Hessen or Saxony but out of what Records we know not and Eusebius where ere he hath it calls Ashkenaz the Father or first Prince of the Gothes whil'st the Modern Jews make him the Planter of the Teutonick Nations or High-Dutch and the transplanted Seed of Riphat into more Northern Regions gave Denomination to the Riphean Mountains beyond Scythia which afterwards took in Paphlagonia From his third Son Togarma sprang the Togarmians who sat down on the North-side of Canaan beyond Cappadocia but it appears by the Chalde Paraphrase that Togarma peopled Germany and the Jews affirm that the Turcomany or Turks are also sprung from the Togarmians whereupon still the Turkish Emperor is by them call'd Togar But Magog Japhets second Son inhabited Coelesyria Mada and the Territory of Media Javan the third was Father to the Ionians who in process of time growing great with other conjoyn'd Nations call'd themselves Greeks their Countrey Grecia From these the Latines drew their original whereupon at first a great part of Italy was call'd Greece and still several Names of Italian Cities do undeniably shew the Extract of the Latines from the Greeks which the antient Writers affirm by making Javan to be the Bifronted Janus signifying Father both to the old Greeks and new Latines descended from him The Sons of Javan were four Elisha who Planted in the Islands of the Mediterranean Sea Tarshish from whom Tarsus in Cilicia bears the Name and Kittim a Place in Cyprus where between the two utmost Points Thronus and Dades in the Entrance formerly stood the City Kittim and still the Point Dades bears the Name of Cape Chiti Dedanim Javans youngest Son possess'd that part of Eperia where the City Dodona was renown'd famous for the Oracle of Jupiter Dodoneus presaging by tinckling Brass Instruments or Cymbals and also from the oraculous Oak it self which as they say spake from its hollow womb giving Responses From Japhets fifth Son sprang the Tubaleans afterwards call'd Syrians Others according to Josephus set themselves down in Spain so believ'd because the antient City Setubal in that Kingdom retains Tubals Name Meshechs Progeny steer'd their Coast towards Arabia The Antients differ in no thing more than settling the Habitations of Tiras Japhets youngest Son Josephus affirms him to be Father of the Thracians in whose Countrey Pliny and Mela delineate the River Atira Others transplant him to the European Sarmatia according to Ptolomy sprinkled with the Stream call'd Tyras and at present Nester Some make Tiras the Builder of Tyre in Phoenycia again some of the Duringians and others of Thurium a very antient City in the entrance of Tarentine The Progeny of Shâ—m Thus far Japhets Successors next Sems that is to say Elam Ashur Arphaxad Lud and Aram did overspread Armenia Persia India and the farther Eastern part of Asia But especially Elam is acknowledg'd to be the Father of the Elamites from whence the Persians proceeded extinguishing by their firm establishment of their sole Dominion the first Name of Elamites Ashur Founded within the built City Nineveh the Assyrian Power formerly the Heathen Histories bring these down from Ninus Concerning Arphaxad Moses saith thus Genes 10. And Arphaxad begat Salah and Salah begat Eber. And unto Eber were born two sons the name of one was Peleg for in his days was the earth divided and his brothers name was Joktan And Joktan begat Almodad and Sheleph and Hazarmaveth and Jerah and Hadoram and Uzal and Diklah and Obal and Abimael and Sheba and Ophir and Havilah and Jobah all these were the sons of Joktan And their dwelling was from Mesha as thou goest unto Shephar a mount of the east These are the sons of Shem after their families after their tongues in their lands after their nations Benedictus Arias Montanus ascribes particularly these Distributions to every one of the Children of Joktan that is to say to Almodad the People of Themeotes according to Ptolomy and Mela transplanted into the Asiatick Sarmatia to Sheleph the Selebians to Hazarmaveth the Sarmatians to Jarka the Arachosians to Hadora the Hircanians to Uzal the Oxiaenian Bactrians to Dikla the Scythians within the Mountains of Imaus to Obal the Obolites between the top of Caucasus and Paropanisus to Abimael the Imaenses where the renown'd Imaus hath very high Precipices to Sheba the famous Saces yet others think it more advisable to bring the Sabeans to Sheba bordering on the Persians Ophir call'd The Territory of Ophir whether Solomon every third year set forth a Fleet to fetch Gold from thence Yet after all the Distributions and Sprinklings of Mankind over the surface of the Earth much of it confirm'd by many Authors and also by sacred Writ our Modern Geographers and late Travellers hardly make out scarce two Parts of three of the Terrestrial Globe to be yet inhabited all the Antartick and most of the Artick Regions an unfrequented Desolation and Africa and Asia full of unpenetrated Desarts and inaccessible Mountains and many Isles Of which several were discover'd by the Antients and since by our Moderns not thought worthy the labour of Cultivation amongst which our Japan lay a long time Fallow till by a necessitous Calamity a few miserable Exiles being as they say banish'd from their Countrey were enforc'd to Plant there which from such poor beginnings and unwilling undertakers hath insensibly by degrees in few Ages shot up from nothing to be a most Potent and formidable Empire But before we proceed any farther in this our intended Design concerning a Description and Relation of Japan of which the Hollanders are most able to give the best account it seems not amiss raising our selves a little from our Seat to look round about and by an easie Prospect take a brief and general Survey not onely of the new Art of Navigation but also of those famous Navigators that boldly first adventur'd to unloose though thought unpossible before the Virgin Zone of this our Terraqueous Globe so not onely finding undiscover'd Parts of the East but also a new Western Indies abounding in Gold and Silver as the other in Silk and Spices besides giving us a farther account of a third Continent though yet unknown equivalent to either of the former The Compass by whom found The Loadstone or Magnet whose several Vertues and wonderful Operations being well known through many Ages yet that it was a Terrella or little Earth having Poles respecting the North or Southern Points of the Firmament having imaginary Meridians and Parallels being the greatest wonder and of most use was not found untill Flavius Melvius a Neopolitan discover'd it about two hundred years since to the great benefit of Mankind and perfection in Navigation before which without Compass or Chart the poor Seaman when stressed with Weather the Sun and Stars his onely Pilot Night and Day muffl'd in Clouds he crept along the Shore which was the constant practice or emboldned by the signs of fair Weather ventur'd farther into the Offin their
Goodness that a Scorpion and most of all other Poysonous Creatures being kill'd and their Flesh laid raw on the Wound which they made cures it in a short time Fasting-spittle hath also a great Operation to dispel this Poyson The ancient Father St. Ambrose relates concerning this Creature Hoxaem lib. 6. cap. 6. That he kills a Lion and is himself destroy'd by Pismires But to return to our Story Strange Battel between the Pismires and Scorpions in the Voyage to Nangesaque ¶ IN the Voyage between Osacca and Nangesaque it is often seen with great admiration that a Scorpion being surrounded with an innumerable Army of Pismires who storm him on all sides biting his Feet so extremely that not being able to bear it nor seeing any way to escape at last kills himself with his own Sting running the same into his Head of which he immediately dies whereupon they joyn all their Forces to carry him away In which Work it is pleasant to behold how they help one another some shoving the Prey forward with their Feet while others haul it along with their Mouths and the remaining part creep under to bear it on their Backs always having fresh Supplies to release those that grow weary God represents in this small Animal the exact Image of Vertue wherefore the Holy Scripture admonishes the Slothful to take Example by them And indeed their Care is exceeding great for they make their Nest with so many crooked Entrances that it is secure from all hurtful Creatures The Earth which they scrape out they stop before their Holes to keep out Rain These Holes are divided into three Partitions in one the Males and Females live together in another the Females breed up their Young and the third serves them for their Storehouse wherein they lay their Provision Majolus relates That near Barleta a City in Terra di Barria he found a strange Nest of Pismires under a great piece of Timber which being easily taken away there appear'd a City with four Corners City of Pismires almost four Foot long and one and a half broad lying so direct as if it had been made straight with a Line a Street going through the same long-ways was a Finger broad and one deep made in a Clayie Ground three lesser Streets also which came into the foremention'd middle-way of the same bredth and depth at one end thereof a Market-place and at the other end a Stile made of Egg-shells On the other side of this Pismires City appear'd several deep Pits so full of Corn that it lay scatter'd on the Ground about them Along the Ways the Pismires pass'd to and fro like the Inhabitants of a Populous Town Towards the South-West exactly in the middle of the longest Wall was the Gate through which some came in loaded with Corn others went out empty to fetch their Burdens the eldest of them creeping before who also climb the Blades biting off the Corn whilst the young ones stand below and pick every Grain out of the Ear that which is too heavy for them to carry they shove before them those that are empty make way for those that are loaden and that the Corn should not sprout they bite that end that uses to shoot and if accidentally it happens to be wet they bring it forth laying it to dry in the Sun which is a certain sign of Fair weather Moreover they labor continually resting neither Night nor Day Hist Anim. lib. 6. ca. 50. A conceited Passage of the Pismires Aelian relates That Cleanthes once observ'd some Pismires which carried away a dead one to the Hole from whence it was us'd to come forth when living and coming before it stood all still they belonging to another Hole upon which some Pismires that were in the same came immediately to the Strangers and went several times in and out as about Business of great concern at last bringing out a rotten Pear as a Ransom for the dead Prisoner and a Reward for their Labor they took the Deceas'd with them to bury him as it is very common amongst them By this Spectacle Cleanthes concluded That Beasts could speak and especially the Pismires about which Opinion Pythagoras Cicero Celsus and other Learned Heathens have often held great Disputations Farther Voyage of the Ambassadors ¶ BUt to return again to our Ambassadors Frisius and Brookhurst who proceeding forward in their Journey and Sailing by the Islands Fibi Simeia Samnik Syrais Caroto Szuwa Jowe Camro Mianofimi Moeko and Mettagamma left on their Starboard upon the main Coast of Japan Binga Bignatum Mewarri Tantonomi Jocosimi Caminagari Cammenosacci Simonisicci and Ximontchequi In this Voyage they met in several Places and chiefly about the Islands divers Japan Fisher-men who have generally their Wives with them The Men commonly have the Crown of their Heads shaven Japan Fisher-men how cloth'd onely a Ring of Hair just about their Heads not unlike the Roman Priests Their Coats they fold over their Breasts being girt with a broad Girdle in which they stick a great Cutting-knife On their Shoulders they carry a Yoke at which hangs on each side a long and square Vessel wherein they carry their Water and also keep their Fish alive when they bring it to sell The Women wear a Scarf wound about their Heads with a Tuft hanging down on their Foreheads their Breasts cover'd with a square Cloth interwoven with several Flowers of Silk about their Necks a long Cotton Cloth that hangs down their Backs their Coats both full and long hanging down to their Ankles their Shoes or rather Soles onely are made fast behind with a kind of Strap and betwixt the two great Toes with a Knob Frisius and Brookhurst arrive at Nangesaque ¶ THeir Excellencies Frisius and Brookhurst at last Sail'd through the Straights where on the one side upon the main Coast of Japan lies the City Simonisicci and on the opposite Shore the great Island Bungo So Weathering the Point they got into the Bay Kokero thence getting into the Corean Sea they run between the Island Simissima and the Bongian Village Assia by Jobeco Auroo Firando Nanatzjamma Zetta and Foucunda into the Haven of Nangesaque on the twenty second of May Anno 1650. where they found their Countrey-men all in good health and were inform'd of the strict Customs and Laws of the Japanners After what manner the Netherland Ships sail to Nangesaque about the Netherland Ships who when they come between the Priest-Mountain and the low Cliffs call'd the Hen and Chickens passing by the Emperor's three great Block-houses must discharge their Guns three times at which the Japan Barques full of Soldiers come aboard taking an account of the Ships Crew setting them down by their Names and also their Age and Conditions which they are again demanded at their going away therefore every one must well observe how he hath describ'd himself for being found in a Lie is as much as
their Lives are worth How the Japanners deal with them So soon as they have dropp'd Anchor before Nangesaque they must again discharge their Guns strike their Flags and untie their Boats which driving away the Fishermen lighting upon them make use thereof till such time as the Ships are again ready to set Sail. Moreover two Japan Skiffs with two Soldiers in each of them are order'd to lie one at the Stern and the other at the Head of the Ship who keep Watch there day and night never so much as entring into the Vessel except in stormy Weather The next day after the Vessel comes into the Haven of Nangesaque the Bonjoisen goes aboard who sits down on a rich Carpet brought over for that purpose from Batavia then enquiring after the whole Cargo they rip open Packs Bags and Chests at their pleasure for the performing of which Offices they use Servants call'd The Companies Porters not one Netherlander daring any ways offer to touch the Goods nor bear the least Command in the Ship the Captain and Merchant of the Vessel being forc'd to stand and look on all things with patience a Japan Seaman bearing the chief Command The foremention'd Porters receive for their daily Labor ten Styvers for which they work from Sun-rising till it sets again behind the Hills of Nangesaque These People carry a little Board on their Sides with the East-India Companies Arms carv'd thereon Every one of them receives a Ticket from the Bonjois sign'd with Japan Characters which they shew to the Watch at the Gate through which they go to the Netherlanders Store-house The foremention'd Ticket serves them also as a Priviledge to unlade the Dutch Merchandize and other Materials yet a Netherland Commander hath the Liberty from the Bonjois to chuse one whom he will have to work on such a day They chiefly observe when they are unlading a Vessel if they can find any Crosses or other Church-Ornaments us'd by the Catholicks for if they find the least of them the Dutch not onely lose their Ship and Goods but their Lives also They likewise make strict Search for Dutch Money and Books therefore when they draw near Japan Insupportable Pride of the Japanners every one puts up his Money and Books and marking and sealing it with their own Names deliver it up to the Captain who putting it all together into a Barrel seals it up When they have unladen the Ship of all the Merchandize then the Japanners search their Guns to see if they be not charg'd and weigh the Anchors that nothing of any Privacy be ty'd to them and carry all their Match Powder Muskets Pistols Pikes Hangers and all other Ammunition ashore with the Barrel of Money and Books the Hollanders not once daring to ask whither it goes Seal up the Hatches The Hatches are also seal'd with the Emperors Arms on a Paper made fast upon a Straw Knot in such a nature that no Netherlander is able to untie it Over the Seal they nail a square Cover made of Boards that none may accidentally tread on the Emperors Seal When the Ship is ready to depart the Seals which are on every Hatch are taken off and the Straw Button shewn to a Bonjois to see if the Seal be not broke If the Steward of the Ship hath occasion for Water Wood or any other Necessaries he makes a sign whereupon an Interpreter who hath twelve Guilders a Month and his Diet allow'd him in the Netherlander Store-house on the Isle Disma before Nangesaque comes aboard asking what they want and receiving answer he goes to one of the Ports in the Stern of the Ship and lying on his Knees with his Head against the Boat without seeing those that are in it he desires that which the Ships Crue want and having deliver'd his Message the two Watchmen send the Interpreter to the Governor of Nangesaque who immediately gives order for a Boat to bring them Water and other Necessaries Formerly the Japanners us'd to take off the Rudder from the Ship but of late they have left that Custom When the Netherlanders Goods are brought into the Store-house they are receiv'd by a Bonjois with the foremention'd Tickets The manner Trade betwixt the Netherlanders and Japanners In October are their Days of Sale when a Catalogue of the Goods that are brought over is set up in all places of Nangesaque These Market-days they proclaim by going up and down and beating on Kettles and Basons at which noise great numbers come flocking together ¶ BUt to return On the Day of Sale the Packs are cut open on the Monday all the Goods may be seen the Store-house of the East-India Company being then open'd What Merchandize they barter and in Silver Vessels are plac'd Deer-skins and Buff-skins all manner of Cotton Cloth the finer the better Quicksilver Scarlet Cloth Speckled-wood all manner of Drugs Brimstone Ambergreece Musk Toquin-pelings and divers other Merchandizes The foremention'd Dishes are plac'd on a Counter Where and how shewn standing in the Gallery which goes quite through the Netherland Store-house on the Island Disma This Ware-house hath three hundred convenient Rooms to hold Goods standing all next the Ground which are seal'd up every Night with the Emperors Arms in the presence of a Japan Burgomaster who during the time of Trade diets with the Agent for the Netherland East-India Company and is serv'd with Silver Vessels by Japanners The Japanners who are imploy'd in this Business being three hundred are paid by the Netherlanders Description of the Gallery before Nangesaque The foremention'd Gallery being square is twelve Foot high resting on turn'd Pillars of Speckled-wood a pair of broad Stairs leading up to it and at the end thereof a Hatch the Floor of the Gallery cover'd with Tapestry Round about the Table on which the Goods are to be seen stand Stools of Speckled-wood with Cushions of Silk on which the East-India Companies Arms are Embroyder'd Before the Japan-Merchants go to sit down by this Table they pull off their Shoes that they may not soil the Tapestry with Dirt. This Table stands in the middle of the Gallery When the several Merchandizes have been view'd on the Monday they Contract for them the next day on the Wednesday the Goods are deliver'd and weigh'd in the Emperors Scale on Thursday the Water-gate of the Netherlanders Store-house is open'd before which above a hundred Barques lye daily to lade and unlade on the Sunday the Japanners rest as well as the Christians This Trade lasts a whole Month during which time it is just like a Fair on the Island Disma the Japanners making Booths of Sail-Cloths What the Japanners bring to sell wherein they sell Camphire and Camphire-wood Japan-Cabinets and Coats China-Roots Porcelane and all manner of rough and wrought Silver When the appointed time of Trade is expir'd the Ships must immediately stand off to Sea notwithstanding great part of their Goods lye on
fourth of April we proceeded on in our Voyage and kept continually close together till the nineteenth of May when in the Night we were driven by stress of Weather on an unknown Coast lying in about four and thirty Degrees where we lost Castrecom We cannot give any Relation what Coast it was because we hapned to fall upon it in the Night and had as much as ever we could do to keep our Ship from running ashore in which endeavor we had such good success that in the Morning the Land was seven Leagues astern of us so that we could not discern it perfectly We discover'd no Land betwixt Ternata and the said Coast Moreover so soon as we mist Castrecom we ran towards the North-East Point of Japan to look for him according to the Letter of Agreement made at Ternata We came on the Japan Coast the nine and twentieth of May where after twelve days we entred the Haven Namboe but went away again the next day so soon as ever the fresh Water which we came for was Shipp'd aboard and stood directly East into the Offin so to Weather the South-East Point of Japan having as we judg'd Sail'd two hundred Leagues when the violent South-winds and as strong Storms from the North so distress'd us though we had sometimes sight of Japan that we fell a whole Degree more Northerly than we expected Lastly after being toss'd to and again seven and forty days we were necessitated to Anchor a second time in Namboe yet not before we had leave from the Magistrates who permitted and gave us leave to furnish our selves with all manner of Refreshments and Necessaries on which Promise going ashore we were taken and brought Prisoners to Jedo More Questions Then the Secretary went on thus What Complexion Stature Age and Names have the Captain Merchant and Pilot of the Ship Castrecom Hath none of them ever been in Japan Doth Elserak know them What Freight had Breskens to Trade withal in Tartary Where and at what time did you speak with Elserak concerning this Voyage Doth he know any thing of the Breskens Lading Schaep's Reply Schaep answer'd The Captain of Castrecom whose Name is Martin de Uries is of a middle Stature brown Hair and Beard aged one and forty years the Pilot Peter Williamson Knetchtyens a short thick Man is about six and twenty years old the Merchant Abraham Pittavny tall and slender hath yellow Hair but no Beard and is three and twenty years of age Moreover de Uries had some years ago been in Japan and also Knechtyens who was then Quartermaster and the other Mate but Pittavyn had never seen Japan before And without doubt Elserak knows Martin de Uries because they Sail'd together from Tayovon to Batavia where he also may have seen Pittavyn But as to what concern'd Knetchtyens they could give no farther account but that as before he had once been in Japan Concerning Breskens Cargo they could tell every Piece they had because it most consisted in small Bales either of European or Indian Commodities with which the East-India Company would try what Goods the Tartars most desir'd But the chief Lading was Cloth and Pepper Moreover we spoke with Elserak the day before our departure from Batavia but whether he knows exactly our Ships Lading we cannot tell yet we believe that he hath spoken with the Indian Council A Tartar in Castrecom Lastly The Secretary ask'd them concerning the Age Stature Name and Office of the Tartar which Sail'd in Castrecom and was to serve them in Tartary in the promoting of the New Trade On which he receiv'd this Answer The Tartar nam'd David Cason aged one and twenty years brown and thick supplies the Place of Under-Factor Obligation requir'd from the Hollanders This done the Secretary rose up only asking them if they were willing to sign a Writing by which they might give assurance That Elserak without a mistake would certifie the exact time of Breskens and Castrecoms setting Sail for Ternata Which proffer Schaep and Byleveld willingly accepted But whilst the Secretary was busie writing the propos'd Note Sabrosaymondonne Deputy-Governor of Nangesaque pass'd through the Hall where Schaep and Byleyeld sat looking upon them with a smiling Countenance for which they bow'd their Heads to the Ground The Imprison'd Hollanders hear no news of Elserak Mean while the Evening coming the Hollanders obtain'd leave to go to their Lodging where they staid three days without hearing any News of Elserak only that he had appear'd with the Merchant Paul Cornelison Veer before the Japan Council and at Night return'd home very joyfully Elserak and the imprison'd Hollanders appear together before Sicungodonne ¶ THe fifth of December the ten imprison'd Hollanders were again carried to Sicungodonne's House which the Captain and Merchant entred but the rest staid at the Door through which soon after pass'd the Ambassador Elserak with all his Retinue and asking for Schaep and Byleveld was answer'd by the Seamen That they staid waiting in the next Room Strange Transactions there Elserak conducted thither yet saw them not because he walk'd amongst some Japan Servants to the place of Audience without standing still to look for them where sitting down there appear'd Sicungodonne and Sabrosaymondonne with a considerable Train of Nobles After some Courtly Ceremonies Schaep and Byleveld were brought in whereupon Sicungodonne speaking to Elserak ask'd if he knew those Men to be such Persons as they pretended and likewise If he would willingly be bound for them that they were sent with the Ship Breskens to Tartary and were no ways guilty of the bringing over Portuguese Priests to Japan or any other bad Design against this Nation Elserak answer'd Honor'd Sicungodonne I know the Captain and Merchant very well this is Henry Cornelison Schaep and he William Byleveld who came from Batavia the third of February not to carry over Priests which are sworn Enemies to the Hollanders but to seek a new place of Trade in the Tartarian River Polysange without any prejudice to the Empire of Japan Which Truth to affirm not only I but all the East-India Companies Ships which Annually Trade to Nangesaque will freely be bound Upon which proffer Elserak was answer'd That he should perform his Promise by Sealing a Writing to morrow before the Emperor or at least the Chief Councellor of State which he willingly accepted Elserak tells the Hollanders of their Discharge Then Sicungodonne and Sabrosaymondonne conducted the Ambassador Elserak to the Portal where the remaining Hollanders sat to whom Elserak said Men you are redeem'd Their great joy It is not to be express'd what an alteration these Words caus'd in them having from Hour to Hour and after divers ways strove as it were with Death and been a long time doubtful betwixt Hope and Despair For what could they expect of a barbarous Japanner but a merciless Death Not knowing but that the Interpreters might interpret
condition was most miserable not knowing where they were which way to Steer or from what part of Heaven the Wind then blew As in Virgil Aene. lib. 3. After our Ships so far had left the Coast Till all the World but Sky and Sea was lost A sable Cloud with Night and Tempest rose And th' Ocean rough with horrid darkness grows Inraged Winds make raging Waves more fierce And through vast Floods us every way disperse Whil'st Fleeting Tempests muffle up the Day All Heaven becomes to Gloomy Night a prey Perpetual lightning breaks from broken Clouds Drove from our course we wander through Dark Floods Nor Palinurus knows in such a Sky Day from the Night or whither he should Ply Three Sun-less Days as many nights we were Wandring through dismal Fogs without a Star But the fourth Dawn we rising Land behold And far off Hills which misty Clouds infold Sails struck we row our lusty Seamen sweep The azure Pavement of the briny Deep Postquam altum tenuere rates nec jam amplius ullae Apparent terrae coelum undique undique Pontus Tum mihi caeruleus supra caput adstitit imber Noctem hiememque ferens inhorruit unda tenebris Continuo venti volvunt mare magnaque surgunt Aequora dispersi jactamur gurgite vasto Involvere diem nimbi nox humida coelum Abstulit ingeminant abruptis nubibus ignes Excutimur cursu caecis erramus in undis Ipse diem noctemque negat discernere coelo Nec meminisse viae media Palinurus in unda Treis adeo incertos caeca caligine Soles Erramus pelago totidem sine sidere noctes Quarto terra die primum se attollere tandem Visa aperire procul monteis ac volvere fumum Vela cadunt remis insurgimus haud mora nautae Adnixi torquent spumas caerula verrunt So that now by the help of the Needle our Modern Navigators often run safely that in ten days which Aeneas Ulisses and other Antients Navigators still fearing Shipwrack made a ten years pudder of And lately by the help of this great additional the Compass they were able to say By your leave taking a long farewell of Atlas and the Herculian Pillars fixed and looked upon as eternal boundaries of the West and South both to Empire and Navigation and boldly ventur'd to Plow the unmeasurable bosom of vast and unknown Seas so with a steady Course night and day dark or light fair or foul with an unwearied patience slighting all dangers raising new Stars and setting the old till they happily finish'd their long Voyages some of them compassing the World Girdling the Universe making the utmost East and West joyn hands together Thus they have in a manner accurately Surveigh'd the New World America inspecting it from Coast to Coast from the East to the Western Ocean and Magellanica the last or unknown World though they have not so penetrated as the former yet by Sailing the skirts of its extended Border they Calculated by the largeness thereof to be no less than another third part so baffling the opinion of the Antients with a finis that were so stupid to sit down contented with the onely knowledge of a third part of the whole world How Columbus came to the knowledge of a new World The first Neptunian Hero or great Sea-Captain who had the prime honour of discovering the West-Indies was Christopher Columbus a Genoese who having Marry'd in Portugal settled in the Maderas He being ingenious and naturally much addicted to Novelty still hearkening after new Projects as well to satisfie his own Inclination as to improve his Fortune by chance in his Travels fell acquainted with Marcus Paulus a Florentine not onely a Physician but a great Naturalist and Student in Philosophy who finding his humor highly treated his curious and inquisitive disposition with then suppos'd imaginary Stories first discovering to him Antipodes and making out by rational demonstrations that the great Celestial Luminaries where not idle nor hudwink'd up in their absence from us and our privation of light nor as the antient Poets tell us that Phoebus when setting descended into Thetis Lap so all night quenching his Horses fiery Fetlocks swimming under water till drawing near the East he with reflected Beams colour'd the Golden Port-holes of the Dawn But that these great and Resplendant Lights sprinkl'd and chear'd with fecundating Rays in alternate Day so blessing other places that were no less than inhabitable Worlds with happy fertility making evident that the Earth was not round and flat like a Trencher as other old Writers affirm'd but Orbicular and hung Self-poysed surrounded not onely with Air but the vast expansions of the Sky But whilest he ruminated and revolved such Notions in his Working Fancy so it hapned that a Vessel bound for Africa was driven quite from her intended Course by extremity of Weather and many days tossed up and down in the wide Ocean far out of sight from any Land and at last having spent all their Provision in a most miserable condition put in to the Haven of Madera where the Captain and his whole Crue being utterly Famish'd with long Fasting and past all recovery by Refreshment soon after dy'd But the Master whom Columbus had taken to his House in the time of his Sickness related unto him wonderful Stories how he had been driven on strange and altogether unknown Coasts being by his Calculation Westward and so far off that he suppos'd never any European had seen and withal bequeath'd to him after his Death his Journal Papers of that his so much unfortunate Voyage who soon after Dying Columbus with great earnestness perusing the Writings found what confirm'd him as if he had been there in Person and also gave him great Instructions of directing his Course to New Countreys not yet discovered After this he rested not long till he put in Action what might promote his Business that by the help of a better Purse than his own he might Purchase Wealth and Honor by this his new and great Design Proffers his Service to the King of Portugal and the King of England First he address'd himself to the King of Portugal whose Maritime Countrey being opposite to his intended Discoveries made him as he supposed fittest for the Undertaking who altogether declining it he sent his Brother Bartholomew Columbus into England there to make his Address and Negotiate with King Henry the Seventh concerning these Discoveries who famous for his great Abilities and Prudence he suppos'd the onely Prince in Christendom to imploy him in so great an Enterprise but such was his Misfortune that he was taken by Pirats and kept by them wanting Ransom a long time close Prisoner so that he came too late to the Court of England For during his Captivity his Brother Christopher Columbus made Application to Ferdinand and Izabel Kings of Castile and Aragon who then in very low condition turmoyl'd in a great War against the Granada Moors did not
before Sofala the chief City of that Countrey They come to Sofala where he found the Inhabitants more civiliz'd who thought themselves very gay in Copper Hoops or Rings which they wore as Bracelets and Armlets and proud of Daggers with Cotton Hilts using a Language altogether unknown but one of the Towns-men spake Arabick by whom they understood that a white People in Vessels like theirs had traffick'd with them formerly Vasco de Gama had ten Convicts or condemn'd Persons in his Fleet sent by the King who sav'd their lives to be put ashore where the Admiral thought fit there to wander and seek their Fortunes and if they liv'd to make Observations of the Countrey and learn the Language which hereafter might come to some account two of these he turn'd ashore leaving them there for that purpose Mean while staying a Moneth at Sofala a great Sickness happen'd in the Fleet from the alteration of Diet which before was scarce and salt now fresh and plentiful of which many died To Mosambique The next start he made was to Mosambique a rich City famous for Trade and Commerce situated in a small Isle under fifteen Degrees of Southern Latitude Here the Merchants and Citizens went all in Sattin embroider'd with Gold and wear great Turbants of fine Linnen Simiters hanging across their Shoulders and in their left Hand a Buckler who being thus Habited came in small Boats aboard the Admiral who civilly and kindly treated them where Discoursing they told him That their King was call'd Abraham and was the sole Monarch of Mosambique but under him his Xeque or Lieutenant Govern'd the City That he was call'd Zocacia Gama soon after conversing and being amongst them got so much in theirs and the Deputies favor that he obtain'd two Pilots who undertook to carry his Fleet safe to the East-Indies which kindness of theirs arose from a mistake supposing them to be Western Saracens but afterwards understanding that they were Christians all this sweetning and good will turn'd to rancor and hatred the Pilots first repenting abhorring to do any thing for Unbelievers leapt over-board and so swimming to Shore deserted the whole business The Portuguese being troubled at this high affront conceiving their relinquishing of them was influenc'd from the Town it self brought all their Guns to bear upon them Fires at the City which discharging they hurt and slew several of the Inhabitants insomuch that Zacocia was forc'd to call a Council who there resolv'd to send him another Pilot which had also private instruction in stead of carrying them to their designed Port to betray and deliver them up to the King of Quiloa making them believe that they were Abyssine Christians who would kindly receive and furnish them with all sorts of Provisions This treachery they willingly undertook out of malice and detestation they bore to Christianity Thence weighing Anchor Gama hasted with a fair Gale to the Port of Quiloa suspecting nothing to his utter ruine which was there decreed as before mention'd when Providence being now ready to enter the Mouth of the Harbor sent a terrible Storm but indeed a friendly one which in spite of all his endeavors Tacking to get in drove him at last back into the Offin and so much to the Leeward that by his treacherous Pilots advice and they willing to save their lives steer'd his Coast to Mombaza a City or rather a Fortress being built on a Rock impregnable almost Moated round about by the Sea Here Gama having no sooner dropt his Anchors but the Inhabitants delighting in Novelty came flocking in great Companies aboard who entertain'd them with all civility whilst the Pilots not forgetting their treacherous Design inveigl'd the Inhabitants having the advantage of the Tongue first telling them that they were Christians and that they would do God and their Countrey good Service besides their own private benefit being able to over-power them to seize their Ships and sacrifice those unbelieving Dogs Thus concluding they inform'd one another going from Ship to Ship as if upon curiosity and pleasure resolving to put in action what they had thus concluded when the Decks were more fill'd with the Inhabitants This matter was the easier to perform because one of his Ships he had burnt already being not able to Man her losing so many in their last great Sickness But Gama not liking his Anchorage being too much within and too near some Rocks if he by stress of Weather should chance to drive suddenly upon better consideration gave order to weigh and to Anchor as he suppos'd in a fitter place to Ride in and to moore his Vessels A Plot against Gama discover'd and by what means Now the Saracen Pilots seeing an unexpected hurry amongst the Sailers busie to and again about their Tackle bending to Sea-wards thought their Plot discover'd and that they were carrying them clear away leapt suddenly over-board muttering they were betray'd the rest of the Natives taking the Alarm as soon follow'd them Diving under Water like a Flock of Sea-Fowl not appearing till they were out of Musquet-shot rejoycing they had so escaped But this Rout was not so sudden nor were they all so ready in making of their escape but that he took thirteen Prisoners and also carry'd away with him two of their Vessels that lay near him Gama takes two Vessels amongst which he found an expert and honest Pilot who first truly inform'd him that the City Melinde was not far distant from thence being almost under the Equinox and that their King was an affable Prince receiving all Strangers with great civility The Admiral Gama being thus encourag'd and believing the Pilots report follow'd his directions Steering streight on for Melinde where they found though a Saracen his Relation to be true The Melindian King having withdrawn himself being old from all publick Address and Business sent a handsom Present as a token of Amity and true Friendship by the young Prince his Son and soon after provided him an excellent Pilot who conducted his Fleet in twenty days safely to Calicut in the East-Indies Description of Calicut The City Calicut lies on the Coast of Malabar and though it boasts no Haven or any safe Harbor and yearly much troubl'd especially in the latter end of May with foul Weather and overgrown Seas raging with sudden and often violent Heuricanes yet by its great Commerce and Trade is a famous rich and well peopled Seat It happen'd that the Portuguese arriv'd there in the midst of this their turbulent Winter getting within two Leagues of the City and soon after there being a short intermission of Rain and Tempest the Inhabitants being able came aboard in nimble Skiffs for that purpose and Gama hoisting out his Pinnace went ashore with some chosen Men carrying another of the foremention'd condemn'd Persons along with him who being turn'd loose to seek his Fortune and distinctly habited from the rest the People flock'd about him amongst which happen'd to be
Fire Their greatest and smallest Villages being being thus built all of Wood suffer much and sometimes unvaluable Losses by Fire therefore the richer sort and those that are able build apart Stone Ware-houses where they lay up those Goods and Commodities they most prize Whatever Houses are burnt down they immediately build up again in the same manner of Wood which the Forrests plentifully supply They seldom use Stone because if over-thrown by Earthquake they become a great heap of Rubbish which they would not be troubled to remove The Noble-mens Buildings are very stately The Gentry or better sort have large and fairer Houses where the Husband and Wife have their several Apartments in which they live asunder when they please and also Rooms for his Employment and for Address and Entertainment Their Dining-Rooms are set forth with Cupboards of Plate Cups and Dishes that they shew glorious like a Goldsmith's Shop and Gilded giving a more various pleasure to the Eye than our choicest European Pictures But the Walls of these Halls and Parlors The Japan Structures after what manner in stead of Hangings are cover'd with Paper Painted with Imagery the Sheets being so curiously glew'd that no Man can discern where they are conjoyn'd Strange Shutters Some of these Halls have artificial Shutters which opening show little Closets and small Retirements but these Doors or Places to be open'd are so neatly Wrought that none can perceive but it is a firm and perfect Wall but over the half-Pace or uppermost part of the Hall stands a large Picture done to the Life under which a Pot always supply'd with sweet-smelling Flowers gather'd fresh from their own Gardens The chief Housholdstuff of the Japanners Along the Walls to sit upon in stead of Chairs and Stools they have Chests curiously Varnish'd after their Indian manner and Dishes which they esteem precious standing upon them to drink their beloved Chia in Besides all this they hang up upon their Walls their Scymiters and other Arms which they use in Battel This is the best and richest Furniture which they have belonging to the Grandees and Persons of most Quality the poorer sort garnish their meaner Habitations Japan Houses how in the out-side each according to their degree and ability But the Frontice-pieces of their Houses are but plain and ordinary yet they are uniform and in a direct Line their Streets being but narrow and short of which they reckon up eighty eight How many Streets there are in Nangesaque reckoning as many Gates being Lockt up every Night and at each a strong Guard with Lights attending where none may pass None go through the Gates in the Night unless he bring a Sign'd Warrant from the Governor without which neither Doctor to his Patient nor a Widwife to a Woman in Labor though upon Life and Death are admitted to go through Nay more if any of these Streets happen to be on Fire In the time of Fire one Street may not help another they must not expect any help from others but save themselves by their own care and diligence for neither cries nor tears nor loud complaints of those ready to be destroy'd and consum'd to Ashes prevail'd not in the least nor move their Neighbors nor Governors to open and bring them assistance in this miserable condition so that oft it happens that the whole Ward Men Women and Children are burnt together in one Funeral Pyle This sad Fate had like to have happen'd to some Hollanders lodging in one of these Streets twenty Houses all burning at once and many People destroy'd in the Flames before their Eyes who when they saw no hopes that the Gates would be open'd and they must suddenly with the rest endure the fiery trial brake by force through a back-side having a Wooden Fence so escaping that dreadful Conflagration It often chances that though their Locks and Keys keep out neighborly assistance yet they keep not in the Fire but that breaks through and many times destroys not the next Ward onely but the whole City leaving it prostrate smoaking in its own Ruines which suddenly as we said before they re-build in the same manner the adjacent Forrest being ready to furnish them with several sorts of Wood and Timber and the like Materials for that purpose Gardens about Nangesaque This City also lies surrounded with large and pleasant Gardens so delightful that the Eye seems never enough satisfi'd with viewing where all manner of Fruit are much improv'd growing very prosperously especially the Chinesie Apple transplanted thither and all sorts of Pears where they have Walks shaded with Cedar Their Cedars whose lofty Crowns seem to salute the Skie the single Bodies of which make Columns for their Temples and Main Masts for their Ships of the greatest Burthen or Sovereigns of the Sea The Inhabitants of Nangesaque their Shape and Apparel The Inhabitants are whiter than other Indians but sallow to those of Europe have strong and well-compacted Bodies and are healthy of Constitution their Noses are flat and Camosi'd their Eyes little especially the Womens Both Sexes are almost Habited alike wearing long Garments but shorter than the Chinesies the corners of which Coats they take up before with their Hands carrying the right Lappet under their left Arms and the left under the right which thus they fasten with a Girdle their Tunick thus ty'd up the left corner affords them a Pocket in their Bosom which keeps their Notes and Letters on the left-side hangs down from their Girdle a long two-handed Scymiter Sumptuous Apparel of the Japan Ladies Their prime Ladies and high-going Dames wear stately gorgeous Dresses their Hair is curiously sleeck'd and neatly turn'd up and their Gowns are much fuller and more flowing in thick and looser Folds than meaner Women the Stuff not onely rich and costly but Embroider'd all over with Gold with a large Silken Scarf about their Necks which meets athwart over their Bosoms a Needle-wrought Girdle rich with Silver and Gold doth compass and keep in their well-shap'd Bodies on their left Hand a great Fan with a long Handle Painted with several Birds and Flowers richly Gilt and Varnish'd under their upper Garment or Gown which as we said before is so richly Embroider'd they have seven or eight Silk Petticoats every one a degree longer than the other the longest trailing after them upon the Ground But all these Clothes upon them are neither burthenous nor troublesom though this be their daily Dress yet they seldom come abroad nor appear publick in their Houses but in the Evenings if fair Weather they take the Air a little with their Husbands by Day in close Sedans or else by Water in a Tilted Barge But ere we convey the Ambassadors further through Japan it seems not amiss to take a short Survey the better to give you a Description of this Large and Potent Empire A short and brief Description of Japan ¶
it into the Fire and Meal-cakes Vid Virgil Hemes What Observations made not the Augurists out of the Flight and various Voyces of Birds Others of Howling of Wolves With Birds and Barking of Dogs Swarming of Bees Voyces in the Air Numbers Lots and Dreams Of Spirits and imaginary Spectrums Of their certainty of Future Fortunes by Physiognomy and Palmistry The appearing of Blazing Comets and their Astrological Predictions by the various Configurations of the Celestial Bodies Who first found out Soothsaying and Conjuring The Greeks having all their Learning from the East say That Zoroaster was the first of the Magi that studied and brought to light Magical Conclusions whether Natural or Diabolical For such and so abstruse were some of their Practices that not being able to make out the Reason most Ages have suppos'd That many of them have been perform'd by Demons and Cacademons Evil Spirits which after was brought by Osthanes who follow'd Xerxes wonderful Army into Europe Which Juggling Art Democritus describes at large finding the Original Practices in Phenicia Apollonica Captidenes and Dardanus So that Antiquity concludes That the Assyrians Chaldeans and Persians and other Eastern Countreys under which we may reckon China and Tartary were the first Soothsayers and Magicians So that we need not wonder that Japan at this day continuing still under Idolatry nurses great store of Sorcerers and Wizards who without dispute came thither from China the Place of their first Original Netherland Ambassadors proceed in their Journey ¶ BUt the Netherland Ambassadors Frisius and Brookhurst having refresh'd themselves with a good Dinner and delighted in hearing the strange Relation of the Japan-Priests call'd Janambuxi who ascended the top of Fusinojamma they left the Village Jussiwarra and rode along a Sandy-way through Farri The Common Road being very dusty they cross'd over to a Meadow wash'd by the Sea which directed them to a great Village call'd Nomatz Thence going on they came to Missima lying at the Foot of Mount Faccone The Way that led thither was exceeding pleasant both sides being shaded with Trees Missima burnt In this City which was destroy'd by Fire but eight Months before and since rebuilt in that time the Ambassadors lodg'd one Night Ambassadors hire fresh Horses The next Morning they hir'd divers Horses to carry the Netherlanders and their Retinue over the Mountain Faccone for their other Horses were much tired and these fresh ones better us'd to Travel the craggy Paths of Faccone being kept for that purpose Thus fitted about seven a clock they ascended the Mountain and passing through several Villages not without great trouble and danger The Village Faccone of what kind about Noon they enter'd Faccone scituate near a Navigable River on a Mountain and surrounded by many others The River destitute of Fish is seventy and eighty Fathom deep and in some Places ninety and a hundred The Gate of Faccone why so strong Guarded After Dinner they rode through a Gate at the end of the Village which was Fortified by a Castle where all Persons were stopp'd that were carried in Sedans or rid on Horseback except the Japan-Nobility And on each side the Gate stands a Watch-house with four Rooms being square and open the Walls hung with Arms being Muskets Pikes and Scymiters The Soldiers fit on the Ground cross-legg'd Description of the Japan Sentme's They use a Game or Play among them not unlike our Draughts which requires great Leisure and Study In this Exercise they spend much time in their fore-mention'd Watch-houses or else they smoke Tobacco exercise their Pikes Fence with their Swords or shoot at a Mark. At one end of the Watch-house hangs a great Lanthorn with fine Painted Linnen in stead of Glass or Horn at the other end a Flag with the Emperors Arms and those of the Governor of the Castle At each end stands a Sentinel one being Arm'd with a Musket and the other with a Pike Strange manner of Notes to be bought for the Deceas'd ¶ MOreover along the River on whose Banks stands the Village Faccone are also three Temples of the Japan-Priests to which they repair from all parts of the Countrey where for a small piece of Money about the value of Three-pence they buy a Ticket which they stick upon the Stones that lie near the River by which means as they imagine the Souls of their deceas'd Friends have free egress and regress to drink of the Water of the said River THey also spend two days in August in Remembrance of Departed Souls which thus they perform Towards the Evening they light many Torches being curiously painted How the Japanners visit the Souls of the Deceas'd with Dishes of Meat and other things with which walking round about the Town or Village some out of Zeal and some as Spectators when grown dark they proceed out of the City where as they fancy and verily believe they meet with the Departed Souls Here though they see nothing they generally cry aloud saying Ah welcome welcome Where have you been this long time Where have you been Sit down and refresh your selves you must needs be weary and tired with such a Journey Which said they prepare a light Treatment of Rice Fruits and other Provisions and the meaner sort of People bring warm Water after they have been there an Hour as if they had waited on them at their Collation then making Excuses for their mean Fare they invite the Deceas'd Souls to their Houses saying We will go before and prepare your Lodgings and provide better Cheer against your coming Then two days being past they all go out of the City with Torches that so they may light the Souls of the Dead to the end they should not stumble by the way and after they have thus conducted them out every one returns home throwing Stones against and chiefly on the tops of their Houses to the end that none of the Souls may hide themselves for if they stay longer than two days they take it as an ill Omen Moreover they seem also to be very careful of them fearing that if they should stay behind and go alone they would easily lose their way to Paradise or be destroy'd by Tempestuous Weather Distance of the Japan-Paradise ¶ BEsides this their vain Folly of Entertaining the Dead they reckon Paradise exactly to be Eleven hundred thousand Leagues neither more or less distant from them which long Journey the Souls that are Aerial Bodies finish in three Years time Wherefore they set two days apart bringing them Provisions and entertaining them in their Houses that so they may be refresh'd and the better able to proceed on in their Journey Cleansing the Graves At the same time also they make clean all the Graves in which Office the Bonzis's assist them but are well paid for their Labor None though never so poor but will endeavor to get so much Money as to pay their Priest for
Father when he put off this Body No sooner came the Youth within Osacca but Morindono caus'd him secretly to be Beheaded and sent the Head to Daifusama to obtain his favor but he abhorr'd the deed and would have taken vengeance on him for it had not Morindono been secretly inform'd of his displeasure on which he reported that the Youth had first ripp'd up his own Belly for grief of his Fathers death Daifusama spared many of his enemies as also their Allies and Kindred Besides these three since Daifusama's Conquest he scarce put any to death in cool blood but went on in a milde way that thereby he might draw the minds of the people to him and settle the Empire upon his Son according to the Laws of the Countrey Tzunocamindono's Wife and Children should have suffer'd death as also many other Widows and Orphans whose Fathers and allyance were in Arms against him but he spar'd them all The courage of Acascicamon ¶ NOne more disorder'd and did more mischief to Diafusama's Army than Acasicamon and Sassuma for Acasicamon retreated not but rush'd into the midst of them and made great execution judging it better to die by the Sword of the Enemy than to lay violent hands on himself Where whilest he was hemm'd in and no hope of escape A wonderful accident in the stress of the fight he broke into a Regiment led by Cainocami who knew him by his Behavior and Arms and crying aloud said Save him The Speech of Cainocami Souldiers save him for be shall be my Prisoner upon this Command they stood all still and he going towards Acasicamon embrac'd him about the neck and shedding many Tears said My dear Friend how hard have the Fates been to me to make us Enemies that we should thus in a lamentable dissention which shakes the very Foundations of the Empire Fight one against another because you led the Parliament Forces and I the Kings you have gain'd honor enough though you are defeated by making your way thus through the Conquering Army Which said Acasicami so soon as he was able to speak reply'd thus If you are my true Friend as I believe now or never shew it and presently dispatch me with that Sword with which you would spare my Life But Cainocami on the contrary set him upon his own Horse and assur'd him his life Daifusama distributes Kingdoms and rewards to those that fought for him ¶ FUrthermore Daifusama thought it convenient to distribute his Bounty and Rewards on those that had fought for him against the Council giving some great Kingdoms for lesser ones others had larger or smaller Territories so that all Japan was in confusion Some remov'd from their Houses Cities and Towns with their new King and Government the Inhabitants going from their antient Habitations to other Countreys appointed by Daifusama Nangoioca receiv'd for the small Fort of Tango the Kingdom of Bungo Facuscimadono the Castle Firoscima and the Countries thereunto belonging To some Christians of Noble Extract Daifusama gave several Livings in the Kingdom of Mimaraca because they had bore Arms and fought valiantly for him He releas'd also the five Jesuits without Ransom which were put in Prison by Canzviedono when the Castle of Uto was rendred up giving them free Conduct to Nangesaque To Cainocamio the Son of Quamboiendono he bestow'd the Kingdom of Cicugen Lives in quiet Since that time Daifusama had rest and quiet and rul'd Japan with Imperial Command as Guardian of Fideri He remov'd the Court from Fissima to Surunga and chang'd his Name of Daifusama He chang'd the name of it again into Goyssio Samma Anno sixteen hundred and eleven he was visited by several Ambassadors from Europe and other places The Portuguese and Castilians behav'd themselves so ill that Goyssio Samma seem'd to be much displeas'd thereat Spex and Segerssoon were very acceptable to Daifusama Jacob Spex and Peter Segerssoon having far more free Audience from the Emperor and their Presents being kindly accepted A Copy of their Embassy written in Japan Language and left with the Chancellor Cosequidonne so that they might have a quicker dispatch at their return from Jedo being instructed that it would be fitting to Complement the Emperors Son there which the Castilian Ambassadors had done before them but committed a great error therein by visiting the same before their Father Their journey to Jedo On the eighteenth of August in the foremention'd year they made their Journey thither Cosequidonne prepar'd all things necessary for them in that Expedition But the Netherland Ambassadors going by day-break out of Suringa came by noon to the Village Jesare where they lay that night in which happen'd such a dreadful Tempest of Thunder Lightning and Showres of Rain as if the world had been at an end which constrain'd them to stay till the next day About thirty years after the Ambassadors Frisius and Brookhurst lodg'd there as their Landlord told them In the morning they departed from thence in foul Weather and came to Missina and thence through Fovisauwa and Toska into Jedo â—eir strange adventure â—do Here by means of one William Adams they made their coming known to Sadadonne President in the Council of the Emperors Son and excus'd themselves that for two years when they had visited the Emperor at Suringa they had neglected to pay their respects to the young Emperor which was The Emperors Son is desirous to see the Netherlanders partly because they knew not the way and partly for their speedy return upon which the safety of the Netherlanders Ships depend At which Sadadonne seeming to be satisfi'd said That the Emperors Son had Information that there were Ships come out of remote Countries into the Haven of Firando two years since and he desir'd to see those People whose Warlike Deeds and rational Managements of Affairs were known all over India therefore they need not any way doubt but they should be welcome Besides that they might loose no time he prepar'd all things to get them Audience before the Emperors Son Moreover proffer'd to do them all the kindness the Hollanders themselves would require The next day the Ambassadors repair'd to the House of Sadadonne and presented him with five Ells of Crimson Cloth two Pieces of Black Lute-String one Piece of Black Damask five Pieces of White Sattins three Glass Flasks one Carbine and a Powder-Horn These Presents were thankfully accepted though with intimation that it was against their Custom but being the first time that he had seen the Netherlander Rarities brought so unmeasurable a distance thither not without great labor and charge they should be accepted Further he acquainted them That last night he had made known their coming to the Emperors Son who seem'd to be well-pleas'd thereat The discourse between Spex and Sadadonne This their Discourse together continu'd above half an hour Sadadonne enquiring of them concerning the State and the
by them call'd Heliogabalus that is God of the Mountain an exceeding great Temple Macrobius relates That the Assyrians ascrib'd to the Sun call'd Adad the chief Command over all and made the Goddess Adargatis his Vice-Roy Adad's Image shot its Beams downwards and Adargatis upwards By the first they gave to understand That the Power of Heaven consisted in those Sun-beams that reflected on the Earth and by the second That all things were drawn up from the Earth The Arabians offer'd to the Sun daily on Altars made on the Roofs of their Houses Frankincense and Myrrh The same and no other was the Idol Chamis and Baal-Peor of the Moabites and Midianites Hieronymus saith In Esai 15.2 That in the City Nabo was the Consecrated Idol Chemosh which was also call'd by a second denomination Baal-Peor The City Baisampsa near the Red-Sea was exceeding famous amongst the Arabians it being consecrated to the Sun Sampsa in the Arabian Tongue as Stephanus witnesses signifies The Sun So that Baisampsa is as much as to say The House of the Sun Why three peculiar Feasts to the Sun The Persians held the Sun for their Chief and Supreme Deity to whose Honor they kept three Feasts yearly because they observ'd in him Prudence Benignity and Omnipotence and also to express the three Operations of the Sun by Heat Splendor and distinguishing of the Times or lastly for its altering the Days as in Harvest and Summer long and short in Winter The Armenians Massagetes and Persians offer'd to the Sun a White Horse Ovid. l. 1. East To Mithra for so the Persians call the Sun that precious Gem call'd Mithridax is consecrated because according to Pliny and Isidore the Sun-beams shining upon it give it various and still changeable Colours The Egyptians worshipp'd the Sun under the Name of Osiris Heliopolis or The City of the Sun was most famous amongst them wherein the Ox Mnevis was dedicated to that Deity Saturn l. 1. c. 21. But this Statue of the Sun was in the time of the Egyptian King Senemuris carried from thence to Assyria Apias an Agent to the Assyrian Standard-bearer Delebores brought it thither which Macrobius describes thus It is says he of massy Gold without a Beard in the right Hand it holds a Whip after the manner of a Rustick the left Hand holds a Sickle and an Ear of Corn. Strange Sacrifice to the Sun The Moors also took the Sun for the chiefest God calling him Assabin and offer'd him Sacrifice in the following manner Their Priests onely had the Liberty to gather Cinnamon with a Proviso That they should first kill to the Honor of Assabin forty four Oxen and as many Goats and Rams neither should they seek to gather the Cinnamon but either before or after Sun-set The Cinnamon-sticks brought together were divided by the Priests in Holy Ground That part which remain'd for the Merchants was by them carried away as soon as paid for Then the Priests took every one their part but if any was imbezilled in the sharing it was instantly known for if justly divided the Sun-beams fir'd the Fragments and broken Pieces that were neglected and left scatter'd behind otherwise not as Theophrastus Pliny Heophr Hist Ph. l. 9. c 5 Plin. l. 12. c. 19. Solin c. 31. and Solinus aver The Suns Feast The ancient Greek Writer Proclus describes a Solemn Feast amongst them in honor of the Sun which thus they perform They hang upon a great Pole store of Laurel and all manner of Flowers in the first Quarter of the Moon then they plac'd on the top of the Staff a great Copper Ball from which hung many lesser the middle of the Pole adorn'd with three hundred sixty five Garlands the bottom cover'd with a Womans Vestment died yellow The uppermost Ball signified the Sun the lesser the Stars and the number of Garlands the Days of the Year There are scarce any People that have not been guilty or at least made themselves so of that Idolatry of Worshipping the Sun For the far-distant Massagetes worshipp'd the Sun Herod lib. 1. as Herodotus relates The Germans also were ravish'd with the Worship of this Celestial Luminary before they embrac'd the Christian Religion Geothic Rer. lib. 3. cap. 2. Moreover Olaus Magnus relates That the People in the most Northern Parts of the World pray'd to the Sun when after a six Months Night it appears above their Horizon and brings Light and Comfort And what is more common among the Western Indians than the Worship of the Sun For which cause they mock'd at the Spaniards when they told them of a Savior telling them That they had a better God which appear'd every Morning in Glory Josephus Acosta relates peculiarly concerning the Peruvians Hist. Mor. Var. Jud. That they mention'd Viracocha for their Prime Deity and next him the Sun and for the third Ictillapa signifying Thunder a Man arm'd with Stones and a Sling All three of them are worshipp'd after one manner viz. with Hands lifted aloft making a noise like the Smacks of Rusticks and then praying for what ever they want In Lusco they offer'd living Children to the Sun Eastern-Indians have a long time us'd to worship the Sun Amongst the East-Indians the Sun was Religiously worshipp'd long before the Birth of our Savior Ctesias relates of them That they travel yearly fifteen days to an appointed Place to keep a Feast in honor of the Sun praying That it would please him to grant them thirty five days cool Weather that they may not be scorch'd whilst they are coming worshipping and returning home Benjamin Tudelensis the Jew relates also of the Inhabitants of Haaulam if the Learn'd Vossius takes not Haaulam to be Zeilan or rather Sumatra After seven days Travel I came to Haaulam which is the beginning of the Kingdom where they worship the Sun in stead of God A People deriv'd from the Astronomer Chus The Sun is worshipp'd by them on several great Altars built in all Places about two Miles distant from the City They commonly run to meet the Sun early in the Morning to which stand dedicated several Images on all their Altars seeming by Necromantick Art to dart Beams which when the Sun rises seem to crackle at which time both Men and Women offer their Sacrifices Furthermore it is requisite for us to know how the Japanners and besides them many other ancient and late Heathens amongst their other Deities worship the Sun Arist de Coelo lib. 1. cap. 3. The general Opinion of all Men as Aristotle Simplicius Themistius and others witness is to place the Omnipotent Godhead in the uppermost Region that surrounds the Earth Why the Japanners worship the Sun for which cause those that pray lift up their Hands to Heaven And since the Heavens represent nothing more glorious than the Sun that is held for the onely and chief Deity whether it be for its Beauty and Splendor or its Bigness being
great Trade and keep all their accounts in those Characters yet their Neighbors the Peruvians knew not the Art of Writing and understood neither Characters nor any other Strokes resembling Letters but us'd divers colour'd Strings with Bedes which serv'd them as well as Books These Strings they call'd Quipos and those authoriz'd to keep the Quipo's Quipo Camayo whose service is like the Book-Keepers or Clerks in Europe for these Quipo Caymayo's must give an account of all things as concerning Marriages Obligations Accounts and Contracts and what else happens between Man and Man in Demanding or Suing for Debts they deliver their Quipo's to a Judge which makes a testimony as if a Debt-Book should be brought before a Magistrate in Europe It is no less to be admir'd that the Peruvians without being able to Write exceed all Arithmeticians in expert certainty their Cyphering they perform with little Beads laying here three yonder eight then raking one away lay it upon another and so exchanging two or three after the same manner by which they know exactly how to bring the most difficultest account to a right adjusting ¶ BUt to return again to our Holland Prisoners who when the Lord that had read their Questions and writ down their Answers was gone they ask'd the Netherland Interpreters In what Degree of Latitude and Longitude the Territory of Matsymay lay before which the said foremention'd Ship was seen but they told them they knew not The Hollanders were not a little suspicious of this answer and the more because they understood of some of the House-Servants upon promise to be silent that some of the Men of the forenam'd Vessel were taken and brought up Prisoners The next day the Hollanders came again into the fair Chamber of their Landlords and there found besides the four Interpreters the same Lord that the day before had read their Questions to them out of a Paper and understood that he was call'd Bongyo next to whom sate three other Japan Nobles which they had not seen before of which one look'd very stemly upon the Hollanders being a Man as they judg'd about two and forty years old tall and with a great and flat Face of an Oleaster Complexion and an indented Nose who the day before had been in the foremention'd Ship and was come there to see if any of the ten Prisoners were like unto those which he had seen New Examination by the foresaid Noblemen And Bongyo ask'd the same Questions he had done before putting one before the other by that means if he could to Trappan the Hollanders in a lie And lastly added these new Questions to the former Of what Stature and Age are the Commanders Pilot and Merchant in the Ship Castrecom How many Seamen in the Ship Breskens wear short Hair How many Men did Castrecom and Breskens carry when they Weigh'd Anchor from Batavia Schaep answer'd these Questions thus The Head-Commander is scarce one and forty is a handsome tall Man with brown Hair and a neat Beard The Pilot about twenty six years old of a middle Stature The Merchant three years younger than the Pilot hath no Beard as for those that wear short Hair we cannot give any certain account but as we guess there were between fifteen and twenty in the Ketch Breskens Moreover Castrecom and Breskens carry'd sixty Men apiece when they set Sail from Batavia These Answers being again written down by Bongyo he role up to be gone onely stay'd a little while discoursing with the other three Nobles who look'd very sternly upon the Hollanders to their no small amazement wherefore after Bongyo's departure with the other Nobles they enquir'd of Tosaymon and Manykebe if they knew not in what degree the foresaid Ship was seen and where the People were taken Prisoners And also if no new trouble by their being taken might happen to them Tosaymon answer'd That the Ship Sail'd with a small Gale along the Northern Shore of Japan Southerly The Boat which it Tow'd had Mast and Bolt-Sprit and carry'd four Stone-Guns and a small Boat was ty'd fast to her side And said Tosaymon How can any new trouble arise from hence It must needs be for your delivery when the Prisoners taken out of Castrecom witness that you were sent to Tartary for their Relation concerning the same if they agree with yours will affirm it to be truth Why the four Jesuits are set at liberty by the Japan Emperor After that the Hollanders understood from Phatsyosaymon and their Landlords Sons that the Emperor kept the four Jesuits in Prison till Elseraks coming thither two of these four were Italians the third a Castilian and the fourth a Portugal that by him they might be carry'd over to Batavia So escaping with their Lives from a terrible Death because they stagger'd in their Religion and discover'd a Secret at which the Japan Emperor seem'd to be highly concern'd the Plot was that let it cost what it would Money or Blood the Jesuits would a new undertake their ancient Design in Japan It was absolutely concluded yearly to send Roman Priests to Japan from the Manilla's and in short time two Native Japanners should be sent thither and be receiv'd in the Jesuits Orders by which means they promis'd great matters to themselves because they not onely understood the Japan Tongue exceeding well but were of the same Nature and Disposition of their Countrey-men and therefore might be more private from the common Persecution being less suspected than Out-landish Priests By this means they thought for time to come to play their Game and the more because the Christians in all places as if they arose out of the Ashes of the Martyrs began to Live afresh So that the Emperor was puzzel'd seeing no small danger to threaten his Crown wherefore he contrary to all those that had been his Predecessors was at the Examination of Christian Prisoners or Portugal Priests himself out of meer fear of an Insurrection ¶ THe five and twentieth of October the Gentleman Isycauwa Isajamondonne brought word That Elserak on the ninth of that instant was come to Osacca and was to appear in five days at the Emperors Court being commanded by the Emperor to come with all speed to Jedo without staying to bring the usual Presents with him but let them alone to come after Isycauwa told them also for certain that they should once more be examin'd concerning their Voyage and then be set at liberty The Hollanders remove their Lodgings and why The next day Kytsbyoye and Phatsyosamon told them by Manykebe That the Hollanders were to remove from their Lodgings to go to a House of their Landlord's Son because that place was order'd for Elserak to lodge in by the Lords Sicungodonne and Sabrosaymondonne because the Emperor and Councel had commanded that Elserak should first be examin'd alone concerning the Voyage to Tartary that so they might discern if what he said agreed with what Schaep and Byleveld had so
Veins wherefore it is call'd Ambergreece that which is Black yields not the Price of the Grey the best is known when Try'd by putting a small Stick into it upon which it yields much Oyl The Indian Nobility use abundance of Amber in their Meats to provoke Letchery Paludanus ascribes to Amber that with its pleasant Smell it strengthens the Heart and Brain takes off Watery Humors from the Stomach cures Falling-Sickness and Risings of the Lights and is generally good for all Ancient and Decrepit People Why the Japanners make but little Camphire They were also inform'd on the Island Disma concerning Camphire that the Workmen of Satsuma had given over preparing of it because of the small profit they reap'd by it wherefore most of them were gone to dig in the Silver Mines The Chinese Camphire which is made in Cincheu as also the Japan in Satsuma differ much from that which Borneo produces for one Pound of Bornean would yield sixty times as much more by one that hath skill in Camphire as the Japan or Chinese Camphire grows on Trees not unlike Nut-Trees How it is made being a Gum which Swetting drops from the main Body of the Tree The drops are white and distinguish'd in four sorts The Indians use also several Sieves so to have every sort by it self thorow the finest falls the worst and thorow the greatest and coursest the best the filthiness and Dross they take from it with hot Water Sope and Lemon Juyce which dry'd in a Pan becomes whiter than before The East-India Company were to exped no more Camphire from Satsuma because there they had given over preparing it fit for use The making of Wax But in making of Wax'd Merchandize the Japanners proceeded as formerly wherein the Art of the Workmen is to be admir'd but much more the Pismires which make the Wax The Workmen beat the Wax to Powder and melt it then mix with the melted Wax all manner of Colours according as they think best and then pour it upon long round Pieces which Pieces they stick on Wood made hot about a Nail thick then Polish it over with Straw or dry Broom After which manner they make their Chests Tables Boxes and other things which Japan and China furnish Europe with in a plentiful manner Concerning the Original of Wax the Antient Philosophers contest amongst themselves and chiefly the Arabians some think as Rasis and Serapio That Wax falls from Heaven in Arabia on a Sorben Tree Garcias ab Orta That upon the Piguan Sticks lying in the Mud which the Rivers flowing over the Countrey and after returning to their own Limits left behind grow great Pismires which produce abundance of Wax About the Pismires Garcias relates the truth but the other Relation is but fancy the Hollanders which have and do Inspect India sufficiently find the business thus In Pegu a Province which lies between Aracan Cambodia Ara and China grows a great Tree full of round Leaves green above and white below of a sharp Taste the Blossoms without scent Of what Beasts and how strangely Wax is made and the Fruit call'd Jujubes This Tree in the Summer time swarms with great Wing'd Pismires which constantly suck upon the Gum of the foresaid Tree by the Indians call'd Ber and as the Bees do the Honey they make the Wax round about the Boughs when the Branches are fill'd therewith shining of a Red colour then they are cut off and laid a drying the less Wood there is within the Wax the better it is which being peel'd from the Sticks detains some of the Shell or Bark thereof the Branches are like Hasel but have a thicker Peth and represent deep and Scollop'd Scars under the Shell the Wax is generally mix'd with the Wings of the foresaid Pismires De Stadt SACCAI The Citty SACCAI Wagenaer's troublesome Voyage Wagenaer toss'd by contrary Winds and great Showers of Hail found a no less dangerous than long and tedious Passage by Water being sometimes necessicated to Ride several days one after another at Anchor his Barque seeming more like a Prison than a Ship because none could stand upright in it but must either lie or sit so that most of the People by that means grew very Lowsie The Cold Weather also did them no great good whilst their Provisions grew very scant Thus having been toss'd forty four days at Sea he drop'd Anchor the seventeenth of March before Osacca Description of the stately Japan City Saccai ¶ HE Sail'd close by Saccai which made a fine Prospect into the Sea This City lying in the Kingdom of Quio five Leagues below Osacca is one of the stateliest Cities in all Japan The Inhabitants exceeding most of the Japan Nobility few but raise their Generations either to Kings or Princes In the Civil War which sufficiently harras'd Japan since the Deposing of the Dayro Saccai stood in fear of none when other Cities and Fortresses in great numbers were utterly ruin'd no Conqueror whatsoever durst meddle with Saccai On the West the City lies towards the Sea and is for the most part Surrounded with a Moat full of Water except where it rises up against the Mountain where it is secured against any Enemies Invasion whatsoever not onely by an exceeding high Wall rais'd from the Ground with Free-Stone but also Fortifi'd with an invincible Castle built on the highest top of the Mountain The City of Saccai this Castle reckons fifteen Bulwarks to which is no passing but by a narrow and dangerous Path. This keeps the whole City in awe and defends the Wall which is built against the Mountain Another Castle On one side of this Castle stands another in the hanging of the Mountain yet is equal in height for being built of Free-Stone it rises up fifty Foot On the other side near the upper Castle stands the Royal Palace inhabited by the King of Quio in which Province Saccai is built The King's Palace The Palace appears with two high Towers above the City the biggest is nine Stories high whereof one is lesser than the other so that at last it ends in a Pinacle Island Pyenes In the Sea before the Haven lies the Island Pyenes which hath round about a Level Shore generally crowded with People because those that offer themselves to Canon come thither not without great attendance of Servants and Friends The Bonzies of the seventh Sect walk before the Multitude Tabering on great Copper Kettles conducting the Consecrated to Canon to a Japan Sioen that is a Barque but built after another manner made fast to the Shore Japan Sioen The Sioen hath three Masts and as many Sails from the Masts and Yards blow long Vains and Silk Pennons Moreover the Sioen is Wax'd all over and adorn'd with Golden Imagery How the Japanners drown themselves The Consecrated leaping and Dancing at the noise of the Basons at last enter the Vessel which putting off from the Shore hangs great
Tower but also all the Presents amounting to several Tun of Gold which the King's Daughter had receiv'd from the Mandarins This Image representing the Deceased was placed in the chiefest Temple to be worshipp'd and such a kind of Image stands in the great Temple in Saccai Wagenaer's farther Journey to Jedo ¶ WAgenaer having Sail'd past Saccai came on the seventeenth of March to Osacca where he found Provision exceeding dear and scarce occasion'd by a great Storm which had spoil'd all the Corn about the Courttrey so that the Carriage of Goods on Pack-horses amounted to much more than at other times Wagenaer presented the Governor Faitosamona and Tambesamma who furnish'd him with thirty Men to carry the two Bengael Oxen and their Carrs Whilst Wagenaer spent five days in Osacca preparing all things necessary for his Journey by Land news came from Meaco that forty Streets were burnt down in that City and not a few of the Inhabitants destroy'd by the Flame Description of the City Jonda From Osacca Wagenaer took his Journey through Firaskatta to Jonda which is a small Town lying in the Territory Jamaisiro at the River which runs through Osacca and lies eight Leagues distant from thence There is scarce any Place in Japan that for pleasantness surpasseth Jonda for if you look for curious Buildings here are stately Turrets large Churches and very neat Houses the Windows are clos'd with bright glittering Shutters their Chambers are bigger or less according to their several Partitions the Walls painted with all manner of Imagery on gilded Paper and edg'd above below and on all sides with black wax'd Ledges the Doors of the standing Partitions are also adorned like the Walls at the upper end of the Chamber hangs generally a Picture before which stands a Flower-pot which kind of Furniture is us'd in all Japan Near Jonda lies an Imperial Castle surrounded with a Stone Wall raised out of deep Moat within it a stately Palace whose Turret may be seen at a great distance The Countrey about it is Woody on one side and abounds with Deer and wild Boars on the other side appear pleasant Meadows which produce store of Rice and all manner of Plants No Place affords more Swans Geese Ducks Pheasants Pigeons Partridges Woodcocks Quails and all manner of Fowls than this The River yields Breams Place and exceeding good Salmon all which Fish come up the River out of the Sea but those that are taken at Jonda are much better than those which are taken at Osacca It is to be admir'd that their Salmon here though the Heart be cut out will live several hours afterwards and that the Heart cut out dies not till a night and a day after But though this Salmon be acceptable and of a pleasing taste yet the Head thereof is very unwholsom for those that eat much of it are subject to get a Fever Wagenaer arrives at Jedo Wagenaer got on the one and twentieth of March towards the Evening to Meaco and presented there the Grand Judge Mackino Sandosamma from whom he got a free Pass to Jedo where hearriv'd in safety thirteen days after he left Meaco the foul and rainy Weather making the Journey longer than at other times so that the usual time on which the Emperor us'd to give Audience being past the Ambassador was forc'd to stay a considerable time before he could be admitted to the Emperor's Presence Mean while he understood that Sicungodonne had the year before because of his great age given over following all publick Employments and that the Emperor had given his Place to a prime Courtier call'd Hootye Auwanno Cammisamma Yet nevertheless Wagenaer sent an Inventory of all the Presents to Sicungodonne that he might order the dividing of them but the Interpreters went not to Sicungodonne but to Joffiesamma Governor of Nangesaque who Read the Inventory over several times and approv'd at last of the dividing of them onely he would have the Ambassador to add two Pieces of black Cloth to the Emperor's Presents and since Joffiesamma would have it so Wagenaer was forc'd to let the two Pieces of black Cloth go Moreover he judg'd it unhandsom to leave out Sicungodonne notwithstanding he was retir'd from Courtly Employments considering he had been so great a help to the Hollanders on all occasions heretofore Whereupon Wagenaer commanded the Interpreters a second time to give the fore-mention'd Inventory to Sicungodonne but he sent it back without Reading of it and modestly excus'd himself that hence-forward he could not serve them in their Business yet he was satisfi'd that they still acknowledg'd him Sicungodonne's new Successor Hootye Auwanno would not concern himself with the Hollanders this first time therefore they were forc'd to Govern themselves according to Joffiesamma's humors who was a stern and churlish Person Wagenaer found no small trouble about the securing of his Presents for the Inn wherein he Lodg'd being nothing else but a Hut cover'd with Straw having not been re-built since the Fire and indeed all the Houses in Jedo were made after such a manner that it seem'd rather a large Village than a City The Store-house behind the Hollanders Inn lay still buried in Rubbish But Joffiesamma proffer'd Wagenaer his Goddon and a Chamber in the Palace to divide the Presents in when they should be given to the Emperor and although Wagenaer consider'd the removing yet he durst not deny the Proffer but Packing up their Goods sent them thither Mean while there came Orders that the Councellors and Japan Princes were to appear before the Emperor on the eight and twentieth of the new Moon by them call'd Ninguats which time agrees with our ninth and tenth of April Joffiesamma acquainted Wagenaer with it two days before ordering him that he and his Retinue should be in handsom Apparel and come to Court on the appointed day by nine of the Clock in the Morning The day being come Wagenaer rose very early and fetching the Presents from Joffiesamma's House carry'd them to Court where he set them in publick view Appears before the Emperor But that which most troubled him were the Bengael Oxen many hundreds of the Japanners having waited all the day before to see them and indeed they made so great a Crowd that it would have been impossible for him to have gotten through them to prevent which trouble the Oxen that stood in the Hollanders Inn were cover'd with red Flannel with silk Tassels Roses gilded Bells and all manner of Ribbons Before day-break they were led to the Court by the Interpreters where Wagenaer met them at the appointed time he stay'd two hours in the Emperor 's little Palace which stands Westward from the greater in which the Emperor resided since he was burnt out of the biggest two years before What they did with them before the Emperor In the interim Joffiesamma came into the usual Waiting-Hall and taking Wagenaer by the Hand led him through a stately Gallery to the
Jonks which were robb'd the Fact was done by rude Sea-men and without the least knowledge of the Councel at Batavia wherefore the Criminals should be severely punish'd for an example to others Emperors Presents This Answer pleasing the Council exceeding well they caus'd thirty of the Emperors richest Coats to be brought on three long Boards Auwanno said Your Presents O Holland Ambassador are most acceptable to the Emperor wherefore he hath given you these in return and also gives you free leave to go to Nangesaque Which said Wagenaer was by Joffiesamma conducted to the Guard-Hall where he wish'd him much joy of his quick Dispatch and the Emperors Favor and also proffer'd to do him all the Service he could if he requir'd any thing to his Journey Hollanders Presents are not accepted and why Moreover the Kings of Ouwarri Cunocuni and Mito the Emperor's Uncle and also the Councellor Minosamma ask'd for some Strings of Blood-Coral and six Cast of Loopen the form of which was drawn on a piece of Paper and given to Wagenaer Minosamma requir'd also a Perspective-Glass which being accordingly sent was return'd again the same being as he pretended too dark but indeed the fault was in the bad Informations of his Servants who knew not how to use it And just so it was with the costly Book of Plants of Rembert Dodoneus for although the Flowers Trees and Herbs were extraordinary handsom to the Life yet Minosamma sent it back again because he look'd upon the Prints to be too small and not well drawn so desiring a bigger Book and one that was handsomer painted And as little was the Globe esteem'd which with all the Art imaginable was made for the Emperor of Japan in Amsterdam because they knew not the meaning thereof yet some of them could find the chiefest Kingdoms in Europe upon it and pointing to them with their Fingers name them But as for the representation of the Planets they have many strange thoughts for most of them think that certainly such Men and Beasts do invisibly stick to the Clouds others that they inhabit the Heavens Wagenaer's Journey from Jedo to Nangesaque ¶ THirty days Wagenaer spent at Jedo and going out of this Imperial City on the fourth of May he came in fourteen days time safe to Osacca out of whose Haven he set sail the twentieth of the same Month the Wind and Weather favoring him and got to Simonificci where he dropp'd Anchor eight days after he left Osacca The Interpreter and Bonjoises forbad their Pilot to sail into the Straights between Bungo and the Main Coast of Japan towards the Corean Sea layings That the time of the Trade-Wind was gone therefore they should lye longer on the Sea and that they could not possibly get forward the Winds blowing continually against them The Hollanders might according to the Advice of the Council travel over-land to Nangesaque and so chuse a certainty for an uncertainty and they were sure to be safer on Shore than at Sea Yet Wagenaer was doubtful because new Inventions bring new Inconveniencies and Charge wherefore he thought it best to go the usual way by Water and not through Bungo which would increase their Charge that was great enough otherwise Yet it avail'd not that Wagenaer seem'd to dislike the Proposal of the Bonjoises and Interpreters but they went against his will their own way Ferrying over from Simonisicci to the City Cokero lying on Bungo in an Inlet opposite to Simonisicci and landing at Cokero whether Wagenaer would or not he was forc'd to follow them His dangerous Journey though Bungo The Journey was dangerous because of the Rivers which run between the Rocks through which they were forc'd to wade The steep Banks and doubtful Depths made it the more troublesom With these Dangers also came Inconveniences for the Island Bungo otherwise call'd Cikoko is but poorly stock'd from Cokero to Nangesaque so that scarce any thing of the meanest Provisions were to be had there Wagenaer travell'd in that manner five days leaving Jammanganomisacci and Assia on the right hand and passing through the Kingdoms of Facata and Fisen along a dirty way made so by the continual Showrs of Rain that fall there In the City Fisen he refresh'd himself where he got abundance of all manner of Provisions and chiefly was entertain'd with a dainty Fish not unlike a Salmon being taken in the River Day which washes the Castle Daymats Description of the city Fisen and the stately Castle Daymats This Castle is very beautiful to behold The Governor thereof hath a Banquetting-house built in the middle of the River on thick Pillars between which the Stream sets very swift in it are several delightful and spacious Rooms the lowermost jutting Roofs are all adorn'd with Golden Balls underneath them lye several Pleasure-Boats to shelter them from the Weather The Burrough of the Castle Daymats affords a Habitation for the Customers which receive the Custom from the Ships which pass up and down the River and the Revenues of the adjacent Countreys so that there is a continual Concourse of People in this Place not an Hour passing but one or other is carried in a Sedan to the Water-gate others ride thither on Horses some rouling of Packs and Barrels others loading them on Carts drawn by Oxen. Between this Burrough and the River Day lies a Plain very convenient for Landing or Shipping of Goods which are to pay Custom The Burrough it self hath three Gates the chiefest lies on the Shore where the Entrance begins under a Roof with two Trap-doors between two Walls that rise higher and higher to the second Gate made fast in the Wall on each side the top of it appears a little above the Bulwarks These Bulwarks have many Redoubts on some of the outmost of them are square Watch-houses two Stories high within are several fair Houses inhabited by the Customers Lordship and Castle DAâ—MATS Mid-way between the Burrough and the Castle stands a handsom Temple in which the Bonzies daily perform their Service The City Fisen lies for the most part hid in a Valley behind the Castle and appears with several high Temples and Turrets with above twenty thousand lesser Buildings ¶ WAgenaer travelling through the Province Omura left Auwo Tabra Aynoro Oysinucobi Omodakey Nantsjamma Zetta and Focunda on the right hand and came on the second of June five days after he Landed on Cokero to Nangesaque where he had News from Formosa News from Formosa That the Tartars and Coxengans were upon concluding a Peace wherefore he lay before the Nankin Coast to hasten the Confirmation of it There was also News from Tayovan concerning the Chinese Interpreter Cabessa Pingua that privately he demanded the Custom in Coxenga's Name from the Jonks which Traded to Formosa which being known he was committed to Custody and after having receiv'd some small Punishment releas'd but yet was since fled with his Wife and Children to China where
with the Island Sinoja and in the Morning had sight of Fibi when a stiff Gale out of the North drove them more to the South-ward so that soon after they came near Margan Rocks which rise very high out of the Sea on the highest of them lies a curious neat Town below which the Rock is very artificially hewn out for a convenient Haven against all Winds whatsoever Here the Ambassador drop'd Anchor and when grown somewhat calmer stood out again but could not reach beyond Fibi however at Night he got to Dasacci and although the Storm began to blow afresh yet next day he got to Ousimata from whence he Sail'd over to Wota where he lay at an Anchor all Night and in the Morning Weighing got to the Banks before Muro where he ran a ground the Barque giving a great blow and had without doubt burst asunder had not the Wind blown off from the Shore so that haling out all their Sails they at last got off and afterwards judg'd it convenient to fall down to the Island Jesima so to get into a deeper Water On Jesima as also on all the other little Islands stood a Beacon Beacons built four and twenty years before upon an occasion which the Japan Interpreter related being at the time when the Islands of Bungo and Saykok rebell'd against the Emperor and made the Water between Japan and Tonsa very dangerous by their Piracy wherefore the Islanders so soon as ever they descry'd any Ships from their Beacons gave notice thereof to the Main-Land by fireing them in the Night or making a great Smoke in the day time whereupon they immediately Guarded the Sea-Shore and sent off several Vessels well Man'd since which time they observ'd the same Custom with their Beacons either in bad Weather or when any one endeavors to make his escape that hath by some means or other incur'd the Emperors displeasure On which occasions a certain sign is given so that he who thought to save himself by flight seldom escapes notwithstanding he suddenly gets into some Haven or other for the Water between Bungo Tonsa and the Main-Coast of Japan from Simonisacci to Osacca is full of little Islands on every one of which stands a Beacon Guarded and continually Watch'd by two Men that have three Shillings a day Pleasant Scituation of Swoja The Holland Ambassador after he left Jesima Steer'd his Course Easterly and drop'd Anchor in the Haven which washes Swoja where going Ashore he found the Countrey thereabouts so exceeding pleasant that the whole Earth cannot shew a finer spot of Ground How much have the Romans cry'd up the Countrey about Capua which yields Fruit twice a year where there is a disputable difference whether the Ground be Fruitfuller that produces Corn or Vines The Greeks also spent much time in describing the famous Tempe in Thessalie But certainly both Tempe and Campania may not be compar'd to the pleasantness of Swoja which is on the South Wash'd by the Ocean that makes a convenient Harbor having against Northern Storms a high Shore against Eastern the Promontory of Saccai and against Western the mighty Island Tonsa and the high Rocks on the South-Shore break the violence of the Waves when at any time a South Wind blows the Billows against the Shore Moreover round about the City the Countrey is exceeding delightful because of the several Growths with which it is adorn'd In some places the Ground being Hilly is Crown'd with shady Trees in others the Valleys abound with all manner of Plants there are Plow'd Fields here pleasant Meadows full of Oxen and Sheep The City Swoja it self very curiously built hath many great Store-houses in which the Merchandize from all places are laid to be transported thence to Osacca Saccai Miaco and other places of Trade The Ambassador Zelderen unladed some Hart and Buck Skins here whilst the Sea-men went to see the Neighboring Town Akas because the Citizens of Swoja related a strange Story of an accident which for the most part ruin'd that Town And indeed when they came thither Ruine of the Town Akas they found above half of Akas lying desolate some Houses being faln in others sunk into the Ground yet others appear'd with some part of them lying on the Earth but the other part stood in a pretty good condition The Inhabitants whereof told them That not long since a terrible Earthquake shook the Earth two days together then the Flames broke forth betwixt the crack'd Earth as if it would have devour'd all things and lastly there arose such a Fog that choak'd many Not far from this lies a Sulphurous burning Mountain whose Subterranean Fire having consum'd the Earth at last broke forth The Emperor Toxogunsama allow'd them some of his Revenues to Re-build that part of the Town which was so harras'd Auszug des Stathalters zu miako Vyt Rydinge vande Gouverneur van MIAKO Gouernor of Miaco 's Proyres The Japan Emperor hath in all his Fortifications plac'd Overseers whose Offices are to look after the repairing of the Walls and putting in new Stones so soon as they see any one begin to decay Whilst they Rode here at Anchor the Ambassador Zelderen saw a Japanner Japanner drowns himself who having great Stones ty'd about his Neck Legs and Middle leaping into the Water drown'd himself for the honor of Canon The Vessel in which he was brought from the Shore was immediately burnt being too Holy to be us'd thereafter for any Worldly Affairs Description of the Ambassadors Reception in Meaco ¶ THe Holland Ambassador hasting on his Voyage and passing by Osacca came to an Anchor close under Miaco whereinto he was conducted in great State The foremost that came were eight hundred Horsemen on well-train'd Steeds every one Arm'd with a Bow and Quiver full of Arrows a long Pike two Swords a large Cutting-Knife a Helmet and Waxt Buskins by the Japanners call'd Taepjes Behind them came two Japan Officers Riding one by another the Emperors Standard-Bearer follow'd holding a long Staff at the end whereof Wav'd a great Flag representing on Embroyder'd Gold and Silver round O's and five pointed Stars and below the O's a half Moon a Snails Horn three Stars and the Flower Toxangpenung Then came seven Men playing on Pipes and six with Trumpets behind these follow'd five on Horseback beating on Kettle-Drums then a great square Canopy was brought by four Supporters under which Rode one who held the Emperors and the City Meaco's Arms before his Breast on the Horses Neck next follow'd several Musicians Playing on all manner of Instruments Lastly came the Governor sitting in a very costly Coach the Wheels Waxt and Gilt Great State of the Governor of Meaco went slowly about between which were two great Oval Openings and two other but much lesser the Curtains very handsome being of Flower'd Silk on the top were two Gilded Dragons who with their fore Feet hold a Coat of Arms the four Corners were adorn'd
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