THE EMBASSAYS TO THE EMPEROURS OF JAPAN Cum. prerelegien Remarkable Addresses BY WAY OF EMBASSY FROM THE East-India Company OF THE UNITED PROVINCES TO THE EMPEROR of JAPAN CONTAINING A DESCRIPTION OF THEIR SEVERAL Territories Cities Temples and Fortresses THEIR Religions Laws and Customs THEIR Prodigious VVealth and Gorgeous Habits THE Nature of their Soil Plants Beasts Hills Rivers and Fountains WITH The Character of the Ancient and Modern JAPANNERS Collected out of their several Writings and Journals BY ARNOLDVS MONTANVS English'd and Adorn'd with a Hundred several Sculptures By JOHN OGILBY Esq His Majesty's Cosmographer Geographick Printer and Master of the Revels in the Kingdom of IRELAND LONDON Printed by the Author and are to be had at his House in White Fryers M.DC.LXXI De LAND REYSE van OSACCA tot IEDO 〈◊〉 Groote Steeden 〈◊〉 Kleyne Steeden 〈◊〉 Casteelen 〈◊〉 Dorpen 〈◊〉 Vlecken 〈◊〉 Heerlyckheeden 〈◊〉 Toorene en tempels 〈◊〉 De Cyffers syn de 〈◊〉 Lâ—â—â—tâ— van de Brâ—â—â— De WATER REYSE van NANGASACQUI tot OSACCA De LAND Râ—YSE van OSACCA tot IEDO A MEMORABLE EMBASSY TO THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN The Earth and Sea constitute a round Globe FRom the round Shadow which darkens or eclipseth the Moon the different Rising and Setting of the Celestial Luminaries and the various Elevation of the Zenith or Vertical Point infallibly demonstrates That the Earth and Sea making one Body presents exactly the Figure of a Globe Which though the Surface of this mighty Ball be rough and gibbous many parts thereof swoln into Rocks and high Mountains others sunk into depressed Valleys yet make an even and smooth Circumference for the highest Tops and lowest Descents are nothing in comparison to the Magnitude of this vast Body but seem less than Warts on the Hand or small Furrows in a Plough'd Field Incircling this our Terrestrial Orb at an unmeasurable distance sparkle the innumerable Lights in the immense expansions of the Firmament The Description of Heaven and Earth About the Earth the Air spreading it self into three Regions dispenseth from the middle all sorts of Meteors with their several Effects upon us The lowest Storie variety of Birds and flying Fowls make their Receptacle the Sea and Rivers Fish inhabit but the Earth and Sea and all Creatures there residing the Creator left solely to the gubernation of Man under whose Command they remain so inverting the Authority of Power placed the Microcosmus over the Macrocosme the little World to Rule the great The distribution of the People upon the Earth But since the Fall of Adam his Generations persisting more and more increasing their enormous sins and louder-crying offences brought Gods just Judgment upon them who therefore destroy'd the Old World by an Inundation or general Deluge onely preserving eight Persons who descending from the Ark the Waters being ceased a new World began in which by degrees their numerous Progeny so multipli'd that they were forc'd to Plant fresh Colonies still more and more remote from the Foot of the Mountain where they first settled But nothing more help'd to the well and equal re-peopling of the desolated Universe than the confusion of Tongues which happen'd in the Worlds Infancy at Babel where all the Children of that Generation resolving to settle not minding farther Discoveries pitch'd upon the fertile Plains of Shinar Here must be say they the Center of our growing and intended Empire this our begun this our stupendious Work whose aspiring Tower looks down already upon the Clouds and hereafter threatens to scale the Skies shall be the mighty and all-commanding Head of our Imperial City which extended over these Plains we will inhabit and with our Lives and Fortunes guard and maintain But they in their vain Design and presumptuous Project were suddenly baffled by Divine Providence who in stead of setling scatter'd them over the face of the Earth for when they were at the busiest and in the heighth of their expectation labouring to finish this marvellous Structure thus the Almighty disappointed their whole endeavours all Tasks were suddenly thrown aside each mistaking not understanding one another in which confusion their onely comfort was to meet with any that spake with them the same Language These using one Tongue gathering in a Body stuck together and in several Companies fled to strange and unpeopl'd Regions where Planting they flourish'd and suddenly grew up to be several great Kingdoms Since call'd Europe Asia and Africa the then onely known Countrey So this their total rout and flying to all the Angles of the Universe proved for the better each by this means being sooner suppli'd so extending by degrees their fresh Colonies to the utmost and Maritime Coast Yet however one Party after this dissolution remaining still upon the Spot which though they utterly sleighted their begun Tower leaving it to ruine and decay yet went on chearfully with their chief City where Nimrod first taking the Title and supreme Authority upon him sat in his new erected Throne first Monarch of the Assyrian Empire Besides him many absolute Princes were thus in process of time establish'd in their several Dominions and the whole World seem'd to be once more totally replenish'd When the restless Nature of Man either unsatisfi'd with what he hath atchiev'd or spurr'd on by ambition or urgent necessity to enlarge their Bounds for their supernumerary Swarms gave the beginning to the Iron or turbulent Age War and Hostility raging every where in which those prevailing grew high and mighty those conquer'd low and humble continual vicissitudes and fluctuations of People Kingdoms subverted in Republicks and Common-wealths weary of such Government turn'd again into Monarchies The weakest Party put to all extremities and worst of exigencies by the pursuing Enemy were enforc'd all Land deni'd them venturing for refuge into the wide Ocean were soon swallow'd up some driven they knew not whither lighted on uninhabited Countreys there beginning new Plantations and perhaps by such Fugitives the new World never heard of by antiquity became of old to be peopled and by that means grown since to such vast Empires as our late Voyagers have discover'd Here it will not seem amiss to give you an account according as all Writers have it how this our Old World was peopled viz. Asia and Africa and who were the Fathers or chief Captains giving Denominations to the People and setling them in their several Plantations beginning with Holy Scripture The Offspring of Japhet Noah and his three Sons Japhet being the eldest his Offspring spread themselves over Asia and Europe Moses recounts these to be the Sons of Japhet Gomer Magog Madai Javan Tubal Meshech and Tiras Gomer as they say first settled his Colony along the Caspian Sea where Strabo and Pliny place the Cemerians the Sons of Gomer being Ashkenaz Riphat and Tagorma Planted other Colonies Ashkenaz laying the Foundation of the Kingdom of Media which others contradict supposing that he settled in the lesser Asia others the Countrey of
But before we go on farther upon our Japan Discourse and how the Hollanders first settled their Staple in that Countrey sending triennial Embassies from Batavia their chief Residence with great Presents it will not be unfit to relate one Embassy which was the onely one that ever we heard of addressed from thence to any Prince or Potentate whatsoever for they taking so much State upon them though they receive all with great Pomp and Civility never make any return St. HELENA Description of the Isle This Island so call'd by its first Discoverers the Portuguese from the Saint on whose Day it was found being the 21 of May lies in the Main Ocean 16 Degrees and 15 Minutes Southern Latitude about 510 Leagues from the Cape of Good Hope 350 from Angola and 510 from Brasile being the nearest Continent to this Isle is about seven Leagues in Circumference appearing high above the Water defended every where from the violence of the Sea by steep Rocks like a Wall with Bulwarks and is naturally Hilly but cut quite through with many Valleys amongst which are two exceeding pleasant as the Church Valley so call'd from a small Chappel built there on the North-side of which is an easie and delightful Ascent to the High-lands towards the South is the Vale of Orange so call'd from the great plenty of that Fruit which besides Lemons Pomegranates and the like grow there in great abundance that they may Lade six or seven Vessels with them yearly On the West-side of the Chappel is good Anchorage but they must lie near the Shore to keep them from Driving for from betwixt the declivings of that Rocky Coast the Wind comes often down with great violence and sudden gusts The Air. The Air of this Island is very temperate and wholsom insomuch that the Sick which are brought out of the Ships on Shore there soon recover their health The Valleys are not more than moderately hot the Mountains temperately cold being continually fann'd with cooling Breezes and the Air is refrigerated frigerated with five or six Showres in a day the Sun shining as oft betwixt and though the Soil be naturally dry and barren yet it is replenish'd with many Springs of sweet and wholsom Water especially the Church Valley through which descending from the High-lands glide several pleasant Streams down to the Sea for the great accommodation of those that Anchor there and put in forfresh Water yet besides this they have two other from whence they supply their wants This Isle destitute of Inhabitants may ascribe its plenty of wild Gattel to a Portuguese Merchant who in the Year 1512 coming to Anchor here and observing the pleasant Situation and the solitariness thereof which then agreed well with his disposition being something inclin'd to Melancholly and having been formerly much cross'd in his Fortunes wearied with business and the cunning practises of those he dealt withall settled himself in this solitary Place putting ashore those Sheep Swine and Poultrey he had aboard which increased in a short time to a Miracle insomuch that they suppli'd whomsoever touch'd there with plenty of fresh Provision and especially after King John of Portugal issued out strict Commands prohibiting all his Subjects from setling there This Soil though naturally as we said before very dry and thirsty is much fertiliz'd being moistned by many Springs and showry Weather so that it bears variety of Fruits especially Pease and Beans of which great store are found growing every where which when ripe falling sowe themselves making such plenty Here are also whole Groves of Orange Lemon Pomegranate and Fig-trees which are always loaden with ripe green Fruits and Blossoms and great Shades of Ebony and Rose-trees the Wood is not easie to be wrought because of its knottiness The Valleys are like Kitchin-Gardens full of Parsly-Beds Porcelin Sorrel and several other Herbs good for the Pot and also for many Distempers especially the Griping of the Guts a Disease very incident to such as frequent these Parts The Woods and Hills abound with all manner of Beasts as Goats Deer some as big as Stags and also wild Swine of several colours but very difficult to be taken When the Portuguese first discover'd this Countrey they found not any kind of Beast or Fruit-bearing Trees all which they transported Stocking and Planting of them there which since have so spread themselves that both the Hills and Dales are satiated with them without any art of Husbandry Here are also Partridges Pigeons Peacocks and Pheasants which cannot be taken either by Snares or Nets but onely by Shooting No Beasts or Birds of Prey Serpents Toads or Frogs have here their receptacle but ugly Spiders and Flies some green like Grashoppers The Cliffs on the South-side of this Island entertain thousands of gray and black Sea-Pies or Mews also speckled and white Fowls some with long and some with short Necks which lay their Eggs being of a good relish in the Rocks These kind of Fowls the Netherlanders 1608 in a Voyage to the East-Indies call'd them by Irony Mad-Pies being so tame and gentle that they took them with their Hands or knockt them down with their Sticks Here the sea-Sea-water which beats against the Rocks remaining in a frothy foam upon them whitened with the Sun becomes pure Salt and Salt-Petre Here are also Mountains which produce Bolus and a fat gray Earth call'd Terra Lemnia such as comes from Lemnos In the South-east part of this Island is a Mountain whose Earth being of a brightish brown Dyes a good Red and also one in the East which yields a pure mixt colour being brown above and white below The Sea near this Island abounds in Fish but must be taken with Hooks and not with Lines or Nets because of the foulness of the Ground Carps but of another colour than those of Europe Eels about the thickness of a Mans Arm and of a good taste Crabs Lobsters of better râ—llish than those in England and also very good Mussles which stick so fast to the Rocks that they must cut them off This Isle though thus flourishing lies still uninhabited for they say that the King of Portugal would permit none of his People to settle there or appropriate to themselves but to be left free and open to relieve those that Sail that way Here they Landed and after they had refresh'd themselves they shew'd the young Princes the Sport of Hunting the wild Boar with which they were much delighted The Japan Ambassadors arrive at Lisbon From thence at last helpt with fair and detarded with foul Weather they Landed at Lisbon where they were receiv'd magnificently by the Cardinal Albert Austria Governor and Duke of Bragance From thence they proceeded through Guadalupe Talavera and Toledo to Madrid They come to Madrid and Majorca where Philip King of Spain entertain'd them with much splendor and kindness and shew'd them his Court the Escuerial and also his Treasury then full his Plate-Fleet being newly
Spire beyond which about a League Southward from Osacca may be seen another Tower call'd Lords-Castle where the Noble-men use to meet both for their Serious Occasions and Divertisements The Temple of the Idol Canon But in the Center or middle of the City stands the much celebrated Temple of the Idol Canon whom the Japanners believe hath the absolute Power over all sorts of Fish and Fowl that haunt the Water he being as their Neptune or Sea-commanding God A few Steps from which stands the Porters Lodge with a broad-brimm'd Roof whose Edges shoot far out before the Walls Near this lies a Path leading to the Out-wall which now lies for the most part in its own Ruins yet this Wall hath one very fair Gate resembling a Triumphal Arch through which they walk to a pleasant Plain full of shady Trees but this Pleasure is divided from them by a second Quadrangular Wall Plaister'd with white Loam every Quarter a pleasant Green belonging to it Strange Porch before Canons Temple But the Temple-Porch belonging to the first Wall that incloses the Court is built Orbicular with six Angles making a kind of Cupiloe on the top To this sad Place many wretched People resort who weary of their Lives either suffering under Poverty or Chronical Infirmities or distracted with blind Zeal in Fits of their Religious Melancholy Japanners drown themselves here expecting to be freed from all their Sorrows and to enter into present Happiness by drowning themselves in this their Soul-saving Pool of their Water-God But first they warily consult Canon himself in the Portal seeking his Advice from which as their fond Fancies dictate they either return full of Hopes or desperately throw themselves headlong in and for a quicker dispatch greedily swallow the Water As did also the ancient Germans to the Honor of the Goddess Hertha This kind of dreadful Sedecede or destroying themselves is not unlike the ancient Worship of the Teutonick Goddess Hertha which Tacitus relates thus That in an Isle lying not far out at Sea a Priest waited in a Grove consecrated to the Goddess Hertha in which stood a close Chariot which was profan'd if touch'd by any but this her Attendant His Function was to know at what time the Goddess set forth upon her Holy Voyage to visit the Seats of Joy and Everlasting Happiness to which purpose he made ready the Chariot and Harness'd the Buffles to draw her which he attended with great Zeal and Religious Diligence And what Countreys soever she pass'd through all War turn'd suddenly to Peace Nor finish'd she her Progress till the Priest had fully inform'd her of the several Impieties raging and reigning everywhere which done she driving into a Lake as weary of this World suddenly vanish'd never appearing more and all the Retinue that belong'd to her following the Chariot in like manner drown'd themselves From whence arose that kind of mad Zeal and frantick Desire of thus making themselves away by Water that so they might meet with the Pleasures of the other World In what place the Goddess Hertha was chiefly worshipp'd Philippus Cluverius in his History of Germany affirms That the Island before-mention'd by Tacitus is no other but Rugau where yet to this day near the Promontory Stubbenkamar stands a Thicket call'd De Stubenitz and in the same a Lake of Black Water so deep that it is suppos'd to be bottomless which though it abounds with Fish yet is not frequented by Fishers this proceeding out of a Reverential awe or fear of this thought to be Sacred Water Yet some less scrupulous in Points of that nature undertook lately to leave a Boat in the foremention'd Pool designing to Fish there the next day and coming in the Morning their Boat was gone which after long search they found fix'd in an Oaken Tree Whereupon one of the Fishermen cry'd aloud saying What! were all the Devils joyn'd together to cast my Boat in yonder Tree Strange Relation Upon which he heard a terrible Voyce replying All the Devils were not imploy'd but onely two I and my Brother Claes But not only this Pool belonging to the Nymph Hertha were they Diabollically perswaded to make themselves away in but many other Places in Germany where upon the like account Self-murder was committed by throwing themselves headlong into the Water raging to follow the same Goddess to the foremention'd Seats of Bliss A farther Description of Canons Temple ¶ BUt to return again to the Temple of Canon The same rises aloft with three peculiar Stories whose Roofs are six-square jetting out a great way over the Walls Every Partition hath three double Windows only between the second and lowest Story stands a Gallery supported on twenty eight great Pillars The Walls painted with all manner of Fishes adorn much the outside of the Temple The Chief Buildings in Osacca ¶ ON the right side of Canon's Temple stands the Admirals House and somewhat near this City a stately Cloyster of the Bonzies rising with two high Roofs or Stories a great distance one from the other Next this is the Habitation of the General known by its double Roofs and Gable Ends hard by which stands the Temple with two hundred Images And no less stately is the Palace belonging to the Lord-Treasurer of Japan In the same Street stands a Watch-Tower which is seen by Land six Leagues from the City and at Sea seven The Church in which the Images of the old Bonzies are kept as Holy Reliques is also very curious to behold part of it may be seen at some distance at Sea and the other part conceals it self behind the Hills How it is within Moreover Osacca like most of the other Cities in Japan hath neither Walls nor Bulwarks but is divided in the middle by a Current on both sides of which are stately Buildings made of Clay the outsides cover'd with Boards to keep the Water from soaking through within full of large Chambers In the time of the Emperor Xogunsama Anno 1614. seven Ships with Convicts went from the Haven of Osacca to Nangesaque because they would not desist from the Roman Catholique Religion At that time also the Jesuits Church in Osacca was pull'd down by Sangamido who was impower'd by the Emperor to persecute the Romanists which was perform'd with all manner of Cruelty all imaginable Tortures being us'd on them Osacca is oftentimes ruin'd in the Japan Civil-Wars But above all Osacca suffer'd much by the Civil Wars which the Japanners maintain'd one against another each striving to obtain the Imperial Crown insomuch that the City and Castle fell now into the hands of one and then of the other After the Death of the Emperor Taycosama Anno 1601. Japan was exceedingly turmoyl'd in a Civil War nine Princes joyning against Dayfusama of whom the Chief Commander was Morindono King of nine Provinces out of which he rais'd Forty thousand Men many Great Persons amongst them and had also
the Treasure of the deceas'd Taycosama and all Necessaries for War In the interim some of these Provincials set upon Dayfusama who entertain'd them so roughly that Eighty thousand Men were either slain by the Sword ripp'd open their own Bowels or were taken Prisoners few of them escaping by Flight Conquest of Dayfusama Hereupon Dayfusama carried his Victorious Army with all speed to Osacca where Morindono was so much astonish'd at his gotten Victory that he left the Invincible Castle Osacca which was provided with double Stores and strong enough to endure the greatest Siege that could be Osacca is taken to Dayfusama before whose Approach he with some of his Nobles forsook the Castle and went to his stately Palace beyond Osacca resolving to submit himself freely to the Mercy of the Conqueror But the King of Sassuma shew'd much more Courage for he with Six hundred Soldiers valiantly fought his way through the Conquering Army of Dayfusama and marching on undiscompos'd towards Osacca got thither some Hours before Dayfusama where he furnish'd himself with such Vessels as he found with which he Sail'd to his own Kingdom Sassuma distant above two hundred Leagues from Osacca to the end that he might there Fortifie himself against Dayfusama A horrible Earthquake in Osacca ¶ BEsides this their suffering by War this City before endur'd a far greater Misery almost to an utter Desolation by a sudden Earthquake happening Anno 1585 the fourth of August about Midnight which was so terrible that they expected nothing less than present Destruction The first shudder or shake was so vehement that in less than half an hours space many hundreds were buried in the Rubbish of their own fallen Houses The fairest Buildings first failed coming to ground with horrible cracks amongst which that stately Palace the fairest and largest that ever the Sun shin'd upon which Taycosama built with ample Galleries and such spacious Courts that therein they say he was able to Exercise a hundred and fifty thousand Men. This stupendious piece of Architect he built on purpose to shew his Power and Magnificence to Ambassadors that were ready with an Embassy from the Emperor of China Their Journey to Menco With this Train the Ambassadors came about Noon to the great Village Firaskatta where they Dined and about four a clock they travell'd through Jonda which is a small City curiously built Fortified with a strong Castle and surrounded with Walls The Governor of this Place came to meet the Ambassadors who having a considerable Train was carried in a Sedan and follow'd by some of his Guards All the way which they pass'd was on a high Bank verg'd with Rice-Fields so far as could be discern'd At that time it was every where Frozen very hard on the top of this Bank and in going down the same they Travell'd through several Villages and the Way it self was planted on both sides with Trees Description of the Japan Cedars Amongst these the Cedars rais'd their lofty tops above all the others to an exceeding height Theophrastus relates That the Syrians and Phenicians us'd Cedars for the Building of their Ships The same Custom is at this day in Japan and no marvel because the Cedar hath a Gummy Moysture which preserves it from rotting which Secret the Japanners not knowing oftentimes look upon the Sudor or Sweating of their Cedar Images as a great Wonder But this is occasion'd by the moist Air and a South Wind which generally draws an Oyl out of that Wood. Moreover this Tree grows higher and thicker according to the several Places it is Planted in On the Mountains of Syria they grow so large-wasted that four Men are scarce able to fathom one of them but these have spiny and slender Bodies considering their wondrous Height whose lofty Crowns seem to mingle with the Clouds Japan also produces Cedars no ways inferior to those The Leaves thereof are soft and downy but prickly at the sharp ends There is also a small kind of Resemblance between the Cedar and the Juniper-Tree but the Leaf of the last is longer and smaller and grows nothing near so high and the Wood thereof being cut asunder and us'd is soon subject to rot And also the Cedars are of a more fragrant smell and bear a kind of Cod not unlike the Myrtle which being open'd hath four white Corns or Grains like Rice inclos'd in them which when ripe are of a deep yellow Colour whereas the Juniper-berry is black bitterish and unpleasant to the Palate Gum of Cedars of what Vertue and Use The Gum which the Cedar produces preserves the dead Corps from decaying and the Berries have three several tastes for the innermost of them is of a sharp rellish the outermost Shell sweet and the Pulp it self between sweet and sowre These Trees either have continually Fruits or Blossoms on them So that whilst one Tree bears Blossoms or Green-fruit the other Ripen This Fruit being hot in Operation helps all Coughs proceeding from cold Defluxions the Cramp opens obstructed Uritories and the Oyl thereof if the Body be annointed therewith defends it from the biting of Venomous Creatures Furthermore the Cedar always flourisheth being constantly green whose stately Branches run up in an exact Line like the Trees themselves but if the Branches grow too heavy for them the Body of the Tree commonly bends growing crooked under the Burthen The Cod which incloses the Berries when it begins to ripen opens it self and in time of Rain or Mists drops off leaving a round Stalk at the Boughs This Stalk decays not till two Years after the dropping off of the Cod which of it self requires a whole Year before it becomes ripe and this happens chiefly in Winter The Ambassadors come to Meaco Along this Bank shaded with Trees verging the River the Netherland Ambassadors going through a Town call'd Iondo came to Meaco where they were Receiv'd and Lodg'd in the House of a Wealthy Merchant ¶ THis Imperial City Meaco lies in the Province of Mino eighteen Leagues beyond Osacca Along this River which takes its Original from a great Lake three Hours Walk beyond Meaco discharging its Waters through Osacca into the Sea stands the Imperial Blood-Grove The Imperial Blood Grove near Meaco why so call'd which Denomination it receiv'd from the Japan Emperor Nobunanga who was murder'd there June 22. Anno 1582. The Emperor Nobunanga would be worshipp'd as a God ¶ THis Nobunanga in the time of his Reign had erected a new City and call'd it Anzuquiama on a pleasant Hill raising within it a stately Temple which to make the more famous he caus'd to be brought thither the most Ador'd and Venerable Idols in all Japan Next to this Temple he Founded a Sumptuous Chappel where on a polish'd Marble he had his Imperial Arms Ingraven and his own Statue delineated to the Life which so soon as finish'd he publish'd his Royal Edicts with strict Commands That after Proclamation and
Recess under a Mountain where he spent his time in Study Writing many Books and as the Chineses say Instructed eighty thousand Disciples but out of this number he selected first five thousand five hundred and out of them drew one hundred and at last he reduced that hundred to ten which he made great Masters of this so much follow'd Science And then dying he left them a great Legacy He dies being all those Books that he had Written in the Cave and that there should be no dispute hereafter concerning the Contents of these Written Volumns he Seal'd them and Indorst with this positive Superscription Thus I Xaca have Written the Truth His Opinion concerting the transmigration of the Soul Amongst others of the Pythagorean Assertions he maintains That the Soul is transmutated eighty thousand times into several Bodies and Shapes and that under six vile transformations they committed all sorts of wickedness and impiety and at last turn'd into a white Elephant by the Indians call'd Lothan hoe Laenses then they attain'd to the City of rest and everlasting happiness but before they come thither they Flye with Birds Graze with Oxen Crow with Cocks Swim with Fishes Creep with Serpents and grow with Trees Hermias a Learned Christian Of this their Opinion the Learned Hermias saith thus When I view my Body I am afraid thereof for I know not by what Name to call it whether a Man a Dog a Wolf Stier Bird or Serpent for they say that I exchange into all these several Shapes which live either on the Earth or in the Air and in the Water neither wild tame dumb prudent or foolish I flye in the Air I creep on the Earth I run I sit and sometimes I am enclos'd a Prisoner in the Bark of a Tree The Japanners and the Chineses which are of Xaca's Religion believe that the Soul changes into Trees or Plants A strange Story of a Tree that spake Philip Marimus in his Japan Voyage relates That in Cochinchina Anno 1632 a Tree of an hundred and twenty Foot high and a proportionable thickness was by a Storm blown down to the Ground which a hundred Men could not move whereupon being conjur'd as they say by one of their Exorcists to know the reason why it could not be stirr'd it answer'd I am a Chinse Pince my Soul having been transmigrated into several Bodies a hundred Years at last is setled in this Tree from which as an Oracle I am to tell you of Couchin China that a woful War is ready to fall upon you under whose pressure you shall suffer extremely This Story whether fabulous or an Illusion of the Devil is believ'd both through all China and Japan insomuch that ever since they put Dishes of Rice to the Roots of great Trees that the Souls dwelling within may not languish by long fasting and therefore they feed Animals and living Creatures also that they may not suffer by Hunger Within Camsana if we may credit Bollandus stands a Cloister of the Bonzi Of a Clovster in Camsana Bolland Vit. Sanctor A. â— L. â—an 15. C. 4. near which is a Hill shaded with pleasant Trees thither one of the Priests carry daily at a set time two great Baskets full of all manner of Food when drawing near the Hill he Rings his Bell at the found of which is summon'd all sorts of Creatures that in an incredible number come flocking from their several Shelters and Recesses to which he throws his Alms and so scatters that they are generally satisfi'd which done in the same manner he Rings them back again and they fairly retreat to their respective Receptacles These Animals they believe are animated with the Souls of formerly famous Persons which reside in several Creatures analogizing in their different kinds and natures with the humor and disposition of those Hero's when alive From whom the Japanners have the Opinion of Transmigration It is without contradiction that this Learning of Transmigration took original in Egypt And from them Plato and Pythagoras receiv'd that Doctrine which they Preach'd into Greece the Seminary then of Philosophy which at last spread through several Angles of the World The Gothes had it in the North the Germans and Gauls in the West and at the same time the Chineses and Japanners in the East who receiv'd it from the Indian Brachmans The Brachmans also affirm amongst a world of strange Fancies that some Men for their Crimes after Death become aerial Spirits fantastick Shapes unsubstantial Bodies wandering up and down so long till they have suffer'd enough to expiate their Offences These Spirits are not permitted to Eat the least Blade of Corn Herb Grass nor any thing whatsoever but onely what they receive by Alms to which purpose they throw Meat to Daws and Pies nine days together after their Friends departed Souls that so the wandring of their deceased Relations may pick up something with them These Spirits sometimes also appear in humane Shapes but are not to be fear'd because they are harmless The Brachmans believe there is a Hell Moreover the Brachmans also acknowledge a Hell by them call'd Jamma Locon from whence the Souls after great punishments are released and appear again in the World in several Shapes But besides their Jamma Locon they make mention of a deep dark and dismal Pit by them call'd Antam Tappes which as they say is full of Thorns Vultures and Ravens with Iron Beaks and Claws Mastiff-Dogs Stinging-Wasps and Hornets which heavily afflict and torture the Wicked condemn'd to that Dungeon in a most horrid and petulant manner without any cessation and that which is worse their punishment as they say never ends And also a Life after this They also hold two Conditions of such as are Saved entring into happiness some of them travel to an inferior Heaven call'd Surgam where no sins are committed nor death suffer'd to enter yet the Dewetas for so they call those that after death are believ'd to go to Surgam when their time of residence there is expir'd travel from thence Soul and Body again conjoyn'd but what becomes of the Body in their return the Brachmans have not well made out onely they affirm That some come back to the World and are regenerated and born again and those Feast on all manner of Delicacies and enjoy fair Women but without Issue But this they have not well anvill'd out neither for some they say never remove from Surgam but bear Children there which they number amongst the Stars this they hinted from the antient Astronomers that often as we do sometimes discover new Stars in the Firmament Their Opinion of Heaven But those which worship and obey Wistnou keeping themselves from all Offences are transported to Weicontam where God sits on a most glorious Throne But they say there are two Weicontams calling one Lela Weicontam which is a most pleasant and delightful Heaven but the first onely call'd Weicontam From thence none
manner of Handicrafts resided in the City but the number of the Ships which Sailed to Persia Ceylon Cormandel Malacca Siam Molucco-Islands Tayoan and other Places from Batavia was unknown to them They were also ask'd If the Hollanders saw any way by which they might Conquer Nangesaque Are silent in one Question as they had done Quilang But making as if they understood them not this Question was not answer'd Sicungodonne enquir'd of them also Why their Ketch Breskens had fir'd her Guns several times in the Haven of Namboe which had frighted the Fishermen and all the Countrey People thereabouts Also if they had not a Minister aboard The Hollanders acknowledg'd That the hady fir'd with bare Powder on the intreaty of some Japan Gentlemen which came Aboard of them to view the Ship and that they had not the least intentions to scare the People which they not once thought of being accustom'd to do the same before Firando when any Gentlemen desir'd it but out of fear they deny'd that they had a Minister Aboard At last they were ask'd if they could not swim as they had seen many Hollanders do at Nangesaque This Question amaz'd them much not knowing why they should ask it yet they reply'd That some could swim and others not Sicungodonne leaving off to make any farther Examination gave the Hollanders leave to go to their Lodgings where they rested till the three and twentieth of September without any farther molestation Then the Secretary told them that their Landlord was gone to the Lord Sicungodonne's House to ask for some Clothes for them because the cold Weather began to pinch and they were us'd to go warm Cloth'd Sicungodonne promis'd to furnish them with Coats He also signifi'd that the imprison'd Jesuits and Japanners not being able to endure the exquisite Tortures had deny'd Christianity The next day the Interpreters Kitsbioye and Fatsiosaimon with the Renegado Priest Siovan came and brought for every Hollander two Japan Coats made of Cotton by Sicungodonne's Order Which kindness the Hollanders knew not how to return sufficient thanks for A new fear arises amongst them Mean while understanding by some of the Servants that the next day they were to appear before some of the Magistrates they were exceedingly afraid and the more because they very well knew the two Dutch Interpreters expected from Firando could not yet be come to Jedo And whilst they sorrowfully sate considering of these Matters the Walls of the House began to shake the Timber to crack the Roofs to rent the Doors and Windows flying open and the Ground to move under them At which the Japanners signifi'd to them that a horrible Sea-Monster struck his Tail so vehemently against the Shore that he made all things to shake and tremble The Japanners Opinion concerning Earthquakes is antient But under this kind of ignorance seems to lie hid the antient Opinion of some Greek Philosophers which gave to Neptune the Name of Ennosigaeus that is A shaker of the Earth because it creeps into the Crevices thereof and breaks the Foundations with its swelling Waters This Opinion Thales and Democritus Abderita affirm'd with these Arguments viz. Because that in Earthquakes new Fountains often broke forth and great Places lay hid under almost fathomless Lakes and Plashes of Water But others with much more seeming Reasons attribute tke Earthquakes to the Winds inclos'd in the Caverns of the Earth Agellius puts both the said Reasons together Who are not saith he Nost A. A. l. 2. c. 19. sufficiently instructed by Nature whether the shakings and gapings of the Earth are occasion'd by the power of imprison'd Winds or inclos'd Waters swelling within the Earth Wherefore the Romans order'd a solemn Day of Humiliation to be kept when any great Earthquakes happen'd but they express'd not of what God they sought for help because they knew not whether it were Aeolus Commander of the Winds or Neptune Lord of the Seas that shook the World Japanners are much terrifi'd at an Earthquake The Japanners are exceedingly terrifi'd at Earthquakes knowing by dear Experience that Mountains have sunk into deep Pits Villages turn'd topsie-turvey Cities and whole Territories swallow'd up therefore when the inner parts of the Houses began to crack the Walls to totter the Mats which cover'd the Floors to move and other Houses here and there began to tumble every one ran to seek for a Place of safety their amazedness was so exceeding great which indeed was no wonder for who would not be afraid when the firm Earth affords no sure Foot-steps when it falls in under Towns and Villages An enemy may be repuls'd by high Bulwarks and inaccessible Ways against great Storms Harbors are sure Guards Fire follows not those which flye from it raging Sickness though it empties Cities yet swallows them not up but the Earthquakes hide oftentimes under heaps of Rubbish or almost bottomless Pits Mountains Cities nay whole Territories without leaving the least Mark behind so that whole Generations of People are buried with the Ruines of their Habitations Why the Hollanders were less afraid The Hollanders seem'd to be less afraid than any because they not onely knew of their Mortality in what Place soever they were but that they might easily suffer an involuntary Death not yet knowing how they should come off but that they were at the pleasure and dispose of a barbarous Nation It would be no great matter of difference to them if some merciful Japanner if such a one might be found any where cover'd their Bodies with Earth or if the Earth it self perform'd the Office for without doubt they should suffer a far more easie Death under than upon the Earth Strange alteration in Japan by an Earthquake Most part of the Evening this Trepidation continu'd onely giving several shakes for at other times Japan feels greater sorrow by these Earthquakes because it often happens there that the Earth sinks or makes terrible gapings Rivers swelling overflow cooling hot Springs and making hot cold that Flames break forth from the Mountains or on the contrary that burning Mountains are quenched by Earthquakes that plain Countreys become Mountains and Mountains turn into Plains that Islands are blown up out of the Sea and others sink under Water The reasons of Earthquakes descrid d after divers manners We must acknowledge it to be a great Wisdom which is not onely satisfi'd by the outward appearance of such horrible Motions but also searches into the Secrets of Nature to find out the Reasons of such Trepidations The Japanners as we said before ascribe it to the Water or rather according to their Custom and idle Fancies to a Sea-Monster But those that ascribe it to the Water differ in their Opinions Some maintain according to Thales Milesius that the Earth swims upon the Sea and is moved by it almost like a Ship Others say That the Earth is cut through by continual flowing Streams by immense Lakes inhabited round about
false either out of their own ill nature or else their ignorance in the Dutch Tongue And the more because they knew the strictness of the Japan Magistrates who pass the Sentence of Death for the least untruth The Tears which flow'd from their Eyes express'd sufficiently their exceeding Joy and the sudden News made them doubtful to credit it Yet they bow'd their Heads to the Ground after the Japan manner and thank'd Sicungodonne and Sabrosaymondonne for their kind Inclination toward them during their Imprisonment Must leave Elserak's Retinue But whilst the Dutch Prisoners were wish'd Joy by their Countreymen of their Liberty Elserak was call'd back by Sicungodonne and after some Discourse return'd to his Retinue being commanded that the ten Prisoners should walk before in the Streets and for some private Reasons not go amongst his Attendants Schaep and Byleveld entertain'd by Elserak But Elserak invited Schaep and Byleveld to Supper with him and coming to his Inn he receiv'd them with all Friendship At the Table several Discourses pass'd of what had hapned to them on their Voyage and since they were taken Prisoners at Namboe After Supper Schaep and Byleveld return'd to their Companions in their new Lodging whither they were remov'd to make room for Elserak and his Retinue who on the next day invited his two Guests again giving them Clothes and Bedding which they had great need of in Winter Receive order to stay in their Inn. And whilst they were thus busie an Interpreter call'd Sioske came in who commanded the Captain and Merchant to return to their Lodgings and to keep in there till Elserak had made his appearance at the Emperors Court Which Order was sent from Sicungodonne and Sabrosaymondonne so that they immediately obey'd In the Evening they heard that Elserak had been at Court and was return'd home But because Sioske told them That after two Hours time they should again see Elserak which Promise failing and Elserak himself sending them no word concerning his Success at Court they were in great fear that the Business had met with some new hinderance or other Hollanders are again very much troubled which trouble increas'd because they heard not any thing thereof all the next day doing how it stood with their Releasment or the Ambassador Elserak A great Earthquake at Jedo ¶ THey were possess'd with these melancholy Thoughts when on a sudden the Earth was shaken the Timbers and Roofs of Houses tumbling down to the Ground the Walls falling one towards another and much harm in those places where the Motion was greatest Moreover there are reckon'd three sorts of Earthquakes The greatest is a Gaping which often swallows up Houses Villages whole Countreys and Islands The great Lakes and bottomless Waters in Japan hide under them formerly famous Places and People and thereby testifie enough how this Empire is plagu'd by such Evils For the second the Learned reckon that which shakes the Earth heaving it up and down and shakes that which is on the top thereof in such a manner that all things tremble and fall down The third and smallest is when the Ground moves to and again like a Boat on the Waves Such a one was this that hapned at Jedo whilst the Hollanders were there The fore-running Signs thereof It hath also often before as well as now been observ'd That a little before the Earthquake the Air was very calm the Winds being lock'd in the Bosom of the Earth The Air is also colder than at other times it us'd to be in that Season of the year which hinders the breaking forth of the Winds There likewise appear'd a long thin Cloud in the Sky The Sea rag'd exceedingly notwithstanding there was no Wind stirring All Pools and sanding Waters stunk very much and the Water it self tasted of Brimstone This the Learned Gerard Vossius ascribes to the Fire which is under Ground and lies hid in deep places under Mountains Islands and Seas by which the Earth also is shaken many Miles together so that not only Cities Villages Territories but whole Countreys are totter'd and turn'd topsie-turvey by it This Fire vomits out many sulphurous and burning Vapors which Experience hath taught us because the Earth often rending asunder in Earthquakes sends forth hideous Flames The Fountains also smell sulphury because the Spirits ascending mix themselves with the Water By this Sign Phracides Master to Pythagoras the Lacedemonian foretold of an approaching Earthquake which he judg'd would be terrible Plin. lib. 2. cap. 79. because the Waters tasted exceedingly of Brimstone Hereto is added That the Countreys in which Burning Mountains are found are most subject to such Damages Josephus Acosta relates the like of America and our daily Experience of Campania Sicily and other Places wherein Mountains either vomit forth continual Smoke or hideous Flames confirms this Opinion Burning Mountain in Japan About eight Leagues from Meaco near a great Lake lies the Mountain Siurpurama which sends forth horrible Smokes and Flames that ascend into the Sky and below several Sulphurous Streams Sicily is at the present less troubled with Earthquakes than formerly because the Vent or Hale of Mount Aetna being burnt wider and wider affords a freer Passage to the Vapors and the Fire Before the burning of the Mountain Vesuvius where Pliny died a great Earthquake hapned It is also obferv'd by the Japanners That the Mountain Saperjama burns vehementest after an Earthquake ¶ THe eighth of December the imprison'd Hollanders were inform'd by the Interpreter Phatsyosamon That Elserak was that day to appear before the Japan Emperor and his Council and that then they should have their free Liberty But no sooner was Phatsayosamon gone but the Hollanders had order to dress themselves Hollanders appear in the Emperors Castle Their Landlords Son conducted them along without telling them whither or what they were going about So passing from Street to Street through Jedo they came at last to the Emperors Castle which is surrounded with four Moats over which they pass'd through ten stately Gates and coming within next to an Arch whereof the Floor was cover'd with Mats they receiv'd order to stay till they were call'd to appear before his Imperial Majesty Soon after they saw the two Interpreters Tosaymon and Manikebe coming thither and also amongst other Courtiers a Gentleman call'd Pochycennemondonne who shew'd them a great Wooden Portal through which they should be carried to the Emperor Owysamma Magnificence of it And whilst they staid waiting at the foresaid Place they saw with admiration a great many Lords Civility of the Courtiers Secretaries and other Nobles which continually pass'd to and fro shewing such Reverence one to the other that they exceeded the most Complimental People in that kind At last Pochycennemondonne brought the Hollanders over a broad Court pav'd with Free-stone through the Portal which he had shewn them before a rich gilded Gallery where they were commanded
exceed those of Africa The strength of those in India may be judg'd by the great Towers which they carry on their backs In the Wars by Antiochus Eupator against the Jews every Elephant carry'd a small Tower with thirty six Soldiers besides the Indian which guided him That these Monsters live three hundred years Aristotle Pliny Ambrose and Nonnus witness Policy of the Elephants Moreover Philostratus the Greek Writer saith That the Elephant is likest to Man of any Beast in Policy and Prudence his Sence the Elephant expresses two ways either by his natural Apprehension or by good Instruction to the first must be reckon'd that the Elephant rowls himself in the Mudd against the heat of the Sun and when he goes to drink he first stirs the Water with his Snout that he may not swallow any hurtful Creature which is more credible than what Theophilactus Simocatus saith That the Beast stirs the Water because he is afraid of his own Shadow When they go to wade through any River the youngest walk before for otherwise the old ones would sink and make the Ground deeper by their weight so that the young ones could not possibly get over But concerning the Apprehensions of this Beast several credible Witnesses give us many remarkable Examples Seneca Pliny and Suetonius relate That the Elephants in the Theatre at Rome not onely Fenc'd with Swords but Danc'd on the Ropes Hieronimus Osorius relates That Anno 1514. an Indian Elephant bow'd himself three times to Pope Leo the tenth Augerus Busbequius relates in his Embassy to the Turkish Emperor That he saw a young Elephant who observ'd the steps and Danc'd exactly after the Time of a string'd Instrument and cast a Ball backwards It deserves peculiar observation Epist Lyps ad Janum Hautanum what Peter Bellon an eye-witness related to Carolus Clusius who told it again to Justus Lipsius That his Elephant coming weary and hungry into the Stable where he found an Ass eating of Corn he drove him from the Manger and eat up what he found but soon after the Master of the Elephant coming into the Stable gave him his fill of Corn the Beast considering the wrong which hunger had made him do the Ass he divided the Corn and gave the Ass as much as he had taken from him This vast Monster Lib. 8. c. 9. as we said is very fearful of Man-kind Pliny saith So soon as the Elephant spies the foot-steps of a Man though he never saw one before he is afraid of private Ambuscades and looking about him goes not a step forwarder but makes it known to his followers so from one to the very last whereupon they all return The same Pliny relates Lib. 8. c. 5. That Bacchus set thirty Elephants against several Prisoners which he had condemn'd but they less bestial than their Master would not observe or obey his cruel Commands Wherefore Ptolomy Physcon made the Elephants drunk when he would have the naked Jews with their Wives to be put to death And full as fearful they are of Stags When Alexander the Great had past beyond the utmost bounds of the Herculean Pillars and Bacchus Encamp'd his Army those that were sent into the Forrests for Wood came amazedly running back upon the sight of a great number of Elephants coming towards their Army at which Porus an Indian King encourag'd Alexander telling him That he need not fear the least danger if his Troopers took but some Hogs on their Horses and with beating compell them to make a noise at which the Elephants all return'd back again into the Woods ¶ BUt to return again to Malacca This City is inhabited by Hollanders Chineses and Malacquers Half a Mile off at Sea lies the Red Island from whence the Hollanders took Malacca from the Portuguese The Malacquers of Queda some years since maintain'd a War against the East-India Company but were subdu'd by force of Arms. Queda belongs to the Queen of Achien on Sumatra who not long since would have Marry'd with a Hollander but that the Councel in Batavia for several weighty Reasons judg'd it no way convenient Dingding an Island ¶ BEtween Queda and Peru thirty Leagues from Meaco lies the uninhabited Isle Dingding close by the Marine Coast Here is that famous red Wood of which the East-India Company Anno 1663. made a trial The Haven before Dingding full of Fish and very safe which they enter Eastward and go out Westward The Water which flows from the Mountains along the Valleys into the Sea is as good as any fresh Water in India A League Westward from Dingding appear the three Islands which the Hollanders for a certain accident call'd The Man-eaters Isles because the Weesop and Schelling Frigats were cast away there and the People which were sav'd going ashore were all slain by the Inhabitants Anno 1661. five Ships going from Malacca to fetch their Countrey-men found them unbury'd whereupon they brought their Guns ashore to take revenge on the Cannibals and built a Ship of the Pieces of the Wreck that were remaining which was afterwards us'd at Malacca ¶ THe East-India Company traffick at Mesopatam with Japan wax'd Chests Copper and Silver besides other European Commodities This Mesopatam is a great City inhabited by Moors that drive a vast Trade with large Ships the Tackle whereof is made of Trees as we mention'd before ¶ IN Peleacato is also no small Trade driven the Hollanders having a Fort there close under the City fortifi'd with sixty Guns which was assaulted by the Natives but being beaten off by Laurence Pitman left a considerable number of their Party dead behind them after which Peleacato came wholly under the subjection of the East-India Company The Vessels which they have there are very remarkable and by them call'd Catamarous being four round pieces of Wood ty'd together he that steers it sits with his back-side in the Water Dabbles with his Feet and Rows with an Oar small in the middle and broad at the end which he moves to and again so making his way very fast through the Water The King who keeps his Residence up in the Countrey is a Tributary to the great Mogull On the same Fort stands an exceeding high Mast upon whose top is plac'd a Flag five hundred Yards long which is seen eight Leagues off at Sea ¶ SInce the Governor of Goa Conquer'd the City Cochin on the Coast of Malabar the third of February Anno 1653. the Netherlanders have driven a great Trade there Through the City runs a Rivulet sixteen Foot deep and an Island lying before Cochin makes a convenient Harbor there The Malabar Coast produceth good store of Ambergreece which in stormy Weather thrown upon the Shore the Malabars a strong People strugling with the Waves take up in great quantities and preserve in their Stores THus we have given you a large account of the present Estate prodigious Wealth and wonderful Magnificence of the Empire of Japan taken out of the Journals of several Embassies from the Councel of the Netherland East-India Company setled in New Batavia being the latest and fullest Observations that ever were taken concerning that Isle reaching within three years of this our present Publication presuming the Discourse though long will not be tedious the variety of Argument being such and so strange that hitherto we presume hath scarce reach'd any English Ear. If this by Volume meet with a kind acceptation we shall be encourag'd to give you betwixt our great Atlantick Work for your divertisement a Continuation of China as full of Novelty and as much or rather more illustrated with Sculptures than the former FINIS
Chaa held in great esteem by them Their Drink is a Concoction made of Rice which in strength and rellish resembling Wine they use as if such often taking men plentiful Doses that they become inebriated therewith but for their mornings Draughts and closing up of their Stomacks after Meals they onely following the Chinesy manner drink Chaa which comforts and is a great suppressor of Fumes that rising from the Stomack after great Meals disturb the Head It is not known how big Japan is Linschâ—t The Empire or Island of Japan if it be an Isle is not onely one but many which evidently appears by those parts that border on the Sea where the Coast discontinued with many In-lets stands like a broken Wall and the several falls of fresh Water Brooks and Rivulets descending from the upper Grounds with their mixt interweavings both from Sea and Land make a numerous croud of petty Isles from which watery redundancy arise Cloudy exhalations that cause variety of stirring weather as sudden Winds cold Rain Hail Frost and Snow yet these mixt changes so attemper the Air that though under a hot Climate they suffer not by extremity of heat in their Summer Solstice This Countrey extendeth it self from 157 degrees to 170½ Longitude and in North Latitude from 30 to 38 which makes 810 in length and 408 English Miles in breadth It s Eastern borders onely open to the great Ocean the South lies towards the South-Sea where great and many Isles lie scatter'd and make now a new Archipellago The West side the Sea intervening lies opposite to the Empire of China The North-West but at vast distance respects Tartary The North bordering on Pedso onely separated by an Inlet of the Sea which runs not up above thirty English Miles where both Lands continuing stop the course of the Flood and make one Continent which Francis Cairon Embassador to the Emperor of Japan that travelling from the Territory of Quanto where the Imperial City Jedo lieth North-East seven and twenty days journey to the Prominent Point of the Kingdom of Sunguar here Sailing over a Bay or Gulf of the Sea they came to the Countrey of Jesso desolate and Mountainous but full of precious and costly Furrs The Japanners have often times ventur'd very far in Jesso but could never discover the end The Emperor himself hath so much endeavour'd the knowledge of it that he sent Persons a purpose to inspect and make discoveries how far his Territory extended and supply'd them with what not onely might serve their Necessities but whatsoever might accelerate and make more easie so difficult an Expedition Teco borders on Japan Yet after long searching and far travelling through rough and untracted Wilds sometimes climbing steep Ascents oft engaged in amazing Precipices they found their labor in vain and no end onely seeing some few Salvages hairy all over with slovenly Beards The extent thereof could never be found out by the Inhabitants These beastial People rather than humane could neither give any account of the Countrey Jesso nor of their own wherein they dwelt so it evidently appears that Jesso and Japan are one Continent but how far Jesso extends Northerly and whether both may make one Isle none hath yet inform'd us Who first Sail'd to Japan is uncertain Who of our European Voyagers a new way being found by doubling the great Southern Cape to the East-Indies first discover'd this Land is uncertain Some relate That a Portuguese Ship by stress of Weather not intending any such Course was accidently driven upon the Coast of Japan Anno 1539 but neither tell us the Ships Name Captain Master or any other Particulars so we wave this account as but a story and not sufficiently Authentick to have the honor of the first Discovery Jo. Petrus Maffeus and Jacobus Thuanus Anthonius Guluamus Most set down that it was in Anno 1542. But this seems more credible which Joannes Petrus Maffeus and Jacobus Thuaamus attest in the Writings of Anthonius Guluamus how Antonius Mota Francisco Zeimot and Antonio Pexot in their Voyage Sailing from Dodra to China were forc'd from their intended design and driven with an unwearied Tempest on the Confines of Japan the time being more memorable because that in that Year 1542 the King of Portugal sent Alphonso Soso impower'd by his Commission with like authority as if himself were there present his first Lieutenant or Vice-Roy to Raign at Goa But soon after of which also we have no certain account the Portuguese by several Casualties and Adventures got good footing and drove a great Trade there amongst which this in the first place being of most remark By what means the Portuguese got footing in Japan A Youth a Stripling of Japan being terrifi'd with the hard usage of a cruel Master expecting upon some occasion a severe punishment fled taking Sanctuary in a Monastery of the Bonsi amongst them the prime Religious Order where whilest he skulk'd and kept himself in private to escape his terrible Lord it happen'd that a Portuguese Vessel Commanded by one Alvarius Vazius touch'd in that Harbor who coming a Shore and curious to see Novelties viewing this Religious Structure where whilst he was gazing about and feeding his fancy now with this now with that the Youth presented himself in a sad Petitioning Posture signifying to him by signs that he would be pleas'd to save him a board his new arrived Vessel from some threatning danger he taking compassion of him found out a means to conveigh the Youth from thence thither that night where supposing the Boy not altogether safe nor himself neither put him aboard a Merchant that lay close by him who was to Weigh Anchor that night who accordingly set Sail and carried him to Malacca whether he was bound with his Freight The young Japanner in his passage observing their manners of Worship and hearing them Chant and Sing at their daily Service or else mov'd by Divine Inspiration earnestly desired to become a Christian as they were whereupon the Master of the Ship made his desires known to the Fathers then Residing at Malacca that he might receive Baptism but they modestly refus'd saying That the honor of it belong'd to the Bishop Johannes Albuquerken then Resident at Goa whereupon he was transported thither and there with much Ceremony after Divine Service he receiv'd in sight of the whole Congregation Baptism and changing his Japan Name Auger was Christen'd Paul of the Holy Belief Paul now well instructed in the Portugal Tongue inform'd Franciscus Xaverius Cosmo Turrensis and Johannes Fernandes Jesuites Fathers that had ventur'd their Lives in promulgation of the Gospel and to make Proselites in those parts of the whole estate of his Countrey whereupon being encourag'd they Embark'd themselves first for Malacca and from thence intending their course upon the like service for Japan Ariving at Malacca they met with a Chinesy Vessel with whom they agreed to Transport them to Japan all
Island Branco well known at a great distance by its steep and chalky Cliffs after that we descry'd the Flat Coast of Loemon known by its two Promontories on the North-East and South-West end Then we Steer'd our Coast North-East where happen'd several great Calms and terrible Thunder and Lightning A considerable time we kept in sight of China about five or six Leagues from the Shore after that we had Sail'd close by the Islands of The two Sisters Formosa and also by The three Kings there appear'd as commonly doth in those parts before a Storm the dreadful signs of an ensuing Tempest Signs of bad weather About the Cape of Good Hope appears commonly a small black Cloud before a Tempest which was here a Rain-Bowe onely of two colours hoop'd in with two more the outmost the largest the Master being thus warn'd furl'd his Sails lower'd his Yards and dropt all his Anchors and so in a manner moor'd his Vessel by which time it blew so hard from the North-East bringing along a high and rough Sea which oftentimes rak'd over us from Prow to Stern that all our Ground-Tackle though very good seem'd not strong enough to keep her from Driving Thus we lay plying the Pump Shipping often so much Water as was ready to beat down the Decks so that we every Minute expected death and that which was worse the Wind shifting eight Points towards the North-West furrow'd fresh Billows athwart which beat over our Broad-side Thus having suffer'd four and twenty hours the utmost of the Perils when utterly despairing not able to hold out any longer it pleas'd God that the Weather broke up and the Storm ceasing after a short refreshment we joyfully weigh'd Anchor and proceeded on in our Voyage And now being got about an hundred Leagues from the Island of Meaxuma we saw with admiration a great number of py'd Fowls black and white by the Portuguese call'd Allcatrasses which prey'd there on Fish Before this Island lieth an obscure Cliff and the Isle presenting it self in four Cantels or Divisions being cut thorow in the manner of a Cross On the South-West end of it are two round Hills the other Islands are known by several Rocks resembling Organ-Pipes Here Sayling two Leagues along this Coast to the height of one and thirty degrees from thence Steering our Course to Cabexuma which is surrounded by many Rocks we discover'd the Mountain of Amacusa and the utmost Point of the Island Cavallos known by the tall Pines that Crown the High-Land At some distance off from the shore lies a Ridge of Rocks which as a Bar breaking the violence of the Waves agitated with Wind make within a smooth and safe Harbor Then we found the Bay of Nangesaque by joyning our Land-Marks together being a Tree and the Roof of the great Church where we Anchoring Hoysed out our long Boat and so Landed in Japan This is our second Discoverer of any note giving the most exact account of the nearest and best way to Japan But two years before the return of Pais from his foremention'd Voyage John Hugh Luschot setting Sail from the Haven of Maccaw intending his Voyage for Japan He relates thus Linschot's Voyage to Japan The 19 of June we Weigh'd Anchor from before the Island des Outcas lying on the West side of the Entrance towards Maccaw leaving the great Isle of Thieves to Lee-ward which hath another longer Island full of Woods to the Northward of it and the like shape presents the Isle Tonquiau being naturally fortifi'd with ten Cliffs like Bulwarks but on the North-East side opens a convenient and safe Harbor We wav'd Lamon standing off to Sea at a great distance because many Pirats lay lurking up and down shelter'd under those Coasts their design especially to seize Portuguese Vessels therefore we Steer'd directly towards the Chabaquon-Head a High-Land appearing a far off from the Coast of China afterwards we Sail'd the length of the Red Stone Varella a Rock so call'd and well known by its colour which appears above Water and may be seen beyond Port Chinogoa Soon after we Stemm'd the Isle Lequeo Puqueno whose steep Coasts are about sixteen Leagues in length under twenty five degrees North-Latitude where we Sail'd against a Current of troubled white Shells but after 15 Leagues we found ease Then rose the Seven Sisters Isles so call'd from their so much resembling one another the first appears with a sharp Spire or rising Point in the middle and at the foot on the West Angle a Rock opens like a Column or Pillar on the North-East mark'd with a black Cliff The Seven Sisters out of sight we rais'd the long Isle Ycoo full of black or sable Trees from whence we lay North-East Sailing betwixt that and Tanaxuma through a Channel clear from all danger of Rocks and Shelves At the Mouth of which appears a Mountain like Vesuvius or that of Aetna which vomits upwards hideous Smoke and dreadful Flames mixt with Stones the Ruptur'd Bowels of the Mountain which ejected with no little Fragor sometimes fills the adjacent Shores Sea and Land with terrible Affrights and wonderful Consternations But Tenaxuma an Isle eight Leagues long hath on the West a good Harbor fortifi'd naturally with Rocks the Low-Land full of rising Hillocks cover'd here and there with black Pines Eight Leagues Northerly beyond this appears the Coast of the mighty Empire of Japan but in the mid-way Steering to Jebuxy we lay a good while becalm'd yet nevertheless the eleventh day after we set Sail from Macow we arriv'd in Japan But besides all these Voyagers and the many Discoveries and Plantations of the Portuguese and Spaniards in either Indies at last the Hollanders being thrust into an exegency of dangerous consequence and forc'd by an overcoming necessity also became Navigators and undertook to save themselves from utter ruine that Work by a business which happen'd thus At first and in the infancy of their Trade They onely contented themselves with making short Flights and trafficking to their neighboring Confines as France England Denmark Norway and other Places in the Northern Ocean with which naturally delighted and tasting the sweetness of Profit they ventur'd farther to Spain and Portugal then growing more bold enter'd the Straights seeking through the Midland Sea at Legorn Genoua and Messina what by their several Trades might be more beneficial Here whilst the Portuguese and Spaniards made such wonderful Discoveries they fixed and well satisfi'd sat down and went no farther The first reasons why the Hollanders undertook the Voyage to the East-Indies and afterwards to Japan But after the War was proclaim'd by Spain against the United Provinces King Philip issuing out strict Commands that all Goods that heretofore were Exported from his Harbors or Imported from the Hollanders whether the Growth of either Countrey or otherwise should not onely be confiscated and made seizure of but great Mulcts and other Punishments inflicted upon all them that durst or were so
from thence went directly to the Emperors Court at Meaco These as we said before were the onely Addressers employ'd in an Embassy from thence into Europe or any other part of the World Since which time the Hollanders have Traded to Japan to their great benefit especially since the Portuguese upon the account of the Jesuits Conspiracy were prohibited to Traffick any longer in that Countrey which in brief was thus The Jesuits are banish'd from Japan because of a Plot. ¶ THe Jesuits having laid a Plot to deliver up the whole Empire of Japan to the King of Portugal and having well digested the same sent him inviting Letters promising that if he would send them eight stout Vessels well Mann'd they no sooner mould be arriv'd but that several Kings and many thousands of the People their Converts should be all at once ready to Declare for him which would so much overpower the Emperors remaining Party that if he then prov'd stubborn and would not yield they should be able to force him to his subjection But this being discover'd The Portuguese age banish'd from Japan the Portuguese were presently banish'd and excluded for ever from Japan in the Year 1641 the Jesuits and principal Confederates being all put to death suffering condign punishment So the Trade lay in a manner open to the Hollanders which they being almost solely employ'd in made so great an advantage thereof that they were able every three years to send Gratulatory Embassies with several rich Presents to the Emperor The Hollanders Staple at Firando The first Staple they settled in that Countrey was upon Firando a small Isle which on the East-side Coasts with Bongo by some call'd Cikoko on the North with Taquixima on the South faceth Goto both also wash'd by the Sea the West respecting the Main Ocean The Haven of Firando better accommodateth Japan Vessels than the Hollanders which being of greater Burthen draw more Water especially the Mouth of the Haven being narrow and their Ships large is very dangerous but within they lie safe being Land-lock'd round about which breaks off all force of Winds and Waves whatsoever and though it blow to the heighth of a Heuricane yet they Ride still in smooth Water De Logie op FIRANDO The Store-house of the East-India Company there The Store-house which was first order'd there for the Company consisted of four Low Rooms and five Upper Chambers for the Reception of their Goods besides Kitchen Larder and other Offices lying close by the Haven with a Key and Stairs to the Water but being built of Wood which in short time grew dry and rotten it could not preserve their Merchandise either from Fire foul Weather or Thieves Therefore in Anno 1641. they began to build one more large of Stone which the Emperor not rellishing supposing they might convert it into a Fort of Defiance The Netherlanders remove from Firando to Nangesaque commanded them to desist and at the same time remov'd them to Nangesaque A strange Idol Near Firando at an In-let of the Sea stands an Idol being nothing but a Chest of Wood about three Foot high standing like an Altar whether many Women when they suppose that they have Conceiv'd go in Pilgrimage and offering on their Knees Rice and other Presents with many Prayers imploring That what they go withal may be a Boy saying O give us a Boy and we will bear him though a big one But before the Hollanders left Firando they sent their Merchandise in small Vessels to Nangesaque where they had then a Factory and there found in the Year 1694. a Hollander call'd Melchior Sandwoord who Sailing with the Fleet from Mabu through the Straights of Magellan losing his Company had suffer'd Shipwrack on that Coast thirty Years before Thus the Hollanders being remov'd from Firando keep their Staple ever since at Nangesaque Netherland Ambassadors sent from Nangesaque to Jedo THe Ambassadors that were dispatch'd from Batavia to the Emperor of Japan June 28. Anno 1641. receiv'd peremptory Orders to Land only at their ple Nangesaque and to go from thence to the Imperial Court at Jedo The Chief in Commission for this Imployment was his Excellency the Lord Bloccovius who had joyn'd to him as an Assistant Andreas Frisius a great Merchant All things in readiness and rich Presents prepar'd they put to Sea their Fleet consisting of three Ships and one Ketch The Governor himself and several others conducted them aboard and weighing Anchor from them falling to Leeward lay that night before Batavia Description of Batavia This City of old call'd Calappa since Jacatra and now Batavia hath its last Denomination from the Batavians which were a People driven out of their own Countrey before the Birth of our Savior by their Neighbors the Hessens The Batavians from whence extracted What Tract or Land they formerly inhabited then known by the Name of Catti settled in the Lower Countreys as Germany between the two Hornes or the Arms of the Rhine which now happens to be the United Netherlands So that in Commemoration and to keep up the Honor and Antiquity of their ancient Name and first Original they call this their New City and Head of their East-Indian Government Batavia Description of Jacatra When first Cornelius Matcleif Anchor'd at this place Anno 1607. it was call'd Jacatra being a mean Village the Houses being all built after the Javan manner from the Foundation of Straw the Town having no other Fence-work but Ranges of Wooden Pales like our Parks Power of the King of Jacatra The Royal Palace it self was a great Huddle of Deformity consisting of many Rooms one within another the whole Materials that built it being nothing but complicated Reeds Bulrushes Pleated Sedges of which Work and Contrivance they were then proud But the King about that time had a Design to Fortifie this his pitiful Metropolis with a Stone-wall His Royal Navy consisted of four Galleys in which beneath his single Bank of Oars sat his Soldiers or Life-Guard which attended his Commands upon the Decks This Prince who drove there the onely Trade in Pepper though by his Subjects restrain'd not to dispose of more than 300 Bags Yearly a Commodity of which the Hollanders knew very well the Advantage struck a League of Amity with them annexing Articles of Traffique to which they both agreed which the King being of an inconstant and covetous Nature observ'd so little that he rais'd both the Prizes and Customs whenever he pleas'd So that the Hollanders conceiving themselves neither certain in their Trade nor safe in their Persons rais'd a Fort there for their better Security of Commerce and Defence English and Netherlanders fall at variance before Jacatra HEre also at the same time the English drove an equal Trade not inferior to the Hollanders who clashing in their Commerce striving to ingross the Commodities one from the other there arose an irreconcileable Difference between
between Meaco and Quano stands more Northerly into the Countrey the famous City Piongo which in the War that Nobanunga maintain'd after the Emperor Cubus's death was quite ruin'd For when Cavadonis Vocata Brother of the deceased Cubus who was the onely Person that was left alive of that Imperial Family escaping from his Enemies and flying to Vantandonus for Aid which he obtain'd was not onely nobly treated by him in his Castle but also endeavor'd by perswasions to stir up his neighboring Kings to take revenge on the Emperor's Murderers amongst whom Nobanunga King of Voari willingly embraced this opportunity to the end as he pretended to help Vocata to the Crown of his deceased Brother Cubus but contrary in a Civil War he embroil'd the whole Countrey for when Nobanunga had quell'd the Rebels and made Peace with their chief Commanders Mioxidoni and Diondoni he never so much as thought of establishing Vocata in the Throne but turn'd his victorious Army against other Japan Kings of which he brought thirty under his subjection as is said before and by these Conquests made himself Master of the whole Empire Amongst which fluctuating Commotions and Turmoils of an intestine War Piongo bore no small share for being taken by force it had not quite worn out the marks of Nobanunga's cruelties and soon after in the Year 1596. was totally ruin'd by a terrible Earthquake that more than half the City with Houses Temples and People were swallow'd up in the Earth and the remaining part thereof turn'd so topsie-turvie that it represented nothing but a heap of Ruins and Rubbish and miserable marks of Divine severity Terrible Earthquakes in Trugillo ¶ THese Earthquakes in Japan are very common as also in America and amongst other Places Trugillo a City in Peru Anno 1619. the fourth of February was exceedingly shaken by the like Trepidation a little before Noon the Ground began to move and in few Minutes ran the space of an hundred and sixty Leagues continuing very fiercely for fifteen Days all which time a dreadful Comet hung over their Heads which added if possible more terror to the Inhabitants expecting their utter destruction and the end of the World Two being struck with a consternation became dumb Besides those great numbers that were destroy'd and had scarce room to lie buried under the ruin'd Buildings it is worthy our observation how Peter Flores a Councellor Johannes Pontinus de Leon Secretary to the Peruan Bishop both Spaniards were struck with such a wonderful consternation that they became dumb and never spake after A strange accident Amongst others also happen'd another strange Accident which may serve as a fit pattern of Divine Justice A publick Notary coming over thither and being busied about drawing some Articles of Agreement by which a poor Man suffer'd much injury and great damage he having false Witnesses ready to Sign the same one there present discover'd the Cheat who falling out with the false Witnesses was by them drove out of the House and he no sooner being got in the Street but the House tumbled down killing him and his false Witnesses Great Earthquakes in Canada No less terrible was another late Earthquake in Canada The first of February Anno 1663. there arose a great noise and rumbling like Thunder in the Air whereupon soon after the Bells fell a Jangling as if they had Rung of themselves the Walls rent asunder great pieces of Timber and Stones fell on the Ground the Roofs of Houses and the Trees struck and fought one against another Near the Village call'd The Three Rivers two great Mountains with Woods were turn'd with the bottoms upwards Rocks and Mountains thrown into the River so making several Channels in the same and the Waters made new Inroads into the Countrey In other Places Hills were swallow'd up whole Woods remov'd and by Pauwels Village a Mountain was wash'd off by the Floods and became an Island and is still to be seen in the River But no Countrey in the World suffers so many Calamities and more almost total Ruines than this our Japan ¶ FRom Quano the Ambassadors took Shipping for between Quano and Mia the Ocean makes a great Bay so that none can travel by Land but with great Charges loss of Time and through bad Ways for which cause they hir'd sixteen Japan Vessels in which they Shipp'd their Goods Horses and Men so hoising Sail and having a small Gale of Wind it was Midnight before they reach'd Mia the Bay being about seven Leagues over Description of the City Mia ¶ THis City is very curiously built and adorn'd with many Temples and fortifi'd towards the Sea with a strong Castle Here the Hollanders stay'd a whole Night Narromi Siriomi and the stately City Occosacci ¶ THe Ambassadors parted from Mia the twenty fourth of January in the foremention'd Year 1646. travelling through the great Village Narromi and Siriomi to the stately City Occosacci full of curious Buildings and fortifi'd with a strong Castle which defends it from the sudden Onset of the Enemy To this City leads a Bridge of an hundred eighty eight Paces long over which the Hollanders carry'd their Goods Here they Din'd and in the Afternoon march'd on through Fintzara to Accasacci The Road thither is exceeding pleasant in some places of it divided by several Rivulets others with easie Ascents and delightful Valleys but each shaded with Trees The Retinue of the Lord of Bungien very strange About ten a Clock they reach'd the Village Ftagawa where they met with some of the Lord of Bungien's Soldiers who according to the Relation of the Interpreter came with a Commission from the Japan Emperor residing at Jedo to take possession of the Castle and Places belonging to Osacca The first Train was follow'd by the Lord himself who was carried in a Sedan after him follow'd his Ammunition and Houshold stuff guarded both by Foot and Horse which Rid on stately and well-train'd Steeds Arm'd with Bowes and Arrows Launces two Scymiters one short the other long with a Dagger and Helmets on their Heads and Wax-leather Boots The Foot as well as the Horse march'd very orderly and in good Martial Discipline not making the least noise nor any one Voice heard notwithstanding they were half an hour passing by in great Companies About eleven a Clock the Netherlanders descending a Hill entred the Village Siraski Siraski bordering the Sea being wash'd by the same on the right side and the left verg'd by a high Mountain cover'd with Trees Leaving Siraski they reach'd to Arei Arei where the Sea makes a Bay of a League and a half broad but is very shallow which put them to much trouble in carrying over their Goods because the Vessels oftentimes ran aground On the opposite side of this Bay lies on a Promontory Meisacca the Village Meisacca From hence Riding on in their Journey they went through several Villages along a Road on
growing upon their Heads A strange Relation of the Gengues by Father Frojus whom their Master the Devil oftentimes commands to climb to the top of a steep Mountain where they are to expect him at the appointed time Thither they flock in great Numbers and coming to the Place the Evil Spirit according to his Promise appears to them about Noon but most commonly towards the Evening passing oftentimes backward and forward through the whole Assembly of the Gengues who soon after inspir'd with mad desire to follow this their wicked Seducer where-ever he goes though through Fire and Brimstone where he vanishes they throw themselves after which is always at the steep Precipices of the Mountain thus desperately destroying themselves falling down Headlong Which thus happen'd to be discover'd An Old-Man being thus Possess'd and mad to follow the Devil his Son used all means to disswade him yet he would not hearken but thither he went his Son going with him then both scaling the top of the Mountain the Spirit appear'd to them Habited Richly like some Great Person whom the Father Worshipp'd falling on his Knees in a most submissive and humble manner but the Son drawing his Bow shot at the Spectrum which suddenly vanishing turn'd into a wounded Fox which running away he trac'd by the drops of Bloud discolouring the Grass where on the edge of the Precipice Reynard vanish'd but he looking down after him saw abundance of Bones and Skeletons of Dead-men which there broke their Necks so conquering Hell by violence running headlong to the Devil Japan Soothsayings and Conjurings whence proceeded But the fore-mention'd Charms and Conjurations Fortune-telling and other Diabolical Arts used by the Japan Janambuxi Jammaboos Harbore-Bonzi and Gengues have their Original from Asia The Japanners have learn'd these Necromantick Arts and cunning Delusions from their Ancestors which brought them from the Places of their first Original Above two thousand Years ago the Black-Art was us'd through all the Eastern World being perform'd after divers ways and manners Who knows not That in Asia they use for the performing of the foremention'd purposes Water Drinking and Looking-glasses Oyl Rings Fire Children and Birds What was more common to those that would know Future Events or regain Lost or Stoln Goods than to run to the Conjurers or Fortune-tellers which Office the Priest generally perform'd Conjuring with a Bason Sometimes they us'd a Bason full of Water in which they threw several Pieces of Gold and Silver and also Precious Stones mark'd with peculiar Letters Then standing over this Bason muttering their Charms and Incantations calling upon an Infernal Spirit at last asking what they desir'd to know and according to his Demands a Voyce as it were from under the Water made Responses to his several Questions With a Cruse At other times these Jugglers also use a Cruse filling it with clear Water and placing lighted Wax-Candles round about Then calling upon Satan they inquir'd of him concerning those things of which they desir'd to be satisfied Then standing still a Child or great-bellied Woman went to the charm'd Cruse so taking a view of the Shadow which the Water presented by which Appearance the Spirit answer'd their Desires With Glasses Looking-glasses also serv'd them as Instruments to the performing of their Diabolical Arts Glasses a known Cheat. wherein after they had ended their Charmes they saw such Shadows by which they were answer'd to their several Demands The Emperor Didius Julianus us'd the like Glasses Julian the Apostate seeing several things in them that happen'd to him afterwards With Fountains The Greek Writer Pausanius tells us of a Fountain before the Temple of the Goddess Ceres in which Fountain by a small Cord they us'd to let down a Looking-glass wherein if those that were Sick did look and saw a Dead Corps there was no hopes of their Recovery but if a live Person they were certain to live and recover With Oyl and Red-lead When they are desirous to know Future Events then they take Oyl with some Red-lead mixing them both together Then they take a stripling Youth painting his Nails therewith and holding them in the Sun which makes such Shadows that by them they know what they desire Wit a Gold Ring They also take a Gold-Ring and shaking it in the Water judge by its Motion what they desire to be inform'd of With Stones Sometimes throwing three Stones in standing Water by the manner and position of the Circles they answer the Question propounded With Water Varro a Learned Roman tells of a Youth skill'd in Magick that in a Response of a great Question read fifty Verses out of the Water foretelling but in ambiguous sense the various Successes of the long War betwixt the Romans and Mithridates King of Pontus With Wheaten-Cakes Near the Lacedemonian City Epidamnus was a Pool sacred to Juno to which to be resolv'd of doubtful Matters they us'd to resort where they threw in Wheaten Cakes made for that purpose which if they sunk were a good Omen but if they floated up and down they look'd thereon as a Sign of ill success With a Pot. It was also very common to put a Roll upon their Heads on which a Pot of Water then muttering certain Words if the Water boyl'd over that signified good but if it stirr'd not bad luck But discovering of Thieves finding Lost or Stoln Goods and the like which the Japan-Priests the Janambuxi and Gengues pretend so much to was common two thousand Years ago through all Asia Amonst many other of their Experiments this was most us'd by the Ancients With an Ax. They strike an Ax into a round Post so deep that it sticks then amidst their Mutterings they name the several Persons who are most suspected but at the first mention of the guilty Person the Ax trembles or leaps out of the Post With a Sieve Our Foolery of the Sieve and Shears is also much approv'd amongst them for a most certain Discovery of a Theft And as we use for a Charm St. Peter and St. Paul they repeat these non-sensical Words Douwima Touwima Entimemaus With an Asses Head They also do Wonders as they believe with an Asses Head broyl'd upon the Coals And the like Vanity concerning Predictions they observe with a Cock With a Cock. which thus they perform In a smooth Floor they lay so many single Letters cut in Paper that make up their Response with the Negative and Affirmative laying on every one of these a Barley-corn and scattering a few others promiscuously betwixt them then they bring a Cock fresh and fasting who falls to work picking up the Corns as his Choice directs him which done they gather up the Letters from whence the Corn hath been taken and of those by setting and spelling of them several ways they make a Judgment With Mandrakes What did they not ascribe to the Mandrake-root by throwing
those yet alive Thus for a night and a day this misery lasted without any intermission whilst the people that escaped lay in the Fields without either eating or drinking and few of these that thus escaped but were either hurt or struck with sickness and had not a Venetian Ship that lay in the Harbor afforded them Bread they had perish'd with hunger which Vessel also ran as dangerous a Risk for the water forsaking the Haven left them three times on the bare Sand and that often times failing hideously gaping was ready to swallow them up then the Sea returning with such violence that it was a wonder but they had been bilged upon the Shore besides many others suffer'd that lay there living in a most sad condition under beams lighting across amongst the Piles that were hurt and maim'd languishing starv'd to death no possible help to remove the great heaps of Timber and get them out Van Dam at last got aboard of a Ship where the terror was a little mitigated a Magazine of Powder being very near expecting every minute the blowing up when two days after on the eight of April three hundred Turks and Moor-lacks on Horses and Mules descending from the Mountains after some small resistance entred the City there making havock and bloody slaughter where e're they went so clearing the way with a great booty gather'd up amongst the Ruines return'd On the sixth day the Earthquake beginning to abate a little Van Dam went towards the City to look after his Goods and several Presents which the Ambassador Crook had in custody for the Grand Seignior The City was yet in a miserable condition the Earthquake still continu'd though not so furiously as before the Fire also not quench'd and the Streets full of Theeves and Robbers the Ways and Paths cover'd with dead bodies of which some were Burn'd others lying in their own Blood which occasion'd a horrible stench Yet Van Dam found at last some Labourers whom he employ'd to dig out his Goods from under the Rubbish promising them one half for getting the other Two days they spent in prosecution of the design but nothing appearing they were quite disanimated and gave over of six thousand House-keepers remain'd scarce six hundred alive sixteen thousand being Burnt and lost by the Subterranean Fires breaking forth A farther journey in Japan ¶ BUt now to return to our business the Netherland Ambassadors stay'd a night in Odauro and after they had view'd the place where the old Castle was sunk and a new one rais'd upon the Walls of the former they went on in their Journey being the thirtieth of October crossing several Rivers and through many Villages to Hedo and from thence to Osa next they Ferry'd over the Rivers Barueuw and Sanamicauwa over which being got they went through Firaski Banio Tamra and Fovissauwa all fair Villages Description of the Temple Toranga ¶ THis way they met with nothing worthy their observation but a large Temple dedicated to one of their gods call'd Toranga On the four corners of the Roof lay four large Oxen Carv'd to the life curiously Gilded The Roof on each side jutting out above six Foot beyond the Walls the Temple it self built Quadrangular in each Square stood four Figures painted according to the manner of their Antient Hero's whose several Atchievements are by their poor People sung up and down in the Streets above which are Windows of pleited Rushes the upper part fasten'd to the Roof and the lower to the Pictures a white Plaister'd Wall being between the Temple is surrounded with a Stone-Wall like a Breast-Work Plaister'd in the inside near the Front joyns the House of one of the Bonzi whose Cupulo appears in Prospect like the Steeple of a Temple Tempel in t Koninekryck Vaccata Temple in the Kingdome VACCATA Description of the Idol Toranga ¶ VVIthin stands the Idol Toranga who had formerly been a great Hunter in Corca and commonly dwelt in the Metropolis Pingjang some Centuries before the Chinesy King Hiaovus subdu'd and brought under his subjection half the Island Corca which had never before tasted the cruelty of the Tartars nor heard of the Spoils of Sandaracha with which the Japanners and Chineses furnish their Houses Otherwise Toranga the Japanners Mars would have releas'd Corca from those troubles with which they were molested a long time Toranga finding not work enough in Corca went over to Japan at which time there was a grand Rebel that molested many of the Kings putting all to the Fire and Sword where ever he went which Toranga understanding immediately takes up Arms sending for aid from Corca then call'd Leaotung Idol Basanwow ¶ IN like manner Basanwow was also Worshipp'd formerly as a god by the Germanes Trithemius relates That Basanwow youngest Son of Diocles King of the Sicambrians following his Father in the Wars made many glorious Conquests subduing the People of Frier and Meats and slew the powerful Lord Thaboryn so making himself Master of his Countrey and in the Sixteenth year of his Raign he was so arrogantly ambitious that he design'd and affected to be honor'd as a God to which purpose he Summon'd a Parliament amongst whom taking place in his Imperial Throne richly Habited in all his Parliament Robes he on a sudden as was neatly contriv'd was drawn up and the Roof like a chang'd Scene closing again so he in all his glory vanish'd none ever knowing after what became of him so they all voted him nemo contra dicente ascended into Heaven and so from that time forward he was rank'd amongst the Tutonick Deities and honour'd as a god ¶ BUt the Ambassadors leaving this Temple of Toranga proceeded in their Journey from Fovissawa through Toska and Fundage to Cammagawa where they rested a night the next morning being very cold they Rid along the Sea shore about Noon they met with a Noble Lady being the Emperors Neece Great state of the Emperors Neece who was travelling to Meaco there to Marry with a near Relation of the Dayro Her attendance were very rich in Apparel several Persons of Honor riding on stately Horses with Gold Embroyder'd Saddles their Bridles beset with Pearls and Diamonds her other Servants ran a Foot before in very Costly Liveries her Guard also were arm'd with Bowes and Arrows and some with Pikes and Muskets The Ambassadors Frisius and Brockhurst reckon'd up by Leagues from place to place Then Riding on through the Village Cawasacca and the City Sinagawa on the last of October they entred the Imperial City Jedo having undergone a long and tedious Journey since their departure from Osacca for from Osacca to Firaskatta is five Leagues from thence to Jonday three so to Fissima three then to Meaco three from thence to Oets three from Oets to Cusatz three and a half so to Itzibe three then to Minacutz three and a half thence to Zintzamma three so to Sacca two from Sacca to Sicconosory two then to Cammiammi
Destruction Daifusama seeks to settle the Crown on his own Family And whilst he was busie with this his bloody Design being over-grown in Age he was exceedingly troubled for his Successor And though he had promis'd to Taicosama by an Oath and Seal'd it with his Blood That Fideri when he attain'd to the age of fifteen Years should possess and enjoy the Imperial Throne yet now forgetting all ties of Oaths or other Obligations he resolv'd to dispatch him out of the way notwithstanding he had married his Daughter or else he could not deliver the Scepter to Conbosama and so establish the Crown in his own Line This Plot requir'd to be hid under some fair Pretence Whereupon seriously debating the matter he at last accus'd Fideri That in the last Civil War he had chosen to be on the side of the Opposers and had privately conspir'd to take the Government from him and that he took an Imperial Authority upon him before he was Crown'd Emperor and also endeavor'd to take away his Father-in-law's Life Besieges Fideri with a great Army These Complaints and Accusations he sent before whilst he with all his Endeavors rais'd a mighty Army in the Kingdom of Surunga Fideri kept his Court in the Castle Osacca Thither Daifusama march'd with his new-rais'd Forces and Besieg'd Fideri Three Months did he valiantly withstand all their fierce Assaults but at last growing too weak sought upon reasonable Articles to deliver up the Castle Fideri's Request deny'd But the Emperor would not hearken thereto for he desir'd nothing more than the Life of Fideri And he understanding his bloody Design said How was it possble that a Father-in-law could thus forget all Natural Affections and desire to make his own Daughter a Widow and his Grandchildren Orphans The cries of the Innocent would move a stony Heart to have compassion If Daifusama judg'd that he was not just and faithful and did not deserve to wear the Imperial Crown notwithstanding it was his Father Taicosama 's Will and Pleasure and though he was the just and lawful Heir to the Throne yet he would freely resign up his Interest and be contented with the least of the Japan Kingdoms nay a mean Lordship Why should he thirst after Blood Why persecute his own Relations If Daifusama fear'd any Rebellion he might easily keep Fideri so low that he should never dare as much as think of enjoying the Japan Empire Why Daifusama resolv'd to kill Fideri These mild and courteous Entreaties Daifusama regarded not for he saw it apparent that if he left him alive the Crown would fall to him he being now come to full Age and the rather because Fideri was exceedingly belov'd amongst the Common People every one acknowleding him as the true and lawful Successor of his late Father Taicosama Therefore he resolv'd to dispatch him or else his Family would be in danger to lose the Japan Scepter Fideri sent his Consort Daifusama's Daughter to her Father humbly to beseech him to spare Fideri's Life who would immediately become his Vassal but she was not permitted to have Audience Storms the Castle Osacca Daifusama had by this time pull'd down the Out-walls of Osacca and thrown them in the Moat and rais'd a Platform therein notwithstanding it was three hundred and ninety Foot broad and three and thirty deep The upper Breast-work made strongly of Clay and Plaister'd on the out-side was some Rods distant from the other Next those Walls which he had undermin'd fell to the Ground and through a Gap made by Storming he broke into the Castle Takes the outmost Castle But in the inclos'd Place where several Palaces were built he met with some Resistance yet the Opposers being over-power'd were forc'd to yield This made Daifusama absolute Master of the outer Castle But now his Career was stopp'd at the second Moat being of the same depth as the outermost but only two hundred and fifty Foot broad The chief Bridge over that Inner Lake hath Rails of massy Gold the Gate is also cover'd with Golden Plates Over this Bridge Daifusama sought to force his way Storms the inner Castle which with little difficulty he did because the Besieg'd neglected to make resistance Takes it The Gate being broke open made room for the Enemy which had soon taken hold of Fideri had he not suddenly hid himself on the inner Mountain inclos'd with Walls and of a noble Aspect by a Palace whose Roof is cover'd with Golden Tyles into which he fled with his Mother Consort and a considerable number of the Prime Nobles Daifusama's cruelty to his Son-in-law Daifusama had by this time secur'd them in the inner Palace and to the end he might destroy all those at once which oppos'd him from setling the Crown on his own Stock he caus'd great Heaps of Wood to be laid round the Palace which being lighted immediately set on fire and burnt the Court with Fideri and the Chief of the Japan Nobility to Ashes so that not the least appearance of any of them was ever seen more After this all those were to suffer which had at any time been familiar or had any Correspondency with Fideri This cursed Tragedy was acted in Japan Anno 1616. ¶ NOt long did Daifusama enjoy the benefit of his bloody Tyranny for dying within ten Months Daifusama dies he left the Japan Crown to his Son Conbosama His Son is made Emperor The beginning of whose Reign became remarkable by two eminent Passages not easily to be forgotten Horrible storm and flood in Japan The first was a mighty Storm which began and so increas'd more and more every Hour that in the Havens the Ships broke their Cables and driving on the Shore were split in pieces Those at Land also were not free from danger the Wind blowing up great Trees by the Roots casting down pieces of old Walls shaking the Houses and Temples and tumbling them down on a sudden In the Streets the Houses often falling down one against another slew those which stood there for shelter Several in the Countrey were lifted up from the ground and carried a good distance from the Place whereon they stood The Sea also rag'd with impetuous Billows that clogging the Rivers with the Surges the Water finding no vent overflow'd the Banks so drowning the adjacent Countreys Where the Rivers were inclos'd with Banks those were all broke by the swelling Waters The Sea beat with such violence against its bordering Coasts that it wash'd away whole Towns and Villages and the Salt Water flow'd into the Countrey for several Miles together After these Tempests and violent Motions of the Wind and Water follow'd another Mischief no way inferior to these Persecution against the Christians being a Bloody Persecution against the Christians rais'd by the Emperor through the Advice of a Japan Councellor call'd Safioie which made it his onely endeavor to destroy the Christians The Reason pretended to
Matters concerning Religion and giving Titles of Honor of which the Japanners are very covetous buying their Nobility with great Sums of Money His Riches from whence he hath them from whence it proceeds that the Dayro though he possesses neither Lands nor Customs yet is accounted amongst the richest in Japan for the Chiefest Princes continually have their Envoys at his Court and in Person come yearly to visit him with great Presents that thereby they may obtain newer and greater Titles of Honor which make them in higher respect and esteem amongst their Subjects His Women and delightful Recreation The Dayro also hath twelve Wives besides a great number of Concubines Each Wife hath a costly Palace which standing six in a row face each other Against the Evening the Meat is prepar'd in those twelve Palaces in new Earthen Pots and both Vocal and Instrumental Musick delighting the Ears of those present But to that Palace where the Dayro is carried thither they bring all the prepar'd Dishes and eleven of his Wives walk thither amongst the Musicians and Ladies of Honor to wish Joy to her with whom the Dayro doth intend to sleep that Night and all things which delight the Eye Ear and Palate are there prepar'd for his Entertainment Bringing up of the young Dayro When the Dayro hath a Son by one of the twelve Women he immediately chooses eight Young and Beautiful Women out of the Noblest Families who being accounted worthy to be Nurses and Foster-Mothers to so great a Lord as the Dayro's Son receive with great Ceremony Titles of Honor and Dignity which the foremention'd twelve Women and nine prime Lords give them This done a sumptuous and costly Banquet is prepar'd on the next day they choose forty out of the eighty to which they shew more Honor than before and yet greater Favor is shown to ten which are taken out of the forty the which ten they reduce to three and shew them far more Respect than either of the former But on the third day they elect one out of the three which they settle with such State and Ceremony in her place that it is scarce to be express'd all the Dayro's Court being as it were in an uprore their Feast and other various Pastimes being over Strange election of a Nurse the new Nurse receives greater Titles than any of the eighty before had done And thus being thought worthy to Suckle the young Dairo Milk is squeez'd out of her Breast into the Infants Mouth which Ceremony being ended the Child is put into her Arms. Farther relation of Frisius his going by water ¶ But the Netherland Ambassadors Frisius and Brookhurst left Saccai and the Dairo's Temples and Sail'd towards the south-South-Sea along the Coast by Ammanasacoi and the Village Fiungo formerly a stately City where the Emperors sometimes kept their Court but since exceedingly ruin'd by Fire Then leaving Swria on their Star-board they Sail'd along the Shore and pass'd by Takessima Akas Firmensi and Muro where they Landed in their Journey and after having been nobly Treated in the Town Japan Baths they refresh'd themselves by going to a Bath much esteem'd and us'd by the Japanners as formerly by the Jews Greeks Persians Romans and several other Nations and chiefly the Romans And also the Romans who set a great esteem upon their Baths in Rome being an incredible number of them so that there were not onely publick Baths but scarce any one Person of Quality but had one for his own Conveniency and if the Baths any where decay'd or grew foul Officers were appointed for their cleansing Afterwards the Emperors spent great Sums of Money on their Baths and the more because the Romans had great need of them they having little Linnen to shift themselves withal so that they had them not onely for Pleasure but also for Necessity to wash off their Sweat and other gather'd Dirt the bottoms and Walls of those Baths were generally anointed with Perfumes the Water coming into some of them through Silver and Golden Pipes Marcus Agrippa built an hundred and seventy Baths all which were free for any one to Bathe in but not in the night The Emperor Adrianus commanded that none should Bathe before eight in the Morning except in time of sickness Alexander Severus took off that Roman Law of not Bathing in the Night and not onely permitted it but provided Oil for the Lamps in the Baths Antonius the Philosopher parted these places that the Men and Women should not come together In like manner amongst the Carthaginians the common People were lock'd out of the Noble-mens Baths But this distinction was not observ'd by the Romans who one among another flock'd thither insomuch that the Emperor himself often Bath'd amongst the Vulgar Rout as Titus Vespasianus relates The concourse of the ordinary Baths was sometimes so great that the Attenders of them being quite tyr'd out took the Seed of wild Lupines which occasions the Head-ach throwing it in the Fire so to drive the multitude from thence with the stink thereof ¶ THe Netherland Ambassadors leaving the foremention'd Places on their Starboard steer'd between the Islands Jessima and Wota and sail'd close by the City Oussimato And here we cannot pass by without a particular Observation of what is often seen in this Voyage viz. a Fight betwixt the Scorpion and Pismires of both which Vermine the Japan Barques are generally very full Nay the Scorpions in some Countreys increase so exceedingly that the People are necessitated to quit their Habitations Plin. lib. 8. cap. 30. Pliny relates That a great Province of the Moors Cinamolgi lies waste by reason of the abundance of Scorpions Nicander reckons In Theriacis That there are eight sorts of these Animals all which have a Sting sticking out of their Tails wherewith they offend others and defend themselves If according to the Arabians they wound the upper part of the Body a Swelling appears and a continual rising of the Stomach but if they sting the lower part of the Body the Belly swells immediately with Wind. If it be a Man that is hurt he is troubl'd with a continual Priapismus and the Poyson congeals in his Groins De Loci Affect lib. 3. on 6. Gallen tells us That a Person stung by a Scorpion met him accidentally whose whole Body was as cold as Ice and yet seem'd to drop with Sweat This Animal preys on Flies and sucks up the fattest Moisture of the Earth And according to Aristotle is accustom'd to kill their Dams so soon as they are able to shift for themselves Yet they are not mischievous and hurtful in all places for there are some in Italy and Egypt which afford good Food The sting of a poysonous Serpent is cur'd by a House-Mouse cut open in the middle and laid upon the Wound and also a roafted Locust drunk up in Wine likewise a Barb and a Crey-fish Moreover it is a testimony of Divine
both the Captain and the Merchant out of their Sleep but being inform'd that they were some of the Watch they rested all the remaining part of the Night without any disturbance A Letter from their Ship On the first of August Consaimondonne deliver'd to Captain Schaep two small Packs made up in Mats with a Letter from his Ship which advis'd him that they had receiv'd information by his Letter concerning their carrying away and the whole Circumstance thereof on which they thought it convenient to Ride a little farther from the Shore Observing a sudden change amongst the Townsmen which come daily Aboard of them and withall that they would stay as long as possible they had whereupon to live Consaimondonne order'd the Captain to answer their Letter and withall advise them that Consaimondonne had given order to the Villages to furnish them with Rice fresh Waters Fish Wood and other Necessaries therefore they might stay without repining at it Captain Schaep's letter to the Ketch Breskins Soon after the Captain Writ again a second time what Consaimondonne commanded him and withall added thereto That they should remain where they were though he stay'd away four Moneths that he might not be taken in an Untruth by those Princes before whom he was to go but that their Ketch was Dutch built and belong'd to the Hollanders or else the East-India Trade and his Life besides all those that were with him would be in great danger The Hollanders proceed in their Voyage The Letter being Seal'd and deliver'd to a Priest the Captain and Merchant Mounted on two stately Steeds the Saddles curiously Varnish'd Every one held now the Reyns of the Bridle in their own Hands and were attended with two Servants which made them to admire their Civility The fair City Fitachi After they had travell'd six Leagues they came to a great Wall'd City standing in a most pleasant and delightful Soyl. They could no ways understand the Name of it but thought it must upon necessity have been Fitachi known to be seated in that Tract of Land The spacious Streets presented stately Houses and in the Houses curious Shops Hollanders are kindly entertain'd The Hollanders were at last Lodg'd in a brave House standing at a Corner of a Street where Consaimondonne came to see them and gave order to prepare a noble Dinner and immediately after order'd them to put on those Clothes that were sent them from Aboard in the Straw-Mats Thus Clothed Consaimondonne took Captain Schaep the Merchant Byleveld the Pursor Siward Johnson the Gunner Henry Van Ebsfoord and the two Youths with him through the City and had not the Soldiers clear'd the Way it had been impossible for them to have pass'd for the great Concourse of People which came flocking from all Corners to see them so that the whole City out of Novelty was in an uprore Palace of the King at Fitachi Thus being led through many Streets they came at last into a great Market-place and through a pair of great Gates into a stately Court with several Avenues which all came out at a costly Ascent of six Steps leading into a spacious Hall where entring they found a high Table standing in the middle thereof on which lay two naked Scymiters cross one another Several Japanners sitting in rich Apparel with their Legs under them kept Watch there Here the foremention'd Governor came to the Hollanders and order'd them to pull off their Shoes and immediately after went with him and Consaimondonne up several broad Steps then entring into a stately Gallery very artificially built the Governor commanded them to kneel and wait for the Kings coming Where whilst they stay'd in that posture they saw several Courtiers richly Habited Hollanders appear before the King Saluting and Complementing one another At last the King appear'd in a very stately Hall at the end of the Gallery whither the Hollanders were conducted and placed right against him one by another The King whom they guess'd to be about forty years old spake to them with no less State than Friendship Hollande and immediately gave order that all sorts Flesh Fish Fruit and Japan-Wine should be brought before them But they surpriz'd at such abundance of Kindess and great State could not eat any thing which Consaimondonne and the Governor observing thought that their refraining from their Meat was for fear of being poyson'd who to clear them of that doubt went and eat a little of every Dish at which they also fell to and drank each of them two Cups of Wine These Entertainments lasted till the twelfth of August when in the Night a strange noise awak'd the Hollanders not without being much frighted thereat for a Japan Secretary watch'd over them in their Chamber who being call'd went out but soon returning wak'd them all and bid them put on their Clothes and wash themselves In an instant the whole House was all in a hurry the Men and Maid-Servants being all busie sweeping of Chambers shaking out Mats and sprinkling their Halls with Water The amazed Hollanders ask'd their Watch what those kind of Preparations in the Night might signifie Whereupon they were answer'd That some Ladies and Persons of Quality were coming to see them which satisfi'd them a little sitting up three hours by as many great Wax-Candles Then the King of Fitachi entring the Chamber nodded to the Hollanders and sitting down commanded Captain Schaep and the Merchant to play on the Tables which they had made to pass away their time withall and whilst they were busie about their Game two Japan Knights accompany'd with a Bonzi entred the Chamber Examination of the Hollanders by a Japan Bonzi But the Bonzi which went in with the two Knights speaking good Spanish and a little English ask'd the Hollanders if they were French English Danes or Swedes What Place they came from What they were freighted with Why they came so much to the Northward from their Coast Moreover Whether any of them understood the Portuguese of Spanish Tongues Amongst the Hollanders were some that spoke Portuguese but they thought it better not to acknowledge it so to prevent further Examinations Therefore speaking nothing but Dutch they told him That they set Sail from Batavia to Ternata and from thence steer'd their Course to Tayoan but being overtaken by a great Storm out of the South-west they were driven to the Northward and after four Months hapned to come to an Anchor in a Japan Haven there to refresh themselves which they were indeed forc'd to most of their Seamen being sick The Hollanders understood plainly that they took them for Dutchmen but such as no way concern'd the East-India Company and that many of them had been formerly sent from Micau or the Manillas with Priests to Japan The Hollanders travel to Jedo ¶ ON the fourteenth of August 1643. they receiy'd Orders to pack up their Clothes and make themselves ready for their Journey to Jedo two Noblemen besides
by the unnavigable Ocean Mamare the West border'd by Muscovy the South jutting against the Caspian Sea Bactriana India and China the East borders America and is divided into five several Territories which are these viz. The Wild Tartary whose Inhabitants keep no constant Place of Residence removing daily according as the Pasture for their Horses Cows and other Cattel lasts yet although they range thus up and down without Law they have their own Inclosures beyond the Limits of which they may not go These Parks or Forests are call'd Zarolhia Casane Nagaia Schibanoka Casakka Astoacan Baskirda and Tumen all being under the Emperor of Russia besides Tumen the Tartarian Province Zagatai is very famous for the Inhabitants call'd Kircasii and the Cities Sakasba Bichend and Samarcande the native Countrey of Tamerlane The Province Turchestan hath the Cities Taskent Cotam Cascar and Jarkem The fourth Province call'd Cataia under the great Cham's Jurisdiction is divided into seven Territories viz. Tendue Camul Engimul Caindu Thebet and Carazan where the Men in stead of the Women when deliver'd of a Child keep their Beds two and forty days the seventh Territory is Tangud where Printing was us'd a thousand years ago The Tartarian River Polisange Moreover Captain Schaep signifi'd to Siovan That the River Polisange came flowing out of the Tartarian Territory Cataie into the South-Sea The Banks of this River Polisange whose original is a hundred Leagues from the Sea where it disembogues are adorn'd with the famous Trading Cities Quinsen in which Paulus Venetus saith are twelve thousand Bridges under which great Ships may pass with all their Sails spread Jangio Brema and Cambaly whither the chief President of the East-India Company in Batavia had sent the Ship Castrecom and the Ketch Breskens to discover that River and all the other Cities but he being separated from the Ship Castrecom whom he fear'd was lost he found himself necessitated to put in for some other Part and leave off that Design At last Captain Schaep told him That since he understood not the Portuguese Tongue and much less the Japan he would give a full Relation of all his Adventures to the Emperor 's Privy Council so soon as the two Dutch Interpreters came from Firando to Jedo Upon which Answer Kitsbioie Phatsiosaimon and Siovan departed from the Hollanders Hollanders advise amongst themselves Mean while the Hollanders concluded with one accord to declare to the Council that which they had oftentimes said before viz. That since the eleventh of June when they came for fresh Water into the Haven of Namboe and put out again they stood direct into the Sea plying it up by a Wind two hundred Leagues to Weather the South-Point of Japan that so they might attain to forty Degrees Northern-Latitude and at last being toss'd and driven up and down by a Southern Storm they were necessitated a second time to put in for Namboe Furthermore they found it convenient not to declare their intentions of going to the Gold and Silver Islands Whilst the Holland Prisoners tarried in the Dutch Inn in Jedo they were visited by some Japan Nobles amongst which also Phoechychemon Isicauwa and Joaiemon who comforted them asking them if they were entertain'd with good Meat Drink and Clothes against the Cold of the Night Phoechychemon fetch'd a Paper full of Itsibos which is a sort of Japan Gold-Coyn giving it to Captain Schaep and withall promis'd him more if he desir'd it then giving him a Roll of the Mens Names belonging to his Ship which he had requir'd of him between Namboe and Jedo he desir'd him to Transcribe two fair Copies of it which he promis'd to keep in memory of the Hollanders Captain Schaep taking the Scroll assur'd him to prepare the Copies according to his desire against his next coming The two Dutch Interpreters arrive at Jedo On the last of September in the Evening the two Dutch Interpreters came from Firando to Jedo and immediately visited the imprison'd Hollanders the eldest of them was call'd Tosaimon and the youngest Maniekebe both seeming to bear an affection to the Hollanders advising them how to carry themselves before the Council viz. That they must answer quick and short upon any Question that was ask'd them in which the Japan Lords are us'd to take great delight They also told them that they were not to Lodge in their Inn as they had been misinform'd but that they should be Entertain'd in Tonnosamma's House Lord of Firando The Hollanders are Examin'd before the Council concerning their Voyage to Tartary The next day their long-expected Examination began before Sicungodonne in this manner The Interpreters Tosaimon and Maniekebe propos'd the following Questions by order of Sicungodonne to Captain Schaep the Merchant Bylevelt and Jacob de Paw When and with how many Sail did you come from Batavia and since from Ternata Whether did you design your Voyage How came your Ship so far to the North Why did you stand to and again before the East-Coast of Japan and why dropp'd ye Anchor in the Haven of Namboe Their Answer To which they answer'd We set Sail from Batavia on the third of February Anno 1643. and steer'd our Course for Ternata with two Ships call'd Castrecom and Breskens the fourth of April we weighed Anchor from Ternata to Sail to Taiovan and from thence to Tartary that there we might discover a Place for Trade according as we had been inform'd But Sailing on with this intention were driven by a great Storm that happen'd in the Night on an unknown Coast after which we lost the Ship Castrecom judging that she may be split against the Rocks yet we sought for it along the Japan Coast though we had little hopes of finding it mean while we suffer'd under a great inconvenience by reason of the scarcity of our Provisions because the Ship Castrecom carry'd six Tun of Rice for our Pink to be put aboard of us when our need should require it therefore because she could not be found we were forc'd not to proceed in our Journey for Tartary and according as Wind and Weather would permit to Sail to Taiovan Nangesaque or Batavia so soon as we were furnish'd with fresh Water which we had great want of on the East-Coast of Japan and therefore stood directly thither The tenth of June we entred into the Mouth of the Haven Namboe where we came to Anchor and were courteously receiv'd by the Inhabitants and instantly furnish'd with what Water we requir'd so that on the next day we stood again to Sea and steer'd directly Easterly that we might first Weather the South-East Point of Japan at last we laid it over due West but by Southern Storms and contrary Currents were so driven towards the Japan Shore that we fell a whole Degree to the Northward from our intended Course having then according to Calculation Sail'd about two hundred Leagues from Namboe Thus toss'd by Tempests and the Vessel requiring necessary repair and
Countrey-Exchequer Marry and go Cloth'd like other Citizens but concern themselves with no State-Affairs Concerning the Prince of Orange he carried an Army against the Spaniards Besieging every Year his Cities and Fortresses according to the Advice of the States General assembled in the Hague and sent thither from the Seven Provinces of the United Netherlands of which Holland is the Chiefest Sicungodonne proceeded More Questions If your God and the Spanish God be all one wherein is the Difference of your Religion and whose Opinion is the eldeft Schaep reply'd And Answers The Hollanders depend on One God and a Perfect Savior but the Portuguese and Castilians place Gods Vicegerent on Earth and Saints and Saintesses which assist the Savior in his chiefest Business of Salvation in praying for those that are dead Moreover the Hollanders Religion is older than the Portuguese or Castilians because it agrees with the two Prophetick and Apostolick Books without adding to or diminishing from them So that although the Portuguese brag that their Religion was publickly embrac'd and taught in the Churches in Holland before the Hollanders banish'd the same from thence yet the Hollanders Opinion hath been before the Portuguese For that Faith which is now embrac'd was the first that Holland entertain'd and although oppress'd by bloody Persecutions yet flouris'd again at last Lastly Sicungodonne ask'd Is Java a great Island Who possesses it What kind of Inhabitants are there What Colour and what Names Description of Java Captain Schaep reply'd This Island is divided into Great and Little Java The biggest is separated by the Straights of Sunda from Sumatra and spreads it self in length a hundred and fifty Leagues but much less in breadth yet broader in some places than in others According to the Relation of the Inhabitants a River flows in the middle of it which turns Wood into Stone The Mataram an Enemy to the Hollanders possesses the greatest part thereof to the East The King of Bantam oftentimes at Alliance with the East-India Company Commands a vast Tract along the Straights of Sunda Betwixt both of them lies Batavia where the President and Chief Governor of the Indian Trade keeps his Court for that Company residing in the United Netherlands The Inhabitants of Java are barbarous and not to be trusted of strong and well-timber'd Bodies broad and thick Cheeks great Eye-lids little Eyes small Beards black and short Hair and of a yellow Complexion After this Answer Schaep and Byleveld were commanded to depart and being conducted out to their Countreymen the other Prisoners who had with a longing desire staid to hear the Success found with them four and thirty Japanners Prisoners of which some sat Hand-cufft Strange Japan Prisoners others had their Arms tied together under their Coats and talking seem'd as if they rail'd and complain'd against their hard usage Soon after they were carried to the place of Audience from whence the Hollanders were come Schaep ask'd leave of Manykebe to go to his Lodging but was forc'd to stay Manykebe told them That those Japan Prisoners which were by two and two led to the place of Audience had Christian Parents wherefore they had a long time been kept in Prison and miserably tortur'd which appear'd sufficiently by their thin Cheeks hollow Eyes and deform'd Faces seeming rather like Sceletons than living Men. News of Elserak's arrival Whilst they staid here Phatsayosamon's Servant brought News of the Ambassador Elserak that on the Morrow against Noon he would come with his Retinue to Jedo This was told to Sicungodonne by the Masters Son of the Dutch Inn upon which News the Japan Council rose The next Morning being the first of December Schaep sent privately for the Interpreter Kytsbyoye to whom he gave two Letters inclos'd one within the other containing their several Examinations before the Council to deliver to Elserak that he might take notice thereof and govern himself accordingly Comes to Jedo About Noon Elserak came to Jedo with whom neither the Holland Prisoners nor the Dutch Interpreter Tosaymon and Manykebe might speak before they were once more Examin'd Wherefore they were again commanded on the next day to come to Sicungodonne's House where they staid at the usual place about an Hour Here sat a white lean Man between forty and fifty years old A remarkable Japaâ—ner and his Policy in rich Apparel with a square brown Beard who look'd like a Dutch Minister his Hands loaden with great Hand-cuffs which being taken off he was very busie with Sicungodonne's Servants taking Pen Ink and Paper and writ very fast and sometimes broke forth in earnest Discourse not without strange Motions of his Body Manykebe told the Hollanders concerning this Man That he had impeach'd above six hundred Christians that liv'd in Meaco yet was kept in Fetters till they were all Examin'd Schaep and Byleveld are strictly examin'd Mean while Sicungodonne's Secretary bringing Pen Ink and Paper sat down by Schaep and Byleveld beginning thus You Captain and Merchant are strictly commanded to write down every thing concerning your Voyage since you left Batavia to the day you came into the Haven Namboe where you were taken Prisoners If heretofore any thing hath been forgotten you may yen delare it for every thing being writ down it will be compar'd with what Elserak and the Governor of Castrecom who is commanded to come hither shall say So that if you err from the Truth you Prisoners will not onely run the hazard of your Lives but also the East-India Company will suffer a considerable Damage on the Island Disma Schaep answer'd They were very well contented to suffer all their Torments if they could be any ways tax'd with Untruth But since they had always answer'd their propos'd Questions with candid Sincerity which they were still ready to do they fear'd not the least danger Questions of the Japan Secretary Whereupon the Chief Secretary proceeded to their Examination asking them At what time did the Ships Castrecom and Breskens set Sail from Batavia Did any other Ships set Sail with them When dropp'd you Anchor before Ternata Did Castrecom and Breskens arrive there together Did they both weigh Anchors together Where and when lost you Castrecom Did Castrecom never appear since What Countrey do you judge it to be where you lost Castrecom Did you meet with no Land between this and Ternata Whither did you Steer after you miss'd Castrecom When did Breskens light on the Japan Coast When entred the Ship the Haven of Namboe for Water When went it away When entred it the Harbor of Namboe the second time Byleveld's Auswer to him Byleveld reply'd saying The third of February in this present Year Castrecom and Breskens left Batavia steering their Course to Ternata with intention to seek for Tartary When we went to Sea we had no Company but Castrecom with which Ship we Anchor'd after five and forty days Sail under the Castle Maleyen The
courteous Services shown to the East-India Company Upon the delivery of the Presents none shall appear before the Emperor but Blockoffe and Frisius your Retinue must stay in the Hall as you will understand from the Interpreters There hath oftentimes by the Emperors Command been Order given for a Mortar-Piece which through urgent Occasions hath been neglected but now acquaint him that you have brought a Man Experienc'd in that Art thither for the Emperors Service besides the foremention'd Presents for his Imperial Majesty you have good store of fine light colour'd black and red Cloth besides Crown-Serges ordinary Serge and Damask to bestow plentifully on his Nobility Excuse your self that you give not richer Presents because the East-India Company know not what was most acceptable to his Majesty and his Councel Before you appear to the Emperor you will be Examin'd What your Embassy is for Reply For nought else but to thank the Emperor for his kind Delivery of the ten Hollanders and to Extol his great Favors shown to the East-India Company in Japan Andrew Frisius is order'd to be your Secretary who is to keep a Journal of all daily Observations and Passages of Remark which deserve to be Register'd John Hakkins shall be your Gentleman-Usher and to prepare the Silver Vessel Take special care that none of your People debauch themselves with Drinking or Whoring but punish them severely let your People keep their Nails Cut their Hair Comb'd and wear clean Linnen and Wash themselves in all places they can conveniently The Load-stones which you have the Physical Herbs Spectacles Prospective-Glasses Tent Wine Cheese Dutch Butter Brazile Wood Italian Earthen Ware Barrels for Guns and Multiplying-Glasses give some to every one that asks for them The red Beads give now and then to Noble-mens Children their Servants or your Landlords as a thing to remember you by Concerning the Lord of Firando who is Indebted twenty five Thousand Guilders to the East-India Company you must seriously advise about it with the Interpreters if we should not incur the Displeasure of the Nangesaquean Magistrates if the said Lord be Discharg'd from the Debt because being Impoverish'd by Fire he is not able to Pay It would at least be a Courtesie that would Obliege the Lord of Firando yet if the Interpreters should advise the contrary Blockhoffe must follow their counsel but give order that the said Lord hereafter be no more ask'd for the Debt as heretofore they had done yearly Your best Apparel Silver-Work and all things else which are for a shew let them not be seen in the Streets at your Table nor Lodging-Rooms unless to some Noble Japanners Intreat by all means that the Ship Robin may continue in the Haven of Nangesaque till you have done your Embassy to the Emperor that then you may come directly without touching at Formosa or elsewhere in her to Batavia and from thence to Holland with the Fleet which goes thither in December that the East-India Company may be inform'd by your self concerning your Affairs with the Japan Emperor Remember your self likewise that you never come before any Person of Quality with your Hat off but to Common People you need not so much observe that State Lastly Because Blockhoffe went sick Aboard Andrew Frisius had strict Order that if Blockhoffe should happen to die by the way to preserve his Body by Embalming that it might be seen by the Japanners that were so minded For the making of the Coffin the Master of the Ship had Wood provided for that purpose Frisius sent to succeed Blockhoffe was to observe all the foremention'd Orders exactly Mean while Blockhoffe dying on the way between Batavia and Japan Frisius and Brookhurst Officiated the Embassy according to the Relation given you in the first Part. An Embassy of Zacharias Wagenaer to the Emperor of Japan ¶ SInce their being at Jedo the Splendid Embassy of Zacharias Wagenaer is very remarkable The East-India Company are much concern'd for the Trade of Japan notwithstanding they in Traffick deliver and receive Goods through all India and farther For the Javan Cities Bantam Molassery Charga Bayas Cuconu Cherelas Charita Cheregin Labnan Buanium Iscbongoir Parmam and Punctam Truck for Cormandel Cotton against Pepper Cubebes Storax and Cardamoms Jortam lying opposite to the Island Madura hath a safe Harbor against all Winds and affords abundance of Rice and Cotton-Yarn Banda and the Islands Lontor Gounongapay Pouloway Pouleron and Rossangayn near which lie three uninhabited Isles Poulomon Poulocapel and Pouloswangay in five Degrees Southern Latitude all these produce plenty of Coco-nuts Lemons Oranges and chiefly Nutmegs and Mace so that they can deliver yearly three Thousand five Hundred Sokkels of Nutmegs and Cloves every Sokkel reckon'd a Hundred Pound of Holland Weight and Twenty Pounds of Nutmegs to one of Mace The Trees whereon this Fruit grows bear thrice a year The chiefest Plant by the Bandances call'd Eyer Ponte which signifies White Water is ripe in July and August Whilst they gather their Nutmegs the Water is as white as Milk The second Fruit by them call'd Monson Java is ripe in March the third and smallest nam'd Conarg in October so that there is scarce any time in the year but the Trees bear either ripe or at least green Nuts These Islands barter for Jortan and Baleian Linnen Cormandel Clothes wove after the Maleian manner and amongst Provisions in scarce Times they rather desire Rice than Silver or Gold Ternata is eight Leagues in circumference hath besides several Villages uninhabited in times of War three Cities Gammalamme the Residence of the antient King of Ternata Maleye now call'd Orange and Tacomy nam'd William-Stad To Ternata belong also the Isles Machian Motier and Meau all like Ternata producing abundance of Cloves for they afford yearly two thousand Bars every Bar reckon'd to six hundred twenty five Pound for which in Barter they receive Cotton Linnen and Rice Amboina was formerly taken by the Spaniards from the King of Ternata but Steven vander Hagen a Dutch Admiral Conquering Amboina brought it under the subjection of the Holland East-India Company The Cloves which grow here are commonly gather'd green in August and dry away at least twenty Pound in a hundred Batsian taken from the Spaniard by the Vice-Admiral Simon Horn abounds with Clove-trees yet few Inhabitants to look after the gathering of them Achyn the chief City for Trade in the North of Samutra barters Pepper Diamonds Gold and Tin against Negapatan Surat and Aracan Cotton as also against Elephants Teeth and Rice Before Achyn lies the Island Amacau where they find Ambergreece On the East-side of Samutra lie spread a vast way in the Ocean the Islands Jamby Palmbam Andregiro and Campar Towards the South against Samutra lie Priman Passaimanticos Baros Bedi Dampin and Manancabo all surrounded by the Ocean and yield great store of Pepper but the Island Jamby is the chief of them all and produces as most of them do besides Pepper Benjamin
the Chinese Trade to Japan should be at all molested the more because Japan should not lose the rich Commodities and chiefly the Drugs which China furnish'd them withal But if the Hollanders would take revenge on Coxenga they might do it at Formosa and not interrupt his Jonks at Sea which Traded to Japan His resolute Answer Upon which Indiik sent Ficojemondonne this Reply How could the Court in Jedo take it ill from them to do all the hurt they could to their Publick Enemy which the Laws of all Nations permitted Shall the East-India Company be every where ruin'd by Coxenga and not take revenge The taking of Coxenga's Jonks must be perform'd according to the Councils Order Batavia and the Japanners would not in the least be prejudic'd by it for the Jonks from Canton and Nanquin brought over abundance of Chinese Merchandize and Goods so that Japan might easily dispence with Coxenga's Jonks and they would also without doubt forsake Coxenga and submit to the Tartar when they observ'd that they were debarr'd from the Trade of Japan by the Hollanders Private Men of War Thus it remain'd for a time Ficojemondonne sending in Writing a true Relation of all the Transactions in Formosa and Indiik's Request for the taking of Coxenga's Vessels to Jedo Mean while News was brought that the Watch on the Nomoan Mountain had descried two Ships Indiik had leave to order Camphador Rjfje to prepare three Vessels with which the Merchant Hoogenhoek should put to Sea who found that the discover'd Ships were the Goree and Diemermeer richly laden from Batavia Hoogenhoek was also inform'd by them That a third Ship being the Buyentkerk aboard which was Derick van Lyer Indiik's Successor would shortly follow though yet out of sight All of them soon after came to an Anchor before Disma Indiik also agreed with the Copper-Merchants for the Price of the Copper who had rais'd it higher than formerly because the Miners Provisions and Maintenance was dearer this Year than heretofore by reason that now Rice was very scarce Hollanders give the Chineses Letters of Conduct The Chinese Jonks which were not under the Command of Coxenga came now and then to Nangesaque but not without a free Pass from the Holland Governors that resided in China Siam and other Places On the fourth of August a Jonk that came from the Haven Faisoos shew'd a free Pass granted by the Ambassador Jacob Kaysar and another from Siam that had the like Letter sign'd in the Netherlanders Treasury in India by John van Rich The Contents these Since Anachoda Mamet Mousoen is ready to set Sail with the Jonk Opta belonging to Sinorat Governor of the Moors in India and desires our Letter for his Security that he may not be taken for one of Coxenga's Ships therefore we could not refuse him so reasonable a Request The Jonk freighted with Speckl'd Wood Seraean Rice several Packs of Linnen Brown Sugar Clap-Oyl Namrak Cambodia Nuts Mann'd with three and twenty Moors and four and fifty Chineses bound to Japan all Netherland Vessels are desir'd not to molest Adventure of Harmas Klenk to the new Governor of Tapoan After which the Advice-Boat brought news that there was a Ship about the Point making towards Disma which approaching the City Nangesaque strook its Flag which afterwards pull'd up again blew from the Main-top with a pendant waving under it Indiik judg'd by these signs that there was some Person of Quality in the said Ship wherefore going into a Barge he Row'd aboard where coming he was no ways deceived of his expectation for the Frigat carry'd the Lord Herman Klenk of Odesse sent Governor to Tayoan in stead of Frederick Cojet Moreover Klenk inform'd him that he weighed Anchor from Batavia the two and twentieth of June 1661. accompany'd with the Ship Lornen in which was Jacob Casenbroad chosen by the Indian Councel for Deputy-Governor of Tayoan but had lost sight of one another the first day of their coming out After that he chased a Portuguese Vessel her bigness about an hundred and twenty Tun coming from Cambodia to Macau the Commander of her call'd Lewis Baretto Lenel being overtaken near Siampa delivered both Ship and Goods without firing a Gun out of which Klenk took the best Goods and seventeen Portuguese and put seven Chineses and eleven Blacks aboard of it then anchoring before the Golden Lyons Island he took in Provisions and fresh Water He had news by the Inhabitants of the miserable condition of Formosa but reaching Tayoan on the thirtieth of July Cojet immediately sent the Pilot Sicke Peterson in a Chinese Boat to him to advise him that it was no ways convenient for him to stay near Tayoan because he might easily be taken by Coxenga who had three hundred Sail ready upon any occasion but to steer directly to Japan whereupon Klenk deliver'd the Pilot the Papers sent by the Indian Councel to carry them though not without great danger into Zelandia and sent with him the seventeen Portuguese then stood for Quelang where he sent a Letter by some Chineses to the Governor of the Countrey but receiving no Answer proceeded in his Voyage to Japan where by a great Storm in a dark Night being driven too near the Shore he ran great danger being out of all hopes to get off which God mercifully preventing came safe with his Ship on the twentieth of August to Nangesaque The Governor Ficojemondonne granted the new Tayoan Governor to come ashore that Night the Frigat having Shipped so much Water that a great many Goods were damnifi'd by it Klenk is nobly entertain'd Indiik being inform'd by the Interpreters that Ficojemondonne had observ'd the Honor and Respects which were shewn to the chief Governor of Tayoan he to make his Reception the more splendid sent for several Servants from aboard to increase the number of their Train which the Japanners saw with great curiosity Chineses Relation concerning Coxenga's Onset on Formosa and how he murder'd his Uncle After this the Netherland Interpreters were inform'd by the Chinese Traders at Nangesaque that Savja Coxenga's Uncle had a long time had a private Design upon Formosa and at one time he told some of his bosom Friends of it who related it to Coxenga he approving the Plot resolv'd to put it in execution Soon after the Business began but Savja found himself deceiv'd for he made no other account than to make himself Master of all on a sudden when Storming the Fort Zelandia he lost abundance of Men scarcity of Provisions and sickness began also daily to increase in the Chinese Army of which many dy'd From these Inconveniences arose private Contentions insomuch that Savja design'd to go privately with some Jonks from Formosa and leave the farther management thereof to Coxenga but this also being discover'd brought Savja to a miserable end for Coxenga being exceedingly enrag'd thereat notwithstanding his Uncles good Service done caus'd him in spight of a
after the Storm blowing afresh they were not able to carry out the least Sail till the Gusts were more favorable mean while the Ship being so miserably toss'd sprung a Leak so that they could scarce keep her free with Pumping sometimes a Sea beat over her in such a manner that the Water could scarce find ways to run out again seeming as if it would sink immediately With these inconveniences came far greater for towards the Evening a Sea wash'd away one of the Galleries and soon after another the Head so loosning the Boltsprit yet they had not been in such great danger had not the Ship rowl'd so extremely and the Seas follow'd one another so suddenly they judg'd it convenient to hale up their Mizin and Sail before the Wind the second Watch they discover'd Land but the Ship in the dark was got within Musquet-shot of the Shore before they could see it the steep Shore suffer'd the Ship to run against a Rock which with three blows broke it into a thousand pieces and of sixty four Men escap'd onely thirty six most of which were miserably wounded by the sharp Rocks those that lay in their Cabbins being tir'd with watching died all amongst those that were sav'd was the Captain Reinier Egbertson of Amsterdam From the Wreck they sav'd one Barrel of Flower one Barrel of Salt-Beef some Pork and a Rundlet of Tent which prov'd very happily for the wounded Moreover they gather'd up as many Pieces of the Ship as would make them a Booth to defend them from the Weather for they knew not in what Countrey they were how call'd or whether inhabited or not because the Skie being Clouded for several days they could take no observation On the second day after they suffer'd Shipwrack they saw a Man whom they beckning to come to them ran away soon after came three other of which one carry'd a Musquet the other two Bows and Arrows which also fled from them but one of the Sea-men running after them unarm'd got some Fire which they wanted extremely Against the Evening their Tent or Booth was surrounded with above a hundred Men wearing Hats made of Horse-hair The next day came a small Army being about two thousand Foot and Horse while the Hollanders were making of a bigger Tent. The Commander of them fetch'd the Book-keeper Henry Haemel with the Pilot Quartermaster Strange usage by the Coreans of thirty six Shiâ—wracked Hollanders and a Boy out of the Booth which were all four thrown down on the Earth before the General at which the whole Army made a kind of strange noise The Hollanders that remain'd in the Tent believ'd certainly that their Companions were put to a miserable death but they us'd them not so cruelly for the Coreans onely put an Iron Chain about their Necks to which a great Bell was made fast under their Chin. Then some of the Officers went into the Booth and had a great deal of Discourse which the Hollanders understood not but they signifi'd to them that they intended to go to Japan but suffering Shipwrack they were come ashore there to save themselves The Chineses look'd upon those Goods which they had sav'd and finding onely a little Meal Salt-Beef and Pork they brought some Rice boyl'd in Water which was a great refreshment Not long continu'd their joy that they were not in a barren Countrey for whilst they were eating a great many of the Soldiers came running towards their Tent every one holding a Rope in his hand which made the Hollanders think that they should be bound and kill'd but this fear soon vanish'd when the Coreans ran with all speed towards the Wreck every one laboring to hale the Wood ashore which burning they carry'd the Iron away In the interim the Pilot taking an observation found that it was Quelpaerds-Island where they had lost their Ship and were in thirty three Degrees and thirty two Minutes Latitude Moreover the Coreans still busied themselves in haling ashore the Pieces of the Wreck and burning it for the Iron and lastly they set the whole Wreck on Fire which might have cost them dear for two Brass-Guns deeply loaden went off but it so hapned that the Muzzles of them lay towards the Sea this Blow struck such a fear amongst them that every one fled and coming to the Hollanders desir'd to know of them if it would do the like again but they informing that there were no more Guns that were Charged in the Ship they went on with their work Moreover the Hollanders visited the Governor of Quelpaerds-Isle and presented him with a Bottle of Tent which pleas'd him so well that he became very kind to them sending them boyl'd Rice twice a day and bid them come and see the punishment which would be inflicted on those that had robb'd the wreck'd Vessel The Iron they had stole was tied to their Backs and they themselves laid upon the Ground receiv'd several Drubbings on the Balls of their Feet with a Stick about a Fathom long and as thick as an ordinary Boy 's Arm so beating them unmercifully Their Journey through Quelpaerds-Island After this was over the Hollanders had order to be gone with all their things so travelling with a Guard of Foot and Horse they went that day four Leagues and Lodg'd in a small Town call'd Tadjunch in an old Store-house from thence they went to the City Moggan where the Governor of Quelpaerds keeps his Court here on a great Market place three thousand Armed Men were drawn up in Battel aray The Governor caus'd Henry Hamell with the Pilot and Quartermaster to come to him and ask'd them where they were going at which Hamel cry'd several times Japan and Nangesaque at which the Governor nodding his Head seem'd to understand it The remaining Hollanders were also carry'd four and four to the Governor Examin'd and Lodg'd in a House in which as they afterwards understood the Kings Uncle had a long time been kept Prisoner and at last died there because he endeavor'd to depose his Nephew Every day they had their allowance of boyl'd Rice wheaten Flower and another strange Food which they could not eat wherefore they liv'd most upon Rice The Governor a Man aged about seventy years and of a noble Aspect signifi'd to them that he would Write to the King to know what should be done with them but it would be a considerable time before he could have an Answer for the Place where the King kept his Court was thirteen Leagues over-Sea and above twenty Leagues from Moggan But whilst they waited for it the Hollanders had fresh Meat allow'd them and also leave for six at a time to walk abroad by turns The Governor oftentimes invited them to his Palace bidding them write their Names and cur'd those that were wounded at their Landing and also prepar'd several noble Dinners for them In which kind Hospitality-the Heathens far exceed very many Christians Strange adventure of a Hollander But
amongst several strange Adventures that is most remarkable which hapned to the Book-keeper Hamel Pilot and Chirurgeon These as formerly carry'd before the Governor found a Man sitting by him with a red Beard and being ask'd if they knew not such a Man they answer'd That he seem'd to be a Hollander at which the Governor fell a laughing at last the red-Bearded Man discovering himself ask'd them in the Dutch Tongue what People they were and whether they were going at which the Hollanders were allamaz'd but Hamel answering said That they Sail'd from Amsterdam to Batavia and from Batavia to Japan but since they left Formosa they were overtaken by a mighty Storm which drove the Sperwer Frigat already torn and shatter'd against the Rocks of the Island Quelpaerds Hamel also ask'd him what he was and although he had almost forgot his Native Tongue yet he told him That he was born in a Village call'd De Riip in Holland and nam'd John Johnson Welterre and that Anno 1626. he Sail'd in a Ship from Amsterdam to the East-Indies afterwards by order of the Indian Councel in Batavia Sail'd in the Ouwerkerk Ketch to Japan but by contrary Winds forc'd upon the Coast of Corea fresh Water began to grow very scant wherefore said he I was commanded with my Countreyman Derick Gerritson and an Amsterdammer call'd John Peterson Verbaest to go ashore to see if we could find any fresh Water no sooner had we set foot ashore but we were all three surrounded and carry'd up into the Countrey to the King's Court where ever since we have had Meat Drink and Clothing but could never obtain leave to go with some Vessel or other to Japan and though he had for several years entreated leave of the Court to depart yet they had always one Answer which was That the King did not give leave to any Strangers to go out of his Kingdom which Sentence all Hollanders or what else soever they be are sure to undergo Moreover said he my two Companions died seventeen years ago at the time when the Tartars invaded Corea All which Discourse being Interpreted to the Governor was written down and sent to the Court. Mean while the time came in which the old Governor was to give place to the new for every three years they observe change of Government amongst the Coreans The old Lord had a very great inclination for the Hollanders for before he went away he provided them against the next Winter giving every one a Coat a pair of Buskins and Stockings He also return'd them the Books which he had taken from them and gave them good store of Train-Oyl to burn in their Lamps at Night promising them also at last that he would use all the means possible at Court to obtain leave for their going to Japan But the new Governor prov'd quite another Man for he carry'd himself very strange to the Hollanders and since the departure of the first Lord in the beginning of January Anno 1654. they wanted Provisions being ty'd to very small allowance which made their imprisonment very insufferable wherefore since they had yet liberty to go out by sixes at a time they searched daily if they could not find any Vessels lying near the Shore with which they might in the Night make their Escape Remarkable passage of five Hollanders The last of April six Prisoners endeavor'd in the Night to get over the Wall but discover'd by the Barking of the Dogs which wakened the Watchmen their Design took no effect After which time the Pilot and five more resolv'd on the like Escape These going out upon a Day which fell to their turn found some distance from the City Moggan hard by a small Village a little Vessel with all Necessaries thereto belonging where going aboard they hal'd it over a Bank in sight of the Villagers which at first were amazed to see them but afterwards observing that the Hollanders were in earnest they put off to Sea gave notice thereof to the Owner who with a Gun charged came running after them in the Water whilst they were busie setting up the Mast and Sail but not being acquainted with the Corean Vessels both Mast and Sail fell over-board yet they got it up again and put all things in their right place when placing the Mast it broke out so that it fell all again into the Sea by which means they lost all hopes of escaping driving more and more to the Shore and exactly towards a Barque full of Armed Coreans which they boarding the five Hollanders leap'd over into the same for the sixth could not get in by this their leaping the Arm'd Barque shipp'd so much Water that they had enough to do to keep her from sinking but when Landed they carry'd the five Hollanders to the Governor who caus'd them all to be loaden with Fetters hung a Board about their Necks on which he nail'd one of their Hands and stripping them laid them on the Ground upon their Bellies so tying them fast to four Posts sent for the remaining Hollanders thither to see them thus laid the Governor caus'd the Interpreter Weltevree to ask them If they had agreed upon their Escape without the knowledge of their Companions or if they knew of their Design How they durst venture to go in so small a Vessel without Water Bread or any other sustenance through so vast an Ocean to Japan The fetter'd Hollanders answer'd That their Companions had not the least knowledge of their Design Moreover they would rather run all hazards whatsoever for their liberty nay rather die than undergo so many miseries and at last be starv'd to death which they had no sooner said when an Executioner standing in the middle of them with a Stick a Fathom long a Finger thick and round on the top gave every one twenty five blows on their bare Buttocks that none of them in five Weeks were able to stir out of their Cabbins Hollanders carry'd to Corea and their chief Adventures But whilst they lay in that misery Orders came from the Corean Court that the Hollanders divided into four Jonks should be sent fetter'd from Quelpaerds-Island to Corea upon which the Governor began his Cruelties afresh linking both their Feet and one hand together fearing else they might conquer and carry away one of the Jonks which indeed would have been hazardous if they had gone aboard unbound and the more because the Coreans are generally Sea-sick Two days they were toss'd up and down at Sea and not getting the least Ground because of contrary Winds they return'd to Moggan where the Hollanders were put into their old Prison ¶ THis Quelpaerds-Island reckons fifteen Leagues in its Circumference hath on the North-side a convenient Harbor for Ships and lies opposite from the South Promontory of Corea thirteen Leagues the Passage to which is very dangerous because the Water is full of blind Rocks and no anchorage to be found betwixt that and Quelpaerds Haven so that those
which may be seen a great distance off at Sea In these Temples the Bonzies worshipp'd that great God which formerly not onely Created the Sun Moon and Stars but also the fifteen lesser Deities which some Ages since convers'd upon the Earth The Prime God commanded the Substitute Gods that they should make a Brazen Egg in which they were to enclose the four Elements Water Earth Air and Fire and also the four principal Colours Red Yellow Blue and Green Out of this Egg the four Elements and Colours being tempred ran together in such a nature that the visible World appear'd The World thus created Man was wanting Not long after a Woman growing in the Shell of a Callabash had no Soul which the Chief God pittying made a Stier come to the Callabash who through his Nostrils blew Breath into the Callabash which came to be a Soul in the growing Woman who then coming forth was familiar with the inferior Deities by which means Mankind not onely increas'd in number but also in wickedness differing more and more from their Heavenly Extract growing still worse and worse mocking at Thunder Rainbowes and Fire nay they blasphem'd the great God himself whom when the Interpreter nam'd he bow'd his Head to the Ground whereupon he call'd his inferior Deities about him telling them That he resolv'd to destroy and ruine all things kick the Sun Moon and Stars out of the Firmament mix the Air and Water together and make a round Globe in which the four Elements should be all resolv'd into their former Mass And chiefly he commanded the Idol Topan to make Thunderballs to shoot through the Air and fire all the Kingdoms with Lightning which was no sooner said but it was done the whole World on a sudden lying together like a heap of Rubbish so that none were saved except one Man and his Family that had entertain'd and duely worshipp'd the Gods The Chief and Supreme Deity took care in this general Ruine for the innocent Man locking him in a deep Cave before which he put a great Shell that the Water might not run into the Pit or Cave Japanners acknowledge the Fall of Adam and the Hood Who doth not observe by this Discourse that the remotest Heathens acknowledge though darkly the fall of Adam and the Flood in which Noah and his nearest Relations were sav'd The Romans and Greeks also represented the same in their Golden Silver Copper and Iron Ages and also with Deucalion and Pyrrha strangely preserv'd from a Deluge The foremention'd Japan Interpreter judg'd that the Portuguese Castilians English and Hollanders had also their Original from the Man that was secur'd in the Cave against the Flood the Reasons of which his Discourse were grounded on these Arguments When said he the Supreme God destroy'd all things yet Nipon that is Japan Mangy so they call China and the Kingdom Lechy bordering on China were preserv'd therefore the Inhabitants differ much from those of Europe because they have not such great Heads nor such Camosie Noses hollow Eyes broad Eye-brows and well compact Bodies as the Japanners Strange Relation of the Japan Interpreter Moreover the vertuous Man got out of his Cave when the Idol Canon call'd back the Seas to their respective Bounds and Topan gather'd the scatter'd Thunderbolts together and setled himself in the Province Koejelang where he got several Children which intermarrying grew to a considerable number But when these Generations increas'd so fast the Gods which were commanded up to Heaven ask'd leave of the Supreme Deity that they might return again to the Earth and there be familiar with Men Einholung der gesanten zu mia t Inhalen vand AMBASSADEURS The Reception of the AMBASSADOURS which being granted them they descended into a pleasant Wood where whilst they were consulting how they should best take the Venison the Inhabitants of Koejelang joyning their Heads together said These are the Gods which drown'd our Forefathers let its take Revenge for so hainous a Crime And considering which way it might best be done they judg'd that the readiest would be to set Fire on all parts of the Wood which in few Hours consumed all the Trees Some of the Gods that went to escape from the Flame were cut to pieces by the People that had encompass'd the Wood others were burnt yet seven of them getting up to Heaven complain'd of that execrable Plot to the Chief God who being exceedingly enrag'd at so great a piece of Villany immediately commanded an Angel whom he impower'd to punish them for their Crime The Angel no sooner descended but he drove the Offenders out of the Province Koejelang to the Boyling Waters at Singock in which they are continually tortur'd without the least respite or cessation Holland Ambassadors reception at Mia ¶ MEan while the Holland Ambassador proceeded forward on his Jourhey and Ferried over from Quano to Mia where he had no sooner landed the Emperors Presents but the Governor of Mia with a considerable Train of People came out of the City to receive and conduct him Just without the Gate several Copper Basons were hung on cross Poles on which the Japanners tabering made a great noise Moreover several Norimons or Sedans were carried towards the Water-side every one guarded with a considerable number of Soldiers At the foot of a high Rock stood the Ambassadors four Trumpets each of them sounding a Levit. The Governor Obirham Giantodono had no sooner gotten sight of the Ambassador but stepping out of his Sedan he went to meet him and bow'd himfelf after the Japan manner to the Ground Behind stood some of the Guard with Musquets others with Pikes and Halberds Lastly the Ambassador going from hence soon after arriv'd at Jedo where having staid some time and dispatch'd his Business he had leave to go for Nangesaque again Description of a Whale ¶ NEar Firando he found the Whale-Fishers which go yearly to Corea to catch Whales The bigness of these Sea-monsters is to be most admir'd their Pizzles being generally fourteen Foot long which they hide in their Bellies When they couple they rage with Lust holding their Bellies together and embracing one another with their Fins above an Hour at a time after which according to Julius Caesar Scaliger Dist c. 13. sect 150 they bear their Young ten Months The ordinary Whales are commonly a hundred and twenty Foot long and their Heads are the third part of their Body On their Noses are two round Holes at which they suck in abundance of Water and spout it out again an exceeding height Their Eyes are three Yards long and a Foot and a half broad Their Ears with which they hear any small noise are less without than within they open their Mouths five Fathom wide their Tongue eighteen Foot long and ten broad rests on eight hundred Supporters full of downy Hair The Whale-catchers seldom find any thing in their ripp'd-up Bowels more than some handfuls of Sea-Spiders and