira Izumo-no-kami, Commissioners Makino Sado-no- kami (eldest son of Councillor Takumi-no-kami), Doi Tōtōmi-no-kami (Councillor Ōi-no-kami’s son), Kugai Inaba-no-kami (Governor of Osaka), and Baba Hikoshirō (eldest son of Governor Saburōzaemon).
27–28 Servants of most of the councillors came to our lodgings to thank us for the gifts on their lords’ behalf and we were presented with some schuiten of silver, Japanese gowns, silk wadding, and other trifles.
29 I sent both interpreters to the Lord of Hirado to remind him in the following manner of the debt he had incurred.
30 After having received permission in the morning, we went to the residence of Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami to take our official leave and to thank him for the speedy dispatch and to commend the Company’s affairs to him. We were shown before him and he treated us very affably, treating us to wine and pastries. We requested him to show both passes or the copies thereof at the first opportunity to the councillors for the benefit of the Company, so that the Dutch will regain their former prerogatives or be granted a decrease in the expenses and permission for some of our ships to remain in Japan a month later than last year, because it was exceedingly difficult to be ready in such a short time. His Excellency replied that he would personally show the councillors the copies of the Shogun’s passes but that he was unable to permit us anything nor could he change the restrictions placed upon the Dutch in Nagasaki last year, because they were the orders of the Shogun and the government.
31 We have been busy packing our luggage, hiring horses, and preparing ourselves for our departure in two days. In the evening, it started to snow heavily and the next day the streets and roads were covered with snow two feet thick.
February
1 Fine and clear weather. In the afternoon, a messenger sent by Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami and Governor Heiemon came to inform us that they had just come from the palace and the councillors there had learnt from them that the captain and his party intended to leave tomorrow for Nagasaki, but, because there was still thick snow lying on the roads and it would be hazardous to travel and they were worried that an accident might befall us, they had given permission to postpone our departure for a day or two, the more so because the weather was improving. We had them thanked for their consideration and we would follow their advice and wait a day.
2 Fine, clear weather. Nothing extraordinary happened.
Departure from Edo
3 In the morning, the whole train departed from Edo. We spent the night in Totsuka, having travelled ten miles, which were very difficult and worrisome.
5 Fine weather. Experiencing great difficulties, we crossed the Hakone Mountains. The horses with the luggage kept falling due to the slipperiness of the ice and the snow, and were in great danger of tumbling from the heights. No one dared remain on his horse, but we all travelled the road on foot. We were so tired in the evening that we had no appetite and went straight to bed.
6 We left and we had fine weather till the 9th. Hard rain forced us to remain in Akasaka till the 11th. We set off again and the next day, in rain and driving snow, we crossed the water of Miya to Kuwana (seven miles).
15 We arrived in Miyako in the afternoon. Shirōemon, burgemeester of the island in Nagasaki where the Dutch have been ordered to live, came to welcome us. I sent him to Soyemon and Stibioye for the memorandum on the Japanese gowns ordered from them by Maximiliaen Le Maire. He showed it to me and would order them from a skilled tradesman. He did not doubt that they would be delivered to our satisfaction in Nagasaki in time. We learnt from Shirōemon that Cannaya Scheumon had died twenty days ago. He was one of the best merchants with whom the Company has ever traded. After his house and rarities had been seized, there still remained a debt of more than 30,000 taels. Similarly, after Soyemon and Stibioye had settled with their creditors, they still owed 15,000 taels.
16 In the morning, I sent the interpreters to the residence of the Grootrechter of Miyako to pay him our respects according to annual custom and to inform him of our return from Edo. This was conveyed to his senior official, who would convey this to his lord on his return in Miyako, for he is still at Court. After our luncheon we left. In the evening, we arrived in Fushimi, where we had dinner. Everything was loaded on the barge and at sunset we drifted down the river.
17 About an hour before dawn we arrived in Osaka. I sent both interpreters to the residence of Tanba-no-kami, governor of this city. They informed him of our arrival and our dealings at Court. He congratulated us on our speedy dispatch and audience. In the evening, he sent 2000 taels to our lodgings, to be handed to Governor Saburōzaemon in Nagasaki.
18–19 We have been loading the luggage onto the barge and buying provisions for the journey. We learnt from the landlord, Tarroijemon, that the silk piece-goods had risen about 20 per cent within a month. The reason was that silk clothing is again becoming fashionable and permitted to ordinary nobles, soldiers, and merchants. Thus it is to be expected that if the next season little will be offered on the market, it will rise considerably in price.
20 In the afternoon, we embarked to travel to Nagasaki in a large freight barge.
26 The wind northerly, we sailed from the Osaka River. On the 28th we passed Bingo-no-Tomo.
March
3 We passed Kaminoseki.
4 We anchored in the bay of Shimonoseki. Hard storm winds forced us to remain there for three days.
8 We set sail with a stiff breeze.
9 We passed Yokoshima, an island about a mile off Hirado, which the Company had had continuously for its own use, where it had kept its cattle, and where the Dutch were buried. We found that the graves, one of blue stone and several of ordinary stone, had all been destroyed. In the afternoon, we arrived in Hirado, where we received permission to go ashore to the Company’s square. We found that the timber and the stone were still stacked under a roof protected against rain and nothing had been sold nor had any inquiries been made. On learning of our arrival, Daizen-no-suke, Regent of Hirado, sent for the caretaker, Yahyōe, and ordered him to tell us that we should see to it that the stone and the timber were removed as soon as possible or he would be forced to have it taken elsewhere, because the Lord of Hirado intended to build rice warehouses there. I had Kichibyōe inform him that once we were in Nagasaki, we would send orders to have this done. Meanwhile we requested him to have the Lord of Hirado and his nobles settle their debt to the Company. His Lordship had promised me in Edo that if we stopped by Hirado on our return, his regents would pay us.
Arrival in Nagasaki
11 Northerly wind. We set sail and two hours after sunset we arrived in Nagasaki and dropped anchor in front of Tsukishima. The soldiers who had accompanied us on the journey immediately went ashore and others took their place to guard us till the next day, because we were not allowed to go ashore that evening, because the governor had retired to his bedroom and no permission could be obtained. On the return journey we have been guarded as closely as on the outward journey and we were not allowed to go anywhere out of sight of the guards or speak to anyone outside the party without their knowledge.
13–14 Unpleasant, rainy weather. Nothing happened.
15 Fine weather, northerly wind. In the afternoon, we received permission to go to the residence of Governor Saburōzaemon to greet him with a piece of green and a piece of yellow laken and to give him a report on the journey. Appearing before him, he welcomed us and congratulated us that the Shogun had bestowed silver on us and that we had received such a speedy dispatch. He also said that it had been very difficult for us to travel so far at the coldest time of winter and we could now rest and take our pleasure. The bridge from the island to the town had been removed and they were making a new one. The guardhouse which had stood in the town was being placed within and each caseros had been ordered to look after his buildings so that nothing would be found wanting when the ships arrived and would give the Dutchmen cause to complain. In brief, from high to low – notwithstanding our expressions of our opinion to the contrary to the interpreters and the landlords – there was no doubt that the Dutch would remain here, suffering all vexations or even more and would not lightly abandon Japan. We being virtual prisoners, none of the merchants or citizens is allowed onto the island or to speak with us without the interpreters being present, to which end a guard is kept at the gate night and day.
16 With the permission of the landlord, Shirōemon, a large freight barge was sent to Hirado for the timber and the stones of the demolished warehouses. We shall do this till everything has been transported to Nagasaki and then we shall put all our efforts into collecting the debt of the Lord of Hirado.
18 Fine weather, nothing happened.
19–21 Unpleasant, rainy weather with southerly winds.
22–25 Fine weather, northerly winds.
26 On behalf of Governor Saburōzaemon, Senior Burgemeester Sakuemon and three interpreters came to inform me that we should go to the other house at once, because this had been allowed before the departure of Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami and Governor Heiemon and it should be done without any demur.
27–28 Unpleasant, rainy weather, westerly winds.
29–31 Northerly winds, fine weather. Nothing happened.
April
1–5 Fine weather, nothing happened.
6 Fine weather, northerly wind. Burgemeester Shirōemon and Interpreter Kichibyōe were sent to Governor Saburōzaemon to request permission to go out now and again with the Dutchmen, either walking or in the field or with barges to pass the time till the ships arrive. The reply was that the governor regretted not being able to grant this small request, to forestall Commissioner Chikugo- no-kami, when coming with Governor Heiemon, from expressing his displeasure, saying that now that we are absent, he lets the captain go out at his pleasure, he must be an associate and let himself be blinded by gifts. To prevent such disasters, we should be patient till they came and then this would undoubtedly be granted.
7–10 Northerly wind, fine weather. Nothing noteworthy happened.
11 Governor Saburōzaemon sent Burgemeester Shirōemon and two interpreters to return the two pieces of laken that had been presented to him on the 15th, with the order to tell us that it was the Shogun’s mandate that only once a year could gifts be accepted from the foreigners and before the departure of the ships he had received some from Captain Le Maire. Therefore, we should not be displeased that he returned the pieces of laken. His kind heart and affection towards the Dutch remained unchanged.
12–19 Northerly wind, fair weather. Nothing noteworthy happened.
21–23 Fine weather. We learnt from the interpreters that Governor Saburōzaemon had received a letter from Chikugo-no-kami, in which he wrote that he greatly doubted that he would return to Nagasaki this year – as he had thought, because the Shogun had ordered him to inspect the domains north of Edo and this would take a long time to do.
24–26 Fair weather. Several barges arrived with timber and stone from the demolished buildings in Hirado. They have all been unloaded and returned thither.
27–28 Unpleasant, rainy weather with thunder and lightning.
29 With permission from Shirōemon and the interpreters, the timber of the house in which President Caron had lived in Hirado has been stacked together to be viewed and tomorrow it will be sold to the highest bidder by bidding slips, the more so because there is a lot of building going on in Nagasaki and it would sell for more than the usual price. At least fifty persons came to view it in the evening.
30 Fine weather, northerly wind. In the afternoon, after about thirty slips had been opened, the timber was sold to one Janagia Sinnemon, a citizen of Nagasaki, for 272:6:6 taels, to the surprise of Shirōemon and the interpreters, for they had been fully confident and had assured us that it would raise more than 600 taels. The price was so low and disappointing that we could hardly pay the barges that had transported it hither with the proceeds.
May
1 A Japanese barge arrived with thirty-two Chinese who had lost their junk with various commodities off the coast of Satsuma in a storm.
2–9 Nothing happened.
10 The interpreters informed us that the Lord of Hirado had dismissed ten of his main noblemen, fifty attendants, fifty soldiers, and fifty lesser servants and deprived them of their income, because he had been reduced to such poverty that he could not support so many people, which would save him 25,000 taels annually and by and by he would be able to settle with his creditors.
11–12 Fine weather, northerly wind. The governor summoned Burgemeester Shirōemon to ask him how the Dutch were, if they were distressed to be imprisoned. He had replied that they were poorly and lonely and the time seemed long. His Honour had replied that he could well imagine this and he had been ordered not to allow us any more freedom. We should be patient, the ships are expected and then everything would improve. In the meantime, he ordered that care should be taken to guard against fire on the island.
13–16 Nothing happened. We heard that every day several people are being accused of being Christians and are taken prisoners, and the charges have proved to be false after an investigation and they have been released.
18 Fine weather, northerly wind. Today we have sold the timber of the dining room and some rooms below by bidding slips, and we took a second trial, but seeing that the freight charges for the barges could hardly be paid from the proceeds, we have decided to leave the rest unsold till the arrival of the ships, to ship the good material and what can be used in Tayouan or elsewhere, and to use the remainder, being useless, as firewood on the ships and on shore.
19–21 Today we heard from the interpreters that the Chinese are saying that the Portuguese and their followers in Macao have all been murdered by the Chinese, because the Chinese had been demanding their payment for the goods they sold, and the Portuguese were not able to do this. They gave their creditors all their valuables and unsold merchandise, but they still owed a substantial sum, which caused several riots and the Portuguese killed two important Chinese, which act was avenged by killing all of them. Time will tell if this is true.
22–31 Fair weather, nothing noteworthy happened.
June
1–2 After having received permission, we went to the residence of Governor Saburōzaemon to congratulate him on the Japanese feast, it being the 5th day of the 5th moon, which is celebrated every year to commemorate the capture of Osaka Castle.
3–5 We heard from the interpreters that in the domain of Hirado, close to Yasumi-dake7 and the watering place near Kawachi-ura, two silver mines had been discovered. The lord of this domain had sent two hundred men to dig and they had already found some silver, but the costs were so great that at present it yields more loss than profit. But they are keeping on digging in the expectation that within a few days they will find the real deposits, which will yield great profits for the lord. This will prove a windfall for him in these arduous times and will recoop the Company its money sooner.
6–8 Unpleasant, rainy weather, nothing happened.
9–10 In the afternoon, eight hayafune and four kobaya arrived here with two of His Majesty’s harbour masters, by the names of Morigawa Nagato and Fatsirobi. They have been ordered to inspect all the bays and the harbours of the peripheral domains and to pay close attention to the depths and the entrances. We heard that twenty-eight days ago there had been an enormous conflagration in Edo, unknown in living memory, which had lasted more than six days, having consumed many large mansions and palaces, a multitude of streets, and houses of merchants and civilians, and more than three hundred people had lost their lives, in short, it has reduced many people to poverty and desperation.
11 Fine weather, south-westerly wind.
17–22 Southerly winds with driving rain. A Chinese junk arrived from Cambodia with a cargo of deerskins, buffalo-horns, hides, black lacquer, some calambac, and some raw goods. According to the Japanese calculation it is worth around 8000 taels. The Chinese reported that, before their departure hither, a Dutch ship, fully loaded, had departed from there and that another one had been the victim of severe storm winds off the coast of Cochin China and a few people had been saved. May God grant that this is untrue and that we shall have better news with the arrival of the ships.
23–26 Unpleasant rainy weather, nothing happened.
27 We received a letter from the Hirado Regents, in which they wrote that orders had come from Court that the 4181 taels, which the Shogun of Japan owed the Dutch for the founding of the mortars, will be paid. Someone should be sent from Nagasaki for the money. This was done the same evening and we also sent a message to them that they should see to it that the debt of the Lord of Hirado and the nobles be paid as soon as possible or we would inform Governor Saburōzaemon and ask him for payment. We do not intend to be soothed with sweet words, we wanted payment, the more so as we need it for the purchase of camphor and other goods.
28–30 Unpleasant rainy weather with veering winds.
July
1 Two Chinese junks arrived from Fuzhou, the one with the following cargo. [List.]
2–5 We heard from the interpreters that some days ago there had been a great conflagration in Miyako, which had been started by some scoundrels in broad daylight and people had been kept at bay by muskets all the time, so that the merchants had not been able to salvage their goods or extinguish the fire, which had burnt for three days. Forty streets in the main part of the city, where the most important merchants live, have been burnt to the ground. Large shops and warehouses with all kinds of excellent merchandise have been consumed, and many of the most influential people have lost everything, the grootrechter of the city was distraught about this vile act and had placards issued at once that anyone who could produce any of the arsonists would be rewarded with 100 gold koban. These villains hung up a notice under the grootrechter’s placard in which they derided him, asking what more they should do or would he like them to kill a thousand people first or kill him and his entire family, and other such imprecations. People are saying that it is very weird and many people suspect that someone of prominence is behind it, so that it may sow unrest in the country.
9 A Chinese junk arrived from Fuzhou with piece-goods, drugs, and medicine. The master has been accused by one of his crew of having some papist ornaments on him. Investigation proved this to be true. It was a medallion with a male and a female saint, and a box with the figure of the crucified Jesus Christ. On this report the Chinese was immediately apprehended and he was tortured in public in front of the governor’s residence – and in view of the Dutch who can see this, if they wish, from their houses – and after having been submitted to many tortures, he could only claim that he had brought them with him, not knowing that it was against the orders of the government. He had no idea of the meaning of them, nor had he any knowledge of the Christian faith. After this interrogation, he was thrown into prison to be executed shortly. Because the master had not reported this on his arrival, it seems that the junk, the goods and the people on it have been impounded.
10–11 Unpleasant, rainy weather with easterly winds. Nothing happened.
12–14 Northerly winds, fine weather, nothing happened.
15 We heard from the interpreters that the rice in Osaka, which is the staple, is so expensive, that the common man cannot keep himself, his wife, and children alive and a multitude of people are starving. One bale of 80 catties of bad rice costs 3 taels.
16–18 The wind southerly, fair weather, nothing happened.
19–21 Unpleasant, rainy weather with hard south- westerly wind, nothing happened.
22–23 Fine weather, southerly winds. A Chinese junk arrived from Cochin China with deerskins, Quinamese and Tonkinese raw silk, and piece-goods. The nachoda is called Siqua, he has been sailing from that place to Japan for ten years now. On his arrival, he reported to Governor Saburōzaemon that on the 4th of the 11th moon – which is 26 November of last year8 – three Dutch ships had foundered off that coast in perilous storms, the like of which had not been experienced there within fifty years or living memory. Two of them had stranded there, from which eighty-two men had reached the shore alive, the others had drowned. The third appears to have been blown away at sea, because no live person has been heard of nor have any goods been salvaged. The cargo of the two ships that have stranded – which are reported to be the Maria de Medici and the Gulden Buis – have been confiscated by the King of Quinam. From this King, Nachoda Siqua had bought a batch of Tonkinese raw silk for 100 taels per picul and some gielams and other piece-goods from the salvaged goods at a low price.
24–25 Around noon the governor sent a messenger to inform us that a ship had been spotted about ten miles off Nagasaki by the guard which the governor had placed on the mountains. He hoped that she would have reached the bay by evening. He had sent a patrol boat to look out for her. We were very happy and had him thanked for this news.
26 We received the news that the ship had put to sea again.
Arrival of the Nassau
27 The governor sent another message that, after the ship had been crossing back and forth in front of the bay for three days, she had finally set sail for Hirado. He thought that she was not familiar with the course. About an hour after sundown, she arrived in the harbour. His Honour thought that we would be very anxious to speak to our people and he has given permission – notwithstanding the fact that it was already two hours into the evening and very dark – for Junior Merchant Paulus Cornelisz Veer and me to go on board, under the supervision of a bongiois and two interpreters. There we found that the ship was the Nassau, sent from Batavia to Japan via Siam. We were told the news, as much as time allowed, and also learnt of the foundering of the Maria de Medici and the Gulden Buis. It accorded with what Nachoda Siqua had told the governor on the 23rd. We went ashore again after we had given our friends instructions about how to behave and what has to be done in the service of the Company, without being allowed to take the letters – because it was night.
28 At dawn the bongioisen came with their masters’ order to let us have what we liked from aboard,
29–31 We have been unloading the ship. Two of the governor’s main advisors were present all the time and everything went peacefully and pleasantly to the surprise and satisfaction of everyone. We ordered the masters to treat them on board – as we do ashore – to tent wine, arrack, and the like. They did so and it was accepted gratefully. They will not have any of our people treated badly. If we need anything, we should only request it. If it is fair, it will be granted. The governor sent a messenger to inform us that if there was news of another ship, a Dutchman could go there freely with an interpreter and a bongiois and she would be assisted in. Also, that if any of the Dutchmen on board wished to have anything made ashore of silver, wood, or something else, he could do so.
August
1 We have been busy unloading. Before they are stored in the warehouses, the deerskins and other heavy hides, on whatever vessel they are brought to Japan, are inspected by experts to check if there are any from Manila among them. Should this be the case, it causes great trouble to whoever imported them, because it is an order of the Shogun that no goods from that place may be sold here. We know that three or four years ago two junks came to Japan with various commodities, including some skins from Manila. The master and the crew were in great trouble, but mercy was allowed to prevail and because they were not aware of this order, they had been spared the death penalty – after some of them had been badly tortured – and they had to leave as they had come without being allowed to sell 1 candareen of their cargo.
2–5 Fine weather, south-westerly wind. The Nassau has been unloaded and inspected. According to custom the munitions have been brought ashore, except for four heavy pieces of ordnance, which are in the constable’s room, and the rudder, because it could not be removed. Apart from the sappanwood, all commodities have been stored in warehouses which have been sealed with the seal of the governor’s secretary, that of one of the principal bongioisen, and ours. The landlords have been ordered to take good precaution against theft or they will have to compensate what has been stolen. Everything on board – victuals, casks, chests – has been inspected.
‘Captain, we have inspected the Nassau from top to bottom, but we have not found any papist ornaments nor any appurtenances – for which reason only is the search conducted. Your people have also behaved patiently, diligently, and in a friendly manner when unloading the ship – as we have done on our side – and nothing untoward has happened. We intend to report this to our master the governor, which will be to the advantage of the Dutch. You need not doubt that if you continue in this manner, you will receive as much satisfaction in Nagasaki as you have ever experienced in Hirado. We would like you to be on board in person tomorrow or the day after when the placard or the rules are being read to the crew, and for you to question the whole crew if there are no papist trinkets hidden. If this is the case, they should be handed to us to be burnt or melted down to prevent any difficulties.’
I thanked them for their courtesy and promised to go on board in person tomorrow and give such orders that they need not fear that anything, however small, would remain hidden. They left pleased with this.
7 We went on board in the morning and after the placard had been read, the crew was summoned and they were questioned whether there were any papist trinkets, either gold or silver, hidden. These should be handed to us and the grave difficulties that would otherwise ensue were impressed upon them. They all declared that they did not know of any, they had shown all they had to the bongiois. After this examination we went back on shore and this was reported to the governor by Denbyōe – who had gone along for this purpose. In the evening a small junk arrived from Fuzhou with some raw silk, piece-goods, and medicine.
8 Fine weather. Instead of ballast we shipped the blue stone from the buildings in Hirado. We received 200 piculs of camphor and thus the contract made by President Caron on his departure from Japan has been fulfilled. In the evening I wrote a letter to the Regents of Hirado, in which I requested payment from the Lord of Hirado and various nobles.
9–10 Fine weather. Nothing extraordinary happened. All the camphor has been packed in casks and barrels and the weight has been written on each. They are ready to be shipped.
11 The interpreters told us that the guards of the Lord of Satsuma had caught six Portuguese or Castilians together with three Japanese on one of the Ryūkyū Islands. They are assumed to be priests. This has caused great consternation among the governors and the citizens of Nagasaki. They had really thought that with the banning of the Portuguese their country would be freed from such people. The prisoners are expected in five or six days, when they will learn whence they came and what their intentions had been. It is claimed that they are refugees from Chilung – because they know that the Dutch are trying to capture this place – and while on their way to Manila, adverse winds or other hazards must have driven them to the Ryūkyū Islands – which are on that course. Whatever is the case we shall learn on their arrival.
12 The governor is wondering about the late arrival of the ships. He has questioned the interpreters several times what the cause may be. He has ordered them to ask us about this and when our ships arrived last year and from which quarters.
13 Nothing extraordinary happened. The heads of the trade of the five shogunal cities have come to visit us. They told us that the Chinese piece-goods had risen more than 30 per cent in Miyako, Osaka, and Edo. Because of the meagre imports by the Chinese they are likely to rise a further 20 per cent. They wished that our ships had all arrived, they would immediately sort the white raw silk, fix the price and see to it that haste was made with our other trade. The governor has ordered this. After they had been treated in the Japanese fashion to wine and pastries, they left.
14–15 The three Castilians who were shipwrecked off the Ryūkyū Islands three years ago and who had been imprisoned for a long time and had been taken from prison in a state of torment to Ōmura, where their situation was desolate, their clothes wasted away, their beards and nails grown to an unbelievable length, their bodies swollen and like balloons, hardly able to speak or walk, have requested and humbly begged the authorities to kill them and put them out of their misery.
16 Quiet weather, nothing happened.
17–18 I had the interpreters request the governor for permission to put the Siamese cargo out for sale, namely the sappanwood, deerskins, rayskins – also those from Batavia, the black lacquer, the buffalo-horns, the putchuk, catechu, pepper, and nutmeg, because time was passing fast with being idle and the remaining ships were late arriving. When they arrive, we shall need at least fifteen days to unload them. Then the time will be too short to sell all our goods. We asked the governor to take this into consideration. The reply was that he had, but that it was the Shogun’s order that the Dutch were not to sell any goods before the pancado of the raw silk had been settled and it was not in his power to grant this. Next year, when he was at the Court, he would discuss it with the government there. We should be patient for the time being, because there was nothing to be done about it now and he regretted having to refuse my request. In the evening three Chinese junks arrived, one from Canton and two from Quanzhou with large quantities of raw silk and silk piece-goods and some medicine. One of the larger ones belonged to Mandarin Iquan, the value is estimated to be 300,000 taels.
19 Rainy weather, variable winds. Two Chinese junks arrived with different kinds of silk and silk piece-goods and some raw goods.
20 The governor sent three interpreters to inform us that one of the junks which arrived yesterday came from Tayouan. He had ordered to ask us if there were any Chinese there who were Christians, how many Chinese lived there, how many houses they had and what the size of that place was. I replied that I did not rightly know, but I was sure that there were no Chinese Christians there. I thought there were about a thousand Chinese living there and over two hundred houses. I guessed that the place was half as big as Hirado, but His Honour could get more pertinent information from the Chinese. He also asked if the Chinese of that place were allowed to sail to Japan. I replied that they were not, because the governor there had to give them a pass. They returned to the governor’s residence to report this to him. About an hour later they returned with letters and other papers from Governor Traudenius which were addressed to us and which had been carried here by the junks. The governor allowed us to have them with the recommendation to inform him of any news contained in them.
21–22 Unpleasant, rainy weather. Three Chinese junks arrived with various kinds of silk fabrics and coarse wares. In the evening, a barge from Satsuma arrived with the captive priests, of whom it was mentioned on the 11th that they were expected from Satsuma. They were all shaven and dressed in Japanese clothes. They were taken straight to prison, where the renegade priest Chūan addressed them on the order of the governor, asking them if they would apostatize and live like a Japanese as he did. They replied: ‘Thou villain, what tiger, pig, serpent, or vile animal has produced you that you ask us such questions. Go to the devil and the hellish fraud that you serve.’
Padro Joan de Polonia,10 Jesuit, 42 years old; Padro Albert11 from Poland, Roman, Jesuit, 35 years old. These two left Macao in May for Cambodia, from where they went to Manila and from there they crossed to Japan. Antonio Romeijn,12 Italian, Jesuit, 62 years old, who had been the head of the College in Macao where he was a revered person. His name and station have been known to the governor here for some years. Fransciscus Marcus,13 Jesuit, 32 years old, whose father was a Portuguese who had begotten him here in Nagasaki on a Japanese woman. Pasquael Corea,14 merchant, a Portuguese, 35 years old. He had made several voyages to Nagasaki before on galliots. Because he had suffered some heavy losses and had been reduced to poverty, he had joined the service of the Jesuits as a servant. Jahan de Schave,15 30 years old, from the Canary Islands. An old man from Korea; a Cochin-Chinese; and a palingelingh,16 serving as servants. They declared that they had come together from Manila, where they had chartered a junk for 3000 Spanish reals. A few Chinese, natives, and a Spanish pilot had dropped them off at Satsuma where they had remained hidden for two days without being spotted. But finally they had been discovered. They had with them 107 taels’ worth of Chinese gold and 250 taels of schuitzilver. They spoke freely and unabashedly. They despised death and all the tortures they would be subjected to (Fig. 6). Governor Saburōzaemon and his councillors were very surprised by these bold statements. They questioned them further if they were not fully aware of the Shogun’s ban on any Castilians, Portuguese, and anyone belonging to their faith, much less Roman Catholic priests, entering his country and if any of them were caught, to kill them by subjecting them to the most painful tortures.
23 The governor had us informed that a ship was three miles off the entrance of the bay. He permitted a Dutchman, an interpreter, and a soldier to go to the ship and, if necessary, assist the ship into the bay. We promptly sent them with refreshments. In the evening a Chinese junk arrived.
Arrival of the Pauw
24 About two hours before sundown the ship entered the roadstead. It is the yacht the Pauw, sailing from Batavia via Tayouan.
25 In the morning the two main inspectors of the ships came with the governor’s order to accompany us on board, to muster the crew, and to hand us the letters and other small stuff, and to allow as many people on shore as we liked. This was all done satisfactorily. We showed them the two square boxes covered with gold cloth, in which were the sealed letters from the Governor-General to the councillors of Japan and the Governors of Nagasaki. They added their stamp and allowed us to take these and the other papers with us without inspecting them. If there was any uncommon news, they should be told and they would report to their master. The sealed letters to the councillors and the governors could be kept till they were needed. Pieter Overtwater, the master, and five others went ashore.
26 The governor sent a messenger to congratulate us on the arrival of another ship. She was heading for Hirado, which made the governor worry that she did not know the right course. Thus a Dutchman, an interpreter, and a soldier were to be sent to the ship. Paulus Veer was dispatched immediately.
27 We started to unload the ship, which was done with the Company’s sampans and two boats. As had been the case with the Nassau, everything went amicably. In the evening Burgemeester Shirōemon came to my room and told me in secret that some of the principal Chinese of the junk Peco, which had arrived from Tayouan on the 20th, had been questioned several times by the governor about the Dutch in Tayouan, the fortifications, religion, trade, and such. It is thought that they have not been truthful, speaking disparagingly about the Company and its servants. However, the governor did not believe everything, but he has his doubts. Thus he thought it in the best interests of the Dutch if this could be prevented in future, so that the Company would not get into difficulties through the actions and instigation of malicious people here. I thanked him for his warning, recommending him to warn us of all such occurrences so that the appropriate orders may be taken. He promised to do this, as he had been sincere in all his actions so far.
Arrival of the Meerman
28 We carried on with the unloading in the morning, but in the afternoon rain and wind forced us to stop. We asked the governor for permission to have the ship towed into the bay. He gave his permission and ten fast rowing boats were sent to the ship, but the strong winds prevented her coming further than halfway into the bay. On behalf of the governor, the interpreters and Shirōemon came for the sealed box with the letters for the councillors and the governors. They returned in the evening and, on his behalf, asked us if the letter sent by the Governor-General to the councillors should be sent to Edo now or should it be kept here till the new captain went to Edo and presented it to the councillors himself. I replied that the sooner it should be sent the better, so that the Governor-General could be given a reply with the departing ship and he could act accordingly. They said that would not be possible this year, they would confer and tomorrow morning they would give us the best advice they could come up with.
29 The interpreters and Shirōemon came to my room, returning the box with the letter to the councillors – having assured the governor that a copy of the same was with his – addressing me in the presence of Pieter Overtwater in the following manner – I do not doubt that the main part is from the governor’s mouth: ‘We think it in the best interests of the Company that the letters for the councillors be taken to Edo by the new captain and he personally hand it to them, for the following reasons. Firstly, we are very sure that there will be no response before the departure of the last ship, because the councillors do not deal with any business connected with the foreigners before the governors have reported on the foreigners in person. One of them does not set off for the Court until after the trade in Nagasaki has ended – which will be around 15 November – during which time it might be mislaid at the Court and it would be missing when the Dutch captain appears, and this would lead to the assumption that it was the fault of Governor Saburōzaemon. Secondly, when the captain is at the Court, the said governor would also be present, and he, having a copy of the said letter, could inform the councillors of this and of our actions this year and the original could be handed to the councillors by the captain in person. The governors would lend their assistance in every way in the best interests of the Company.’ We discussed these proposals and agreed to them. The same evening they reported this to the governor, who was satisfied.
1
Why has the Governor-General written to the councillors about the profits and losses of the Dutch here in Japan? They are not merchants. Or is it assumed to be on his orders?
2
Here in Nagasaki it is permitted to take back the goods which cannot be sold except at a great loss, as has happened last year. Why does the Governor-General write that this is not the case?
3
Why does he write that the Dutch are not allowed to speak with the Japanese when they are trading? This is contrary to the truth.
4
Why does he write about the 5500 taels which have to paid to the house owners as rent for the island, of which he has no knowledge, but it still seems as if this has been decided by him.
5
Neither the councillors nor we have ordered that the deceased Dutchmen or those who come here to die have to be thrown into the sea.
6
When you resided in Hirado, your ships departed fifteen days after the Portuguese galliots, which was on the 5th of the 10th month. Then you asked to be allowed to leave on the 20th of the 9th month, which is the case now, but the Governor-General writes that this causes a lot of problems. What does he mean?
7
That the Dutch have been forbidden to practice their religion, is only in public in front of the Japanese. They can practice it in their hearts, but it is not permitted to do so in public and in the presence of any Japanese, because should they see this, they might think of former times or of the Portuguese, and it is for these reasons that it is forbidden. Let them practice their religion in their hearts, which is not forbidden. Why does he write that we have forbidden it? The governor wishes to have a reply to these points today. Tomorrow the copy of the letters and our replies to these points will be forwarded to Edo. We noticed that the Japanese translations were not correct as the interpreters could tell from those which had been written in Portuguese, which could not be done before they were handed over – as the Governor-General had ordered – because they had been sealed on the arrival of the Pauw. The one addressed to the councillors was returned to us also sealed, and we could not see it, and apparently we shall never see it. We were very much in a quandary about how to act in this matter incurring the least problems. Finally after many difficulties and spending the entire night working on this in the presence of Burgemeester Shirōemon – who lent his assistance working in the best interests of the Company – we decided to give the following written replies:
To the first point
The Governor-General has written this to the councillors because, before the banishment of the Portuguese, some of the councillors had questioned Captains Nicolaes Couckebacker and Francois Caron should this occur, would the Dutch be able to supply the empire of Japan with all kinds of commodities to its full satisfaction. The captains had confirmed this and had undertaken to do so. This had resulted in borrowing from the Japanese 800,000 taels in excess of the capital that was in supply to buy up all kinds of commodities which are in demand in Japan in different quarters. The next year twelve ships came here with different kinds of commodities, which were sold at a considerable loss. This led the Governor-General and Council to consider cutting down on the shipments to Japan. In order that the smaller shipment this year would not lead to the conclusion that we did not live up to our word, the Governor-General explained the profits and the losses for the Dutch.
The second point
The Governor-General does not write that it is forbidden to take back the goods, but on the contrary, he thanks the councillors for their permission to take back the goods which we cannot sell at a profit to Tayouan or elsewhere.
The third point
Nowhere does the Governor-General write that the Japanese and the Dutch may not converse with each other during the trading season
The fourth point
It is true that the Governor-General has written in his letter to the councillors about the 5500 taels which we have to pay for rent and this has been done to inform them of the heavy expenses which the Dutch have to bear here in Japan. He knows that the councillors and the governors are like fathers to their subjects and he trusts that they will dispense with these expenses or give them some relief. The Governor-General is well aware that the councillors do not receive the benefit from them, but because when the letter was translated into Japanese in Batavia, the opposite was stated through the lack of good interpreters, therefore this should not be held against the Governor-General, who cannot read, write, or understand Japanese, nor are there any Dutchmen in Batavia who can.
The fifth point
It is true that the Governors of Nagasaki have not ordered us to throw our dead into the water, but it is our custom to bury the dead in special places and not to cremate them. Transporting them back would cause such an unbearable stench on the ships that more people would die or fall ill. Thus we are forced to throw them into the sea. Therefore, the Governor-General requests that we be appointed a place where we can bury our dead.
The sixth point
It is true that when we were in Hirado we requested the earlier departure.
The seventh point
We can well imagine that we cannot be forbidden to serve our God in our hearts, and the Governor-General does not write that this has been forbidden to us, but we request the freedom to pray quietly in our houses and on the ships among us Dutchmen at table and at other times, without being punished for it. It is true that we are Christians and believe in one God, as we have always stated, but very different from the Portuguese and the Spaniards, for which reason we have waged war against them, as we are still doing now. For as long as we have been in Japan we have never tried to convert any Japanese to our religion – as the Portuguese and their priests have done – and by doing so cause the Dutch or the Japanese any trouble. These replies were taken to the governor’s residence and tomorrow they will be forwarded to Edo with a copy of the letter from the Governor-General to the councillors. What the result will be, time will tell, I only hope that it will be better than we expect.
The imprisoned priests are being subjected to abominable, merciless tortures every day to the amusement of the Japanese judges. Those who can think up the most painful tortures to subject them to, are regarded as sensible persons.
September
1 In the afternoon, two of the Nagasaki burgemeesters came with the heads of the five shogunal cities and eight of the main merchants to settle the price of the white raw silk and to ensure that we can make headway with our trade, because we have to leave on the 20th of the 9th month – which is 13 October – and time is running short. After much discussion, they asked us to set a price for each quality of silk and to divide them into two kinds, because the zierangh, or finest quality silk, had never before been imported by the Dutch. With the consent of Shirōemon and the interpreters we proposed the following prices. [Prices.] After they had conferred they offered these prices. [Prices.]
2 Unpleasant weather with strong northerly winds. We requested the Nagasaki burgemeesters to settle the pancado today, because time was running out and we needed it to sell the other goods. They replied that the heads of the five cities were conferring to settle the highest bid. The decision will be given tomorrow and then we could expect to start trading the other goods.
Shirōemon told me among other things that some days ago several important merchants and citizens had been crucified, put to death with all their sons on the orders of the Shogun, because they had created a shortage of rice by hoarding it in large warehouses. This had been kept a secret for some time. They had been selling it in small lots for a steep price, so that many poor people had starved to death. For this reason they have been punished. Several domains where tobacco had been cultivated, have been ordered by the Shogun to discontinue this – because this is a crop that can be better missed than rice – and they have been ordered to plant rice. I sent for the interpreters to question them in more detail in the presence of Shirōemon about the white raw silk. After some discussion among themselves, they told us almost the same as Shirōemon had told us. They added that this year the price for silk would be settled in such a way that we would be satisfied. They advised us to ask Governor Saburōzaemon on our departure from Japan if we were to import a greater quantity next year and if we could not sell it to our satisfaction, would we be allowed to take it back. He would give a decision then, which would be our guide for the future. The interpreters left and we had a further discussion with Shirōemon about the Japanese letters.
3 Unpleasant, rainy weather with gales from the north. Nothing happened.
4 In the morning, we requested Burgemeester Sakuemon to have the price for the raw silk settled as had been promised us yesterday. He let us know that this would be done in the afternoon. After much debate and the intervention of the burgemeesters, the price has been settled at 255 taels per picul for the first grade and 225 taels for the second grade.
5 As a trial we put up for sale 1000 piculs of sappanwood, 2600 Siamese deerskins, 48 piculs of black lacquer, 2600 buffalo-horns, 20 piculs of putchuk, 30 piculs of catechu, 75 piculs of pepper, and 30 piculs of nutmeg. Tomorrow they will be sold by bidding slips. In the afternoon, Interpreter Denbyōe came to inform us that Governor Saburōzaemon had no intention of accepting the gifts from the Governor-General. He also sent me the copy of the letter to the councillors, written in Japanese, wishing to have it compared to ours in Dutch. He was most annoyed. They declared that because they were more familiar with Japanese customs, in their opinion and indeed in fact there were things in the Governor-General’s letter which were to the detriment of the Company, violated Japanese customs, and would have adverse effects and they would be taken amiss by the councillors. They mentioned three points: firstly, that the Governor-General had written to the councillors saying that the Dutch had never tried to violate the Shogun’s mandates but nevertheless he was requesting freedom to practice our religion, which contradicts one another and would strike the authorities as strange. Secondly, the Governor-General writes that he has been ordered by the authorities in China to attack junks sailing from China to Japan, which is against the interests of the Japanese empire, which seems like veiled threats,
6 Before noon the interpreters came to tell me that they had spoken to Governor Saburōzaemon and they had informed him of my responses and our discussions. He had been exceptionally pleased, according to them, that the Spaniards and the Portuguese were being incited against each other and to make the fight more fierce the weaker side would be supported and we would find relief in that war in this way. But with regard to the letter to the councillors, he wondered if it would be advisable to send it to the Court. He did not wish to dictate to us, but he thought it better to keep the letters, the more so because this could be postponed for a year without any harmful consequences. Our Governor-General had been too hasty writing the letter. It would have been better if he had waited for a year or two to see if there were any improvements and then it would have been soon enough to write to the councillors.
7 The whole day fine weather. We have been busy delivering the goods which we sold yesterday. Nothing extraordinary happened. I wrote to the Lord of Hirado about his debt and offered him the use of our warehouse if need be.
8 Unpleasant, rainy weather. We sold some commodities for a very good price.
9 Nothing happened. The burgemeesters came to sort some of the best goods for the Shogun, such as gold cloth and satin.
10 Fine weather with south-westerly winds. At noon we were told by the governor’s messengers that a ship had been spotted south of Nagasaki Bay off the Arima Bight, on which he congratulated us. In the morning he had inquired again about the truce with the Portuguese. We referred to our previous answer, which we partly renewed. We sold some goods with a fair profit and in the evening, after permission from the governor, I sent a Dutchman to the ship, which was offshore.
Arrival of the Zaaier
11 Fine weather with a southerly wind. Today we have delivered many commodities and we have offered more for sale. In the evening when it was dark, the Zaaier arrived in the roadstead. The interpreters were with me and, as they have been doing every time, they inquired about the truce with the Portuguese and if the Pope had consented to the war by the Portuguese king and had justified it.
12 The bongiois went on board the Zaaier. Our friends came ashore. We learnt that an army of 680–690 soldiers had left Tayouan for Chilung and that her cargo had mainly been gathered in Cambodia. [List.] Everything in Tayouan was well. Today we sold many commodities for a fair price and we made further deliveries.
13 We started to unload the Zaaier. As usual the bongioisen were present. They declared that this was to prevent any damage to or loss of our goods.
14 We received twelve gravestones which had been demanded by Batavia and Tayouan. We also sold some goods, mainly Tonkinese ones, for a fair price. Fine weather.
15 Unpleasant, rainy weather with southerly and south-westerly winds, veering north-westerly in the evening. Nothing happened. We put out some goods for sale.
16 We have sold some commodities for a reasonable price. The Zaaier has been unloaded and inspected, without any unpleasantness.
17 The goods from Cambodia have been put out for viewing. Two of our interpreters came in the evening and told us that the Portuguese priests had again been mercilessly tortured. They had been begging and praying to have an end put to their misery. They also said that the priests had been questioned about the Portuguese war against the Spaniards and the assistance of the Dutch given in Europe to the Portuguese and if this was given out of affection held by the Dutch for the Portuguese or just because if the others wage war with each other, namely the Portuguese and the Spaniards, they will destroy one another, which the Dutch would gladly see, because then the Dutch would gain victory.
18 We sold the Cambodian wares and some other goods. We also delivered some. In the afternoon, there was trouble between the Japanese and the crew of the Zaaier, because some of the crewmen had tied a rope to the Nassau without permission from the Japanese guards. Some curses were exchanged on both sides but the intervention of the opperhoofd on shore, who went on board, settled the matter.
19 Pleasant weather, north-easterly wind. We have delivered some goods. In the evening we received permission to present our gifts to the governor on the 21st.
20 We mentioned to the interpreters the gifts we wish to present to the governor, in particular what the Governor-General had ordered us to present to the Governors of Nagasaki. But they told us that Governor Saburōzaemon had given them explicit instructions to inform us that he would not accept them under any circumstances and nothing can be done about it. The reason is that the way in which the Governor-General had phrased the letter to them and to the councillors was so distasteful to them, and not in the least in their style and manner, much less to their pleasure. We sold some goods and delivered some.
21 Everything was put ready for the presentation of the gifts. First we went to the governor, who treated us politely.
22 Fine weather. We sold some goods and delivered a lot.
23 Fine weather. We learnt that yesterday the Portuguese priests had again been tortured by giving them water to drink, which has been done several times already. They had confessed that there were many priests in China who were very busy seeing to it that a large number of books dealing with the Christian religion were being printed to be sent to Japan – as they themselves had also brought some which they had buried with some other stuff – because the Japanese and the Chinese characters are similar and they can read each other’s script although it is pronounced differently. The governor is now very much on his guard and has summoned all the Chinese to inform them that they should refrain from importing such books in Japan, because retribution would be exacted on them as if they had brought a priest to Japan, which is punishable by the most horrible death imaginable. In the evening I received a reply to the letter I had sent to Hirado, in which we were given assurance in such a polite and humble manner, which almost expunged the Japanese haughtiness, that we shall be paid within two months that the interpreters and our landlord Shirōemon had no doubts about this. The letter had been signed by the two regents of Hirado. The interpreters and Shirōemon believed that the governor here, having seen the letter and the polite request, would expect us to wait till that time and it would be considered disgraceful if a lord in whose domain we had resided for such a long time would be denied this humble and polite request.
25 Fine weather. In the morning the wind was north-easterly, veering south-westerly during the day.
26 We sold some commodities for a good price and delivered some.
27 Nothing happened. We received permission to take the pieces of ordnance on board.
28 We received another letter from Hirado to thank us for waiting till November and with another assurance of payment within that time. The ships loaded their pieces of ordnance.
29 Rainy weather which prevented us from taking our stuff on board.
30 I convened the council to discuss the letter from the Governor-General to the councillors and the requisitioning of money. We decided to leave presenting the letter till next year and after taking further advice, and to leave off requisitioning the money for the reasons mentioned in the resolution.
October
1 The last of our belongings and the cash have been taken on board.
2 Nothing happened. The ships have not been dispatched because of the Japanese feast.17
Departure of the Nassau and the Pauw
3 The Nassau and the Pauw departed in the afternoon. The weather was fine and the wind northerly. They carry a cargo worth 568,577 guilders, which includes the Persian silk that could not be sold.
4 Nothing happened.
5 Rainy weather which prevented us loading.
6 Because the interpreters had neglected to ask for permission to load – although they had been told so often enough – this could not be done today. But we prepared everything so it can be done tomorrow. Fine weather, cool winds from the north-east.
7 We have been loading the Meerman. In the afternoon, the Lord of Hizen, Nabeshima Shinano- no-kami, Governor Saburōzaemon, and a large retinue came to visit the opperhoofd. He entertained them and afterwards some of the nobles went to visit our houses. The Lord himself and the governor went to the Meerman, where they were entertained. It is considered to be a great honour to be visited by such a powerful lord.
8 We have shipped the rest of our belongings, the cash, and commodities. Fine weather, north-easterly wind.
9 Nothing happened. The pieces of ordnance of the Meerman have been brought on board. The ship is preparing to set sail.
Departure of the Meerman
10 The Meerman has departed after an inspection of the crew in the presence of the governor’s secretary. It passed off peacefully and with much politeness on both sides. Her cargo is worth 293,763 guilders. But because the wind veered unfavourably, she was forced to drop anchor in the roadstead.
Arrival of the Brak
12 The interpreters, who returned from board after midnight leaving the Dutchmen there, told us that it was only a reconnaissance ship with just 34 canasters of silk and 4 chests with pansies. The main news was that our people had captured Fort Chilung, on the north side of Formosa, from the Spaniards. In the afternoon, the Brak arrived in the roadstead. We received the Dutch letters and learnt more details of the surrender of Chilung.
13 The Brak has been unloaded. The commodities, the pieces of ordnance, the rudder, and everything which has to be brought ashore has been taken on shore, including the letters to the councillors and to the Nagasaki authorities, which again caused us some disagreeableness and rent open the half- healed wounds, which we tried to heal. Today three or four Chinese junks departed. The commodities on the Brak have been sorted to be viewed tomorrow. We gave the interpreters the names of the qualities to have them announced in the appropriate places.
14 The commodities have been viewed in the morning. After dinner they were sold for a good price and delivered promptly.
15 Today four or five Chinese junks have sailed. Fine weather, north-easterly winds.
16 Some Chinese junks have departed. On the orders of the Governor-General we ordered the lacquerware for next year. We also received the memorandum of the commodities which the Chinese have imported on thirty-four junks sailing from different quarters and the prices they have been sold for. [List.]
21–23 Today we were told that the landlords of the island had conferred for several days about the opperhoofd’s complaints, namely that the rent for the island was much too high. With the foreknowledge of the burgemeesters, they could not decrease it for the following reasons: the money had to be divided between twenty-five houses and on average each received no more than 220 taels. They had many expenses, such as the repairs of the houses, the guards they have to keep on the island, recognizance for our goods, and the fire-hazards which they have to take care of. After all these expenses had been deducted, there was little left for them. Therefore, they could not lower the rent, yea, they were even disappointed that they did not get more, because the Company had suffered great losses in the beginning and this had been the reason that they had settled for such a low rent.
24–26 Unpleasant, rainy weather, the wind northerly. Some belongings have been taken on board as well as the pieces and the rudder of the ship. We received a batch of camphor.
27 Out of curiosity, Governor Saburōzaemon asked if the Brak could hoist the sails and start tacking close to the wind. It aroused great wonder among the Japanese. In the meantime, the last of our belongings was taken on board.
28 Pieter Anthonisz Overtwater has been proclaimed opperhoofd and, in the presence of all who were on shore and the main officers, he has been handed the command of all effects in the usual way.
Gozen-sama is a honorific form of address, meaning honourable in front of [the speaker]. Here it is used similar to Gongen-sama, one of the posthumous titles of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
The first opperhoofd of the Dutch factory in Japan. Specx served twice as opperhoofd: his first term lasted from September 1609 to February 1613 and the second from August 1614 to December 1620.
The second opperhoofd of the Dutch factory in Japan, from February 1613 to August 1614. When this pass was issued by Shogun Hidetada in 1617, Brouwer was no longer opperhoofd. This pass is kept at the Nationaal Archief in The Hague, inv. no. NFJ 1B.
The Governor of Formosa, Paulus Traudenius.
Sic. 28 January.
In 1636, the VOC presented Tokugawa Iemitsu with a grand brass chandelier, which contributed to the release of Pieter Nuijts. The chandelier is still preserved at Nikkō. See Lunsingh Scheurleer, Th.H., ‘Koperen kronen en waskaarsen voor Japan (Brass chandeliers and wax candles for Japan)’, Oud Holland, 93 (1979), pp. 69–94; and Viallé, Cynthia, ‘In Aid of Trade: Dutch gift-giving in Tokugawa Japan’, Tōkyō Daigaku Shiryō Hensanjo Kenkyū Kiyō, 16/3 (2006), pp. 57–78. These two articles also deal with the candelabrum and the lantern presented to Iemitsu in 1640 and 1643 respectively, which are also preserved at Nikkō. See the dagregister of 1643 for details of the presentation of the lantern.
Present Yasuman-dake. This mountain was also called Yasumi-dake: retreat of the Tengu, a long-nosed goblin. We thank Mr Hagiwara Hirofumi for this information.
Sic. The 4th of the 11th moon would be 6 December; 26 November would have been the 24th of the 10th moon.
Cu lao Cham.
Antonio Capece. He was not a Pole.
Albert Meczinski. He was not a Roman.
Antonio Rubino.
Francisco Marques.
Pascoal Correa de Souza.
João de Chaves.
We do not know what this word signifies.
The Kunchi Festival.