First Englishman Describes Adventures in Shogunate Japan

Love him wide, you shall understand how all things have passed with me from the time of my absence from you. We set sails for five ships in Holland, the 4th and 20th of June, 1598, and at last it was resolved to go for Japan. For by report of one Dirk Gerretsen, which had been there with the Portugals, one cloth was in great estimation of that island. The 11th of April, 1600, we saw the land of Japan, near onto Bongo, at which time there were no one more but five men of us able to go. The 12th of April, we came hard onto Bongo, where many barracks came aboard us, the people whereof we willingly let come, having no force to resist them, at which place, we came to an anchor. Our people offered us no hurt, but stole all things they could steal, at which some paid dear afterwards. Two or three days after, our ship was brought into a good harbour, there to abide till the principal king of the whole island had use of us, and until it was known what his will was to do with us. After we had been there for five or six days, came a Portugal Jesuit, with other Portugals, who reported of us that we were pirates, and were not in any way merchandising. This report caused the governors and common people to think ill of us, in such manner that we looked like we were set upon crosses, which is the execution in this land of thievery and some of the crimes. Thus, daily, more and more, the Portugals incensed the justices and people against us. Nine days after our arrival, the great king of the land sent me to come unto him, so taking one man with me, I went to him, taking my leave of us captain, and all the others that were sick. I was carried by one of the king's galleys, to the port of Ladosaka, where the king lay, about eighty leagues from the place where the ship was. As of the twelfth of May, sixteen hundred, I came to the great king's city, who caused me to be brought into the port being a one before costly house, gilded with gold in abundance. Coming before the king, he viewed me well, I seemed to be wonderful and favourable. He made many signs unto me, some of which I understood and some I did not. In the end, there came one that could speak Portuguese. By him, the king demanded of me of what land I was, and what moved us to come to his land being so far off. Then he asked whether our countries had wars. I answered him, yea, for the Spaniards is good Portugal, being in peace with all other nations. However, he asked me in what did I believe. I said, in God, that it made heaven and earth. He asked me diverse other questions of things of religion and many other things, for example what way we came to the country. Having a chart of the whole world, I showed him, and took a straight to Magellan. At this, he wondered, and thought me to a lie. Thus, from one thing to another, I abode with him till midnight. In the end, I desired that we might have tradable merchandise, as the Portuguese and Spaniards had. For this, he made me answer, for what it was, I did not understand. So he commanded me to be sent to prison. There was a town in Spain, where 650 of the 24,000 residents had a second name. Why? Because they descended from samurai. Specifically, the second Japanese embassy to Europe, which took place in 1613. What secrets are there in your family lineage? Our sponsor today, MyHeritage, can help you find out. MyHeritage makes it simple and enjoyable to build your family tree and discover your origins. I knew about MyIrishHeritage, but as soon as I added some quick details about my parents and grandparents, I found a whole new family lineage, not just tradable. And, my ancestry could be traced back from Morocco and far. I was able to get back to the 1780s. A couple more generations, and I could be seeing my ancestors in ships this time. Or indeed, the time of William Adams and John Serres. Here's a picture of one of my relatives I found from the 18th century, which is in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. And this was possible because MyHeritage has more than 46 billion records and 19 million users. It really is the best service for this out there. And it was very easy to do. I managed to gather over 200 people in my family tree after paying for 5 button picks. So, enjoy a 14-day free trial of MyHeritage using the link in the description box or by scanning the QR code on the screen. 39 days I was in a prison, hearing no more news. Neither of our ship nor captain. Whether he were recovered of his sickness or not, nor of the rest of the company. In which time, I looked every day to die. To be crossed, as the custom of justice is in Japan, as hanging is in our land. In which a long time of imprisonment, the Jesuits and the Portuguese, gave many evidences against me and the rest of the Emperor, that we were the thieves and robbers of all nations. And where we suffered to live, it should be against the profit of His Highness and the land. But, God, the Jesuits were merciful at need, showed mercy unto us. He would not suffer them to have their wills of us. In the end, the Emperor gave them answer, that as of yet we had not done to him, nor anyone of his land any harm or damage. Therefore, it was against reason and justice to put us to death. If our countries had wars, the one with the other, that was no cause that he should put us to death. With which they were very out of heart, that their cruel pretense failed them. For which God, is ever more praised. Now in this time that I was in prison, the ship was commanded to be brought to near to the city where the Emperor was. Forty-one days being expired, the Emperor caused me to be brought before him again. In conclusion, he asked me whether I was desirous to go to the ship to see my countrymen. I answered very gladly, to which he bade me do. So I departed, and was freed from imprisonment. With a rejoicing heart, I took a boat and went to our ship, where I found the captain and rest recovered of their sickness. And when I came aboard with weeping eyes as I received, they understood that I was executed a long sin. From the ship all things were taken out, though there were clothes which I took with me on my back, I only had. All my instruments and books were taken. I not only exhausted what I had in the ship, but from the captain and the company in general, what was good or worth taking was carried away. All of this had been done, unknown to the Emperor. So in process of time, having knowledge of it, we commanded that they which had taken our goods should restore it to us back again. But it was here and there so taken, that we could not get it again. So fifty thousand in ready money was commanded to be given to us. In the end of thirty days, commandment came from the Emperor that our ship should be carried to the easternmost part of the land, called Kanto. With according to his commandment we were carried, the distance being about a hundred and twenty leagues. Coming to the land of Kanto, and near to the city Edo where the Emperor was, we arrived isolated with all means by supplications to get our ship clear, and to seek out best means to come where the Hollandese had their trade. Also, in this time, three or four of our men rebelled against the captain and myself, and made a mutiny with the rest of our men, so that we had much trouble with them. They would abide no longer in the ship, but everyone would be a commander, and everyone wanted part of the money that was given by the Emperor. It would be too long to write the particulars, but in the end the money was divided according to every man's place. But this was about two years after we had been in Japan, and when we had been told that we should not have our ship, but to abide in Japan. And so the part of everyone being divided, every man took his way where he thought best. Indeed, in the end, the Emperor gave every man as a live-upon ten pounds of rice a day, and yearly so much as was worth eleven or twelve a piece a year, myself, the captain, Marinos, all alike. The land of Japan is a great land. The people of this land of Japan are good of nature, courteous above measure, and valiant in war. Justice is severely executed without any partiality upon transgressors or the law. They are governed in great civility. I mean, not a land better governed in the world by civil policy. For the most part, a man goes to war one after the other, but if questions be between neighbor and neighbor, it is by justice commanded to be presently taken up, and friendship to be made without delay. No thief, for the most part, is put in a prison, but presently executed. No murderer, for the most part, can escape, for if so be the murderer cannot be devoured. The Emperor commands a proclamation with a writing, and by the writing so much gold that is of value three hundred sterling. And if any do know where the murderer is, he comes and collects the gold, and goes his way without any further trouble. Thus, for the lust of so much money, it comes to light. And so in their cities, you may go all over in the night without any trouble or peril, being a people well-affected by strangers. For four or five years the Emperor commanded me, as diverse times he had done before, and one time, above the rest, he would have me make him a small ship. I answered that I was no carpenter, and had no knowledge thereof. Well, do your endeavor, said he, if it be no good, it is no matter. Wherefore this command, able to a ship of the burden of eighty tons, or thereabout, was sheers to be made in all respects as our manner is. He coming aboard this seat liked it very well, but which means I came in more favour with him, so that I often came in his presence. And he from time to time gave me presents, and at length a yearly stipend to live upon, about seventy ducats by the year, with two pounds of rice a day, day they. Now being in such grace and favour, by reason I taught him some course of geometry, and understanding of the art of mathematics, with other things. Indeed I pleased him so, but what I said he would not contrary. At this my former enemies did wander, but this time they entreated me to do them a friendship, and so to both Spaniards and Portugals have I done recompensing them good or evil. So to pass my times, and to get my living, it hath cost me great by labour and trouble at the first, but God has blessed my labour. And so, in the end of five years, I made supplication to the king to go out of this land, desiring to see my poor wife and children, according to conscience and interest. With this request the emperor was not well pleased, and would not let me go any more from my country, but to buy it is his land. Yet in the process of time, being in great favour with the emperor, I made supplication again, by reason that we had news that the Hollanders were in Xi'an. This rejoiced us much, and hoped that God should bring us to our country again, by one means or another. So I made supplication again, but by no other means he would let me go. Then so I asked him to meet the captain, for which he presently granted me. In the end, the captain found the fleet of mine sail, and in this fleet he was made master again. But the fleet sailed to Malacca, but fought with an armada of Portugals, and in which battle, he was shot, and presently, dying. So that as yet, I think, no certain news is known at home, that he might be living, or dead. Therefore, I do pray and entreat you in the name of Jesus Christ, to do so much as to make my being here in Japan, known to my poor wife, and manner, a widow, and my two children fatherless, which thing only is my greatest grief of heart and conscience. Therefore, may this letter come to any of their hands, or a copy, that my friends and kindred shall have news, that I do as yet live, in this vale of my sorrowful pilgrimage. Whether I shall ever come out of this land, I know not. Until this present there hath been none in Mainz. But now, through the trade of the Hollanders, there is Mainz. In the year of our Lord 1609, two Holland ships came to Japan. Now, in this year 1611, there is a smaller ship arrived. The ship was wondrously well received, indeed you shall understand that the Hollanders have an ease of money, for in Japan, there is much silver and gold reserved for the Hollanders to handle where they will in the East Indies. I presume that amongst them, some, either merchants, masters or mariners, must means know me. If it be that they come a ship from near and to the easternmost part, let them inquire for me. I am called in the Japanese tongue, Anjin-sama. By that name I am known all the seacoast along. Thus, in brief, I am constrained to write, hoping that by one means or another, in process of time, I shall hear of my wife and children. And so, with patience, I wait. The night of June 1613, at the morning, we had sight of the land, far north-north-east, and six great islands. There we steered northward to west, and soon after came four great fisherboats aboard, assailing the land's sails, with four oars on each side. It told us that we were before the entrance of the Nagasaki. We agreed with two of the masters of the fisherboats, of thirty riles of eight apiece in money and rice for their food, to pilot us into Hirado, which we made, their people entered our ship, and formed voluntarily their labor, as readily as any of our mariners. One of the four boats which came aboard us, did belong to the Portuguese, living in Nagasaki, and there were now Christians, who thought that our ship had been their cow-ship, but the finding was contrary, and upon no entreaty stay. On the 11th, about three o'clock in the afternoon, we came to Onaka, half a week short of Hirado, a time so spent that we could not further in. Soon after, we was visited by the old king, Hōin-sama, and his nephew, Tōne-sama, governor then of the land under the old king. They were tied with fourteen bolts of galleys. Only there he entered the ship, both of them in soldiers' gowns. Both of them had two katanas, and the swords of that country by his side, the one half the length of the line, and the other, about quarter. The four parts of their heads, the choiza, the crown, and the rest of their hair, which was very long, was gathered together and bound up on a knot behind. They neither had nor turban, but bare-headed. The king was only aged about seventy-two years, his nephew or grandchild, governor under him, was about twenty years. First in presence of him whom they are to salute, they put off their shoes, stockings there were none, and then cut from their right hand with their left, they put them down towards their knees. For so wagging or moving of their hands a little too frowardly, they are stooping, step with small steps, pass sidling from a party saluted, and cry, Ah! Ah! Ah! I led them into my cabin, where I had prepared a banquet for them, and a good concert of music, which much delighted them. They bade me welcome, and promised me kind entertainment. I delivered our king's letters, the king of Hirado, which he received with great joy, and I did not open it until Anjin came, and would interpret the same as to him. This Anjin is, in my language, a pilot, being one William Adam, an Englishman who, passing with a fremming man to the South Sea, for a meeting in disorder of remariners, remained in that country, and was seized upon by the emperor about twelve years before. I wrote the same day to Master Adams, being there at Hedo, which is very near three hundred leagues from Hirado, to let him understand what I would write of him. The king, having stayed aboard about an hour and a half, took his leave. He was no sooner assured that all of his nobility, attending with a multitude of soldiers, entered the ship. They did not much admire our ship, and may as if they had never seen it sufficiently. But we being pesters with the number of these visitors, I sent to the king, requesting him what measure might be taken to remove them all, and to prevent any inconveniences that might happen. It is that the king continued with each such award of people aboard, both men and women, that we were not able to go upon the decks. Round about the ship was furnished with boats full of people. I gave leave to the divers women of the best assortment coming to our cabin, where the picture of Venus, with her sun-trapped, and her large frame. They thinking to it why they did not have her sign, fell down and worshipped it, and showed some great devotion, telling me in a whispering manner that some of their own companions, which were not so, might not hear, that they were Christianos, whereby, we perceive them to be Christians, converted by the Portugal Jesuits. The king came aboard again, and brought four chief women with him. All of them white, wanting colour, which they meant by art. Of stature low, but very fat, no courteous in behaviour, nor ignorant of the respect to be given unto persons according to their fashion. The king's women seemed to be somewhat bashful, but he was one too proligate. They sung diverse songs, and played upon certain instruments, whereof one did much resemble our lute. The next morning, I went ashore, and delivered the presents to the king, amounting to the value of one hundred and forty pounds, or thereabout, which he received with very great kindnesses, and called for a standing cup. He caused it to be filled with his country's wise, which is distilled out of rice, and is as strong as our agro-lute. And even though the cup held up with four pints and a half, notwithstanding taking the cup in his hand, and so did myself, and all his nobles, doing the like. The first of July, two of our company came to quarrel with one another, and were very likely to have gone into the field, the endangering of us all. For indeed it is a custom here, that whosoever draws a weapon of anger, although he does no harm therewith, he is presently cut to pieces, for doing but small hurt, not only themselves are so executed, but their whole generation. Early eighth, three Japanese were executed, vis-à-vis two men and one woman. The cause, is this. The woman was none of the honestest, her husband being travelled from home, and had limited these two their separate hours to repair unto her. The first man with her already, and enraged thereat, he whipped out his katana, and wounded both of them very sorely. The street, taking notice of the fray, fought with seized upon them, led them aside, and acquainted King Ho in therewith, and said to know his pleasure. He presently gave order that they should cut off their heads, which done, every man that lasted, as very many did, came to try the sharpness of their katanas they had hewn all three into pieces as small as a man's hand. On the ninth and twentieth, Mr. Adames arrived at Hirado, having been seventeen days on the way coming from Sorongo, we had him stay here for his coming forty-eight days. Our diet-friendly entertainer, I conferred with him the presence of his merchants, such in the encouragement he could give a trade in these parts. He answered that it was always a leak, but sometimes better, sometimes worse, and he doubted not that we should do as well as the others, giving admirable commendations of the country as much effected thereunto. The seventh of August, King Ho in, furnished me with a proper galley of his own, rowed with twenty-five oars on a side, and taking with me ten English, I departed from Hirado toward the Ouroboros court. We were rowed through, and amongst diverse land, all of which, for the most part of them, were the Pons of, where of one called Fukuoka has a very strong castle. I did land, and dined there in the town. The town seemed to be as great as London is within the walls, fairly well built and even, so as you may see from the one end of the street to the other. The place is exceedingly people, very civil and courteous, the only problem that with our landing, and so through the whole country, they follow along after us, crying, Kore, Kore, Kokore, that is to say, you Koreans with false hearts, wondering, hooping, hollering, and making such a noise about us, that we could scarcely hear one another speak, sometimes indeed throwing stones at us, but that not in many towns. The best advice that I can give those who hereafter should arrive there, is to not make trouble with the noise. We found Osaka to be a very great town, with many fairs, timber bridges of a great height, serving the pass over a river there, as wide as the Thames of London, and some of the air houses we found there, but not many. As one of the chief seaports of all Japan, having a castle, marvellous, large and strong, with very deep trenches around it, we saw crosses with the dead bodies of those who had been crucified thereupon. Crucifying here is an ordinary punishment for the most malefactors. Coming near Soronga, where the emperor's court is, we saw a scaffold with the heads of diverse people placed thereupon, and by it were diverse crosses, the dead of those which had been executed remaining still upon them, all of which caused a most unsavoury passage to us, When John Sarris arrived to Osaka, I made his coming known, at which time, presently, the emperor came forth, and the general was wished before him, to whom the emperor bid him welcome on his so weary journey, receiving his letter. So General Sarris departed his way, and I was called in, to whom the emperor inquired of me of the kings of England, concerning their greatness and power, with diverse other questions which were too long to write. The next day, the general went with me to the secretary's house, with whom he made known his demands, the which being written were carried before the emperor. The emperor then read all his demands, and having read them, told me that you should have them. Having much talk with me of his coming, I told him to settle a factory in his land. He asked me in what place, far from his court, or the king's court, of which he seemed very glad. And having had much speech here and there, he asked me if part of his coming, was me to discover farther paths to the northwest, or northwards. I told him how countries still does not seem to spend much money in discovery thereof. He asked me when there was not a way, and whether it was not short, nor near. I told him we doubted not, but there is a way, a path of the whole world, and so sought that it was very near. Now, concerning myself, having dispatched general Saladin's business, I did speak unto the council to speak on my behalf, to get relieved to go home to my country, but the secretary would not speak for my liberty to go to my country, knowing that I had diverse times made requests, and he would not let me go. So, I nevertheless made myself somewhat bold, and in the unpretty good mood, I took out of my bosom his broad seal concerning certain lands, and laid it down before him, giving my most humble thanks for his great favor I to make, and desiring leave to go for my country. At which request, being earnestly upon me, he asked me if I was desirous to go for my country. I answered, most desirous. He answered, like he should detain me, or should do me wrong, in so much that in his service I had behaved myself well. And so, I did thank God that I got my liberty out of my long and evil service. Our good friend, Captain William Adams, who was so long before us in Japan, departed out of this world on the 6th of May last, and made Mr. William Eaton and myself his overseers, giving one half of his estate to his wife and child in England, and the other half to a son and daughter he has in Japan. A copy of his will, with another of his inventory, the account of his estate, I sent to his wife and daughter by Captain Martin Pring, their good friend, still known to them for a long time past. And I have delivered a hundred pounds sterling to divers of the James Royal Company, entered into the purser's book to pay for the two-for-one in England, which is two hundred pounds sterling to Mrs. Adams and her daughter. It presents me that his wife should have all, in regard that she might marry another husband or carry all from his child, but rather, that it should be equally parted between them. You've been watching, of course, the past. Thanks again to MyHeritage for their support. 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