end with their lives but remain'd barbarously salvage to their dead Bodies which they permitted no Burial but left exposed as a Prey for the Fowls of the Air. Thus was the Sentence pronounc'd against the Martyrs Claudius Asterius and Neon Let them be Nail'd to the Cross that their Flesh may be devour'd by the Ravens Those that were not by excess of Scourging before-hand tir'd out liv'd a long time on the Cross whereof some according to Seneca did spit on those that stood gazing on them Others Just l. 22. as Justinus witnesses of the Carthaginians concerning their General Bomilcar rail'd at those that had caus'd them to be Crucifi'd Bomilcar unhappily lay in Sicily in the Field against Agathocles from whence returning he was taken in the Market-place in Carthage and Nail'd to a Cross and from thence as from a Stage he related the treacherous dealings of his Subjects charging sometimes Hanno then Gisgo and at last Hamilcar with several Crimes of which he wish'd them to clear themselves Whilst these cruel ways of Crucifying were us'd it happen'd sometimes though very seldom that by the favor and compassion of the Princes the Crucifi'd were taken off and recover'd Josephus in sua vita Josephus relates how that going from a Village to the Roman Army he saw a great many Jews hanging on Crosses amongst which were three that had formerly been his intimate Friends and seeing them in that miserable condition he immediately went to the General Titus Vespasianus to beg of him that he would grant him leave to take them down which he permitted but of those three onely one was preserv'd alive To Rack the Crucifi'd for a quicker dispatch was perform'd on the two Murderers which suffer'd with Christ but that is not according to the Roman but the Levitical Law as you may read in Deuteronomy Deut. 21. Vers 22 23. If a man have committed a sin worthy of death and he be put to death and thou hang him on a tree his body shall not remain all night on the tree but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day for he that is hanged is accursed of God that thy land be not defiled which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance Ambrosius gives us his opinion thereof It seemed says he Ambr. in c. 3. in Rom. to be enough for a condemn'd Person that he is hang'd up and dies on the Wood for if he should hang longer his Death would suffer more shame than his Crime had deserv'd and would be a continual disgrace to his Posterity when his Death should daily be reported up and down Rack the Crucifi'd But Racking was not usual with the Romans who sought by long torturing to make their Death the more miserable so delighting their Ears with the Cries and Shreeks of the poor dying Wretches Yet the Spectators seem'd not satisfi'd by beholding onely the misery of these poor condemn'd Creatures How it is The Roman Emperors Dioclesian and Maximinus began first to Rack the Crucifi'd which they perform'd in this manner They held an Iron Anvil under their Legs and Arms whilst another with a great Mallet broke their Bones all to pieces Why the Heathens and Japanners Crucifie the Christians It is thought that the Heathens in antient times and the Japanners under Daifusama's Government chose that Death on purpose for the Christians because they believed in a Crucifi'd Christ Wherefore Daifusama also gave them charge to run them through the Sides with two long Spears because our Saviour was transpierced And whilst the Heathens sought thus to disgrace the Christians by Crucifying them they took it as a great glory dying the same Death as the Son of God had done for their Sins Concerning this kind of Punishment and the Cross it self several Authors have Written at large especially Minutius Felix Maximus Taurinensis Tertullianus and others Justin Apol. 2. I will out of all select onely two viz. Justin Martyr who says View all things in the World can they be Govern'd or any ways us'd without the Sign of the Cross The Earth is not Plough'd without it The Diggers perform not their Labor nor other Handicrafts unless they have a Cross amongst their Tools or Instruments Man differs no way in his shape from a Beast onely that he is upright and can spread his Arms into the form of a Cross Hieronymus says Hieronim in Mar. c. 11. The fashion of a Cross represents the four corners of the World The Birds when they flye in the Air take upon them the shape of a Cross A Man Swimming or Praying shews also like a Cross It is also worthy our observation what Ruffinus Ruff. l. 2.2 c. 29. Sozom. l. 3. c. 15. Sozomenus and Suidas have publish'd namely That in the time of the Emperor Theodosius the Great the Idol Temples were all pull'd down In Egypt was also destroy'd an antient Temple dedicated to the famous Serapis The Walls round about being pull'd to the Ground discover'd several Stones Engraven with strange Characters which onely the Priests of Serapis could Read many of which were made like a Cross signifying the Life which was to come Lactantius Firmianus relates Lact. l. 4. c. 13. That the Oracle of Apollo long before our Saviours Birth roar'd out this Verse of Christ's Suffering By Nails and Crucifying Pain A bitter Death he did sustain It seems no wonder that Daifusama according to the example of the Roman Heathens for the Reasons aforemention'd when he perceiv'd that the Beheading of the Christians seem'd too easie a Death he Crucifi'd them The Spanish Forces the occasion of the Japanners persecuting the Christians But among the five Occasions which made Daifusama persecute the Christians was the suspected Forces of the Spaniards who made themselves Masters of divers Places in the World as the far-spreading Coasts of Guinee and Angola in the Confines of Africa and to the West a whole new World divided into New-Spain Mexico Peru Chili and Chaca besides many brave Islands which they had Conquer'd And since Anno 1581. the Portuguese fell under the King of Spain all those vanquish'd Territories in India were likewise become their Acquests so that they could in a short time bring great Forces from Goa Malacca Macao and other Places to Sea But chiefly the Spaniards in the Philippines were most suspected as being too near the Japanners they not desiring such Potent Neighbors who but a few years before had Landed there and since endeavor'd continually to enlarge their Dominions But this business requires our farther Description Who first discover'd the Philippines ¶ AT the time when Lodowick de Velasco in the Name of Philip the Second King of Spain bore the Chief Command over Mexico he receiv'd Orders from Madrid Anno 1564. to Rig out a great Fleet and with them seek to discover some of those Islands that lay to the Southward of Japan where formerly Ferdinand Magellanus first Landed
Substitute Kings to prosecute and punish them according to the Laws so that in the Kingdom of Bungo they were burnt and in the Province Chicuin hang'd up by the Legs And here Orbedono sat in the City Facata representing the King at the entrance of one of their Temples with four Judges holding a great Book indors'd thus A Catalogue of the Names of those that deny'd Christ In which every one were to subscribe that return'd again to their former Faith and those that would not were sure to suffer intolerable punishments and death Amongst great numbers were onely Thomas and Joachim that did not apostatize from their Christianity therefore they were immediately Hang'd on a Tree by the Feet on two Boughs that the uppermost his Head touch'd the lowermost his Feet thus they hung half a Day and a whole Night the Japanners deriding them as they pass'd by looking upon them as Fools that would suffer so cruel a Death for a strange Religion but they not regarding their Discourse were soon after beheaded Cruelties us'd against them in Xiqui and Arima In the Island Xiqui the Christians were carry'd about naked Nail'd on Crosses beheaded and with many other exquisite tortures put to death But above all the Apostate King of Arima exceeded them in their tortures having amongst other things two sharp Pieces of Wood between which their Legs were put and after beat close together which occasion'd such a grievous Pain that most forsook the Roman Faith Hazart Church Hist The Reasons which stirr'd up Daifusama to this cruelty and chiefly since the Year 1613. the Jesuit Hazart saith are chiefly four The first Reason why the Japan Emperor persecuted the Christians The first was Daifusama's suspecting the Spanish Forces which spread daily more and more over India insomuch that great Islands and vast Provinces did already bow to them In the West they had subdu'd a whole new World call'd America and still not being satisfi'd with so great a Conquest was come through the unknown South-Sea and had there made himself Master of several Territories in the East the Molucca Islands the Castle Malacca and the far-spreading Philippines being all under his subjection from whence he might when he pleas'd send over his Forces to Japan not that they are so near that the Philippines may be seen from Japan as Hazart without reason sets down their nearest Promontories being at least two hundred Dutch Miles distant from each other but that Japan being already full of Foreigners which were up in Arms and also well stor'd with Christians who knew but that together in a short time they might deliver it up to a Christian Prince The second Reason The second Reason Hazart tells us was this A Ship lying at Anchor in a Japan Haven one Yamondono a Gentleman of that Countrey desirous to see the same went Aboard where he found the Master looking over the Map of the World Yamondono entreated him to instruct and inform him concerning the Territories Mountains Rivers Cities and Havens therein Nothing more amaz'd him than to see the Spaniards have Command over so great a part of Europe America and Asia and that they still held their Possession But the Master being examin'd farther told him That his Countreymen drove a Trade with all the World and that no People suffer'd any damage by them but what wrong any did them they righted by Arms with which they had subdu'd many Kingdoms Yamondano desir'd to know if they did not send their Ministers beforehand to gain the hearts of the Inhabitants by Preaching the Doctrine of Christ and to stir them up against their Heathen Governors to the end that when any Insurrection should happen they might by a conjunction with the male-content Natives enable themselves to a more easie Conquest The Master acknowledg'd that was the Design of their Priests which Yamondono laying up in his mind soon after sent word thereof to the Emperor who slept not upon so weighty a Matter but resolv'd suddenly to free himself of the Popish Clergy as his Predecessor Taicosama did Anno 1587. commanding them all in twenty days to depart from Japan Fathom the Japan Harbors This News of Yamondono was back'd by another casual Information given to Daifusama That a Spanish Pilot had fathom'd and with a Plummet sounded the depth of several Japan Harbors which was suspected to be done for no other end but that they intended to Land in some of those Places and to subdue Japan as they had done many Provinces both in the East and West The third Reason of the Persecution Hazart lays upon the English and Hollanders The third Reason of the Persecution Hazart lays the blame thereof upon the English and Hollanders who reported that the Spaniards had aim'd along time to make themselves not onely Masters of Europe but the West part of the World and to that end not many years since they had made great slaughter in Peru Mexico France Netherlands and other Places that no Age ever heard of so many and so cruel That they sent their Priests beforehand to prepare the ways and under a cloak of Religion to draw the People to their humors extorting great Riches from them and making them believe that the Pope hath an absolute and unlimited Power to dispose of all Kingdoms and Provinces according to his will and pleasure and that Subjects therefore are not ty'd to be always obedient to their Heathen Governors but might release themselves when they saw a convenient opportunity That the Jesuits crept in every where and by subtile Plots and Contrivances sought to dethrone Princes causing many Murders and Uprores where-ever they came for which cause several Christian Princes oftentimes banish'd them from their Courts and Countreys In France stood a long time an Iron Plate whereon was Engraven all the Villanies for which they were banish'd out of that Countrey The Sorbonne in France presented some years past a Writing to the Court wherein they shew'd that the World never bred more traiterous and bloody Villains than the Jesuits The Cities Antwerp Padua Bruges Tholouse Bourdeaux Prague and other Wall'd Places oftentimes for their horrid and abominable actions have thrust them forth And had not the wisdom of the Venetian Governors been deluded along time by their dissimulation of Zeal they had not so long been pester'd with them But quickly the English Scots and several other Kingdoms had rid their hands of them by banishment This Hazart being himself a Jesuit sets down as the most prevailing Reason and Motive that stirr'd up Daifusama against the Roman Christians and chiefly the Priests The fourth Reason But the last Fast Fault he lays upon the Japan Prince Portasius who being King of Arima pretended to be highly in Favor with the Emperor because his Son had married Daifusama's Niece and therefore sought no small share of the Province Figen which by Inheritance he laid claim to For the obtaining this
304. The Story in brief this Asclepiades told the Martyr Romanus That he believ'd in a Christ that was nail'd on the damn'd Cross Whereupon Romanus answer'd That he was ready to contradict such Blasphemy did not Christ forbid him to strow Pearls before Swine Mean while Asclepiades had a desire to understand of a Child Whether the Heathen Gods begotten and born according to the course of Nature famous for their Lusts Adultery and other Debaucheries were to be worshipp'd or whether that Honor belong'd to the Savior To which end Asclepiades commanded a Child before him from amongst the Multitude asking him his Opinion concerning the Gods who gave him so excellent an Answer by rendring an Account of the whole Christian Faith that he being displeas'd thereat persecuted him with all imaginable Tortures After having most miserably whipp'd the poor Child he caus'd him to be Beheaded before his Mothers eyes Unusual death of a Christian Child Psal 116. v. 15. who sung whilst the Executioner prepar'd the Ax to perform the cruel Office the words of the Psalmist Precious in the sight of the Lord is the Death of his Saints The Japan Children died with more Holiness under the Hands of their Executioners if they had understood Gods Word in the Old and New Testament than the Waldensian Youths of which the Sorbonne Doctors at Paris gave Information to Lewis the Twelfth King of France That they had lately receiv'd no better Instructions concerning Religion than they had heard from the Waldensian Youths A strange way how the Japanners harden their Children to be constant in the Christian Belief Now the Japanners harden their Children against a cruel Death not with instructing them in the Gospel but by terrifying them with unusual Cruelties which Hazart witnesseth relating That Johannes Catouneme a Nobleman in the Kingdom of Deva had a Son aged seven years whom he daily instructed to be constant I will set down Hazart's own Words concerning it A little before Catouneme was taken Prisoner he said to his Son If it were so that you saw the Executioners coming would you suffer your self to be burnt alive or deny your Faith Whereupon the Child ask'd Father what would you do To which he reply'd I would suffer my self to be burn'd Whereon the Youth again made answer So will I too Then said his Father Come hither I am resolv'd to try if you will be so constant as you say Take and hold this Coal in your hand till I command you to throw it away The Child immediately opening his Hand the Father laid a glowing Coal in the same The Youth held it fast without shewing any concern thereat notwithstanding his Hand was burnt to the Bone yet he threw it not away till his Father gave order When they ask'd him If the Fire had not hurt him he made answer Any one that is ready to burn alive as I am must not make any scruple to hold a burning Coal in their Hand for so short a time as I have done And who can find more of the Aged Japanners Ignorance of the Japan-Christians in any Observation kept by the Jesuits themselves that they either said or did more whilst they were under the Executioners Hands than to hold a Crucifix and the Picture of the Virgin Mary repeating the usual Prayer Jesus Maria. Horrible Tortures with the boyling Waters of Singok ¶ BUt besides their burning them by degrees the Japanners us'd also the Waters of Singok that is to say Hell These Waters being Sulphureous and hot flow from the Foot of an exceeding steep Mountain with such force and noise that it strikes terror and amazement to the Beholder It rushes forth between the Rocks and sends its noysom and choaking Vapors up to the Sky Hither several of the Christians were brought from Arima and their naked Bodies wash'd over with this boyling Water and when notwithstanding the Torture they refus'd to deny their own Religion and embrace the Japan Idolatry they were carried bound to the top of the Mountain and thrown down from thence into the scalding Stream A Priest is a great help o the Japan-Christians in heir Sufferings In Nangesaque the Governor Kauwaytsdo since his return from Jedo proceeded unmercifully in his Persecutions especially against the Priests Amongst others that were condemn'd to the Fire was also a Japan Priest Thomas Soyse by whom was found a Catalogue of some thousands of Christians Which liv'd very privately about Nangesaque Ombra and Arima who not long after fell into great Miseries Kauwaytsdo himself stood amaz'd to see so great a number of them as would make no end of murdering and the Multitude which he was to condemn to death exceeded his Commission which he had from the Emperor So that he thought on a new way There were already according to the Catalogue found by Soyse a great number condemn'd amongst which were two ancient Persons which in the time of the former Emperors had been Governors of Nangesaque and in great esteem at Court for their Quality Riches and Nobility These Kauwaytsdo sent with a Train of eleven of his nearest Relations and Brothers-in-law to the Imperial Court at Jedo Cruel Persecution of them The remaining Numbers he drove out into the Mountains near Nangesaque and plac'd a Guard round about them that the Banish'd might neither come into the City Villages nor any Houses to beg for Provisions Neither would he suffer them to build themselves Huts nor make any other Shelter to keep them from the Heat of the Sun Rain or other Weather so that at last most of them perish'd for want Their Houses are nail'd up In Nangesaque their Windows and Doors were nail'd up so that they and their whole Families were starv'd to death if not reliev'd by their Neighbors which though it was straightly forbidden yet some found ways to give them Sustenance through private Holes None may employ them None durst imploy any Tradesman that was of the Christian Religion nor carry any one to Sea unless he became an Apostate and believ'd in the Japan Doctrine Many seeing themselves in that necessity Many Apostatize forsook their new-gotten Religion and embrac'd the old as also divers of those which were in the Mountains whose Bodies were miserably swoln by Heat Cold Rain Wind Trouble and Hunger and continually tormented by the Cries and Lamentations of their Wives and Children forsook at last the Doctrine Preach'd to them by the Christian Priests yet some remain'd constant their very last Forty two Japan Nobles are banish'd Soon after Kauwaytsdo took five Persons of Quality with their Wives and Children who being strangely preserv'd whilst their Lord Fideri the Lawful Heir of the Japan Crown was burnt as we have before declar'd had embrac'd the Catholique Religion which being known they were Shipp'd aboard a Portuguese Galley that sail'd for Macaw with a Proviso That they should immediately depart for Goa If the Portuguese did
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
deserves to be Registred the Master John Sebastian Lano a Biscaner the Ship call'd The Victory But now returning to our intended Japan concerning whose Plantation from a few Exiles we have formerly hinted we will now inlarge Who first peopled Japan The Peopling of Japan and first Plantation thereof was from China as by their own Relations about Seven hundred Years since proceeding first from a Grand Conspiracy and Rebellion The time unknown A great Minister of State Ally'd and Interessed in a prime Family though he enjoy'd as much as his Prince having the whole Government and Disposure of all things at his pleasure whilst the Emperor follow'd Ease and Luxury thought himself unhappy and dissatisfi'd A strange accident by which Japan was peopled unless he became absolute Master This Ambition of his was for their own Promotions fermented by all his Relations and Kindred which were very many So that at last they contriv'd a Subtle and Execrable Plot yet very difficult to carry on not onely the Death and Murder of the Emperor himself but of all such of his Privy Council and others in great Authority that adher'd not to him or had on several occasions discover'd their aversness against his too much present Power and growing Popularity This their damned Contrivance though close and clandestinely carry'd and not many intrusted with the bottom of their Design yet how I know not taking Air a part of their horrid business came to light Thus being disabled to Work any longer privately in their Mine under ground whereby at one blow and in one night they might finish the whole Business they were forc'd to set a fair Face on their foul Intention by publick Vindication and wresting the sence of their Black Cause into a better Construction so first letting loose their Band-Dogs Fears and Jealousies recriminating and complaining against evil Councellors that therefore they were forc'd to stand upon their Guard and as they call'd it take up defensive Arms mean while the Imperialists being not idle for their safety aray'd themselves against this their new-raised Militia So Privy Conspiracy became a Grand Rebellion and the whole Empire ingag'd in a long Civil War many great Battels fought with various success at last the event falling on the right side the Emperor by the Victory made more absolute than ever being stir'd up with just indignation resolv'd to make them Exemplars by their sufferings to all that dare leap at the Throats of their Soveraign Princes First Setting forth a severe Proclamation prescribing all who either were Abettors or had been actually in Arms where ever Detected so that the whole Empire became a Shambles blushing with Bloud and Slaughter by putting in Execution this his severe Decree When a more moderate Party of his Majesties Council having also of their Relations amongst them that were in imminent danger ready to suffer under the Persecution humbly besought the Emperor that he would mitigate his Just Sentence with Mercy and sparing their Lives onely to Banish the Rebels his Dominions and suffer them to spend the remainder of their miserable Lives in the Desolate Isles against Corco Japanners banish'd from China which he granting they were transported thither and as we said before from a few poor and Male-contented Exiles began a small Plantation which in process of time growing up is now become a famous and formidable Empire standing in competition with that of China and since call'd Japan Inveterate malice of the Japanners against the Chinesies and their different customs from whence it proceeds Whether this Story be true or not we are not able to assert but that they were a Chinesy Colony may appear by much of their Speech and Character yet remaining amongst them and that this Tradition either true or false causes an irreconcilable Difference with inveterate Malice against the Chineses as a people that have unjustly thrown them out of their Native Countrey taking from them their Rights Lands and Possessions Thus this antient Feud continuing to this day they on all occasions fall on their Coast entring with Fire and Sword and all manner of Hostility and also they so much abhor and loath the Chinesy Customs and Fashions that rather than they would resemble them in their behavior they have taught themselves such proposterous actions that they are not onely unlike them but all the world beside Customs of the Japanners First As the Chineses and several Nations uncover their Heads or bowing in their Salutation conjoyn right Hands or imbrace they stand Starch'd like a Statue stiff without any Motion and in stead of uncovering their Heads they in a cross manner put off their Shooes and as they and we commonly rise up in Respect to any Person entering the Room they just contrary in stead of standing sit down and as the Chinesy and other Nations when they walk abroad put on an upper Garment a Cloak Coat or Mantel they Disrobe themselves and March in Querpo putting on their loose Vestments when they come in and whereas we esteem bright colour'd Hair and white Teeth they look upon Tresses as black as Jet and Ebbony Teeth both which they artificially make so as most Ornamental and the chief marks of Beauty and what all Nations agree in making the right Hand the Superior and place of most honor either walking or sitting that Preheminence they give to the left and to be clad in black amongst them signifies Triumphs and Joy which every where else are the Habits of Mourning and Sorrow onely White amongst them being the Dress of Loss and Disaster And so amongst their Women who when they walk abroad order their Hand-Maids and Daughters to go before them whereas ours follow their Mistresses and as other Women when with Child expatiate their bodies by unlacing to give more liberty to their growing Issue they on the otherside contract imprisoning the Infant in a narrower Circle Strangely different in their nature from all other people by pinching and girding closer their swelling Waste supposing else they should Miscarry with what they go withal and when not impregnated they give their bodies all scope and liberty when ours as much straiter and bind themselves up to recover if possible their former shape and slenderness They after Delivery in stead of Swathling and wrapping up the Child in warm Clothes throw it into cold Water to harden and in stead of comforting the Mother with some Cordial Broth they keep them fasting not suffering them a good while after their Delivery to receive any considerable nourishment Their manner of Diet is also opposite to ours whereas we delight in Friends and Strangers at our private Tables or at least admit Relations and Concerns to sit with us never willing to eat alone they on the contrary have each their peculiar Boards where they Dine and Sup by themselves in a churlish manner and serv'd but meanly are satisfi'd with a slender pittance A Drink in Japan call'd
from thence went directly to the Emperors Court at Meaco These as we said before were the onely Addressers employ'd in an Embassy from thence into Europe or any other part of the World Since which time the Hollanders have Traded to Japan to their great benefit especially since the Portuguese upon the account of the Jesuits Conspiracy were prohibited to Traffick any longer in that Countrey which in brief was thus The Jesuits are banish'd from Japan because of a Plot. ¶ THe Jesuits having laid a Plot to deliver up the whole Empire of Japan to the King of Portugal and having well digested the same sent him inviting Letters promising that if he would send them eight stout Vessels well Mann'd they no sooner mould be arriv'd but that several Kings and many thousands of the People their Converts should be all at once ready to Declare for him which would so much overpower the Emperors remaining Party that if he then prov'd stubborn and would not yield they should be able to force him to his subjection But this being discover'd The Portuguese age banish'd from Japan the Portuguese were presently banish'd and excluded for ever from Japan in the Year 1641 the Jesuits and principal Confederates being all put to death suffering condign punishment So the Trade lay in a manner open to the Hollanders which they being almost solely employ'd in made so great an advantage thereof that they were able every three years to send Gratulatory Embassies with several rich Presents to the Emperor The Hollanders Staple at Firando The first Staple they settled in that Countrey was upon Firando a small Isle which on the East-side Coasts with Bongo by some call'd Cikoko on the North with Taquixima on the South faceth Goto both also wash'd by the Sea the West respecting the Main Ocean The Haven of Firando better accommodateth Japan Vessels than the Hollanders which being of greater Burthen draw more Water especially the Mouth of the Haven being narrow and their Ships large is very dangerous but within they lie safe being Land-lock'd round about which breaks off all force of Winds and Waves whatsoever and though it blow to the heighth of a Heuricane yet they Ride still in smooth Water De Logie op FIRANDO The Store-house of the East-India Company there The Store-house which was first order'd there for the Company consisted of four Low Rooms and five Upper Chambers for the Reception of their Goods besides Kitchen Larder and other Offices lying close by the Haven with a Key and Stairs to the Water but being built of Wood which in short time grew dry and rotten it could not preserve their Merchandise either from Fire foul Weather or Thieves Therefore in Anno 1641. they began to build one more large of Stone which the Emperor not rellishing supposing they might convert it into a Fort of Defiance The Netherlanders remove from Firando to Nangesaque commanded them to desist and at the same time remov'd them to Nangesaque A strange Idol Near Firando at an In-let of the Sea stands an Idol being nothing but a Chest of Wood about three Foot high standing like an Altar whether many Women when they suppose that they have Conceiv'd go in Pilgrimage and offering on their Knees Rice and other Presents with many Prayers imploring That what they go withal may be a Boy saying O give us a Boy and we will bear him though a big one But before the Hollanders left Firando they sent their Merchandise in small Vessels to Nangesaque where they had then a Factory and there found in the Year 1694. a Hollander call'd Melchior Sandwoord who Sailing with the Fleet from Mabu through the Straights of Magellan losing his Company had suffer'd Shipwrack on that Coast thirty Years before Thus the Hollanders being remov'd from Firando keep their Staple ever since at Nangesaque Netherland Ambassadors sent from Nangesaque to Jedo THe Ambassadors that were dispatch'd from Batavia to the Emperor of Japan June 28. Anno 1641. receiv'd peremptory Orders to Land only at their ple Nangesaque and to go from thence to the Imperial Court at Jedo The Chief in Commission for this Imployment was his Excellency the Lord Bloccovius who had joyn'd to him as an Assistant Andreas Frisius a great Merchant All things in readiness and rich Presents prepar'd they put to Sea their Fleet consisting of three Ships and one Ketch The Governor himself and several others conducted them aboard and weighing Anchor from them falling to Leeward lay that night before Batavia Description of Batavia This City of old call'd Calappa since Jacatra and now Batavia hath its last Denomination from the Batavians which were a People driven out of their own Countrey before the Birth of our Savior by their Neighbors the Hessens The Batavians from whence extracted What Tract or Land they formerly inhabited then known by the Name of Catti settled in the Lower Countreys as Germany between the two Hornes or the Arms of the Rhine which now happens to be the United Netherlands So that in Commemoration and to keep up the Honor and Antiquity of their ancient Name and first Original they call this their New City and Head of their East-Indian Government Batavia Description of Jacatra When first Cornelius Matcleif Anchor'd at this place Anno 1607. it was call'd Jacatra being a mean Village the Houses being all built after the Javan manner from the Foundation of Straw the Town having no other Fence-work but Ranges of Wooden Pales like our Parks Power of the King of Jacatra The Royal Palace it self was a great Huddle of Deformity consisting of many Rooms one within another the whole Materials that built it being nothing but complicated Reeds Bulrushes Pleated Sedges of which Work and Contrivance they were then proud But the King about that time had a Design to Fortifie this his pitiful Metropolis with a Stone-wall His Royal Navy consisted of four Galleys in which beneath his single Bank of Oars sat his Soldiers or Life-Guard which attended his Commands upon the Decks This Prince who drove there the onely Trade in Pepper though by his Subjects restrain'd not to dispose of more than 300 Bags Yearly a Commodity of which the Hollanders knew very well the Advantage struck a League of Amity with them annexing Articles of Traffique to which they both agreed which the King being of an inconstant and covetous Nature observ'd so little that he rais'd both the Prizes and Customs whenever he pleas'd So that the Hollanders conceiving themselves neither certain in their Trade nor safe in their Persons rais'd a Fort there for their better Security of Commerce and Defence English and Netherlanders fall at variance before Jacatra HEre also at the same time the English drove an equal Trade not inferior to the Hollanders who clashing in their Commerce striving to ingross the Commodities one from the other there arose an irreconcileable Difference between
Children for they shew by their Looks and Conversation that they have a magnanimous Soul But these their good Qualifications they shew not always for they stand tax'd with as many Vices insomuch that all which we have said before may be thought rather to be a counterfeit and well acted Part as in a Play than otherwise Japan Religion is abominable ¶ THeir Religion or abominable Idolatry and Superstition by several perswasions inclines them not onely excellently well to dissemble and cover their ill nature under the Cloak of Zeal but also help'd by the inspiration of evil Spirits their gods we may suppose they take delight in cruelty bloodshed and the like of which their Preachers and Doctors are the Bonzies Bonzies Doctrine These though differing amongst themselves yet all agree concerning the Immortality of the Soul Some hold forth in publick to Congregations others of the superior Dignity inculcate their Divine Doctrine and are as Chaplains in Noble-mens Houses and the Families of Princes but these Grandees to whom they belong they little or seldom trouble with punishments for Offenders in the World to come but publick Ministers that openly Preach to the common People always belabor the Pulpit with terrors of tortures and eternal damnation in Hell Amida and Xaca are two Japan gods Besides these two Orders there are others who always make their Theme the praises of Amida and Xaca These are their Saviors on whom they build their Faith and are to them as Law and Gospel whom they must always implore not onely in calamity and trouble but also in their times of Joy and greatest Felicity That they would graciously be pleas'd by their merits to wash away their sins and offences that so their Souls may come to everlasting Bliss these and their other supreme gods they call Frotoques As also the Frotoques They have also their inferior or lesser rank which they follow onely for worldly benefits Praying for Health Wealth Children and all transitory blessings these they style Camis And Camis How they make Men gods Though their gods are numerous yet still they add and make more of their Princes for when any King famous and much honor'd for his great Exploits and valiant Atchievements deceases they also in the midst of their Funeral Solemnities Instal and Register in the Lift of their Deities paying them ever after Divine Worship as the antient Greek and Romans did so several of their eminent Hero's they having gods much resembling these such as Mars Bacchus Venus Mercury and others making them first Examples Wickedness of the Japanners after call upon them as Protectors in their hainous Debaucheries as Lust Drunkenness and the like Amongst other seeming Vertues one especial ability they have their Looks and Gestures still denote them to be the onely practisers of Piety and pure Zeal when their Bosoms swell with projects of all manner of mischief and where they bear the greatest and most inveterate malice resolving to be severely reveng'd there they Smile and Fawn and in their Speech Face and Gesture express nothing but their dear respects love and honor that they bear them This is so common amongst them that whosoever deals plain and honestly speaks as he thinks and performs what he promises becomes a mocking-stock and their onely May-game They murder one another on small occasions Revenge is so sweet to them that the first occasion of having any advantage in the very Streets where stealing close behind the Person drawing their Scymiter if the first Stroke fail the second dispatches him which done the Asassinate wipes his Sword and Sheathing it walks away unconcern'd as if a Jest or nothing done Nay sometimes having no Quarrel in a meer Frollick they will try whether the Edges of their Blades be so tender as to be bated or turn upon one anothers Heads Their cruelty on those which they Conquer But those Towns or Villages have a sad destiny which are taken in War by force of Arms for they grant no Quarter no respect of Age Sex or Degree but are all promiscuously and without mercy put to the Sword and so left weltring in one mothers Gore And in like manner any Party or Army when they are defeated in the open Field of those not one escapes either they are kill'd upon the Spot valiantly Fighting or if they flye are barbarously murder'd by the Countrey People all one to them Friend or Foe for whomsoever they find stragling they without mercy dispatch upon no other account but to strip them and enjoy what they have Filching and Stealing as we said before that they all abhor but Robbery and Bloodshed they glory in therefore all the whole Countrey groans under the Murders committed in Robberies by their Highway-men and the Sea as much molested with Pyrates Women with Child murder their Infanis ¶ THeir Women also are as strangely merciless to their own Issues murdering without any Motherly compassion their tender Infants either before their Birth or if failing soon after to which purpose the Bonzies their good Confessors teach them a Drink to cause Abortion which if by strength of Nature overcoming as soon as born they worse than brutish Tygers tread upon the Infants Neck and so dispatch it which they commonly do either hating the trouble of Nursing them up and giving Education or else counsell'd by ill advising Poverty as not being able to maintain them Poor and Needy Perish in Japan ¶ FOr Persons that are Sick Lame and Infirm or Travellers they have no publick Hospital or other private Reception but they are forc'd to take up their Lodgings under the cold Canopy of Heaven fled from and deserted of all Men so that either they must recover of themselves or else die there in a miserable manner and when dead thrown upon the Dunghil as Offal or Carrion ¶ FOr all Crimes or Offences whatsoever Punishments they use but three Punishments viz. Drubbing on the Soles of their Feet Banishment or Death their Heads being cut off by a Scymiter which they see not But in some Places the Robbers being accounted the greatest Offenders they carry and show them about in Waggons which done they Crucifie them and leave them nail'd to their Crosses in the High-ways near the City Strarge Punishment for the Robels in Japan When Persons are suspected for Treason or Plotting Rebellion the King sends a Party which surrounds the House so close that none can escape then makes them onely two Proffers either to kill themselves or yield to Mercy which if they accept they are stigmatizi'd with hot Irons so to be distinguish'd and known to have been Quondam-Traitors wheresoeuer they go but if they chuse rather to be Self-Executioners They cut up their own Bellies they rip up their own Bellies some of them with strange courage in a horrible manner open athwart so that when their Bowels hang out to be the sooner dispatch'd they lay down
Spire beyond which about a League Southward from Osacca may be seen another Tower call'd Lords-Castle where the Noble-men use to meet both for their Serious Occasions and Divertisements The Temple of the Idol Canon But in the Center or middle of the City stands the much celebrated Temple of the Idol Canon whom the Japanners believe hath the absolute Power over all sorts of Fish and Fowl that haunt the Water he being as their Neptune or Sea-commanding God A few Steps from which stands the Porters Lodge with a broad-brimm'd Roof whose Edges shoot far out before the Walls Near this lies a Path leading to the Out-wall which now lies for the most part in its own Ruins yet this Wall hath one very fair Gate resembling a Triumphal Arch through which they walk to a pleasant Plain full of shady Trees but this Pleasure is divided from them by a second Quadrangular Wall Plaister'd with white Loam every Quarter a pleasant Green belonging to it Strange Porch before Canons Temple But the Temple-Porch belonging to the first Wall that incloses the Court is built Orbicular with six Angles making a kind of Cupiloe on the top To this sad Place many wretched People resort who weary of their Lives either suffering under Poverty or Chronical Infirmities or distracted with blind Zeal in Fits of their Religious Melancholy Japanners drown themselves here expecting to be freed from all their Sorrows and to enter into present Happiness by drowning themselves in this their Soul-saving Pool of their Water-God But first they warily consult Canon himself in the Portal seeking his Advice from which as their fond Fancies dictate they either return full of Hopes or desperately throw themselves headlong in and for a quicker dispatch greedily swallow the Water As did also the ancient Germans to the Honor of the Goddess Hertha This kind of dreadful Sedecede or destroying themselves is not unlike the ancient Worship of the Teutonick Goddess Hertha which Tacitus relates thus That in an Isle lying not far out at Sea a Priest waited in a Grove consecrated to the Goddess Hertha in which stood a close Chariot which was profan'd if touch'd by any but this her Attendant His Function was to know at what time the Goddess set forth upon her Holy Voyage to visit the Seats of Joy and Everlasting Happiness to which purpose he made ready the Chariot and Harness'd the Buffles to draw her which he attended with great Zeal and Religious Diligence And what Countreys soever she pass'd through all War turn'd suddenly to Peace Nor finish'd she her Progress till the Priest had fully inform'd her of the several Impieties raging and reigning everywhere which done she driving into a Lake as weary of this World suddenly vanish'd never appearing more and all the Retinue that belong'd to her following the Chariot in like manner drown'd themselves From whence arose that kind of mad Zeal and frantick Desire of thus making themselves away by Water that so they might meet with the Pleasures of the other World In what place the Goddess Hertha was chiefly worshipp'd Philippus Cluverius in his History of Germany affirms That the Island before-mention'd by Tacitus is no other but Rugau where yet to this day near the Promontory Stubbenkamar stands a Thicket call'd De Stubenitz and in the same a Lake of Black Water so deep that it is suppos'd to be bottomless which though it abounds with Fish yet is not frequented by Fishers this proceeding out of a Reverential awe or fear of this thought to be Sacred Water Yet some less scrupulous in Points of that nature undertook lately to leave a Boat in the foremention'd Pool designing to Fish there the next day and coming in the Morning their Boat was gone which after long search they found fix'd in an Oaken Tree Whereupon one of the Fishermen cry'd aloud saying What! were all the Devils joyn'd together to cast my Boat in yonder Tree Strange Relation Upon which he heard a terrible Voyce replying All the Devils were not imploy'd but onely two I and my Brother Claes But not only this Pool belonging to the Nymph Hertha were they Diabollically perswaded to make themselves away in but many other Places in Germany where upon the like account Self-murder was committed by throwing themselves headlong into the Water raging to follow the same Goddess to the foremention'd Seats of Bliss A farther Description of Canons Temple ¶ BUt to return again to the Temple of Canon The same rises aloft with three peculiar Stories whose Roofs are six-square jetting out a great way over the Walls Every Partition hath three double Windows only between the second and lowest Story stands a Gallery supported on twenty eight great Pillars The Walls painted with all manner of Fishes adorn much the outside of the Temple The Chief Buildings in Osacca ¶ ON the right side of Canon's Temple stands the Admirals House and somewhat near this City a stately Cloyster of the Bonzies rising with two high Roofs or Stories a great distance one from the other Next this is the Habitation of the General known by its double Roofs and Gable Ends hard by which stands the Temple with two hundred Images And no less stately is the Palace belonging to the Lord-Treasurer of Japan In the same Street stands a Watch-Tower which is seen by Land six Leagues from the City and at Sea seven The Church in which the Images of the old Bonzies are kept as Holy Reliques is also very curious to behold part of it may be seen at some distance at Sea and the other part conceals it self behind the Hills How it is within Moreover Osacca like most of the other Cities in Japan hath neither Walls nor Bulwarks but is divided in the middle by a Current on both sides of which are stately Buildings made of Clay the outsides cover'd with Boards to keep the Water from soaking through within full of large Chambers In the time of the Emperor Xogunsama Anno 1614. seven Ships with Convicts went from the Haven of Osacca to Nangesaque because they would not desist from the Roman Catholique Religion At that time also the Jesuits Church in Osacca was pull'd down by Sangamido who was impower'd by the Emperor to persecute the Romanists which was perform'd with all manner of Cruelty all imaginable Tortures being us'd on them Osacca is oftentimes ruin'd in the Japan Civil-Wars But above all Osacca suffer'd much by the Civil Wars which the Japanners maintain'd one against another each striving to obtain the Imperial Crown insomuch that the City and Castle fell now into the hands of one and then of the other After the Death of the Emperor Taycosama Anno 1601. Japan was exceedingly turmoyl'd in a Civil War nine Princes joyning against Dayfusama of whom the Chief Commander was Morindono King of nine Provinces out of which he rais'd Forty thousand Men many Great Persons amongst them and had also
themselves all joyfully and lovingly together Drown themselves Why the Japanners ear no manner of death But nothing more their Religion prompts them to than a sleighting scorn of all the Terrors and Pangs of Death looking upon those that shrink at such fears as Vulgar and Ignoble Persons not fit to be convers'd withal because they all believe that Death is the certain way to Happiness which Opinion hath been anciently receiv'd in Japan and very old in many other places especially amongst the Gauls Brittains and Germanes and several other Nations That the Souls of those that fear'd not Death whether offering themselves for the publick good or the honor of their gods should immediately so dying be translated into Paradice Strange self-murder of the Goths Herodâ—s lib. 4. ¶ HErodotus says That the Goths held for the valliantest amongst the Thracians believe themselves immortal and that they never die but leaving this world they go to their God Zamolxis upon which account every fifth year by Lot they choose an Ambassador whom they send to this their God-amighty in such manner as followeth First Having well instructed him in his Message and made fit for so honorable an Embassy then they lift him up by the Arms and Legs placing under him three Arrows with the barbs upwards which done they let him drop upon the Points by which if he be so well transpierc'd that he dies suddenly then they believe that they have made a good choice but if so it happen that the sharps missing the Vitals he die a lingering death they judge him to be a vicious liver and not fit for the undertaking so presently go to a second Choice giving him the like Instructions The Grave Philosopher Seneca also hints thus concerning the Immortality of the Soul When the time comes that separates the Soul and Body leaving the Material Substance on the Earth the Spirit reascends to God the Donor Then also he makes the Soul thus a Speaker Now free from Earth I dwell in the Air or Etherial Sky This his Description of Dying and leaving this Mortal Life signifies his Opinion of a better and Immortal Residence We must remove says he for death which we fear destroys us not but gives us another and a happier Life which hereafter we shall assuredly know and rejoyce at our so blessed a change This Doctrine of a second Life though wanting the pure light of the Gospel most of the antient Heathens believ'd of which our Western and Eastern World have given notable Testimonies Strabo tells us That one Mandanis a Brachman Strabo lib. 15 Geograph being presented to Alexander the Great and he Courting him with fair Promises and rich Presents to be as his Companion and Councellor look'd upon him though he had Conquer'd the whole World as a contemptible Fellow he being fully satisfi'd from their own Principles of future Hopes Disputes of the old Brachmans concerning the â—â—â—e and after death for his Just and Meritorious Life to receive the great Rewards of Everlasting Beatitude said O Alexander I despise your Gifts neither need I any The saying of Mandanis to receive them from one that is poorer than he that is in the greatest want being hungry and still unsatisfi'd with all the Plunder and Spoil which thou hast got Neither fear I your threats since I by dying already worn out by Age shall remove to a far better and happier life than thou canst expect in the World which thou hast here unjustly gotten or in the World to come Cicero de Dâ—vinat pâ—â—o Calamus the Indian burns himself Cicero also tells of the Indian Calamus Who making a fire under a Gilded Bed covering himself over with Straw kindled the same and so by degrees felt the extremest of all tortures burning to death a brave and noble departure as he says out of this World the day of whose death Alexander the Great appointed to be kept holy and not long after he follow'd him Next he tells us of Hercules who with conjesting Trees which he had himself torn up by the roots erected his own Funeral Pyre where laying himself down and there consum'd to Ashes the greatest of Hero's they after his magnanimous departure reckon'd him among the number of Gods ¶ FUrthermore as to what was said before by the Japan Interpreter concerning the vanishing of one of the Bonzi which annually meet in the Castle on the Mountain Conay The Bouzies are often carry'd away none know whether the like happens as they say in several other meetings in which some of them vanish from thence or are snatch'd away how and by what means we know not Villela relates in his foremention'd Letter That this Romance or Hocus-Pocus of conveying bodies is generally believ'd to be real amongst the Japanners but always lookt upon as a bad Omen And in his time he says there dwelt one of the Bonzi in the City Sacci who being very rich liv'd as vicious a life and being seventy years old lying on his death-bed could not endure to hear of death but one day at high noon he was taken away on a sudden in the presence of all his friends and was never heard of after The Netherland Ambassadors leaving the Palace of the Bonzi Village Cancia they Rode towards the Village Cancia where they rested that night in the morning the Ways being frozen very hard they went on in their Journey and in a short time they reach'd the swift Current Oyengauwa River Oyengauwa which they crost very easily because it had not Rain'd there in a long time for in wet seasons the Floods are so high and the Current so strong that none can pass it but with great trouble There the Emperors Faulkoners met the Ambassadors Stepping on the opposite shore they spy'd three of their Emperors Faulkoners after their Game the Ambassadors Sedans in honor to the Emperor were set down on the ground the Horsemen alighted and the whole Train stood still till the Faulkoners were past by them Then travelling through the Villages Simanda Torisjeda and Ocambe over several steep Ascents and Declivings they enter'd Mirice Surunga a great City but ruinous and uninhabited ¶ SOmewhat farther they came to Surunga a great City but desolate because since the death of the Emperor Toxogunsama who was Crown'd Anno 1629. the Inhabitants deserted it resorting to other places for Trade The Emperor taking some distastes against his Brother forc'd him to rip up his own Belly which cruel Execution they commit in the following manner The manner of the Japanners ripping up their own bellies ¶ THe Criminals sit according to the Eastern manner in an open place before a Temple being bare from the middle upwards behind him stands one with a Cordial if he should faint and six Priests that give him Spiritual Comfort and take care of his Funeral before him sits one with the Knife that must perform the cruel Office on
that Village in his Journey to Jedo after he had presented the Emperor Goysssio Samma with several things and treated with him about permitting the Hollanders to Trade in Japan Spex's Journey from Meaco to Surungo and Jedo Ambassador Spex entring Meaco the tenth of August Anno 1611. receiv'd ten of the Emperor's Horses and a Present from the Governor Itakara Froymondonne thence Riding on seven Leagues farther he rested one Night in Cusatz the next Day Dining in Sutsifama Sutsifamme in the Evening he arriv'd at Sesquinoso travelling from thence the next Morning to Jokeitz and Ferrying over the Bay which washes Mia about Sun-set having that day suffer'd much by the extreme heat of the Sun insomuch that one of his Train died thereof by the way they entred Naromi where he order'd him to be interr'd Then Riding through Occosacca to Josinda they posted to Futsigeda and Merico and towards Evening came to Surunga Makes his arrival known in Surunga The arrival of the Netherlands Ambassadors Spex and Peter Segerszoon was immediately made known to the chief of his Imperial Majesty's Council being Cosequidonne and Ikoto Siosabrandonne with entreaties that they might be permitted so soon as possible to the Presence and Audience of the Emperor The Ambassadors receiv'd in answer That they were heartily welcom from so far a Countrey and troublesom a Way through which they had travell'd thither and without all peradventure their arrival would be very acceptable to the Emperor to which end they would prepare all things in readiness against the next Morning for their Audience Which Cosequidonne perform'd bringing the Netherlanders the next Day to the Imperial Palace but could not be admitted the Emperor being busied receiving and looking over some grand Accounts of his Vice-Roys so that they were forc'd to stay and wait his leisure What happen'd to the Portuguese Ambassador before the Emperor Where whilst they tarried they nnderstood something of the business of the Spanish Ambassador who had been newly dispatch'd from thence before their coming who had first address'd himself in Person and afterward in Writing to his Majesties chief Councellor Cosequidonne and when he was presented to the Emperor humbly he laid his Presents down before him on his Throne near his Footstool being ten Pieces of Cloth of Gold Tissue a Golden Bowl and a Watch which the Emperor receiv'd but the Ambassador his Majesty not replying a word in answer to his Addresses was commanded to withdraw notwithstanding he entred the Court with a stately Train he himself richly Habited wearing a Gold Chain about his Neck His business to the Emperor was to excuse the death of the Japanners three years before condemn'd to die at Maccau also to make a Complaint of a great Spanish Carvil burnt at Nangesaque by which some lost above ten hundred thousand Ducats laying the whole blame upon the Emperors Officers there The Emperor's Answer Soon after the Great Minister of State Cosequidonne answer'd him That the Sea-men and chiefly the Captain and his Officers refus'd to take any Cognisance or give them any answer in point of satisfaction concerning the inhumane Murder of his Imperial Majesties Subjects in Maccau which plainly evidenc'd that where they were able they minded neither Right nor Justice but did then and would hereafter when they could carry all other Transactions before them by force and violence and that the Captains surly and stubborn answers so opposite to the Laws of all Nations shewing such a sleight respect to his Imperial Majesties Demands without granting the least redress forc'd his Majesty to take satisfaction by retaliation therefore where the Sword of Justice would not reach he made up his Audits by Fire burning their Ship Errors committed by the Castilian Ambassador before the Emperor Many Errors did the Spaniard commit in this his Embassy first in visiting the young Prince at Jedo before the Emperor then entring the City Surunga with forty Musqueteers and flourishing the Spanish Colours firing his Musquets sounding Trumpets and beating of Drums at the end of every Street The like folly he committed in his Speech to the Emperor making these four Propositions First That the Castilians should have free liberty according to their manner in any or all of his Majesties Ports and Harbors Secondly To Trade in all Maritim Parts of his Empire Thirdly That the Emperor should absolutely prohibit the Hollanders from trafficking in any of his Dominions to which purpose his Royal Master the King of Spain would be ready with a strong Fleet to joyn in his Assistance utterly to drive them from his Imperial Territories Lastly That the Castilians should not by any of his Subjects be obstructed in their Trade but to have egress and regress to what Towns and Markets soever to sell their own and buy the Countrey Commodities These were the Proposals he deliver'd first by word of Mouth and afterwards in Writing waiting five days in Surunga ere he deliver'd this his Message to the Emperor and before he went away the Gifts which he had presented to the Minister of State Cosequidonne were returne'd Spex and Segerszoon are appointed to come before the Emperor But whilst the Ambassadors Spex and Segerszoon attended some hours in the Court Cosequidonne sent them word That the Emperor could not give them Audience that day he being busie about other Dispatches but to morrow he would use his utmost endeavor to bring them to a Hearing so the following part of the day the Ambassadors spent in addressing themselves to the High Treasurer Ohoto Sionsabradonne a Person lookt very much upon for his great Prudence Presents given by Spex to the Emperors Privy-Council Affability and his endearing Conversation whom they presented with whole Pieces of Scarlet fine Damask-Linnen and several other Stuffs with many curious Flasks a Carbyne and a Powder-horn which he accepted shewing great civility and kindness proffering them his assistance in what ere he could and the rather because he had lately heard as he said that a Peace was concluded betwixt the King of Spain and the United Provinces for twelve years for before the Hollanders in time of War lookt more after Spanish Prizes then full freighting of their Vessels with such Merchandise as was proper for their Countrey which now he hop'd they would do Moreover they visited also the chief Minister of State Cosequidonne to whom they presented Gifts no way inferior to the foremention'd but he modestly refusing told them That they must needs have had great trouble in bringing them so long and tedious a Voyage Spex deals under-hand with Cosequidone Enquiring of them the Concern of their business to the Emperor they reply'd first That his Imperial Majesty would be graciously pleas'd to excuse the staying away of their Ships so long from Japan and also an Answer upon the Emperor's Letter The Reasons which they alledg'd thereto seem'd of so great consequence to Cosequidonne that he undertook to deliver
and buried oftentimes whole Cities But he that Dedicated his Description of the World to Alexander the Great reckons four more The first is a double Trembling that meets and dashes Terrene Billows one against another The second a Breaking of the Ground in all parts The third onely a Rumbling under Ground The fourth shuffling the Earth in a wonderful manner which turns all things topsie-turvey How long they continue Concerning the continuance of Earthquakes sad experience hath taught us that some will last forty days together without little or any intermission according to the easiness or difficulty of the vents which keeps in longer or shorter the shut up Commotions The signs before the Earthquakes There are also several signs that are fore-runners of these miserable effects for growing near as we said before the Air is generally very calm because those Vapors that commonly disturb the Air are confin'd in the close Bowels of the Earth and if any Cloud appear it seems like a thin stroke or white Line athwart the Sky which happens commonly after Sun-set and in fair Weather But the Sea is troubled swelling very much without any apparent cause of molestation and the Water that had been fresh in standing Lakes grows Salt and Brackish Pliny H st 19. Pliny relates That Pheraecides a Grecian Philosopher after he had taken such Water out of a Pit foretold the Lacedemonians of the Destruction of their City then threatned by an approaching Earthquake Another sign is that the Reptilia or all creeping Animals that live under ground forsake their dark Recesses and frighted seek up and down for other abodes The Sun no Clouds appearing grows dark and shines pale and dim The events that follow on an Earthquake The Earthquakes themselves amaze the beholders in such manner that they often bereave men of their Senses for who would not be astonish'd and for ever after stupifi'd into folly or frenzy Stange inconveniencies in Japan occasion'd by Earthquakes to see Houses Towns Cities nay whole Kingdoms turn'd into one Sepulchre great and new Islands thrown up in an instant in the Sea Mountains remov'd and seeming routed to run several ways the sollid and firm Continent turn'd into a crue of segregated Isles and other Lands the Sea quitting them are joyn'd to the main Land Fire and Streams of burning Sulphur are vomited out of the Earth and burning Coals Ashes and heaps of Rubbish spread over Sea and Land for the space of many Miles common Roads turn'd into Rivers then the sickness and mortality that happens after falling on-those that escape from the dire infection of noysome Parbreaks belch'd from the Earth of which dreadful Calamities no Nation suffer more than the Japanners ¶ ANd that we may have a better sence of the miserable condition of those that suffer in this worst of extremities take a brief account from Eye-witnesses of two that happen'd nearer our own doors The first happen'd about 160 years ago at Bononien Horrible Earthquakes at Bononien the second in Ragusa near Illiria Philippus Bernaldus a learned Person liv'd Anno 1505. in Bononien where on the last of October about eleven a Clock at night a horrible noise awaken'd him and all the City soon after Chimneys and Walls tumbled to the ground yet in few hours it beginning to cease they were a little comforted but three days after about the same hour in the night it broke forth with such violence that the Inhabitants expected nothing but their utter ruine hideously roaring and thundering underneath and rouling like a troubled Sea above the Earth great and small Buildings falling with dreadful cracks into a heap of Ruines darkness increasing made the terror the greater Half of Prince Bontivoly's Palace fell with such force tumbling down added so to the Earthquake that it shook the whole City The Walls of St. Jaques St. Peter and St. Francis Churches were rent from the top to the bottom the Steeples and Pinnacles and other Towers coming all down headlong at one blow not one Chimney in the whole City or Suburbs left standing yet by degrees after the great violence abated every night some sudden trepidations gave them new alarms of fresh terror therefore the Inhabitants forsaking their own houses liv'd in Tents in the Corn Fields at least a moneth after most of whom fell into Burning-Feavers of which many dy'd After the second Earthquake began a third which also beginning in the night lasted forty days doing great mischief after the unvaluable damage they had suffer'd before Moreover Boroaldus relates That his friend Falcus Argelatus was struck with such a Consternation that loosing his Senses in a desperate manner cut his own throat who not performing speedily the work he frantickly ran up a pair of Stairs and threw himself headlong out of a Window and broke his own neck whereof he dy'd An Earthquake at Ragousa Not long since Ragousa was in like manner terribly shaken by an Earthquake This Trepidation began on the sixth of April 1667. in the morning between eight and nine of the Clock it being a clear and Sun-shiny day In the twinkling of an eye the whole City was shaken the Legier George Crook being sent by the States of the United Netherlands to take his Residence at Constantinople had also a house at Ragousa which tumbling down kill'd him his Wife Minister Child and two Servant-Maids Jacob Van Dam who was President for the Netherlanders at Smirna was in the same house but in a lower Room He with six others got under a Stone pair of Stairs he was no sooner out of his Lodging scarce half Cloth'd but it tumbled down with three Stories more darkness struck them with fresh terror after which when growing clear Van Dam came forth from his shelter and went to Crook's House where calling as loud as he could and hearkening if possible he could to hear any body answer him he concluded that they lay all swallow'd under the Rubbish and Ruines Neither durst he tarry long there seeing the Walls totter fearing he might suffer under the like Calamity never standing still till he got quite out of the City all the way terrifi'd with imminent danger Stones and pieces of Timber still falling in a terrible manner both before and behind him the ground trembling under him and gaping in several places about him that hundreds of swallowing Gulfs appear'd in the Streets Thus he with six more of his Company with much trouble and terror scap'd out of Rogousa losing one by sudden death in the way but when they had clear'd themselves of the Town the Countrey prov'd no less difficult and dangerous great heaps of torn up Rocks and Rubbish filling the Paths so that they being put to a stand could find no way to get farther whilst looking behind them they saw the City in several parts of fire and three Store-houses of Powder a dreadful thing when e're they catcht would utterly destroy the miserable remainder of
those yet alive Thus for a night and a day this misery lasted without any intermission whilst the people that escaped lay in the Fields without either eating or drinking and few of these that thus escaped but were either hurt or struck with sickness and had not a Venetian Ship that lay in the Harbor afforded them Bread they had perish'd with hunger which Vessel also ran as dangerous a Risk for the water forsaking the Haven left them three times on the bare Sand and that often times failing hideously gaping was ready to swallow them up then the Sea returning with such violence that it was a wonder but they had been bilged upon the Shore besides many others suffer'd that lay there living in a most sad condition under beams lighting across amongst the Piles that were hurt and maim'd languishing starv'd to death no possible help to remove the great heaps of Timber and get them out Van Dam at last got aboard of a Ship where the terror was a little mitigated a Magazine of Powder being very near expecting every minute the blowing up when two days after on the eight of April three hundred Turks and Moor-lacks on Horses and Mules descending from the Mountains after some small resistance entred the City there making havock and bloody slaughter where e're they went so clearing the way with a great booty gather'd up amongst the Ruines return'd On the sixth day the Earthquake beginning to abate a little Van Dam went towards the City to look after his Goods and several Presents which the Ambassador Crook had in custody for the Grand Seignior The City was yet in a miserable condition the Earthquake still continu'd though not so furiously as before the Fire also not quench'd and the Streets full of Theeves and Robbers the Ways and Paths cover'd with dead bodies of which some were Burn'd others lying in their own Blood which occasion'd a horrible stench Yet Van Dam found at last some Labourers whom he employ'd to dig out his Goods from under the Rubbish promising them one half for getting the other Two days they spent in prosecution of the design but nothing appearing they were quite disanimated and gave over of six thousand House-keepers remain'd scarce six hundred alive sixteen thousand being Burnt and lost by the Subterranean Fires breaking forth A farther journey in Japan ¶ BUt now to return to our business the Netherland Ambassadors stay'd a night in Odauro and after they had view'd the place where the old Castle was sunk and a new one rais'd upon the Walls of the former they went on in their Journey being the thirtieth of October crossing several Rivers and through many Villages to Hedo and from thence to Osa next they Ferry'd over the Rivers Barueuw and Sanamicauwa over which being got they went through Firaski Banio Tamra and Fovissauwa all fair Villages Description of the Temple Toranga ¶ THis way they met with nothing worthy their observation but a large Temple dedicated to one of their gods call'd Toranga On the four corners of the Roof lay four large Oxen Carv'd to the life curiously Gilded The Roof on each side jutting out above six Foot beyond the Walls the Temple it self built Quadrangular in each Square stood four Figures painted according to the manner of their Antient Hero's whose several Atchievements are by their poor People sung up and down in the Streets above which are Windows of pleited Rushes the upper part fasten'd to the Roof and the lower to the Pictures a white Plaister'd Wall being between the Temple is surrounded with a Stone-Wall like a Breast-Work Plaister'd in the inside near the Front joyns the House of one of the Bonzi whose Cupulo appears in Prospect like the Steeple of a Temple Tempel in t Koninekryck Vaccata Temple in the Kingdome VACCATA Description of the Idol Toranga ¶ VVIthin stands the Idol Toranga who had formerly been a great Hunter in Corca and commonly dwelt in the Metropolis Pingjang some Centuries before the Chinesy King Hiaovus subdu'd and brought under his subjection half the Island Corca which had never before tasted the cruelty of the Tartars nor heard of the Spoils of Sandaracha with which the Japanners and Chineses furnish their Houses Otherwise Toranga the Japanners Mars would have releas'd Corca from those troubles with which they were molested a long time Toranga finding not work enough in Corca went over to Japan at which time there was a grand Rebel that molested many of the Kings putting all to the Fire and Sword where ever he went which Toranga understanding immediately takes up Arms sending for aid from Corca then call'd Leaotung Idol Basanwow ¶ IN like manner Basanwow was also Worshipp'd formerly as a god by the Germanes Trithemius relates That Basanwow youngest Son of Diocles King of the Sicambrians following his Father in the Wars made many glorious Conquests subduing the People of Frier and Meats and slew the powerful Lord Thaboryn so making himself Master of his Countrey and in the Sixteenth year of his Raign he was so arrogantly ambitious that he design'd and affected to be honor'd as a God to which purpose he Summon'd a Parliament amongst whom taking place in his Imperial Throne richly Habited in all his Parliament Robes he on a sudden as was neatly contriv'd was drawn up and the Roof like a chang'd Scene closing again so he in all his glory vanish'd none ever knowing after what became of him so they all voted him nemo contra dicente ascended into Heaven and so from that time forward he was rank'd amongst the Tutonick Deities and honour'd as a god ¶ BUt the Ambassadors leaving this Temple of Toranga proceeded in their Journey from Fovissawa through Toska and Fundage to Cammagawa where they rested a night the next morning being very cold they Rid along the Sea shore about Noon they met with a Noble Lady being the Emperors Neece Great state of the Emperors Neece who was travelling to Meaco there to Marry with a near Relation of the Dayro Her attendance were very rich in Apparel several Persons of Honor riding on stately Horses with Gold Embroyder'd Saddles their Bridles beset with Pearls and Diamonds her other Servants ran a Foot before in very Costly Liveries her Guard also were arm'd with Bowes and Arrows and some with Pikes and Muskets The Ambassadors Frisius and Brockhurst reckon'd up by Leagues from place to place Then Riding on through the Village Cawasacca and the City Sinagawa on the last of October they entred the Imperial City Jedo having undergone a long and tedious Journey since their departure from Osacca for from Osacca to Firaskatta is five Leagues from thence to Jonday three so to Fissima three then to Meaco three from thence to Oets three from Oets to Cusatz three and a half so to Itzibe three then to Minacutz three and a half thence to Zintzamma three so to Sacca two from Sacca to Sicconosory two then to Cammiammi
upper end of the City close by the River Toncaw appears an exceeding large Watch-Tower being Four-hundred fifty eight Foot and a half high Guarded with twelve hundred Souldiers On the East side of this the Emperors Magazine a large Structure in the West rang'd in order stand several Temples of their Idol Fotoques one consecrated to Camis and another to their Evil Natur'd god which we call the Devil In the middle of the City rises a most delightful Banqueting-House in which the Emperor Chiongon Toxogunsama us'd to Recreate himself The Emperors Garden Moreover those that view the West part of Jedo will first see the Palace of the King of Bungo to which is joyn'd his Imperial Majesties Garden which is so exceeding pleasant and delightful that those famous Orchards of Semiramis being reckon'd amongst the Seven Wonders of the World are much inferior to it Nature and Art striving to out-vye one another Next to this stands the Palaces of the Lords of Chiecow and Firando His Imperial Majesties Councellors Bungono Nognicono Vonemo Ingando Cambano Rimo Cuno and Texinucano The Camies also Resides in a very sumptuous Building Somewhat farther is another fair House in which Utrandono the Emperors Groom-Porter dwells Southward from thence is the Temple of Xaca close by which stands the Custom-house near this are several large Buildings for the Emperors Generalissimo somewhat farther a Wall'd Plain where two thousand Horse may be drawn up and Mustred The Temple of Xantay to what end and by whom built Amongst other Temples is also very Beautiful that which is consecrated to the Idol Xantay having three Roofs one above another The Emperor Nobunanga after he had brought thirty Kingdoms under his Subjection and by that Victory obtain'd the Imperial Crown spar'd no Cost in the building thereof that by that means his Name might be ever after kept in memory He would also have been honor'd as a God and with more Zeal than any other of the Japan Deities but being murther'd by the Prince Aqueche Anno 1582. with his Death the Ceremony of his Service a Divine Worship was utterly ceas'd and his Temple consecrated to Xantay Temples full of Images Not far from thence you pass by the Court of the Chief Governor of the South part of the City Jedo which being built long in Front hath in the middle a Portall with a square Tower Farther into the City are two Temples of the Ickoisen almost touching one another both full of little Images Next to these are two more that belong to the Priests which they call Bulgru within these are no manner of Statues found except one representing the shape of a horrible Monster This City hath also several other fair Buildings in that part which is beyond the Mountain Tocajamma for there is a strong Garrison wherein are Quarter'd Three thousand five hundred Souldiers On one side of which is the Palace of the Mayor or Chief Governor of that part of the City to whom all the Inferior Officers are to render an account weekly of what hath happen'd in that time in their several Wards The Watch-Tower which is seen at a great distance both by Sea and Land and the Garrison with the Chief Governors Court make most ways a Triangular Prospect somewhat farther stands a Temple Dedicated to all sorts of Beasts with a very high double Roof On the North side of which appears a large Court in which four of the prime Bonzies live together having also three Temples built in a Row The Temple of Camis and Fotoques ¶ AT last appears the Temple Consecrated to the Idol Camis and Fotoques which Names are not peculiar for one or two but general for the Japanners call all their gods to whom they Pray for future Bliss in the world to come Fotoques and those from whom they expect Transitory Happiness as Health Wealth and a fair Race of Children that should enjoy what they are possess'd withal after their Deaths they call Camis The Emperors Seraglio In the List of Superior Deities many of their Princes and Emperors for their great Atchievements when living have been Registred by their Subjects and after departure Worshipp'd as their gods as the Antient Greeks and Romans heretofore But on the other side of the Imperial Garden stands the Seraglio for his Women being in thirty large Divisions which the Japanners call the Chandran nearer the Sea are more Palaces belonging to the Kings Quicougeu and Date and beyond those the King of Saxuma hath his Court much resembling Quicougeu his Palace onely the last hath a large Porch built Arch-wise high like a Steeple TEMPEL met Duysend BEELDEN ¶ BUt that which Crowns the City and appears above all the rest is the Empresses Magnificent Palace which they call Miday rising aloft with three Galleries or Stories according to their manner one surmounting the other The King of Figens Court makes also a stately show But on one side of the Empresses Palace are Houses being large built all of Stone wherein lies the Inexhaustable Emperial Treasures and heap'd-up Mountains of Gold and Silver not to be valued within the compass of Arithmetick the Riches of St. Mark and the Golden Mines of Potosi with the whole Revenues of all the European Kings cast up together would scarce Ballance the unimaginable Audits and vast Accompts thereof Phaiglerodano Cammangon the Empresses Brother being the King of Jamaystero dwells here also in a sumptuous Palace near which are three Courts belonging to his Unckles the first being the King 's of One way the second of Mito the third of Cinocuni all three Brothers to the Emperor Xogunsama surnam'd Conbosama These three Palaces stand very near one another the largest and fairest is that in which Cinocuni Resides having two Roofs one above another Xogunsama Son to the Emperor Daifusama succeeded his Father in his Throne Anno 1616. Other Palaces in Jedo Near this place also stands a fair Building belonging to two Brothers of the King Amanguci Somewhat farther is the Court of the King of Tacata and next that the Residences of the Kings of Zanuaquq Fanga and Omura About the middle of the City are five Palaces more in which reside the Princes Amacusa Beyond these the King of Arima hath a large Court The Temples of the two Emperors are also very beautiful on the North end is a Light-house of Five hundred ninety four Foot high A Light-house for ships to steer into the Harbor Some distance from hence is a fair Cloyster for Widows And near this the Palace in which the Chief Governor of the East part of the City resides Six Streets farther a Temple Dedicated to the Idol with four Heads But that which exceeds all the Buildings at this end of the City is a stately Cloyster whose height largeness and magnificence deserves no small wonder in this Colledge the second and third Son of the Emperor have their Education bred up to several Arts and Eastern
return again to this World Great Disputations one the Brachmans maintain about their Second Heaven Lela Weicontam Some affirm That the Souls remove from thence to another Elizium Others maintain the contrary The Sect Foqueux worship Xaca Moreover concerning Xaca it is well known That all the Japan Bonzies worship him but chiefly those they call Foqueux For as they are of another Sect so among themselves they are of other Opinions This Sect is so call'd from a Book written by Xaca which treats of attaining to Salvation by saying these Words Namu Mio Foren Qui Quio though no Japanners understand the true meaning thereof being Indian Words The manner how the women ourn themselves ¶ THe Funerals in India if Married People and the Husband die first are commonly double for the Women burn themselves with their Husbands because they will not live after their deceas'd Lords so perfecting the Celebrations of the Funerals Which they willingly expose themselves to in Honor of their God whom they call Rama which they perform thus When the Wife promises her departing Husband that she will die with him then she must lose no time but the same day where her Husband lies burning in the Funeral Pyre she must leap in and be consum'd with him This dreadful Ceremony is strictly observ'd by the Brachmans and Wiensjaes But the Setteraes and Soudraes go farther for there the Women also burn themselves though their Husbands die in other Countreys although it be many Years after their Deaths yet as soon as they receive the sad News they shrink not from the Fiery Trial of their Affections but by burning dispatch themselves Some of the Men also are as mad who in the Worship of their Xaca dig a large Pit without the City in which making a great Fire they desparately leap thereinto where they are in short time consum'd to Ashes whilst the Woman sits on a Stool dress'd up and richly clad before the Door of their House and if she be extracted from the Settera or Soudra she hath in one Hand a Limmon and in the other a Looking-glass calling continually on the Name of their God Naraina or Rama which is Xaca sometimes chewing Betel amongst which they mix an intoxicating Herb that bereaves her of her Senses so taking away all manner of fear of what she is to suffer But if she belongs to the Brachmans or Wiensjaes then they hold red Flowers in their Hands first dedicated to the Idol whose Picture they hang about their Necks Then after she hath taken her Farewel of her Friends she either goeth out of the City or is carried in a Sedan her Countenance being chearful looking merrily which she denotes by several Gesticulations of her Hands and Body crying aloud to the Sound of Trumpets and Drums Rema Rama Saltae Rama Rama Saltae that is God Rama Rama make me happy And thus being led through the chief Streets of the City by some of her nearest Friends and at last approaching near the Place of Execution where her Husband was burnt she withdraws to a neighboring Pool where after having wash'd her self she puts on a yellow Garment and gives her richest Apparel and precious Jewels to her chiefest Relations and to the Brachman-Priest which makes her Funeral-Sermon before the Fire to whom she also makes great Presents The Pit wherein she is to leap is like an Oven full of glowing Coals being hung round about with green Mats to the end she might not be affrighted at such a horrid Face of Death At one end thereof lies a Mount or Heap of Earth thrown out of a small Hill on which she takes her last Farewel of her Friends All which to perpetrate this dreadful Self-murder encourage her to be her own Destroyer whilst she having thrown her beloved Pestle and Mortar and other Housholdstuff which she us'd daily into the Fire they put a Jar of Oyl upon her Head letting some fall upon her Body The Mats being remov'd the Virago leaps in and after her her nearest Relations standing round about contribute to the Flames each throwing in a Fagot the sooner to dispatch their wretched Kinswoman Difference in burning women Thus the Widows end their Lives that are of the Settrean Weinjaen or Soudraen Families But the Brachman Women suffer a more cruel Death for they are laid close by their Husbands on the Funeral-Pyre then the People build a Pile of Wood over them placing about their Heads Oyl Rozin and Turpentine This done the Women standing in order round about make doleful Ullula's mix'd with loud Shrieks and Lamentations during which Clamor the Brachman-Priest lights the Pile which kindling by degrees brings a lingering and terrible Death Women buried alive Besides this way of ridding themselves of the old Females they have another way of destroying themselves which they perform thus They take the Relict and lead her as it were in Triumph amongst the Sound of Pipes Drums and Trumpets to a Pit digg'd square like a Cellar where stands the Body of her departed Husband to which descending on Earthen Steps setting her self down on a Bank she takes the dead Body in her Arms then perfuming the Corps with Frankincense and Myrrhe which done the Mourners begin to throw the Mold into the Pit which she rakes greedily towards her with her Hands and so having cover'd her self at last with Earth to the Chin then hanging a Cloth before the Entry of the Pit they give her Poyson in a little Dish and then on a sudden break her Neck backwards Die of Hunger for the Honor of Xaca Thus also the Japanners both Men and Women make away themselves frantick with mad Zeal in Honor to their God Xaca For those that are his greatest Admirers upon no other account than honoring him dig their own Graves covering the tops leaving onely a small breathing-hole wherein they famish themselves to death These kind of Self-murderers or Sedecedes happen frequently in and about Jedo and in several other Places of Japan ¶ BUt to return again to our Ambassadors Frisius and Brookhurst who had inform'd the Lords Sickingodonne and Sabrosaymondonne of their Arrival on the last of November and staid till the twenty ninth of the following Month in the House of the Chief President for the East India Company before they could be permitted to offer those Presents which they had brought to his Imperial Majesty Netherlanders are commanded to come to Court They had order to prepare themselves against the next Morning to appear before the Emperor Whereupon the Japanners went to a Troo for so they call a Bath that they might cleanse themselves for none must presume to approach before the Emperor otherwise s Kysers hof te JEDO. das Schlos zu Jedo The Emperors Court at JEDO. Description of the Imperial Palace at Jedo ¶ THe Residence or Palace of the Emperor deserves no small Admiration Round about the outermost Wall are large Rails several Foot
again to our Ambassadors upon their departure from Jedo where having found no opportunity nor time to visit the Emperors Tomb in Niko whose Lustre was made the greater by the Branch'd Candlestick given by the East-India Company to the Japan Emperor as being Cast of Copper and brought from Holland such a long and tedious Voyage The Lords Frisius and Brookhurst taking their leave from Jedo proceeded on in their Journey to Nangesaque on the 16 of April Anno 1650. and having pass'd Sinagawa Rokna Cawasacca Cammagawa Fundaga and Moska they espy'd the famous Temple of Apes the whole world shows not the like if you look upon the strangeness of the Building and the manner of the celebrated Rites it is notoriously known that Egypt was full of the like Superstition and mad Worship holding for their gods which they held in great Adoration all sorts of Beasts and Monsters All Writers commonly affirm That their chief gods were Apis and Osiris the one a living black Ox with a white Head broad Back and shaggy Hair which was to live no longer than the set time limited by the Egyptian Laws then a general Fast-day was order'd to be kept very strictly on which the Ox call'd Serapis Strange dealing with the Ox Apis. was Drowned in a Consecrated Lake on whose death as being their god Apis all Egypt Mourned both Old and Young Lamenting with striking on their Breasts tearing the Hair off their Heads but when they found another of the same Colour and shape the whole Countrey rejoyc'd thereat setting him in the same place they generally Feasted but this their dumb god could not answer as the Delphick Oracle nor the Dodan Oak nor Jupiter Ammon but by eating Fodder out of their hands that was a good Omen to the Inquirer that proffer'd it but if he refus'd that they look'd upon as ill Fortune for which cause when he refus'd the Food which Caesar Germanicus proffer'd him he after despair'd expecting his utter Ruine Osiris what manner of Ox. But their Osiris was a Grey Ox with a Dogs head holding in one Foot a Scepter Emblematically expressing his Omnipotent Power and Godly Authority The Ancient Egyptian Kings us'd to offer Men and Women on the Grave of Osiris yet this cruel Sacrifice in process of time was chang'd Offering onely a red Ox by reason it suited best with Typhon's Colour which they say slew Osiris Of this also hear what Pliny says In Egypt an Ox is worship'd for a god Plin. lib. 8. Cab. which they call Apis who gives Responses of good or bad Fortune by taking or refusing the Food which the Injur'd presents with his own Hands who taking a dislike to that which Germanicus proffer'd refusing would not eat who soon after unfortunately dy'd This Apis is continually kept private but when he appears publickly he is accompany'd with a great number of Children singing Elodiums to his praise which he seems to understand and accept of Strabo says thus In Heliopolis stands a Dedicated Temple to the Sun and Ox Mnevis Strabo Geog. lib. 17. which is fed in an inclos'd corner and by the People Worshipp'd as at Memphis is their Ox Apis. Herodotus tells us That the Egyptians Worshipp'd a Cat Herodot in Euterp which if she dy'd in their Houses they Salted and Bury'd her in a stately manner carrying her to Bubastis to be Inter'd there in the Holy City The like Cicero Diodorus Siculus Plutarch and Juvenal testifie As to what Clemens Romanus or rather an unknown Writer by his Name Clem. Rom. l. 5. Retognit Writes concerning the foremention'd Worship deserves peculiar Observation Some Egyptians says he have learnt That an Ox call'd Apis must be Worshipped and Ador'd others a Goat others Cats some an Egyptian Bird call'd Iphis which feeds on Serpents others held of a Fish call'd Ajun and many other such Ridiculous Creatures that I am asham'd to name for a God Clemens Alexandrinus relates That the Saitae and Thebans Worshipp'd a Sheep Clem. Alex. Adm. ad Gent. and the Lycopolitans a Wolf that those of Leopolis honor'd a Lion as being the King of all four footed Beasts for which reason also the Persians Picture their god Mithra which presents the Sun with a Lions Head Plutarch tells us the reason why a Lion is Dedicated to the Sun Plut. lib. 4. Symp. 4 5. viz. Because Lions amongst all Beasts with Claws bears onely one young one and that they are very watchful and sleep little and their eyes shining being open when they sleep And at last because the Leontines when the Sun passes through the Sign of Leo find all their Fountains and Pits full of Water Strabo writes of the Mendesiers Stran. Goe l. 17. Aelian de Animal l. 10. c. 23. That they promoted a Goat and Buck to Religious Honor. Aelianus relates How the Coptists eat their tame Goats but to their wild ones they shew'd great Adoration because they were a delight to the goddess Isis Other Egyptians reckon their Goats amongst the number of their gods because that according to Diodorus Siculus it hath Genitals like a man for which reason the Greeks and Latins honor'd their Priapus Herodotus relates Herodot In Euterp That the Mendesiers show'd much sorrow upon the death of a great Goat-heard in relation to his Imployment they holding Goats in great Veneration The Egyptians and Greeks also Picture their Idol Pan with a Goats Face and Feet notwithstanding they believ'd that he was like the other gods Women make themselves common with Goats The same Herodotus relates also That the Mendesier Women make themselves common with Goats that so they might obliege them and be big and bear Children by their Sacred Seed Strabo witnesseth That the Athribites held a small Creature brought forth by a Mouse Rat and Weasel for their god Plutarch tells us the reason why these miserable People Worship such a vile Beast as their Creator Because it is Born in a new Moon and his Liver decays at the decrease thereof Strange things done by the Indian Mfee The Indian Rat is Dedicated to Latona and Ilithya or Lucina which maintains a continual War with the Viper and Crocodile with both which Egypt is much troubled and therefore the Rats are accounted worthy of Religious honor because they destroy both But not all the Egyptians Worship the Indian Mice for some Adore the Crocodile and despise the Mice because they break the Crocodiles Eggs and also kill them for when the Crocodiles lie beaking with open mouth in the Sun the Mouse leaps in and there gnaws their Bowels asunder and makes his way out through their Bellies These Worshippers of so opposite a Religion one Adoring the Rat the other the Crocodile are not onely at variance among themselves which often grows to War but they prosecute and destroy the Creatures where ever they find them the Crocodilians destroy all the Rats and Ingnumons where ever they find them and those that
by thirteen great Waxen Chests carry'd by the Pallaquin Porters And lastly The whole Procession was clos'd with four hundred Persons all in white Vestments Marching six in a Rank in very good Order Great tumult in Mecae after the Dayro was past ¶ BEfore the Dayro's Train were all past by the Evening came on and innumerable company of People of all sorts the Scaffold and Houses which had been fill'd with Spectators had disgorg'd their burthens into the Streets so that the multitude was so immensly great that many disorders happen'd and several were crowded to death many were so squeez'd that they burst asunder others falling were sure never to rile being immediately trampled under Feet horrible was the general cry of the common People The Horsemen making their way by force through the Foot which tumbled down one over another in great number on both sides so lying prostrate for the Horses to tread o're the Streets flow'd with blood Amongst this miserable Croud were also many Thieves and Robbers which with drawn Scymiters made their way through cutting of Purses Stealing Murthering and Robbing as they wen't immediately killing without mercy all those that offered the least resistance so that in many places several fell down dead and over these tumbled others and the following multitudes still pressing forward oftentimes made a Mountain of Men heap'd one upon another whereof those that were uppermost were happy for those which were underneath were sure never to rise the noise all night was so great as if the City had been in an uprore and the insolencies grew to that height that many persons of Quality who could not get out of the throng or near retiring to their Houses were set upon and many of them spoyl'd and Murder'd among others the Lord of Firando's Secretary saw his Servant Robb'd and a rich Cabinet of his taken from him before his Face whilest he had much ado to defend himself from the violence of these Assaulters The Ambassadors escape strangely ¶ THe Ambassador Conrade Cramer stood and saw from his Scaffold many of these Cruelties and Outrages committed and seeing himself in no safety to stay there all night but that he and all his Retinue would be sure to perish before next morning he also ventur'd amongst the Croud the press being so great that he was born up by the People most of his way being but seldom able to put a Foot to the Ground yet at length so it pleas'd Providence that he and all his Followers got without any considerable loss into their Lodgings How the Dayro is treated by both their Majesties ¶ THe Dayro and his Wives lay there three days and three nights in the Emperors Palace where they were serv'd by their Majesties their Brothers and the greatest Princes of the Court Those which were plac'd by the Emperors as Stewards to prepare the several Dishes for the Dayro was the Lord Chief Justice of the Countrey and City Miaco and also the Lords Ivocomasamma Coberytothomysammay Nacamoramokumonsamma Mannosabroyemonsamma every Meal consisting of one hundred and forty Services and for to attend the Dayro's three Principal Wives were plac'd Ouwandonie Head Councellor of the old Emperors and also the Lords of the Councel Farimadonne Queniemondonne Sioyserondonne and Chirotadonne This Feasting being done the young Emperor gave the Dayro these following Presents being three thousand Boats of Silver each of them four Tails and three Marses two rich Tables cover'd with Golden Plates two hundred Japan Gowns three hundred Pieces of wrought Sattin twelve thousand Pound of raw Silk one great piece of Calombac five great Silver Pots full of Musk and ten beautiful Horses with all their Furniture but those which the old Emperor gave him were much less Thus ended the glory of that Triumphal Procession Sumptuous Palace of the Emperor Taicosama ¶ MEaco by the Japanners call'd Cabucoma is divided into upper and lower Meaco's the lower spreading towards the Fort Tutzumi is so costly built that one Range seeming one House is at least three Miles in length The Dayro hath his Residence in the upper Meaco where is also seen the most Splendant and Magnificent Palace Erected by the Emperor Taycosama Anno 1586. hung round about with a thousand Mats edg'd with fine Damask wrought with Gold The Walls of some of the Rooms all over are Plate◠with Gold the greatest part of the Palace is built of curious Wood and costly Marble before the Palace appears a spacious Court wherein stands an Imperial Theatre where Comedies and Tragedies are Acted Japauners expert in acting Plays At which the Japanners are very exquisite having no want as they say of good Poets whose Theme being either Divine or Moral they boast sufficient and well Written Plots their Commick punish like ours Vice prefering Vertue their Tragick setting forth the great though unfortunate Acts of former Saints and antient Hero's They also adorn their Stages with Scenes shifted according to their various and chang'd Arguments and betwixt every Act appears a full Chorus of Musicians Singing and Playing like the Antient Greeks and Romans on several Instruments but no place elsewhere in Japan exhibits the like Shews or Presentations of the business concerning the Stage than in this Theatre Description of the Japan Races ¶ BEfore this Palace of Taycosama they have a piece of Ground taken in for a Course or Race being a Match betwixt a Man and a Horse about the Walls stand thousands of Spectators on a more eminent Seat Rail'd in sit cross Legg'd by themselves several Drummers on the tops of the Rails hang ready fitted to their hands great Copper Kettles and Basons some also lying on the ground on which they Beat and Taber with such force that the hideous din and shrilness of the noise often deafs the unwilling hearers At the end of this Lane stand two strong Posts having a great Rope made fast from one to the other behind this at a small distance stands a square Pillar on which a Flag or Ensign waves fast on a Staff one mans Office is to imbrace this Post with his left hand and with his right points on the Breast of another who hath on his Breast hanging about his Neck a square Board Painted with a Griffin he also lays his right hand on the top of the Post and his left on his Scymiter next to him stands a third side-ways which holds a long knotted Whip in his right hand which gives the Signal to the Racers behind these three stand others with black Head-Pieces adorn'd also with a Sable Plume which are the Judges of the Course The Prize which they run for is commonly two pair of Wax'd Boots made fast to Woodden Clogs Plated with Silver he that runs hath a thin Silk Habits Lac'd close about the middle their Slceves reaching down to their Elbows their Breeches being wide are ty'd up about the middle of their Thighs like Trunk-Hose on their Legs they wear Buskins of
never saw but soon after hearing thereof sent a second Embassy over The Chief in Commission was Peter Gonsalves his assistance four Franciscan Monks Bartholomew Ruiz Francisco de Sancto Michael Peter Baptista and Gonzales Garcia Anno 1593. they had their Audience before Taicosoma presenting him with Gifts of great value which pleas'd the Emperor so well that his former jealousies being quite blown over The Franciscans built a Church in Japan he granted the Friers leave to build a Church and Cloyster near Meaco provided that they should not meddle with his Subjects nor perswade them neither in private or publick concerning matters of Religion all which they promis'd and in a years time rais'd a Church Consecrating it to the Virgin Mary of Portiuncula but however notwithstanding all this they busied themselves clandestinely and often in publick to raise Proselites which Doctrine spread every where in short time amongst the Japanners who imbrac'd Christianity with such eagerness and came flocking to them in such multitudes that these four were not able to perform their Functions at the Ceremony belonging to their Conversion and Baptism for which cause they sent for assistance to the Manilla's from whence soon after came the Franciscans Augustin Rodrigo Marcello Ribadeneyra and Hieronimo de Jesu with Letters and Gifts from the Governor of the Philipines to Taicosama to whom the Presents were very acceptable but the Letters unpleasing seeing they answer'd him not to what he had written Franciscans build Cloysters in Japan Peter Baptista was the chief of the Friers which so spread their Religion that they built another Cloyster calling it Bethlehem in Osacca Moreover they obtain'd liberty of the Governor of Meaco to build a third Cloyster at Nangesaque under pretence of two sick Brothers Peter Baptista and Hieronimo de Jesu which could not agree with the Air about Osacca so that for their health-sake they were necessitated to remove These two went and resided in a Chappel Dedicated to Lazarus standing near Meaco between two Alms-houses which were govern'd by the two Brothers of Mercy Thither a great number of people flock'd daily from the City to see them perform Mass and hear their Disputations A Japan Nobleman erects an Order of the Virgin Mary ¶ AMongst whom came a Noble Person call'd Didacus Gonnoi who soon after imbracing the Roman Religion was a great Promoter of it in the Territory near the City Macava insomuch that he Indow'd a Brotherhood with Means and built a Colledge Dedicating the Society to the Holy Virgin who also invited the Heathens to the hearing of the Gospel Why Taicosania permitted the Friers to be in Japan Taicosama seem'd to wink at this nestling of the Monks sent from the Philipines to Japan because those Islands brought him in yearly a great Revenue and amongst other Rarities which came from thence were certain Pots or Cruises call'd Boioni which might be had there at a mean Price but by the Japanners valu'd above Gold because no Vessels whatsoever preserves their Liquor mixt with the Powder Chia better than these Cruises This Drink the Noblest men in the Countrey make with their own hands in a peculiar place of their Houses built for that purpose Trades in Cruises Taicosama sent two Persons to the Philipines to buy up all these Pots being certain to make vast profit thereof But these his Factors found in the City Manilla several Japan Christians which bought up all those Vessels with intention to dispose of them again in Japan Taicosama being inform'd thereof took all those Traders and seiz'd upon all their Cruises which he could light on and forbad them upon pain of death not to bring any more thereof into his Dominions so they escaping narrowly with their lives were again released Promotes his Brothers Sons to high dignities ¶ BUt before Taicosama began the Wars with the Coreans he Promoted his Brothers Sons having no Children of his own to high Dignities and Honor the eldest whom he alotted to be his Successor he Crown'd King over five Kingdoms the second over three lying near Meaco and to the youngest he gave two preserving fifteen for himself with the Supreme Command over all The remaining Provinces and Territories were divided amongst his Courtiers Generals and nearest Friends with Proviso's to pay an Annual Tribute to the Emperor But those Princes which were not removed were oppress'd by Taxes that they were scarce able to rebel living continually in fear on one time or other to loose life and all His intention about the common War And indeed it was so design'd for he had no other intention to make Wars with the Coreans but that those Kings which he sent thither might be ruin'd there or at least so much Work to do that they should not disturb him in his Dominions or if they should in any time Conquer Corea then he would give them the Conquer'd Territories in exchange for those in Japan that so he might be absolute Governor over his own Empire at home Pretends to give over his authority And that none might suspect this his Design he pretended that he would no longer Administer but give over his Imperial Authority to his eldest Nephew of twenty five years of age Whereupon he nominated him the Quabacondono which name is onely given to those that are Heir-apparent But this was but dissembled for though he Nominated him yet he no ways intended nor did part with his Authority But the Kings and Princes which he imploy'd for Corea never scented in the least that he had laid this Plot for their destruction and the enjoying of their Estates pretending nothing but the care of theirs and the publick good so that they went chearfully abroad with an Army of sixty thousand men Japan Forces goes to Corea and soon after follow'd a hundred and forty thousand more which Forces Landing in Corea in a short time carrying all before them made themselves Masters of the Metropolis Pingjang and most part of the Island yet oft they met with repulses and great obstructions for the Chinese Auxiliaries Chineses assist the Coreans which still came fresh and fresh maintaining a doubtful War six years and drove them at last towards their Landing-place Beat the Japanners from Corea where they were sorely gall'd by twelve well man'd Fortresses that oft Sally'd out upon them so that they were forc'd to make a dishonorable Peace the relinquishing of all their Conquest in Corea Thus ended the War which exhausted Taicosama's Treasure and spent him a hundred thousand men amongst which his second Nephew whose youngest brother dy'd before Quabacondono commits great outrages in Japan The eldest made Quabacondono was yet living he being witty and quick of apprehension yet was most inhumanely cruel for his greatest delight was Butchering of Men in a humane Shambles which he had thus contriv'd himself in a place near his Palace in the middle of an open Court inclos'd with
to Quobacondono but coming amongst the Emperor's Guard he was stopt and commanded to return if he did intend not to incur his Majesties displeasure but he neither regarding their advice nor fear what they threatned from the Emperor said Should I leave my Prince though he be forsaken by every one No now is the time for me to manifest my Love Duty and Loyalty There is no Touchstone like Danger to prove a Friend by Who will not help those that are in Prosperity and who forsakes not a Friend in Adversity He is not worthy the name of a Friend that in his assistance will undergo the worst of Fortunes and smile at Death it self which having said put Spurs to his Horse and Riding post by midnight found the young Emperor who exceedingly rejoyced to see one so kind and faithful to him but that he might not prejudice so good a Nature as to bring Sacandono to his utter ruine which would not ought avail him he seriously perswaded him to return But soon Taicosama had information of all this and had it not been for the good Service of his Father he had undoubtedly perish'd in his prime Quabacondono is shaven and changes his Name But Quabacondono since his departure from Fissima Lodg'd one Night in Tamamizu where he was forc'd according to the Japan manner to have his Beard and Head shaven and his Name exchang'd for another for in stead of Quabacondono he call'd himself Doi that is I will clear my self by Reason At last coming to the Cloyster Coja he was conducted in by Mocusico one much esteem'd by the Bonzies In his Way thither he met with several of his Retinue disguis'd like Beggars that they might not be known by any of Taicosama's Guard All these express'd their grief with tears not daring to utter their minds in words Ten of his chief Favorites went him into the Cloyster where being but meanly Treated he told them saying Not long ago I could have given you Provinces and Kingdoms my Fall hath been the undoing of many And now for my self of all my Pomp and Magnificence I have scarce so much left as to keep you and me alive O inconstant Fortune thou hast rais'd me on purpose to the heighth of Greatness and Glory that so my Fall might be the greater and I more wretched Is liept close Prisoner These Complaints he had free liberty to utter in the fatal Cloyster Coja for no other priviledge was allow'd him insomuch that he could not speak nor deliver the least Note to any Person whatsoever and the business was so far gone that he lost all hopes of ever obtaining his Liberty Mocusico Conjures for Quabacondono Mocusico the Head of the Monastery repair'd to his Idols and with Charms performing peculiar Ceremonies with great zeal begg'd of the gods that Quabacondono might once more be restor'd to the Imperial Dignity but none ever were slower in their assistance than these their deaf deities for it happen'd that this came to Taicosama's Ears who the sooner resolv'd on Quabacondono's Death which fell out on the fifteenth of August Anno 1595. Quabacondono and all his Company are commanded to rip up their own Bowels Thus chearing him up with future hopes they kept him a while from laying violent hands on himself when soon after Taicosama sent a Messenger to command him and his Company according to the Japan manner to rip open their own Bowels No sooner had they receiv'd their Condemnation but they all prepar'd themselves to die The first that cut up his Belly was Quabacondono's Page being a Youth of nineteen years of age who whilst he was struggling with Death Quabacondono after he had embraced him chopp'd off his Head which he set in a Charger on a Table The like he perform'd to two more of his Servants The next that was to do the cruel Office on himself was the Bonzi Biuscirtus whose Grandmother was sent by Taicosama to Quabacondono's Court as a Spie and because she had carry'd her self well in that business her Son Biuscirtus he commanded to be sav'd but he refus'd the Emperor's mercy saying with an undaunted courage to him that brought the Order I scorn to take any thing from that Bloodhound that should deserve my thanks for I will rather chuse to die with Quabacondono than to live in slavery under such a grand Tyrant this said he desperately stabb'd himself but suffering much under the agony of a lingring Death Quabacondono gave him present ease by chopping off his Head which was no sooner done but with the same Weapon he stabb'd himself One onely remaining slew himself with his Masters Scymiter The Execution was no sooner finish'd but the Bonzies performing their Office consum'd them together in one Funeral Fire Taicosama destroys all the Confederates of Quabacondono But Taicosama rested not thus but following his Blow hunted and destroy'd all those his Friends and Intimates that had been Abettors with Quabacondono in this Conspiracy The first with which he began were three Persons of great Quality that were fled to a Cloyster of the Bonzies The next was Scirabingo who made the Kings to Sign the Oath of Allegiance to Quabacondono for which Crime he was judg'd to suffer a cruel Death But none was more lamented than Chimura who had done Taicosama great Service both in War and Peace but because he had held private Correspondence with Quabacondono he was also condemn'd to be his own Destroyer Chimura's Son hearing of his Fathers Misfortune who was then in Saicoure wrote to him That a Wise-man might easily look Death in the face especially if he suffer'd innocently and that it was no trouble to leave this World for a far more happy Life which would last for ever And thither he was resolv'd to accompany him as his Father for he would not live after his Death of whom he had receiv'd Life So whilst he expected to hear the sad Tydings he call'd for a Chest of Scymiters out of which chusing the best he girded it about his Waste In the interim the News of his Fathers Death and Taicosama came to him together the Emperor proffering him Life notwithstanding he was Chimura's Son who ought according to the Japan Laws for his Fathers Crime to suffer Death But the Youth return'd Taicosama Thanks telling him That he was bound in Conscience to take Revenge of the horrible Slaughter committed on his Father Chimura and seeing no possible Means to effect such his Design he would rather die than live wanting satisfaction for his Fathers Death Thus said he immediately deserted the Court and went to Meaco where going into the Temple there offering his Devotions to the Idol Fotoco ripping up his Belly he Sacrific'd his Life before the Altar Not long after Taicosama particularly order'd Chimura's Consort to be Beheaded in the Temple of Amida Cruel Persecution of Taicosama against the Wives and Children of Quabacondono ¶ IN this cruel
in a cold Sweat and seeing thus his End to approach yet seem'd not the least dismay'd still ordering his Imperial Affairs as when in perfect Health his chiefest Care being onely for Fideri to set the Crown on his Head And after serious consideration he found it convenient to make use in this weighty Concern of Ongosschio King of eight Provinces and in great esteem with the Japanners whom he sought by all means possible to oblige and to that end sending for him to Fisstima when he came into his Presence the Emperor now very weak faintly declar'd his Mind to this effect His Speech to Ongosschio Death sits on my Lips but I fear it not since it is incident and common to all Men The greatest of my trouble is for my Son but six years old and therefore not in condition to take present Possession of my Empire His Age requires a Guardian one no less Faithful than Prudent and who will when he attains to his fifteenth Year with the usual Ceremonies according to the Japan manner establish him in the Throne I therefore have thought none more fit than your self by reason of your admir'd Wisdom to undertake so grand a Concern And here I leave you my Empire and Son that you may restore it to him when he is fifteen years old If those former Favors which I do not doubt but you acknowledge with Thanks do not bind you to a faithful performance of this Trust yet I hope your Care will be the more when my Son shall marry with your Daughter by which means the Empire will ever be Commanded by our Race and both our Successors sway the Japan Scepter Here Taicosama's Voice failing he was necessitated to leave speaking but soon after recovering his spirits a little which Ongosschio observing made this Reply Ongosschio's Answer Most Illustrious Prince When Nobunanga was slain I was onely King of the Province Micaua but since the Gods have set you on the Throne you have added seven Kingdoms more to my first all the eight call'd by one Name of Quanto for which I can return Thanks to none but your Majesty Besides many other Favors receiv'd which considering my own unworthiness makes me with admiration gratefully to record your exceeding Bounty The greatest of my Performances can never sufficiently make known how much I own my self oblig'd nor can my greatest Services declare such suitable Resentments as I would readily upon a fair occasion shew However all my Abilities shall be laid out to yours and your Sons Service in such manner that had I a thousand Lives I would freely and with much joy sacrifice them all for the sake of Taicosama and his Seed And indeed have made it my sole Study since your Majesties Sickness to use all Care and Diligence for the promoting of Fideri before you your self made your Will known to me But since most Mighty Prince you have bestow'd two Favors more upon me which so much exceed the former that I am amaz'd thereat I should be most unworthy if I did not spend my Endeavors in the Service of Fideri over whom you have chosen me as Guardian not without having the Chief Command over all Japan for a time and also to be his Father-in-law by his Marrying of my Daughter These Words Ongosschio utter'd with a passionate grief and having ended his Speech the young Prince Fideri and Ongosschio's Daughter came before Taicosama lying on his Death-bed Marriage concluded between Fideri and Ongosscio's Daughter there to be joyn'd in Marriage according to the Japan-Customs And notwithstanding the Emperor lay striving with Death yet their Wedding-Solemnities were perform'd after the ancient manner onely narrow'd into the compass of one day Taicosama takes the Oath of Allegiance of the Kings After the Feast ended Taicosama requir'd all the Kings and Vice-Roys to swear Allegiance to Fideri and that they would establish him in the Throne in his fifteenth year and mean while give due Obedience to Ongosschio as being his Guardian till of Age. Ongosschio seal'd this Oath with his own Blood And Taicosama to oblige those which had sworn gave them all according to their several Qualities many rich Presents And this Bounty extended so far that several of his old Servants got great Riches by it Besides Ongosschio he chose four Councellors of State to assist him in the Government and presently after appointed Asonodangio a Person highly esteem'd in his Favor to be President of the Council and in the mean while to leave all Officers in their respective Places and to break no manner of Laws or Orders establish'd in his Life-time Then he advis'd the Council to be Faithful and Loyal amongst themselves without which no Government could subsist long And for the preservation of such a Unity and Peace Makes Marriages to keep them all in peace he made several Nuptials upon his Death-bed joyning those of the Noblest Houses in Marriage together taking several Kings Daughters and bestowing them on other Kings Sons Why he inlarg'd the Castle of Osacca He enlarg'd also the Castle of Osacca and built therein many Palaces in which the chiefest Lords with their Families were to reside For expediting which Work thousands of Artificers were imploy'd And to the end he might obtain his desire he commanded that his Death might be kept private for a time which he did because Japan upon the Decease of the Emperor being subject to many Civil Wars the foremention'd Castle should be fully finish'd and that the Kings which were far from their own Countrey and without any Forces might be kept there as in a Prison till the Council were fully setled in their Authority Would be honor'd as a God after his death ¶ BUt long before Taicosama had taken great care to make himself Immortal For which purpose he in his Life-time built a Temple reckon'd amongst the stateliest in Japan in which he erected a Golden Image representing him to the life which stood on Marble His Body he order'd to be put in a Coffin without burning according to the common Custom When he serv'd for a Day-laborer he was call'd Toquixiro after that Faxiba and at last coming to the Imperial Throne Taicosama But at his Death he desir'd to be made a Came which is a Supreme Deity and would be styl'd Xin Fachiman that is The new God of War by reason of his many valiant Exploits This was his Request when he lay on a Flock-bed cover'd with Silk Japan Quilts miserably tormented and consum'd to nothing but Bones Is carry'd into a higher Chamber At length he desir'd to be carried out of the hearing of any Noise into an upper Chamber in the Castle Fissima that he might lye quietly without any disturbance So taking leave of all the Princes and his Son Fideri admonishing him from that time forwards to call Ongosschio Father and shew him due Reverence and Respect being now deliver'd into his Custody and he chosen as his
Guardian And also gave order That few Nobles should come in his Chamber and his Physicians should not stir from his Bed-side and if possibly they could to study for some Medicines to preserve his Life Causes a great sorrow Upon this parting all the Courtiers began exceedingly to lament seeing their Emperor by whom every one expected to be preferr'd carried away never after to be seen alive The Noise and Cry was so great within that it was heard without the Castle whose Gates were strongly guarded but this coming to the Peoples Ears gave supition that Taicosama was dead The report of his death occasions great Uproars among the People The Report of which spread up and down the Countrey like Wild-fire Whereupon the Thieves sally'd out from their several Recesses robbing and pillaging whom ever they met and in some places the People began to Mutiny not much unlike the Roman Tumults whilst the Cardinals are about the Election of a new Pope But the chief Insurrection here was in Osacca Meaco and Fissima insomuch that the Great Council were too weak to quell the Rebellion This Rumor of Taicosama's Death was credited the more by the Common People because the Council had guarded the Fort of Fissima round about with new Soldiers and Listed Forces in all Parts wheresoever they could get them How it is found not to be true Ten days together this Belief continu'd But the Emperor in this interim growing somewhat better sent two of the Council to Osacca with Orders to get the Castle finish'd that was to be built there with all expedition and also gave to the several Princes design'd to go from Fissima thither divers Bags of Rice and great Sums of Money About the Out-walls of this Castle The Castle of Osacen a strange Fabrick containing three Leagues in Circumference a thousand Men wrought daily all which were paid off every Night Within stood above seventeen thousand Merchants and Artificers Houses which were all pull'd down in three days time and every one commanded upon forfeiture of their Goods to carry away their own Rubbish and to clear the Ground Which done a new Field was alotted them to build new Houses on according to a Platform stak'd out by Surveyors and whosoever was backward in Building should lose his Ground where none might raise a House under two Stories high These Orders once publish'd the Work went on day and night insomuch that a new City and Castle appear'd at once This Building stopp'd the Rumor that went of the Emperor's Death for every one might well judge that the Council would not take so great a Work upon them Taicosama is trouble for his Son Fidery ¶ MEan time on the third and fourth of September Taicosama seem'd more and more to recover so that he spent his time in the firm Establishing of the Empire on his young Son Fidery But on the fifth of September his Sickness began again to increase Grows worse whereupon all the Gates were strongly guarded to the end the noise of the Emperor's Death might not be spread amongst the Common People Thenceforward the Distemper increas'd daily till the fourteenth of the same Month on which day he lay a considerable time without any appearance of Life so that he was judg'd by all his Attendants to be dead But at last fetching a deep Sigh he came to himself Is distracted yet in few Hours after lost his Senses so that he began to talk idly but they might understand by his distracted Expressions that the Establishment of his Son Fidery did still trouble him of whom he spoke till his last gasp Dies which was Anno 1508 the sixteenth of September being sixty four years old and after fifteen years Reign having succeeded Nobunango slain before Meaco by the Prince Aquechi Aquechi aim'd first at the Crown This Prince being encourag'd by his many Victories aim'd at the Crown but being treacherously slain by a Day-laborer left the place for Taicosama who knew exceeding well to take the advantage of such an opportunity Nobunanga had three Sons The eldest Voxequixama lost with his Father the Battel and his Life The second Oxiacen Fongedonu was distracted And for the youngest Son being but three years old Taicosama took upon him the Authority pretending to be his Guardian and to rule the Empire in his behalf and for his advantage till he attain'd fitting years to Govern but soon after tasting the sweetness of Power and Sovereignty he got so many Forces together that Nobunanga's Son was forc'd to be contented with the Kingdom of Mino and deliver up his just Title of the Imperial Crown to Taicosama Taicosama's death is kept private ¶ ONgosschio and the Council kept the Emperor's Death very private binding all those that knew of it by Oath not to divulge it but a blabbing Courtier forgetting his Oath accidentally told it and as a Reward for his Garrulity was immediately Crucified This his Punishment kept all others so in awe that every one held his Tongue and lock'd up the Secret yet not long after it was discover'd Ongosschio and the Council clash In this small time the Council fell at variance with Ongosschio whose Design of getting the Empire they all observ'd Whereupon they consulting together against him decreed That he should not be Guardian over Fidery any longer but should return and satisfie himself with his eight Kingdoms The Councellors seeing the Government lay too heavy upon them chose four Eminent Princes more to their Assistance and being thus strengthned they seem'd not in the least to fear Ongosschio who was not idle during their new Election It is the Custom among the Japanners that Noblemen upon several Accidents change their Names Japanners oftentimes change their Names according to which Ongosschio was call'd Jyavasu and Giciasu but putting off those three he exchang'd the same for Daifusama which Name we will observe in his following Story Taicosama is made a god ¶ ANd now as if free from fear or danger they were busie in Creating Taicosama a God The Temple and his Image being ready for that purpose his Corps was Interr'd in a Vault with all Funeral Solemnity and his Name chang'd into Xin Fachiman as he had before design'd This Exchanging of Names when Men are Registred amongst the number of the Deities was formerly very common both with the Greeks and Romans For Romulus was call'd Quirinus Juno Matuta Leucothoe Albunea Melicerta Palaemon Leda Nemesis Circe Marica Nersilia Hora Rhea Mother of the Gods Idaeda Dindymeda Philena Pissinuntia Cibele Berecynthia To Create Princes for Gods for their Valiant Exploits and Noble Atchievements took not its Original in Japan but was a Custom above two thousand Years since which the ancient Father Lactantius Firmianus witnesses Lactant. de Fals Reâ—g lib. 1. ca. 5. saying Those whom the ignorant and foolish People call Gods worshipping them none can be so weak as not to imagine them
to have been Men. If any shall ask Why are they believ'd to be Gods Because they were the Greatest and Powerfullest Kings and are for Commemoration Consecrated for a Reward of their Valiant Acts or for their Bounties or Noble Arts found and invented by them and because belov'd by their Subjects St. Augustine tells us That the great Gods which Cicero calls by peculiar Names Aug. de Civic Dei l 8. c. 5. as Jupiter Juno Saturn Vulcan Vesta and several others which Varro endeavors to make Governors of the World are all found to have been Men. Moreover Diodorus Siculus says Diod. Sic. Hâ—st lib. 1. That Julius Caesar was for his valiant Atchievements in the Wars call'd a God His Successor Augustus promoted him above the Stars Of which Manil. Astron lib 4. Marcus Manilius the Latin Poet saith thus Himself makes Gods and a fresh Numen treats The Stars admire Hero's should take their Seats Amongst them but not we who understand Augustus the Worlds Lord did so command Pliny in his Panegyricks sung before the Emperor Trajan Plin. Panegyr Consecrated Heaven to his Predecessor Augustus Nero made Claudius a God on purpose to mock him Titus made Vespasian a Deity and Domitian Titus the one to be the Son of a God as the other a Brother Common amongst the Ancients to make Men Gods It was common amongst the Greeks to Worship deceas'd Heroes for Immortal Deities As the Lacedemonians did Agamemnon General of the Army that lay ten Years in Siege before Troy and with him his Brother Menelaus the Spartan King The Arcadians reverenc'd Aristaeus because he taught them first how decay'd Bee-hives might be supply'd with fresh Bees Far more strange things did the Lybians as Arsenius Monembasiensis witnesseth Monemb Apophthegon who worship'd Psaphon for a God that was a Man of mean Condition but had a peculiar Art to teach Birds to speak of which he learn'd some to say The Birds make a God Psaphon is a God which when they could perfectly do he let them fly one after another These Words being often heard in the Air were at last so taken notice of that many People flock'd together from all parts of the Countrey to hear them And to win a firm belief to his Design he spar'd no labor still teaching fresh Birds the like Words which having taught them he let fly The Carthaginian General Hanno having had private Information thereof endeavor'd by the same Art to be esteem'd as a God But he Aelian Hist li. 24. c. 30. as AElian witnesses bestow'd his Labor in vain for having not taught them perfectly they in stead of saying Hanno is a God when they were let loose sung their own natural Notes The Argives honor'd Perseus as a God for his Noble Exploits The Epidaneans worshipp'd Aesculapius because he had found out many Mysteries for Curing of Distempers which not long after the Greeks follow'd and at last also the Romans which after built him a Temple without Rome The Athenians ador'd the Soothsayer Amphilochus Liv. lib. 45. whose Temple as Livy relates though very ancient yet was pleasant to behold being surrounded by Fountains and Brooks of Fresh-water Moreover most of the Athenian Kings are Registred among the number of the Gods In like manner they chose Triptolemus for a Deity because he first invented Plowing and Sowing and Euricthonius because he was swallow'd up by the Earth with a Chariot and four Horses Cicer. de Nat. de Or. li. 3. Erechteus they promoted with his Daughters above the Stars because the Father obey'd the Oracle at Delphos presaging the Victory to the Athenians against the Thracian Eumolpus if the King did Sacrifice one of his Daughters and the Virgin because she died willingly for her Countreys sake in the Village Hyacinthus was made a Goddess Theseus also having fought valiantly against Taurus which was Minos the King of Creta's General had a Temple erected in the middle of Athens in which his Bones were worshipp'd The same Honor was done to Codrus because he went in Beggars Weeds into the Peloponnesian Army there wrangling with the Soldiers till he was kill'd that by his Death the Conquest might fall on the Athenians side as the Delphian Oracle had foretold Curt. lib. 7. Therefore Augustus says The Athenians worshipp'd Codrus as a God because he went and sought his own Death for his Countreys good The Thebans ador'd their King Liber he being the first that press'd Wine out of the Grape And besides Liber his beautiful Ino with her Son Melicerte because they both leap'd from a high Rock into the Sea This Custom is still held in use amongst the Japanners they being taken there for Saints who for the Honor of Amida Xaca or any other of the Japan Gods hanging great Stones about their Necks drown themselves as we have before related Furthermore there were formerly few Kings and chiefly over Egypt Persia and India which if they had us'd no Tyranny were either in their Life-time or at least after their Death worshipp'd as Gods Cleo Shield-bearer to Alexander the Great says thus in Curtius's History The Persians worship not onely their Kings for Gods with great Zeal but very circumspectly for Hercules and Bacchus themselves were not install'd amongst the Gods before they overcame the Malice of their Maligners Strange Customs us'd by the Romans when they made Gods The Romans made strange Preparations when they gave the Heavens to their Deceas'd Emperors They built a Funeral Pile like a Tent adorning it with Gold Ivory and costly Pictures and being sharp on the top they plac'd a Crane upon it building it as it were with three Stories which they stow'd full of rich Gums and sweet Perfumes Under the lower Story stood a rich and stately Bed of Silk with Coverings of Purple embroyder'd with Gold on which lay the Image of the Emperor The Consuls Knights and other Persons of great Quality attended the Bier to the Funeral Pyre singing Eulogies and shewing great Reverence to the same The Tent was set round about on Fire and the Smoke and Flame thereof made the Crane fly up directly into the Air and thereby was judg'd to carry the Soul to the Gods whilst the Flame purified the Body from all Corruption This done the Senate made a firm Law That the Emperor from that time forward should be honor'd as a God ¶ BUt to return from this Digression Whilst the Council and Daifusama were busie to make Taicosama according to his earnest desire a Xin Fachima or God of War they fell at variance amongst themselves The Council strengthning their Party by chusing four more to their assistance and Daifusama travelling as we said before to Quanto The Difference in short time grew to that height that it could no ways be decided but by the Sword Whereupon both Parties rais'd all the Force they could possible The Council studied at last to stop all the Ways towards Meaco and Listed many
oppressors and Tzunocamindono's Death which could no ways be made known to the Besieg'd in Uto by which their ignorance of that Affair they held out so obstinately as if their Councils Cause were not ruin'd and their King slain Therefore my desire is that you send a Jesuite to me at my Leaguer that he may unfold the present State of things to the Garrison in which are five Jesuites If they were obedient herein they should no way find him unthankful for it else they were to expect Daifusama's displeasure They are cast down at this demand But the Jesuites were amaz'd at this Command and chiefly that there should be a change of Government as Japan was many times subject to such alterations of State therefore they besought with gentle Intreaties to put it off saying They were Spiritual Persons and taught the way to Heaven and transitory Affairs was not their concern especially the business of War and if they should so do they might seem rather like mad men than Councellors Canzviedono did no ways accept of this their excuse but threatned to put the five Fathers in Uto to death and furthermore to banish all the rest out of Japan as being Daifusama's Enemies So at last the Garrison receiv'd all information concerning the Transactions between the Emperor and Council by which they judg'd it better to make an agreement being not able to stand out alone so that Canzviedono after being sufficiently weary'd out obtain'd his desire Vto yields As also the Castle of Giatusciro The Besieg'd delivering up the Castle Uto into his possession and not long after according to that example also the Castle Giatusciro of which Mimazaca a grand Favorite of Tzunocamindono's had the chief Command who having had certain intelligence that his King being slain by Daifusama for whom should he then fight for any longer All hopes of assistance on their part being utterly lost What then could he effect alone none being to be found that were in Arms against Daifusama but the King of Sassuma who was a hundred and fifty Leagues distance from Giatusciro For all which reasons he thought it best to deliver up the Castle to Canzviedono upon good and honorable Articles and coming to an Agreement had liberty to go with fifteen hundred Men by Shipping to the Haven of Sassuma And Gianava after that Canzviedono subdu'd the Castle of Gianava by which he got the whole Kingdom of Fingo into his possession whereas he had onely half of it before Daifusama becomes Master of Japan ¶ DAifusama being thus become Master of all Japan he Tyraniz'd not after his obtain'd Victory Rages not after the custom of the Japanners as other Emperors had done before him which was to defile their Conquests with cruel Massacres without sparing any that had formerly obstructed them and with razing of Towns Castles and Cities of which sufficient testimonies are to be seen to this day by many places lying bury'd in their own Ruines Houses Churches and other stately Edifices hid in Ashes being destroy'd by raging War But Daifusama took a more gentler course with his Captive Enemies which he took in the Field-battel fought between him and his Parliament He put three eminent persons to shameful death or grand Councel Onely upon three Eminent Persons he took Sanguinary satisfaction for though he spar'd others yet he Condemn'd Gibunoscio King of Onu to die an Ignoble Death for leading the Grand Councels Army against him Tzunocamindono King of half Fingo and Ancocugio whom Morindono had us'd for his Councellor being taken Prisoners by Cainecamio were first entertain'd according to their Dignity but soon after put into the Custody of a cruel Commander and at last close Prisoners in Osacca where they receiv'd their Sentence of Death being set upon lean Mules and led through the Streets of Osacca in great derision then they were carry'd in Carts to Meaco crouded all about with great multitudes of people some seeming to pitty the disasters of such Noble persons whilest others laugh'd and mock'd at their misfortunes Sentence of death was executed against the Kings Gibunosciro Tzunocamindono and Ancacugio Gibunosci riding in the first Cart was follow'd by Ancocugio and on the hindermost sate Tzunocamindono before each went a Trumpeter who cry'd aloud that these Traytors to their Countrey were Condemned to shameful Deaths because they were found to fall off from the King of Tensa The stout courage of Tzunocamindono Tzunocamindono seem'd not the least dismay'd or daunted but bore up with a Manly Courage under all these Contumelies but the other two testifying their Innocency complain'd against such cursed Authority Whilst they drew near to the place of Execution several Bonzies coming from a place not far from thence not onely admonish'd them but us'd many ridiculous Ceremonies to purifie them from all their Crimes that so they might appear in the other Life before Amida without polluted or unclean Souls which comforted the Condemned not a little to be assur'd of an Immortal Life in this Mortal But Tzunocamindono rejected the Bonzi and acknowledged himself to be a Christian who abhorr'd such abomination Being upon the Scaffold the Supreme Bonzies came to them who is not us'd to go forth but when great Persons are to suffer attended with a considerable Train of Japan Priests and Xaca's Consecrated Book in his hand After much juggling when Gibunoscio and Ancocugio were just ready to die he offer'd them the Book to kiss but Tzunocamindono charg'd the Supreme Bonzi of Blasphemy declaring his Christianity again and pull'd out from his Girdle a small Picture of Jesus and the Virgin Mary which the Portugal Queen Catherine Sister to the Emperor Charles the Fifth had presented him by the Jesuites He kissed a Portraiture with the Image of Jesus beheaded after the two others and bury'd by the Jesuites This Picture he took in both his hands and looking stedfastly upon it said his Prayers then offer'd his Neck to the Executioners Sword who struck three times before he could cut it off In the same manner the two others were Executed whose Corps were presently burnt but Tzumocamindono was in Mecao by the Jesuites wrapp'd in a long Shroud Burying him with all the Ceremonies us'd by the present Romish Church The horrible Murder of Trunocamindono's Son Leaving one Son of twelve years old behind to whom Morindono together with his Officers gave free leave to dwell close by Firoscima but a few days after the Beheading of Tzunocamindono he sent for the Child to Osacca where he then was The Halberdiers that fetch'd him knowing of Morindono's bloody intent discover'd it Nevertheless though the Child was terrifi'd at that sentence of Death he desir'd not to live having nothing in the world to trust to since his Father was put to so shameful a death He acknowledg'd a Christ by whose Death a door was open'd to Heaven for the Dead there he should find his
his desire he sent Paulus Daifachi an expert Courtier and great Favorite of the Emperor's with many rich and costly Presents to deliver to Daifusama which he refusing were imbezell'd away Upon notice whereof and observing the Protractions us'd in his Business Protasius was displeas'd with Daifusama's Dealings and apprehended some danger therein The best way for prevention whereof and to know where the business halted he resolv'd in Person to go to the Emperor to which purpose he went accompany'd with his Son Michael and Daughter in Law But both of them had a wicked design in their Heads to Murder Protasius because he would not according to the Japan Custom being over-grown in years resign up his Province Protasius having receiv'd a denial concerning his business was banish'd and Daifachi came to a miserable end being condemn'd with his Wife to Ride on gall'd and sore Horses through the Streets of Surunga and on the one and twentieth of April Anno 1612. ty'd to a Stake surrounded with Fire at three Foot distance from him and so by degrees was roasted to death His Wife obtain'd some favor having with patience view'd her Husbands deplorable end This Protasius had been a chief promoter of the Roman Religion in Arima which was ill resented by Daifusama and the more because he did not deliver up the Crown being antient to his Son as the Japan Custom was but kept the Authority in his own hands The fifth Reason why Daifusama persecuted the Christians in Japan Besides these Reasons of Hazart I find a fifth the occasion of the Persecution in Japan mention'd in the daily Annotations or Journal of the Embassy of Frisius and Brookhurst namely the Portuguese Priests as the Japanners say had formerly great priviledges allow'd them insomuch that they Preach'd their Doctrine and spread their Religion as if they were Natives of the Countrey whose Faith was grounded with the peopling of Japan They built also Churches Cloysters and Schools planting religious Orders as in one Place The Society of the holy Virgin by Didacus Gonnoia besides many others as well Franciscans and Dominicans as Jesuits had spread themselves all over Japan and by their Masses Confessions Purgatory and such like got an incredible sum of Money of the poor innocent People bringing every year little less than a Tun of Gold out of the Countrey insomuch that where ever they came they generally undid all the People yet notwithstanding they charm'd them in such a nature that their Word amongst them was a Law They had now also gotten a Bishop at Nangesaque and were Plotting to depose the Heathen Emperor from his Throne and to set the Crown on the Head of a Christian Prince under whom they might have free liberty of publishing their Doctrine but the Letter being discover'd in which the King of Portugal had advice to make himself Master of Japan the Emperor was so exceedingly enrag'd thereat that forthwith he determin'd without mercy to destroy all the Portuguese Of which not long after receiving informations A bloody Battel between the Japan Christians and Heathens the Japan Christians drew together for their own defence by which means they form'd a considerable Army of betwixt seventy and eighty thousand Men Against whom the Imperial Forces drew into the Field but were shamefully beaten and routed yet soon after being again reinforc'd with fresh Recruits they were commanded to fight to the last Man and destroy the Christians without mercy whereupon ensu'd another Battel with resolution either to Die or Conquer a long time the Victory was doubtful on whose side it would fall but at last the Christians were worsted Cruel destruction of Japan Christians Soon after follow'd inhumane Cruelty and Murdering whereby not onely the Portuguese and Japan Christians were to suffer but the Heathens swore revenge to the fifth and sixth Generation nay so far proceeded their malice that whole Streets were carry'd to Execution if onely one Christian had resided in it The foremention'd Examples did Daifusama follow in cold Blood beheading all the Christians But because that did not seem a Death cruel enough to terrifie them he afterwards commanded them to be crucifi'd The Romans us'd in former times Dogs Crucifi'd betwixt the Temples of Sumanus and Inventus to Nail a living Dog on a Cross made of Box tying a Goose on the top of it This was done in Commemoration of the Senones coming from Gaul with a victorious Army making themselves Masters of Rome wasting the City and putting all the Inhabitants to the Sword except onely a few that escap'd into the Capitol where they defended themselves manfully frequently beating off the Senones who having made divers attempts in vain at length in a dark Night stole up the Hill the Guards and Sentinels tir'd out with Duty and faln asleep were like to have been surpris'd had not some Geese which were Grazing upon the sides of the Hill afrighted by the approach of the Enemy by their loud Gagling wak'd the Sentinel and Guards and consequently sav'd the Capitol But the Romans in process of time crucifi'd Men in stead of Dogs of which the Slave which Plautus presents in his Comedy says thus I know the Cross must be my Grave Plaut in Milite threaten no more my Ancestors carry'd it before my Fathers Grandfathers and great Grandfathers time But the Romans us'd not to crucifie Slaves Who were Crucifi'd and wherefore unless they had committed great Crimes as for example if any one complain'd falsly against his Master to a Magistrate or if he went to Soothsayers to enquire of his Master's death or if they ran away However this kind of death was ordain'd for Malefactors whose Condition was mean and Crimes very hainous but the better sort of Criminals were beheaded of which the Roman Law saith thus Paulus L. V. Cent. 13. It is thought fitting that all Murderers if extracted of a good Family shall be beheaded and the meaner sort crucifi'd or thrown to wild Beasts When the Roman Priviledge was debarr'd by the tyranny of the Emperors oftentimes especially in the Army where Law gives place to Arms several Commanders as Captains Majors Field-Marshals and others were Nail'd to the Cross But besides the Romans Thucyd. â— 1 most known Countreys have cruel ways of Executing their Malefactors which the Greek Writer Thucidides testifies of King Inarus who being taken by Conspiracy was crucifi'd by the Egyptians Crucifying usual in all Countreys Rerod Thebia Herodotus relates That Polycrates subdu'd the Island Samos and all Greece rejoyced at his victorious Arms his good fortune continu'd so long that doubting it would at last prove cross as an endeavor to prevent the turn thereof he threw a Precious Stone into the Sea which not long after he found in the Belly of a Fish that being boyl'd was brought to his Table But Polycrates died not so happy for the Persian Orcates by subtilty taking him Prisoner in Magnesia fulfill'd that which
Polycrates his Daughter dream'd the Night before her Father went away to wit that she saw him taken up into the Air and wash'd by Jupiter and dry'd again by the Sun which Orcates perform'd in crucifying Polycrates when the Heavens pour'd down upon him and the Sun scorch'd him in such a manner that his Fat dropp'd and ran down by the Cross Plutarch in Vit Herod in Coll. In like manner did Alexander the Great crucifie the Physician Glaucus and two thousand Tyrian Slaves and Xantippus the Athenian the Persian Artyacta They perform'd this bloody Office themselves purposely to delight the Spectators who satisfi'd their Eyes by beholding them shrink up their Bodies working of the Sinews and Veins and pleas'd their Ears with the doleful cries of the miserable Wretches dying by degrees The Germans and Gauls us'd this kind of punishment to Traitors and Rebels But nore were more expert at it than the Africans and amongst them the Carthaginians oftentimes so using their Generals if they came off vanquish'd notwithstanding they had fought valiantly nay sometimes though they came home Victors for if any thing of misdemeanor could be found against them they died without mercy Divers ways of Crucifying But they do not observe in all Places one manner or way of Crucifying for first the Crosses differ'd in shape and when great numbers were condemn'd they oftentimes made Trees serve for that purpose At other times they us'd single Poles on which they Nail'd their Hands and Feet one over another Others were made of two Pieces of Wood or more sometimes both Pieces are of an equal length joyn'd together exactly in the middle so that the hindmost part of the Crucifi'd comes just to the Place where it is joyn'd and his Hands and Feet being stretch'd out are made fast by four great Nails The Church Histories tell us That the Apostle St. Andrew suffer'd in that manner Tertullian adds hereunto the Actions of Jacob Tertul. de Bapt. c. 3. which laid his hands across when he blessed Ephraim and Manasseh whereby he signifi'd that future blessedness should accrew to Mankind from the Cross of our Saviour At other times the Crosses were made of two unequal Poles the longest of which being set in the Ground and the shortest fastned towards the top so that a small part of the longest appear'd above the other on which was Written the Crime for which they suffer'd or else they carry'd the occasion of his Death on a Board before him to the Cross or by a Cryer made it known to all the Spectators Some Crosses had more than two Pieces of Timber for besides the upright and thwart Poles there was a crooked Piece of Wood in which the cross Pole rested or on the upper end of the longest were two Pieces of Timber nail'd cross one above another or else from the middle Piece hung two other Pieces of Timber downwards or else the long Pole had two Sticks nail'd across one above and the other below on the uppermost of which they made fast their Arms and on the undermost the Feet This last was in use amongst the Japanners How the Japanners make them fast But in stead of nailing they ty'd them sometimes laying the Cross down on the Ground and there raising that and the Crucifi'd up together At other times they first made the Cross fast in the Ground setting three Ladders against it on the middlemost of which the Sufferer ascended being pull'd up on both sides by Ropes made fast to his Hands Sometimes they tie the Condemned to a cross Pole by his Hands and then by two Ropes with a Pulley hoise him up to the top The Japanners also torture their Crucifi'd after another manner than the Romans Greeks Syrians Persians Africans and other People The Romans and Greeks caus'd them to be Whipp'd with Scourges full of sharp Rowels either ty'd to a Pillar in the Court-house or else all the Way till they came to the Cross The like relates Philo how that the Roman General Flaccus caus'd a great many Jews in Alexandria to be nail'd to the Cross which had before in the open Court been miserably Whipp'd And Curtius relates Curt. l. 7. That Alexander the Great resolutely caus'd the Sogdian Arimazes to yield up and withdraw from their invincible Rock with thirty thousand Soldiers of which he took the chiefest Commander and Crucifi'd him at the Foot of the Rock How the Japanners Crucifie Moreover others strip them stark naked as they were born but the Japanners tye them on two cross Pieces of Timber with their Clothes on This Custom was also us'd by the Romans though but seldom Concerning the Apostle St. Andrew Abdias Hist Apol. l. 3. the Historian Abdias relates That the Vice-Roy Aegeas in Edessa gave strict command to the Executioners not to nail him to the Cross but to bind him that he might be the longer dying for at other times they use great Nails whose number was left to the pleasure of the Executioner most commonly they drove one through each Hand near the Wrist and the Feet near the Leg but at other times they strike several through their Hands which they doe chiefly when they fear that the Nails will not hold Cruelty us'd in Crucifying but slip through the Hands by which the whole weight of the Body hangs The Martyr Agricola being made fast with divers great Spikes died under the Executioners hands This cruelty seem'd less barbarous than that when they made a great Fire under the Cross so burning the Malefactor or choaking him up with the Smoak This kind of Death thousands of Christians suffer'd while they were persecuted above three hundred years Tertul. Apol. Cult wherefore according to Tertullian they generally went by the Name of Takkebos-Men because they were burnt by the Boughs of Trees on the Cross The same Death the Martyr Polycarpus died Euseb l. 4. c. 17. It is remarkable what Eusebius Writeth concerning him when the Executioners would nail him to the Cross he said Let me stand loose in the Fire I shall be able by Gods assistance to endure it with patience whereupon they onely bound him to the Cross without Nailing It was accounted also a merciful Death to the Crucifi'd to let Lyons Tygers Bears and other Beasts of Prey eat them from their Feet upwards which manner of cruelty Nero us'd to the Christians But commonly the Heathen endeavor'd to make them undergo a long and lingring Death therefore sometimes tying them with their Heads downwards Nailing their Arms athwart underneath and their Feet on the upper part of the Cross The Martyr Victorinus being thus Crucifi'd by order of the Emperor Nerva Martyrâ—l Sep. 5. Mai. 3. liv'd three days and Timotheus and Maura nine admonishing one another to be constant in their Faith so that they oftentimes dy'd of Hunger whilst the Blood slowly dropping from them occasion'd great faintness and at last death nor did their tyrannous rage
them also many Mysteries of the depths and shallowness of Waters and the ebbing and flowing of the Ocean But especially they discoursed at large of Earthquakes because they frequently infest Japan sometimes shaking it like a Skiff toss'd by the Waves at other times lifting it up and down and swallowing whole Villages Towns Cities nay great Tracts of Land leaving in their steads unfathomable Pits all which wrought strange effects in the Japanners But they were much more concern'd even to admiration when the Jesuits told them before-hand the Moneth Week Day Hour and Minute when the Sun or Moon would be Ecclypsed the first by the Moons passing before the Sun the second by the interposition of the Terrestrial Globe betwixt the Sun and Moon Japanners are desirous of Learning These Discourses concerning Lightning Thunder Clouds Rain Hail Fountains Floods and other natural Motions and Meteors delighted the Japanners the more because they are much addicted to learn knowledge of Mysteries Johannes Fernandes relates That they came daily to his House spending the time in asking all manner of Questions concerning God and his Divine Works The fourth Reason may be known by the Bonzies The fourth Reason of the happy and prosperous success of the Catholick Religion in Japan may be drawn from the Bonzies who not onely taught wicked and abominable Doctrine but lead also very debauch'd and vicious Lives What Lodowick Frojus writes in a Letter from Firando to the Indian Jesuits concerning their abominable Religion Their wicked Religion may serve for a pattern He tells us of a Gentlewoman that was ninety years old who had paid her Devotions in several of the Japan Temples and bestow'd great Revenues upon some of them this Bounty of hers was requited by the Bonzies with a Paper Coat which they esteem'd very highly for the Life of Amida was at large written therein and it was accounted an extraordinary and peculiar favor to purchase such a Coat with a great sum of Money for the Woman dying in the same was immediately transported to the happy Place of Amida's Residence without suffering any pain to cleanse her from her former offences But Johannes Fernandes being fetch'd to a sick Person of kindred to the foremention'd Gentlewoman discoursed with her laying open the vainness of the Paper Coat against which he us'd so many arguments that she tore and burnt it The other wickednesses of their Religion appears by murdering themselves to the honor of Amida Their Cruelties Xaca and Canon The Bonzies live very debauch'd And no less abominable were the Lives of the Bonzies whose Debaucheries Drunkenness Whoring Murdering and other outrages were known to most People nay they accounted it no sin to Rob upon the High-ways and go a Pyrating upon the Sea oftentimes venturing to set upon whole Towns and Villages burning the Houses to the ground and putting the Inhabitants all to the Sword not so much as sparing the poor Infants for which their Cruelties the Emperor Nobunanga burnt their Cloysters and as many as he could get of the Bonzies caus'd them to be nail'd on Crosses to die a lingring Death This made the way clear for the Jesuits who told them they were come above six thousand Leagues over the Sea to Japan to no other end but to teach them the right Road to Salvation The fifth Reason is the alliance of the Japan Religion with the Catholick At last the little difference which was between the Japan Religion and the Catholick made an easie way for the Jesuits to settle it And certainly there was a great resemblance of the Japan Religion to the other according to which the Dayro in Meaco governs himself not much unlike the Pope at Rome Moreover the Japanners have an infinite number of Cloysters full of Priestesses and Nuns who punish themselves for their sins and account Marriage unlawful in some of their religious Orders They are perswaded that the more largely they shew their Charity to the Cloysters the sooner they shall go to Amida's happy dwelling so that their Bounty in those particulars makes them equal in their future happiness for the Heirs of the Deceased with Gifts and Presents beseech the Bonzies to deliver them by their means from their Pain They all Read their Prayers by Beads Concerning matters of Religion none may Judge but the Dayro and a Cloyster They account it great Piety in any to visit the Tombs or Shrines of the Japan Saints These were the chiefest Reasons why the Catholick Faith went on so successfully in Japan which nevertheless for divers causes before-mention'd met with such oppositions that at this day there is scarce one Christian to be found in the Countrey Nobunanga Taicosama and Daifusama as we have already mention'd begun to persecute them but being continually busi'd with Civil Wars amongst themselves they found their hands so full that their Cruelties gave some little intermissions The first Persecution of the Christians But when Conbosama took possession of the Imperial Throne he feard none since Fideri was burnt with the chiefest of the Nobility by his Father Daifusama Thus suspecting no manner of Insurrection Anno 1617 he began anew to raise Persecutions endeavoring totally to subvert Christianity and utterly root out all its Professors with the greatest torturing that could be thought on therefore when to be nail'd on Crosses and run through the Sides with two Lances seem'd too easie a Death and to be beheaded was far easier Therefore he resolv'd to make them feel a more painful and lingring Exit and that he perform'd by roasting them to death in this manner Christians are Roasted First a great Post was driven into the Earth placing several Pyles of Wood about it and onely leaving a Gap or Passage open towards that Corner from whence the Wind blew through which those that were to suffer pass'd to the Stake to which they were bound by the Hands with a Rope of twelve Foot long and about the same distance the Wood lay about the Post excepting onely where the Gap was left to the end the Wind might blow away the Smoak that the Martyrs might not suddenly be choaked up and so die sooner and easier than those bloody Persecutors desir'd so that they were roasted by degrees and died if it were possible a thousand Deaths in one undergoing the miserablest torture that could be imagin'd Burning of Men very antient This kind of burning of Mankind had a long time before been us'd in the World but never in so cruel a method as in Japan The Holy Scripture tells us of Juda that he condemn'd his Daughter in Law to be burnt because she had committed Adultery Gen. 38.24 of which Moses saith thus Bring Thamar forth and let her be burnt The Rabbin Jews affirm that Thamar was the Priest Melchisedech's Daughter and therefore for her Uncleanness was to be burnt by order of the holy Law Levit. 31.6 which saith If a Priest's Daughter play
their abilities all manner of Perfumes Tacit. 3. Aunal and other sweet Scents such as Tacitus says are commonly thrown on the Funeral Pyles But the Heathens burnt not onely their Dead but their Living also for certain Crimes The Egyptians stuck the Body of one that had murder'd his Father full of sharp Canes then cutting him in many places they at last threw him on a great heap of Thorns which being set on fire consum'd him Other Nations have condemn'd less Offenders to be burnt partly because that punishment is exceeding painful and partly by the Fire to cleanse them from their offences The Murders of the Emperor in Fissima ¶ AS soon as Conbosama after the decease of his Father possess'd the Imperial Throne he began his Reign as we in part mention'd with exceeding Tyranny for travelling through Fissima he commanded the Governor Ingandono to cause all Christians Men Women and Children to be roasted to death During the Civil Wars since the Dayro lost his sole and unlimited Authority every King in his own Realm play'd the Master And seeing they endeavor'd as we said before to bereave one another of the Profit which the Portuguese Vessels brought them seeking to invite them to their Harbors they were forc'd to keep fair correspondence with the Jesuits they having the sole Command of the Trade and Vessels and so accordingly to grant them free leave to Preach the Catholick Doctrine But after Daifusama became Conqueror in many Battels reducing the whole Countrey of Japan under his subjection the Kings Authorities and Power were all limited so that they all depended on the Emperor and were strictly commanded for no sinister ends to permit the Christians to teach their Belief Being thus order'd all of them were forc'd to obey making great search for the Roman Priests of which he took at last Peter ab Ascensione a Franciscan Johannes Baptista Machada a Jesuit Alphonso Navarre a Dominican and Ferdinand a Santo Josepho an Augustine and caus'd them all to be beheaded in Omura Why the Japanners throw the Ashes of the burnt Christians into the Sea When Peter de Zuniga an Augustine and Lodowick Flores a Dominican born at Antwerp were to be burnt in Nangesaque besides twelve others that were beheaded there came in the Night several Portuguese who had cut from the half-roasted Bodies of Zuniga and Flores great pieces of Flesh which they preserv'd as holy Reliques insomuch that the next day little or nothing was to be seen of either of their Corps This being very ill resented by the Governor of Nangesaque to prevent the same another time on the next Moneth being August Anno 1622. when they had condemn'd Carolus Spinola the Jesuit and Franciscus de Morales the Dominican Hyacinthus Orfanel and Alphonso de Mena caus'd their Bodies to be thrown into a deep Pit full of Wood there burning them to Ashes which being rak'd together was carry'd a good distance from the Shore and there scatter'd abroad into the Sea by the Wind to the end there might nothing of them remain But besides the foremention'd Jesuit and Dominican others were also burnt at the same time amongst which was a Brusseller who coming within the Pyles of Wood would not be ty'd with one Hand to the Post but falling down on his Knees held fast about the bottom of it and so died others which stood upright scorch'd and burnt by degrees till at last they died through excess of most intolerable pain Hyacinthus Orfanel stood most in the Wind and was least hurt by the Flame â—rsanel was sixteen hours 〈◊〉 burning so that he was full sixteen hours miserably tormented before he gave up the Ghost Two of the Company were ty'd out of the Wind which made the Flames strike so vehemently upon the Posts that the Ropes burnt with which they were ty'd by which means they got loose and fled through the burning heaps of Wood desiring that they might apostatize from the Christian Religion But Xuquendaino sitting on a costly Carpet surrounded by Japan Nobles and Souldiers to see the Execution perform'd by order of Goneocu Governor of Nangesaque commanded those that fled to be driven back and push'd into the Fire with Pikes and Staves judging it was not out of zeal that they would embrace the Japan Religion but because they could not endure the pain of the Fire so that it was then too late for them to consider that which they might have done before After this Camilius de Constanzo the Jesuit was in like manner burnt neat Firando and Paulas Navarrus in the City Ximabara Horrible Persecutions in Jedo ¶ AMongst other Persecutions that was very terrible which happen'd at Jedo Anno 1623. Cornelius Hazart in his Church History and the Letter from Japan to Mutius Vetelesius Governor of the Jesuits at Rome differ much in Relation of this unhappy Accident The Letter deserving more credit than Hazart How it happen'd gives this account Daifusama caus'd a Noble-man call'd Fara Mondono to have his Toes and Fingers to be cut off and to be burnt in the Forehead because he inclin'd to the Christian Religion but being receiv'd into Favor and restor'd to his former Dignity by the Emperor Conbosama who was his near Relation he left not to practise in private the same Religion But being betray'd by his Servant to Jenoquidi Cambioie Governor of Jedo was by the Emperors command condemn'd Soon after by means of tortur'd Christians were discover'd the Jesuits Hieronimus ab Angelis and Franciscus Galves a younger Brother The Life of Hieronymus bâ— Angelis ¶ AB Angelis Sailing with Carolus Spinola to the East-Indies was necessitated by a fault of their Vessel to fall upon Brasile and immediately after to Sail back to Portugal in which his Voyage homewards he was taken by the English but making his escape from them not long after coming again to Lisbon he Sail'd again for India and at last came to the Empire of China where he stay'd a considerable time and then went to Japan where being chief Governor of the Jesuits Residence in Fissima he stay'd some years in that City then travelling to Surunga where the Emperor at that time kept his Court purposely to erect a Temple he laid his Design so cunningly that he taught the Roman Religion in private there and having also order'd all things according to his hearts desire when within Jedo he was about buying of a House to make a Temple of he was discover'd and forc'd to fly to Surunga and immediately after to Nangesaque But when Anno 1614. a considerable number of Christians were banish'd from Meaco and Osacca to the cold Countrey Sangaer in the Northermost part of Japan by command of the Emperor Daifusama Ab Angelis travell'd thither and at last back again to Jedo where he undertook again his former Design to buy a large House in which he might perform Divine Service But being busie about these his intentions he was sought
for by Cambioie's Life-guard of which having notice he privately made his escape and the Soldiers out of Revenge raged against those where he Lodged which coming to his knowledge griev'd him exceedingly that for his sake they should come to any inconveniency who had receiv'd and Lodged him in their House whereupon he travell'd thither and went to Cambioie accompanied with Simon Jempo a Japanner who had spent his youthful days amongst the Bonzies but embracing the Christian Religion Serv'd the Jesuit for a Dogico that is A Clerk Ab Angelis told the Governor that he was a Priest sent from Sicily to Japan there to Preach the Roman Doctrine Galves makes his escape but is taken again The younger Brother Francis Galves being inform'd that he was discover'd fled to Camacura a Mile beyond Jedo where he thought to escape but was overtaken Mean while forty seven Christians were taken in Jedo which were all condemn'd by Conbosama with Ab Angelis Galves and Jempo to be burnt the fourth of December Anno. 1629. their Sentence was put in execution The Executioners put strong Cords about the Necks of the Condemned and ty'd their Hands behind their Backs Ab Angelis Rid on a Horse with a Letter on his Breast on which his Name was written in great Characters behind him came Jempo and fifteen others on foot Franciscus Galves and Fara Mondono were also bound on Horses every one follow'd by a train of Martyrs Fara Mondono the Nephew condemn'd to be burnt But before Fara Mondono Rid a Cryer or Herauld who when the Drummer left off beating on the Copper Bason Read out of an Edict these words The whole World might apparently behold and guess how much the Emperor Conbosama abhorr'd the Christian Religion condemning his own Nephew to be consum'd by Fire because he had embraced it Not far from Jedo towards Cami stood fifteen Stakes three of which were somewhat nearer to the City than the other all surrounded with great heaps of Wood about one Fathom and a half from the Posts The Soldiers though they surrounded the place of Execution to keep off the multitude of Spectators which were innumerable yet could not hinder their sight the Stakes being all driven in a plain Field near which lay a high Mountain that swarm'd with People and several of the chief Nobles had built Scaffolds in the hanging of the Hill to have the clearer view of the Execution in this manner performed First they made fast seven and forty of them Fifty Romans burnt near Jedo tying their Hands to the tops of the several Stakes and their Feet to the bottom their Names were Leo Taqueua Gonfiqui Fanzabusus Quaxia Chesaiemon Simon Jempo Peter Xixabucus Johannes Matagaremon Michael Quizaiemon Laurentius Cacuzaiemon Laurentius Gagiqui Matthias Juraiemon Matthias Quisaiem Thomas Jofacu Peter Santarius Peter Saiemon Matthias Xigigemon Ignatius Chorimon Simon Muam Decius Joccuno Isaacus Bona Ventura Quidairi Johannes Xinocuro Hilarius Mongazaiemon Franciscus Quisaiemon Saximononia Jinxiquir Johannes Chosaiemon Romanus Goniemon Emanuel Buyemon Peter Quicheiemon Quisaburus Peter Choiemon Andreas Disuque Raphael Quichaiemon Quizequi Anthony and thirteen others whose Names are not express'd in the foremention'd Japan Letter Ab Angelis Galves and Mondono saw their Companions burnt first Whilst the Fire flam'd round about and the Martyrs made a doleful and terrible noise Fara Mondono Ab Angelis and Galves sat still on their Horses to the end they might first behold the miserable conditions of those that suffer'd And when Fara Mondono was first ty'd to the Stake and next Ab Angelis and at last Galves there were some of the former that yet struggled betwixt life and death But Hazart relates farther That two Noble-men being amongst the other Spectators lighted from their Horses and crowding through the People Watch and Pyles of Wood one ran to Galves the other to Ab Angelis and holding them about their Necks suffer'd themselves to be burnt with them But of this I have no great testimony onely the foremention'd Japan Letter mentions two Women who when they saw the forty seven miserably roasting they forthwith went to the Judges and declared themselves openly to be Christians whereupon they were immediately carry'd to Execution Farther Cruelties in Jedo But these Cruelties ceased not thus for Maria Jageia Mother of Leo Gonfiqui who was burnt among the last had Lodged Ab Angelis in her House for which cause she with thirty six more that had entertain'd Christians or Let them Houses or were their Security for the Rent amongst which were also Heathen Japanners were condemn'd to the Fire Unheard-of wickedness committed upon Children Nay it rag'd after a most unheard-of barbarity against Children for leading them with the sound of Instruments to the Place of Execution they were before their Parents Eyes either beheaded or split in the middle or cut in small Pieces and with all other imaginable Tortures put to death An Edict against the Romans Immediately after it was proclaim'd in Jedo and other adjacent Countreys That if any one could give information of a Christian or him that entertain'd them or Let them Houses should have for a Reward the Mansion of him that Let it besides thirty Pieces of Gold worth fifteen hundred Crowns Upon this Murdering began to spread it self as Wild-fire all over Japan Are slain at Scondai In the City Xenxai Didacus Cervalio the Jesuit with sixty Christians were discover'd in Myne-diggers Apparel all which were put to death in Scondai in the cold Winter Nights putting them to Freeze up in the Water At Omura In Omura Peter Vasques the Dominican the Franciscan Lodowick Sasandra and Sotello and one Michael Carvalho a Jesuit were condemn'd to be Frozen to death in like manner At Arima In Arima Vincentius Caun a Native of Corea fell into the hands of the Persecutors who broke his Fingers with Iron Pincers setting him up to the Throat in cold Water and at last burnt him At Farina At Farima the Christians were onely banish'd At Fingo In Fingo Michael Maxima was miserably Scourg'd with Rods and hoised up to a high Post The Strappado and so on a sudden let fall to the Ground that done cold Water mix'd with blood was pour'd down his Throat which they made him disgorge by trampling on his Belly then laid they him in the heat of the Sun and at last carry'd him to the boyling sulphureous Waters at Singok and so long wash'd therein that he gave up the Ghost At Tiroxima In Tiroxima dy'd on Crosses and by the Sword Joyama Sintaro Xobara Schizaimon and others In the Province Figen the greatest Persecutor of the Christians was Nobexima Cami who was one of the Spectators at Jedo when Conbosama burnt fifty Christians Persecution in Nangesaque In Nangesaque they also sometimes burnt a Portuguese and a Japanner for Religion but the Governor Gonrocou seem'd not to delight so much in
Murder as other Commanders who aim'd by their Cruelties to exceed each other he being most commonly troubled with a Distemper that would scarce let him rest either Night or Day So that he regarded the Christians but little being also very intent in desiring his Nobles to let him resign up his Authority Kauwaytsdo is made Governor of Nangesaque This at last was granted him and Kauwaytsdo sent by the Emperor to succeed not without great trouble and amazement to the City Nangesaque and especially to the Christians because Kauwaytsdo was a stern and high-spirited Person and the rather because heretofore Nangesaque had always been Govern'd by ordinary Merchants who by the Command of the Emperor had their Residence there to the end they might buy all things necessary that the Imperial Court requir'd Whereas the Japan Nobles are so exceeding proud and high-minded that they look upon all Tradesmen as Dogs which made every one stand in fear of Kauwaytsdo the New Governor Begins instantly to murder the Christians Anno 1626. in June he came to keep his Court at Nangesaque The second day after his arrival he commanded fifty three Stakes to be drove into the Ground and according to the custom to place Piles of Wood round about them The next day after were led thither the Japan Bishop Franciscus Parquero Balthazar de Torres who had lain a whole Year hid in a Cave under the Floor of a House Baptista Sola Overseer of the Jesuits Cloyster at Arima besides five Japanners which had lodg'd the Priests and as many Portuguese namely Albemen Josse and his Son of fourteen Years old Diego de Costa Johan de Costa and Balthazar de Solse the last two being Pilots The Portuguese became Apostates embracing the Heathen Religion but the rest remain'd constant After that five Men and three Women more were burnt because they had also entertain'd the Priests in their Houses One of the Women saw first her Child of six years old Beheaded Finds out a cunning way to make them apostatize from the Christian Faith But Kauwaytsdo found more Work in this his Murder than he expected for he saw that he must destroy at least a thousand more before he could root the Christian Religion out of Nangesaque Therefore he bethought himself of another way Forcing the Christians to declare by Oath what they were worth and what Moneys they had out either in the Hands of Portuguese Japanners Chineses or their own Servants whether upon Interest or otherwise all which he kept and seiz'd upon for his own use Besides thus depriving them of their Estates he threatned them also with intolerable Tortures and a horrible Death if they continu'd to persist in the Romish Belief But if they would Apostatize they should reap great Benefit Which indeed those that did immediately receiv'd for Kauwaytsdo gave them the Houses and Estates of those that were burnt and also forc'd the Chineses which come yearly with above sixty Vessels to an Anchor before Nangesaque to Lodge in their Houses for which they should pay them Ten in the Hundred of whatever Commodities they sold by which means many poor People on a sudden rais'd themselves to considerable Estates Moreover the Portuguese Merchants might neither lodge with the Christians nor drive any Trade with them Many embrace the Japan Doctrine again In October Kauwaytsdo commanded all those that had Apostatiz'd from Christianity to come before him who being all cloth'd in rich Habies made above fifteen hundred He speaking to them very courteously promis'd to shew them more and greater Favors Cruelty us'd in Mongy ¶ MEan while the heat of Persecution in several Places increas'd A Mile from Nangesaque stands a Village nam'd Mongy belonging to Bongemendo Governor of Arima where seven Men and five Women were put to death Being brought before the Executioners they were first Stigmatiz'd with hot Irons in the Foreheads and immediately after demanded If they would renounce the Christian Religion Which refusing they were again burnt on both Cheeks But still remaining constant they were stripp'd of their Apparel and their Legs and Arms stretch'd abroad with great Scourges so outragiously beaten that they lay a considerable time for dead Then being ask'd anew If they would not change their Opinions which they deny'd with detestations of the Japan Idolatries whereupon the Executioners began their Tortures afresh burning their Privities and other tender parts of the Body with glowing Irons and cutting off their Fingers and Toes It seems a matter worthy no small admiration that a Child of six Years old being amongst these twelve Martyrs endur'd all the foremention'd Tortures with inexpressible Courage Thus punish'd they were cast into Prison Mean while the number of the discover'd Christians amounted to one and forty which all patiently endur'd the foremention'd Afflictions insomuch that at last the Executioners seem'd to be more wearied and tir'd than the Sufferers of which seventeen having large and heavy Stones ty'd about their Middles were carry'd a good distance into the Offin and there thrown over-board amongst which number was a Man and his Wife and three Children the one seventeen the other thirteen and the youngest six years old who being terrifi'd with such strange Preparations began to cry when the Executioners laid hold of him to tye the Stones about his Waste whereupon they asking the Parents if they would have the Child to live and they replying No it was drown'd with the rest Japan Children very hardy enduring the greatest Tortures ¶ IT is very common in Japan to put to death or destroy Children for their Parents Offences Yet the Parents have an unlimited Power over their Children of either Life or Death and it is at their choice to let them live or cause them to suffer with them But there was scarce a Japan Child that went not willingly to encounter Death and endur'd their Tortures with exceeding Courage In the City Usacca two Youths the one ten and the other five years old voluntarily died with their Father Alexius Morifoibioye and a Sister being an Infant of four days old was Decollated On the Island Necaie a whole Noble Family were all condemn'd to the Slaughter amongst which several Children Japanners have little knowledge of the Christian Religion These Examples manifest sufficiently that the Japanners are not only of Noble Hearts but constant Resolutions enduring the greatest Tortures in their Infancy with inexpressible Valour for a Religion the first beginning whereof they scarce understood For besides reading the Pater Noster Ave Maria and some Prayers to the Saints they have little or no knowledge of either the Old or New Testament Therefore we may judge the Japan Martyrs to be very Zealous and Constant Far more holy were the Sufferings of these Infants if they had understood the Grounds of the Christian Faith than the Child which Romanus being tortur'd in Antioch by Asclepiades call'd from amongst the Multitude of Spectators Anno
in the middle so hoisting and retching their Bodies with the Ropes pulling them up a great height then on a sudden let the Cords go at once that the Tortur'd fell with great force to the ground which in a manner bereav'd them of Life whereupon the Executioners ran to them with all speed pouring Cordial Liquors into their Throats by which means they reviv'd again but no sooner did these miserable Wretches breath but they were afresh afflicted With Canes fill'd with sulphur At other times they fill'd hollow Canes with Sulphur and other strong burning Ingredients shutting their Mouths close together and putting one end of the Reed or Cane into their Nostril and set the other a fire which made not onely the skin come off from their Faces but scorch'd their Heads inwardly With sharp Reeds lighted Torches and Scourges They also cut their flesh with sharp Reeds or Flags tearing the Wound open to the Bone then burning the body with lighted Torches insomuch that the Skin shriveling together hung like Lappets Others were stript stark Naked and ty'd by their Arms and Legs cruelly beaten with Japan Canes Cruelties against the Mothers Mothers of young Children suffer'd above all others for the Executioners with great violence struck their Childrens Faces against theirs and the more the Children cry'd the more the Mothers were tortur'd To others they apply'd green Flags which making very hot they laid them on their naked Bodies till all their Skin from Head to Foot was burn'd black they also put glowing Coals into their Hands which if they threw away should be a sign of their denying the Christian Religion according to the Verdict given by the Japan Judges And Children The Children had their Flesh torn from their Bones with hot Pincers and their Ears and Noses cut off In Ximabara Bungodono kept fifty Christians Prisoners which in a disgraceful manner were led through the Streets of the City to a Plain near the Sea-side against seven of them he was very severe namely Thomas Chibioius Paul Nagata Leonardus Sacuzaiemon Joannes Gonzaiemon Jenixus Dines Maria and Clara Nagata's Wife because they had been instruments to the spreading of Christianity therefore in the foremention'd Field were digg'd seven Pits three Fathom deep and six wide at an equal distance one from the other in each of them stood a thick Post with a piece of Timber nail'd on the top thereof like a Cross the Condemned sate down whilst their Arms being stretch'd out A cursed way of Execution were made fast to the cross piece their Necks were lock'd betwixt two thick Planks made hollow in the middle so that their Heads appear'd immoveable above them Bungodono was one of those that perform'd this Office first Sacuzaiemon's right Arm was leisurely Saw'd off then they began to file the Necks of those that were made fast with sharp tooth Canes strowing Salt into the Wounds five days they continu'd their filing without unbinding them or letting them have the least rest The Executioners releasing one another the Physicians were also ready which thorow small Tunnels pour'd Cordial Liquors down their Throats to the end they might be the longer dying The remaining three and forty stood the first and second day as Spectators but on the third and fourth they were ty'd Hand and Feet and plac'd on a sharp piece of Wood with a great Stone in their Laps close by the Martyrs Against the Evening they were carry'd through the City to their Prison the Japanners shouting and hallowing at them when any chanc'd to fall from their sharp piece of Wood. In the Jayl their Tortures began with lighted Torches pieces of sharp Canes drove betwixt their Nails Pails full of Water pour'd thorow Tunnels into their Bellies and trampling On their Bellies to make them disgorge it but in a short time all the forty three became Apostates The tortur'd Apostatize except Michael Xozaburo a Youth of Conga The seven also which were near Ximabara remain'd not constant for on the first day five forsook their Baptism and on the last night Nagata also deny'd the same onely Thomas Chibioius endur'd all their Tortures full seven days when on the last of May Anno 1630. the Executioners being tired with their bloody work Saw'd off his Head The others were let loose out of the Pits but Nagata Sacuzaiemon and Gonzaiemon though they had renounc'd yet by order of Bungodono were slain Clara dy'd soon after those Tortures which she had endur'd by the excessive pain being so bereav'd of sence she never came to her self again and Gonzaiemon repenting of his Apostacy had his Head cut off by a Woodden Saw Some recal the renouncing of their Religion and cut thorow in the middle with a Scymiter Horrid Prison in Japan ¶ NOt far from the City Tomioca in the Island Xiquo the Governor Tobioio had erected in a Field a large Prison with several Apartments for Men Women and Children but so little that every Prisoner was forc'd to sit on his Knees not being able to rise up nor stir himself the one way nor the other the Walls and Roof being stuck full of sharp Canes and Spikes so that many for want of sleep and continual pain gave up the Ghost in the Prison In Amacusa they nail'd up their houses so starving them to death Emperor Toxogunsama dies ¶ ANno 1653. The Emperor Toxogunsama dy'd without Issue so that Daifusama his Family ended all in the second Generation The next to the Crown was Prince Quane who was immediately after Toxogunsama's death set on the Throne under the tuition of five Overseers Congono Bongono Inhano Oyemo and Sannikino The Christian Religion was now fully rooted up wherefore those strict Edicts heretofore Issu'd out against them began to be forgotten it seem'd as if the Emperors Overseers had a greater mind to a foreign Trade The Peers govern more mildly and therefore Govern'd a quite contrary way to that of the Emperors They first wink'd at those Sanguinary Laws so letting them decay by degrees by which means many Traders suddenly came ashore The Spaniards also had no small hopes to regain their former Trade and the Japanners themselves had leave to Trade in other foreign Countreys which liberty they had been debar'd of a long time Jesuits intend to return to Japan Haz. Church Hist fol. 182. But chiefly the Jesuits took fresh courage who immediately spread themselves over the neighboring Provinces of Japan as Tunquin Councina and other places to the end they might be near at hand that as soon as any fit opportunity presented they might Land on Japan and go on afresh with their former design but it hath to this day had no success for the Overseers of the Emperor Quane kept strict Watch against their incroachings though they seem'd not so eager in erecting the foremention'd Blood-baths according to those strict Edicts publish'd by Toxogunsama Toxogunsama a great Sodomite ¶ IT deserves
hang several burning Lamps Hither the Japanners come daily to their Devotion some laying themselves flat on the Ground others bowing their Heads down to the Earth The Bouzies false Relations concerning the Ox. Strange Stories and Fables do the Bonzies relate to the Japanners concerning this Ox namely That the World before the Creation was inclos'd in a great Egg the Shell of which consisted of Brass With this Egg the World drove on the Water till at last the Moon by her piercing light drew up some of the bottom thereof which afterwards growing together became Earth and Stone on which the Egg lay fast and the Ox finding it butted so vehemently against the Brass Shell that breaking it the World came forth But the Ox blowing very much being heated with such hard Labor his Breath entred into a Calabash which grew to be a Man The Calabash the Bonzies call Pou and the first Man Pourang because he owes his original to a Calabash The Devil King of the Oxen. Gasper Villela relates that the Devil in his time possess'd the Japanners that he was the King of Oxen and that he would not leave off punishing them till they had built him a Temple and worshipp'd him in the shape of an Ox for which reason in some of the Japan Kingdoms it is present Death to kill an Ox. It deserves no small admiration Rom. 1.23 that the Heathens which chang'd the splendor of a never-dying God into the likeness of mortal Man Birds four-footed Beasts and creeping Animals but chiefly and most of all chose the shape of an Ox which made the Indians flock by thousands to the mountainous Province of Nakarecit belonging to the great Magor to offer to the Cow Matta standing in a costly Temple on a far more rich and costly Altar The Floor and Cieling of the Temple consisted of Golden Plates fastned together the Altar Inlay'd with Pearls and Diamonds But the Sacrifices themselves above all are to be admir'd at for the Indians cut off their Tongues burning it before Matta The Romans and Greeks were much concern'd in the use of an Ox. On the Hill Aventinus in Rome the Temple dedicated to Diana was hung full of Ox-Horns Those that were banish'd from Athens to Argiva were said to keep the Ox because a great Copper Ox was erected there and worshipp'd The Thracians and Egyptians offer'd Wine out of Ox-Horns when they promis'd Marriage or made other Obligations to one another The antient Romans had a long time no Coyn'd Silver nor Gold but made Money of Ox-Hides They also made a Law That no Judge should lay a greater Fine on any Criminal than thirty Oxen every Ox being reckon'd at four Shillings Julius Obsequen de Prodig And how common is it amongst the Latine Writers to ascribe the Language of a Man to an Ox for an Ox spake in Sicily when the Roman General Marcellus broke up the Siege before Nola and routed Hannibal in the heighth of his Victories Another Ox made a noise in Privernum when Hannibal fled from Marcellus The same is ascribed to this Beast among the Romans when Scipio subdu'd the resisting Spaniards At Formii an Ox cry'd out O Romans look to your selves when Antiochus came down with a mighty Army In Campania another Ox spoke whilst the Romans made themselves Masters of Sardinia At other times the distinct Language of an Ox was a bad Omen Volater l. 25. for in Frusimo an Ox was heard to speak when the Roman General Cneius Octavius was slain by the Guardian of the young King Antiochus and also another when the Romans receiv'd a great Overthrow near Numantia and another when the Cimbrians march'd with Victorious Arms to Italy about which Speech a Council was call'd that sat under the azure Canopy of Heaven In Sinuessa Cows brought forth Horses which signifi'd the destruction of Posthumius in France In Rome an Ox ran up Stairs and leap'd down from the highest Story letting them know by that that the Romans should be miserably beaten by Hannibal near the Lake Thrasimenes An Ox also in Essium breath'd Fire Moreover the Roman Priests offer'd a white Ox of five years old fetch'd from the Menanian or Felician Fields to Jupiter in the middle of every Moneth but the Egyptians a red Ox to Typhon and Pythagoras who else forbad the killing of Beasts because humane Souls transmigrated into their Bodies a grey Ox to the nine Muses Where Oxen may not be kill'd on pain of Death The Greek Law-giver Solon forbad very strictly the killing of an Ox either for Sacrifice or otherwise according to the opinion of the antient Greeks who accounted the killing of a Man to be a less sin than killing of an Ox wherefore Prometheus underwent great reproach because he was the first that cut an Oxes Throat and Homer the Greek Poet says That the Sun was exceedingly enrag'd against the Mariners of Ulysses that did not scruple to eat Ox-Flesh At Chusa an Egyptian City Venus was formerly worshipp'd with Ox-Horns on her Head Columella relates That the antient Latines condemn'd him to die that had kill'd an Ox. Oxen highly esteem'd by the Indians And what the Opinion is of the Oxen on the Coasts of Cormandel Malabare Calicut Gusaratte and in other Indian Territories Abraham Rogerius relates from the Mouth of the Brachman Padmanaba these are his words That as amongst all Beasts the Cows amongst all Fowls the Bird Garronda which is a red Sparrow with a white Ring about the Neck amongst all Trees the Ranasettou so amongst all Men the Generation of Brachmans was most acceptable to God Moreover Padmanaba relates That the Inhabitants of Cormandel are divided into four Tribes or Families namely the Brachmans Settrea's out of which the Kings are chosen Weinsja's divided in Comytis and Sitti-weapari and lastly the Soudra's The Settrea's and Soudra's eat Fish and Flesh that of Oxen onely excepted but the Brachmans and Weinsja's eat no Food that ever had liv'd according to the Commandment in their Vedam for so those Heathens call their Law-Book Why those Souls are the happiest that assume the Bodies of Oxen. These four Tribes hold the Pythagorean Transmigration making the Soul wander into other Bodies and esteem that Soul the most happy that enters into a Cow for which they give this Reason Eswara who next to Wistnow is their prime and chief Deity hath a Consort call'd Parvatia by which he begat five Sons viz. Viegneswara Vierrepadra Beirewa chief Judge over Men who after Death changes the Wicked into evil Serpents Comara Swami and Nandi which are also call'd Baswa and Basanna Handi is an Ox and Wahanan that is A Bearer whereon Eswara is carry'd The interring of Oxen very sumptuously performed Rogerus witnesseth that he hath seen a dead Ox to have had a more statelier Funeral than a Person of Quality sounding of Trumpets is usual where any one dies covering the Ox and offering Frankincense before him In like
Heaven consume thee thou King of Bungo that darest offer or once open that thy Mouth to Blaspheme the holy Priest of the just and ever-living Gods ¶ THe Bonzies are divided into twelve Sects though some lessen the number Amongst all of them those are least esteem'd that acknowledge Combadaxis for the Learnedst Man What the Bonzies of Combadaxis Sect are The Combadaxis-Bonzi have several Cloysters in the famous Territory of Coja They lock up themselves in their Habitations and shave off the Hair of their Heads as a sign that they forsake the World and take a Holy Life upon them under which pretence they act all manner of Debaucheries Besides a great number of Servants there dwell in those Parts above six thousand Bonzies If any Woman dares approach that place she is immediately punish'd with death Combadaxis himself liv'd about eight hundred years ago Combadaxis a great deluder who though a very Villain yet by his dissimulation and eloquent Language obtain'd the Name of a Saint He is held to be the Inventor of those Characters which the meaner sort of the Japanners use When Combadaxis attain'd to a great age he buried himself in a deep square Pit commanding strictly That none should open the same telling them That he died not but being wearied and tir'd with the Troubles of this Life on Earth he went to take rest for a hundred thousand years under Ground after the expiration of which time there would a most exceeding Learned Man call'd Mirozu appear in Japan and with that Mirozu he would also return Round about his Grave burnt an innumerable company of Lamps sent thither from all the Japan-Territories for every one that is of Combadaxis Sect imagines and believes That by the giving of those Lamps they shall obtain Earthly Riches and after death find Combadaxis to intercede for them in the other World Bonzi-Neugori much hated ¶ YEt above all others the Bonzi-Neugori that have promoted the Deluder Cacubau to the Dignity of a Numen are the most hated their chiefest Residence Fatonochaiti being a meer Den of Murderers For they live without a Superior and determine on nothing but with a general Vote so that oftentimes differing in their Consultations they fall at variance and go together by the Ears insomuch that they kill one another Their strange Conversation These Neugori bring up a considerable number of Youths to Thieving and Defrauding of the People Such as exceed the rest in Wit and Cunning are chiefly instructed about the Descents and Exploits of the Japan Kings and State-Affairs being also exercis'd in Martial Discipline and taught the Art of Rhetorical Speaking And thus instructed they travel to the remotest Kingdoms where they give themselves out to be the Sons of Japan Kings or Prince living in another part of the Empire being the rather credited because they appear in Kingly Apparel and carry themselves exceeding Stately And when they have brought their Game to the height then they ask for Money as wanting Bills of Exchange to furnish them for their present Occasions It is very seldom but they find one or other that will disburse Money for them upon giving them a Note not without promise of great Interest So soon as they have thus fill'd their Purses they return with the Booty back to their Cloysters For which cause Are every where kili'd if known if the Neugori from Fatonochaiti are known any where they are without mercy Ston'd to death Notwithstanding this hatred which the Japanners bear against them yet they are afraid of them because they are very expert in Arms. Their Order is divided into three Sects some observing their Religion others make and deliver daily five Arrows a Man the third sort exercise themselves continually in War not unlike the Knights of Malta Maintain War so that they often raise Rebellion against their Princes Anno 1561. they brought thirty thousand Men into the Field and Encamping themselves between Meaco and Saccai fought a great Battel against the Cubus and getting victoriously into Meaco set the City on Fire Yet not long after Success making them negligent and careless they were surpriz'd and expell'd with no small Loss Yet were they not so routed but that they since encounter'd with the Powerful King Nobunanga but with such ill Fortune that most of them were slain on the Spot The Bouzi-Ikkois are highly esteem'd ¶ ALl the other Bonzies are held in high esteem and chiefly the twelfth Sect call'd Ikkois Their Governor is carried in a Sedan Kingly Honor shewn him and worshipp'd by his Followers These Bonzies have great Priviledge beyond the other for they have leave to be merry and eat all manner of Food that the Sea and Earth affords Some of their Temples receive a yearly Revenue out of the Emperors Treasury or else from the Customs and Tolls growing due in that Countrey where they are founded Others are maintain'd by the ordinary People Every one contributes to the Maintenance of his Chappel and Priest to which he belongs for every Sect of the Bonzi have their Congregation They never trouble each other about Differences of Religion nay the Citizens never dispute about their Opinions in matter of Faith though their several Sects differ much one from another Most of their Temples are Houses of Good-fellowship for which reason many of them are built in the most delightful Places where they come oftentimes together The Recreation of the Bonzi no otherwise than to a Drinking-Club in the presence of all their Gods Common Strumpets are brought thither Conceal'd Adultery the Bonzies wink at Yet other Bonzies live more retir'd coming sometimes at Midnight on certain Hours together to say their Prayers and in order taking it by turns perform their Offices which they read out of the last Book of Xaca call'd Foquequium before their Altars In the Evening every one hath his Task set him to get by Heart against Morning and to declare it to the Head Bonzies ¶ BUt the Bonzies of the eleventh Sect exceed the rest in a strict and retir'd Life for they abstain from Women and all manner of Food that ever lived and if it be known to the Magistrates that any of them hath transgress'd Strange Punishment inflicted on some Criminal Bonzies or broken his Vows the Criminal is put into a Hole and cover'd half way with Earth being made fast in the same and every one that passes by though it be a Nobleman must give a cut with a Wooden Saw on the Neck of the half-buried Priest So that generally it is the fourth day before he comes to his End Why the Bonzies are highly esteem'd ¶ A Retir'd and Abstinent Life brings the Bonzies into great esteem and therefore several of their Sects live onely on Pot-herbs Water and Rice Besides many Bonzies are of Noble and Princely Extract for when the Fathers are over-charg'd with Children fearing to leave them but small Shares they put some of them
Obligations Seal'd with a Cup of Wine may not be broke The cutting of their Bellies is perform'd in the following manner He that is to perform the Office invites his nearest Relations into a Temple the middle thereof cover'd with Mats where they have a Noble Treat at which are some of the prime Bonzies after having Eat and Drunk their fill he cuts his Belly athwart so that his Bowels and all his Entrails come gushing out upon the Floor Some that are a little wiser besides ripping open their Bowels cut their own Throats and the more they Massacre themselves the greater Honor they gain This kind of Dying with their Lords is very ancient for it was a Custom in Gallia before the Birth of our Savior Julius Caesar relates That the Soldurii bound themselves to their Lords in like manner as the Japanners Japan servants suffer themselves to be bury'd alive under a Wall Moreover they maintain a second Custom of Self-Murder When a Prince by the Emperors Command or for his own safety is to build a Castle or strong Wall his Servants intreat him to let them have the honor to lie under the Foundation imagining that such Walls built on living Men are invincible And why so that there is scarce any great Building to be found but the Foundation thereof is laid upon one Man or more Strange manner of execution in Japan Each Lord is Judge over his own Servants there is scarce any Crime but they suffer death for it as for Stealing the value of a Farthing or Playing for Money for which Offences he onely that hath committed them dies otherwise for greater Faults his nearest Relations also die with him Those Crimes which they account great are to break the Emperors Command viz. unjust Dealings of Judges plac'd by the Emperor falsifying his Coyn setting Houses a Fire running away with Marry'd Women for all which Offences a whole Family is destroy'd yet the Women making their innocency known often escape with Life The Goods of the Condemn'd are deliver'd to Officers which preserve the same to repair Temples Bridges and mend the High-ways Their Punishments are several according to the greatness of the Crime ripping open their Bowels being onely granted to Persons of Quality and for small Offences for at other times they Burn them Roast them alive Boil them in Oil or Water or else pull them asunder by four Bulls with their Heads hanging down But when the Emperor dies all Criminals are set at liberty through all Japan in one day and hour and the Poof and Needy receive Money that they may take something in hand whereby to live Very remarkable Voyage of Henry Schaep ¶ THe Japanners very False and Treacherous which their Qualities may partly appear by what happen'd to Henry Cornelizoon Schaep a Merchant and a Factor William Bylevelt sent in the Bresken's Ketch with the Fly Boat Castrecom by the East-India Council at Batavia to discover by the East of Japan the Northern Coasts of Tartary The River Polisange the West-most part of America and the rich Gold and Silver Islands On the third of February Anno 1643. the two Vessels set Sail. The Ketch Breskens happen'd about the latter end of July to get into an Inlet on the East Coast of Japan Falls on Japan lying in forty Degrees North Latitude before a Village inhabited by Fishers The Sea-men obtain'd liberty to Barter some Netherland Commodities for Rice and other Provisions Are kindly entertain'd there A Japan Noble happening to come Aboard invited the Captain and other Officers to his House to a Dinner where according to promise he kindly entertain'd them furnishing them with all manner of Herbs and other Provisions and free liberty to come ashore and go when they plea'd Against the Evening the Noble-man return'd again Aboard with the Governor of the Village bringing a Bale of Japan Rice with him for which receiving thanks was entertain'd by the Captain in his Cabinet with Arak Spanish Wines and Tent and as a return for his Rice gave him a pair of new Shooes and Silk Stockins with which he seem'd to be highly satisfi'd After having eat and drank sufficiently the Captain Henry Cornelizoon Schaep William Bylevelt Sieward Johnson the Purser Peter Gerritszoon the Cooper Henry Elsfoort Gunner Jurian Sholton Abraham Spelt Hans Slee and two Youths Jacob de Paw and Aert Bastiaenszoon accompany'd with the Japan Gentlemen went ashore The Captain taking with him some Linnen and a few ordinary Clothes to Barter for Provisions for the sick Sea-men The Noble-man carry'd them all again to his House which stood close by the Shore entertaining them with Japan Wine after which refreshment Schaep desir'd to see the Village and to buy some necessaries which the Noble-man not onely granted but went himself with them in Person bringing the Netherlanders to the Governor of the Town who likewise drank to each of them three Cups of Japan Wine A Japan Nobleman betrays the Netherlanders From thence he carry'd them by a way on one side wash'd with the Sea and on the other side border'd with Fields full of little Cucumers and Radishes and having walk'd half an hour they came near a Hill from whence they had a most delightful Prospect of Vallies Rice Fields and Pasture-Ground in which some Cows and Oxen were Grazing about a stones cast from them was a Rusticks House towards which they walk'd altogether and went in to rest and shelter themselves from the Sun where sitting down they desir'd something to drink on which the Noble-man made signs to them that he had given order for it already and that it would immediately be brought them but staying an hour and nothing coming the Netherlanders would have taken their leaves and been gone aboard A cunning Plot of his Whereupon he again signifi'd to them to stay a little longer for he saw some Horses coming thither on which they might ride back to the Village which the Sea-men refused saying Their Legs were able to carry them But he continu'd earnest in his Request whilst the Horses approach'd the Houses so that he forc'd them to get upon them every one being Mounted were on each side held by three Japanners under a pretence of Civility to hold them fast on their Horses In this manner they rode down the Hill through the Vallies into the Countrey by which they suspected not without great reasons that it was some treacherous design which fear was augmented because one of the Japanners desirous to see Captain Schaep's Hanger which he giving him would not return it but kept it under a pretence to wear it for his sake Japanners use the Prisoners after a strange manner The Japanners understanding these their signs carry'd them to a Brook where they wash'd off the Dirt from their Faces which no sooner done but they saw the Governor of the Town whom they had Treated aboard coming toward them with a great Train of Servants Colours and
not stir one Limb. This Sight did not a little terrifie the Hollanders who were again strictly examin'd concerning their Voyage and chiefly the Spanish Priest which came with them from Namboe ask'd If their Ship Breskens had not taken in some Portuguese Priests either at the Manilla's or Macau and put them on Shore in the Bay of Namboe at unseasonable hours If they were not Roman Catholicks Both which Demands Captain Schaep answer'd with No Sieuward Johnson opening his Breast shew'd them also the great Wounds scarce whole which he had received from the Portuguese at Ceylon and therefore would never desire a move joyful Day than to revenge himself on the Portuguese Nation in which Relation Sicungodonne and Sabrosaimondonne took peculiar delight The Names Age and Offices of the Hollanders are written down Then the Hollanders return'd again to their Quarters where at Night they were visited by the Spanish Priest and two Commission'd Lords which were to write down every Man's Name Age and Office so that they writ down in a Book Henry Cornelison Schaep Captain aged thirty two years William Byleveld Merchant four and twenty Sieuward Johnson Purser thirty three Peter Gerritson Cooper twenty six Abraham Pieterson Spelt Gunner twenty two Henry Elsford Mate twenty Jurian Sholten also his Mate twenty seven Hans Slee Boatswain twenty Aert Bastianson a Youth fifteen and Jacob de Paw a Boy of fourteen years old Two Japanners discover themselves The Two Lords making themselves known told them That they had served their East-India Company for Interpreters and that one of them was call'd Kitsbioye and the other Phatsiosaimon and were sent from Nangesaque to conduct the four condemned Jesuits thither They told them moreover that there were two Dutch Interpreters coming from Firando to Interpret for them before the Magistrates who would for that purpose be in Jedo within thirty days at last telling them that they should Lodge in the House with a Priest that had apostatiz'd from the Christian Religion yet they should no ways be daunted for there was not the lead danger in their Concern and they ought the less to fear because they assur'd them of the Lords Sicungodonne and Sabrosaimondonnes Favors and Sicungodonne had given order to their Landlord that he should not let them want for any thing After this nothing happen'd to them of any remark in nine days time onely that the Interpreters now and then visited them Hallanders are exceedingly frighted But the first of September seem'd to put an end to their Tragedy so that they all prepar'd themselves for Death for the Interpreters Kitsbioye Phatsiosaimon Siovan and a considerable number of the Emperor's Guard carry'd the Hollanders out of the City Jedo Description of the Japan Horse and Foot the Foot wearing little round Helmets wrought like a Shell on the top their Coats being of Mayl hung half way over their Bellies ty'd about their Middle with a Sash in every ones Girdle stuck two Scymiters one long and the other short which below the Handles have round Shells of Ebony-wood by which they hang their Breeches like the Noblemens hung over their Feet on their Shoulders they carry'd Musquets not unlike the Europeans onely the Cocks thereof struck from them and instead of Bandileers or Powder they had square Baskets pleited of Rushes But others belonging to the Emperors Life-guard Rode on Horses which being train'd up daily by skilfull Riders Curvetted all the way they went with rich Caparisons Edg'd with costly Fringe their Heads also cover'd with a rich Cloth but in Service they wear Helmets adorn'd with Plumes of Feathers and Scarfs coming under their Arms and made fast on their left Shoulders a thick silken Cord with two Tassels hangs about their Necks and on their Backs a great Bowe under their left Arm a Quiver full of Arrows in their Girdles stick two Stilletto's or long Daggers with their left Hands guiding the Bridle in the the right holding a great Lance their Legs cover'd with Wax'd Boots Hollanders prepare for Death The Hollanders thus Guarded on all sides both with Horse and Foot were carry'd out of Jedo Close by the City is a great Palace about the bigness of a small City which entring after having past several Avenues they came before a dismal and dark Prison before the Grates of which the four condemned Jesuits sat loaden with great Fetters and Chains with some other Japan Christians from thence they were conducted into a spacious open Court in which stood Gibbets Crosses Gallows and great Wells full of Water The Place swarm'd with People and chiefly one Leaded Entry Pav'd with Free-stone was continually full of all manner of Courtiers private Officers Executioners and Hang-men which passed to and again expecting Commands At last the Jesuits and the Japanners were brought out of their Dungeon to come before the chief Magistrate of Japan And whilst the Judges were busie in examining them most part of the Day was spent Mean while the Hollanders stood in the open Court next the Guards which had brought them from their Inn thither where they saw all Passages and that they might not faint in so great a Crowd they had Sweet-meats given them to eat which they judg'd was by Sicungodonne's order At last they were led through a small Gate to a very pleasant Place having on one side a Woodden Gallery cover'd with Mats through which passing and entring into a Princely Hall they were commanded to kneel before Sicungodonne sitting on a high Throne surrounded with a great number of Councellors who by the Interpreters ask'd the Hollanders these following Questions Questions ask'd the Hollanders to which they return Answers From whence whither and when they put to Sea Why they Anchor'd in the Haven Namboe The Hollanders answer'd That they set Sail the third of February Anno 1643. from the Road before Batavia and steer'd their Course towards Ternata from whence they weighed Anchor the fourth of April but afterwards driven by great Storms were necessitated to Anchor in the Haven Namboe Then Sicungodonne ask'd them if they were Christians though no Papists If they did not desire to speak with the four Jesuits in private Their Answer hereupon was That they were Christians but no Papists and believe in one God Creator and Governor of Heaven and Earth for which Religion they were ready to die and had nothing to say to the Jesuits but held them for their greatest Enemies The other Questions which they were ask'd were these following How many Netherlanders Chineses and others liv'd in Batavia Where their Governor kept his Court How many Ships hath he in his Service What Places do they Sail to Do all manner of Artificers live in Batavia Do Shoemakers Taylors Weavers and other Handicrafts reside there The Hollanders told them That there liv'd about twelve hundred Hollanders in Batavia besides three thousand Chineses and a considerable number of Malabars Javans Bandaneesen Amboiners and Mardikers and also all
manner of Handicrafts resided in the City but the number of the Ships which Sailed to Persia Ceylon Cormandel Malacca Siam Molucco-Islands Tayoan and other Places from Batavia was unknown to them They were also ask'd If the Hollanders saw any way by which they might Conquer Nangesaque Are silent in one Question as they had done Quilang But making as if they understood them not this Question was not answer'd Sicungodonne enquir'd of them also Why their Ketch Breskens had fir'd her Guns several times in the Haven of Namboe which had frighted the Fishermen and all the Countrey People thereabouts Also if they had not a Minister aboard The Hollanders acknowledg'd That the hady fir'd with bare Powder on the intreaty of some Japan Gentlemen which came Aboard of them to view the Ship and that they had not the least intentions to scare the People which they not once thought of being accustom'd to do the same before Firando when any Gentlemen desir'd it but out of fear they deny'd that they had a Minister Aboard At last they were ask'd if they could not swim as they had seen many Hollanders do at Nangesaque This Question amaz'd them much not knowing why they should ask it yet they reply'd That some could swim and others not Sicungodonne leaving off to make any farther Examination gave the Hollanders leave to go to their Lodgings where they rested till the three and twentieth of September without any farther molestation Then the Secretary told them that their Landlord was gone to the Lord Sicungodonne's House to ask for some Clothes for them because the cold Weather began to pinch and they were us'd to go warm Cloth'd Sicungodonne promis'd to furnish them with Coats He also signifi'd that the imprison'd Jesuits and Japanners not being able to endure the exquisite Tortures had deny'd Christianity The next day the Interpreters Kitsbioye and Fatsiosaimon with the Renegado Priest Siovan came and brought for every Hollander two Japan Coats made of Cotton by Sicungodonne's Order Which kindness the Hollanders knew not how to return sufficient thanks for A new fear arises amongst them Mean while understanding by some of the Servants that the next day they were to appear before some of the Magistrates they were exceedingly afraid and the more because they very well knew the two Dutch Interpreters expected from Firando could not yet be come to Jedo And whilst they sorrowfully sate considering of these Matters the Walls of the House began to shake the Timber to crack the Roofs to rent the Doors and Windows flying open and the Ground to move under them At which the Japanners signifi'd to them that a horrible Sea-Monster struck his Tail so vehemently against the Shore that he made all things to shake and tremble The Japanners Opinion concerning Earthquakes is antient But under this kind of ignorance seems to lie hid the antient Opinion of some Greek Philosophers which gave to Neptune the Name of Ennosigaeus that is A shaker of the Earth because it creeps into the Crevices thereof and breaks the Foundations with its swelling Waters This Opinion Thales and Democritus Abderita affirm'd with these Arguments viz. Because that in Earthquakes new Fountains often broke forth and great Places lay hid under almost fathomless Lakes and Plashes of Water But others with much more seeming Reasons attribute tke Earthquakes to the Winds inclos'd in the Caverns of the Earth Agellius puts both the said Reasons together Who are not saith he Nost A. A. l. 2. c. 19. sufficiently instructed by Nature whether the shakings and gapings of the Earth are occasion'd by the power of imprison'd Winds or inclos'd Waters swelling within the Earth Wherefore the Romans order'd a solemn Day of Humiliation to be kept when any great Earthquakes happen'd but they express'd not of what God they sought for help because they knew not whether it were Aeolus Commander of the Winds or Neptune Lord of the Seas that shook the World Japanners are much terrifi'd at an Earthquake The Japanners are exceedingly terrifi'd at Earthquakes knowing by dear Experience that Mountains have sunk into deep Pits Villages turn'd topsie-turvey Cities and whole Territories swallow'd up therefore when the inner parts of the Houses began to crack the Walls to totter the Mats which cover'd the Floors to move and other Houses here and there began to tumble every one ran to seek for a Place of safety their amazedness was so exceeding great which indeed was no wonder for who would not be afraid when the firm Earth affords no sure Foot-steps when it falls in under Towns and Villages An enemy may be repuls'd by high Bulwarks and inaccessible Ways against great Storms Harbors are sure Guards Fire follows not those which flye from it raging Sickness though it empties Cities yet swallows them not up but the Earthquakes hide oftentimes under heaps of Rubbish or almost bottomless Pits Mountains Cities nay whole Territories without leaving the least Mark behind so that whole Generations of People are buried with the Ruines of their Habitations Why the Hollanders were less afraid The Hollanders seem'd to be less afraid than any because they not onely knew of their Mortality in what Place soever they were but that they might easily suffer an involuntary Death not yet knowing how they should come off but that they were at the pleasure and dispose of a barbarous Nation It would be no great matter of difference to them if some merciful Japanner if such a one might be found any where cover'd their Bodies with Earth or if the Earth it self perform'd the Office for without doubt they should suffer a far more easie Death under than upon the Earth Strange alteration in Japan by an Earthquake Most part of the Evening this Trepidation continu'd onely giving several shakes for at other times Japan feels greater sorrow by these Earthquakes because it often happens there that the Earth sinks or makes terrible gapings Rivers swelling overflow cooling hot Springs and making hot cold that Flames break forth from the Mountains or on the contrary that burning Mountains are quenched by Earthquakes that plain Countreys become Mountains and Mountains turn into Plains that Islands are blown up out of the Sea and others sink under Water The reasons of Earthquakes descrid d after divers manners We must acknowledge it to be a great Wisdom which is not onely satisfi'd by the outward appearance of such horrible Motions but also searches into the Secrets of Nature to find out the Reasons of such Trepidations The Japanners as we said before ascribe it to the Water or rather according to their Custom and idle Fancies to a Sea-Monster But those that ascribe it to the Water differ in their Opinions Some maintain according to Thales Milesius that the Earth swims upon the Sea and is moved by it almost like a Ship Others say That the Earth is cut through by continual flowing Streams by immense Lakes inhabited round about
to those that could open a Passage for Ships to sail to Japan by the North at which Amsterdam seem'd much concern'd though nothing had been effected in it Whereupon they set out two Ships the biggest of which was Commanded by Hemskerk His second Expedition and William Barrenson Chief Pylot and the other by Cornelison Riip Both of them Sail'd through vast Seas of Ice to eighty Degrees where they discover'd a Grassy Countrey full of Cartel whereas Nova Zemla which lieth seven Degrees more Southerly hath neither Grass nor any Cattel unless Foxes and Bears They found in a Bay of this Green Countrey two Islands and on them divers Egs of Sea-Fowl Till the eight and twentieth of June they Sail'd backwards and forwards along this Coast to see if they could find any Way that led through but the Ice increas'd at last so upon them that they were forc'd to return Hemskerk and Riip also could not agree to go any further At last they concluded That each of them should Sail where he pleas'd Riip endeavor'd in eighty Degrees to find a way into the Tartarian Sea but being forc'd to leave his Design return'd to Holland with no other Success Hemskerk on the contrary inspected all the Coasts of Nova Zembla so getting to the Island Orange lying before Nova Zemla at the utmost Northern Point where he was hemm'd in by the Ice which according to their Plummet was twenty Fathom thick under the Water and twelve above The Ship driving against these Mountains of Ice receiv'd a great Leak in her Prow September began by this time to come on apace at which time the Sun begins to hide it self there for three Months The Place desolate and unhabitable the Cold insupportable Firing scarce no Houses nor Provisions to be found any where so that they had all expected Death had not some of the Seamen travell'd up two Leagues Southerly into the Countrey where they found a sweet River full of Trees and Planks driving in it Is very remarkable which serv'd them for a Hut which they built not without great danger of Bears and exceeding trouble by reason of the extraordinary Cold not having finish'd it before the latter end of October After that they were miserably tormented within by the Smoke and without by Bears North-East Winds and Mountains of Snow betwixt which they were forc'd to pass to carry their Firing into the Hut Thus they spent their time till May which drawing near an end and also their Provisions growing scant they prepar'd their Boats and though grown weak by their Wants and Sufferings yet they stood out to the Offin In these Boats they pass'd through the wide Ocean and when the Waves went too high they hawl'd them on the Ice where they were assaulted by the Bears In this their Voyage home William Barrenson died and several others twelve Men only escaping with Life through a thousand dangers coming at last to Kilduin from whence they Sail'd to Amsterdam The Straights of Anian not mention'd in the Japan Map So that all the Voyages which have been made to Sail to the East-Indies by a Westerly Course through the Northern America or Easterly along the Coast of the Samoyedes and Tartary through the Straights of Anian have been of no effect And if the Map shewn by the Apostate Japan Priest Syovan be right then all Voyages to the East-Indies if Sail'd Northerly would be in vain because no passage is found therein between Catay and America from the Northern Ocean which the Samoyedes call Marmare to the South Sea In the same Map Jesso was made to border on America and Tartary lay to the In-land and separated from those Coasts Wherefore Syovan ask'd the Dutch Prisoners How they could have saild to Tartary since it lay so far Southward from the Sea And on the North though it be wash'd by the Sea yet they could not put in there because there is no Channel runs between Tartary and the South-Sea Hugo Grotius his mistake concerning the Inhabitants of America By this plainly appears the Mistake of the Learned Hugo Grotius who saith That America was Peopled out of Norway over Yseland Friezland Greenland and Estotiland through vast and Icy Seas For if there be no Water-passage betwixt America and Cataya then the Peopling of America may more probably be from Cataya than from Norway Without all doubt one People or Nation have driven another from their Countreys the Weaker still giving place to the Stronger The Passages of Ancient Times manifest this sufficiently It cannot be denied that the spreading of Mankind over the Earth after the Flood must be sought for on the Armenian Mountain Ararat which the Turks call Agri Dagh and the Armenians Messis Saur on which Noah's Ark landed Armenia it self borders on the North with Colchis Iberia and Albania on the West with Cappadocia on the South with Mesopotamia and the East is wash'd by the Caspian Sea The Generations of Mankind increasing and multiplying sought in all places for newer and greater Habitations Those which sprang up in the North-East took Tartary and Catay into possession from whence they spread themselves further over America And that this hapned many Ages ago may appear by those Europeans that discover'd America for they found this Countrey and all the Islands which lie scatter'd up and down in great numbers so exceeding Populous that they might well stand in competition for the Number of Inhabitants with Europe or any other part of the World but are so different in their Language and Customs that the one hath not the least resemblance with the other whereby it may partly appear that as they remov'd their Stations presently after the Confusion of Tongues that hapned in the Valleys of Shinar the Passage from Catay to America about the North is very easie whereas that from Norway thither is much farther and more troublesom between Flakes of Ice and under a Cold Heaven For no where America borders on Asia but near the Straights of Anian if such a Channel were found but more probably on the Territory of Catay However the first Plantations of People belong originally to Asia Forbisher found the Northern Americans to be broad Fac'd with long and black Hair Camosie Noses woolly Beards and of a swarthy Complexion Their Religion worshipping the Sun which they call'd Hyout By all which they seem to be rather of a Tartarian Extract than from Norway Syovan's Arguments to the Hollanders concerning their Voyage to Tartary These Reasons perswaded Syovan that it was impossible for the Hollander to Trade by Shipping into Tartary because the most Southerly part of that Countrey lay a great distance from the South-Sea and the North was not to be Sail'd to out of the South-Sea because the Straights of Anian was not mention'd in the Japan Map Whereupon Captain Schaep replied That Tartary Schaep's Answer concerning the Tartarian Trade so call'd from the mighty River Tartar is wash'd on the North
is gone to Sea out of the Haven of Namboe without Officers Do the Hollanders keep such small Command over those that are under them Their Answer Byleveld answer'd That the Pilot in the Captain and Merchants absence according to their Custom bore the chief Command in the Ship which the other Seamen ought to obey But the Pilot must give an account concerning his Command therefore they knew not how he could answer it before the Indian Council at Batavia for he notwithstanding their earnest entreaties by Writing desiring him not to weigh Anchor from Namboe yet on the contrary set Sail without staying for his Captain and the Merchant The Reasons that mov'd him thereto may be better guess'd than poke for truth Perhaps he was fearful of further danger seeing us thus violently carry'd away by which he might judge that the Hollanders were not priviledg'd to come on the North of Japan though the Emperor gave them leave to Trade to Nangesaque Moreover none in the Ship to our knowledge was ever in Japan to know it wherefore the Pilot might think that we could sooner get from Jedo to our Countreymen at Nangesaque than to the Ship in the Haven of Namboe Father Examination and Answer concerning the State of Portugal Samoccysamma reply'd This present Emperor did not onely grant free leave of Trade to the Hollanders but also his Father and Grandfather were no less Courteous to them But how comes it that after a long War with Portugal sworn Enemies to the Japan Empire you have made Peace with them which dealing the Japan Emperor cannot but suspect and dislike Japan Councellors make enquiry after the difference of Religion between the Portuguese and Hollanders But Sammoccysamma went on in his Examination The Portuguese Priests said he teach That they can help themselves and others by Prayers and Offerings to I know not what not onely in this Life but also in the other Do you Hollanders also believe that you can reap any benefit by that means Most mighty Lord replied Schaep how should we be so foolish to expect good from those that prosecute our Souls and Bodies for indeed very great is the difference between the Portuguese and Dutch Clergy which in the time of the Popish Priests were murder'd by thousands and at present since they cannot destroy us by violence they condemn us to everlasting damnation accounting us Vagabonds that must for ever burn in unquenchable Fire so that if they could save us they would not But how can they Why do they not help themselves Ought they not to use that Art and rid themselves from so many tortures We believe that the Emperor of Japan can give us free leave that we may go for Nangesaque Which Discourse of Schaep caused all the Japan Lords to laugh But during this Examination a Secretary sat next to Sicungodonne who took an exact account of and set down all the Questions and Answers that pass'd between the Councel and the Netherlanders Description of a Japan Inkhorn They write in this manner The Inkhorn is like a long Box out of the Top of which appears the Mouth of a long Flask cover'd with a Wax Lid to keep it from breaking the Box is divided into three Partitions one is the Place in which the Writing-Pencils lie inclos'd of which the top is made fast with Pins at the bottom of the Box in which the Flask stands is a place wherein they preserve their Cakes of Ink which are sometimes red but generally black and cost much Money because they use them but little These Cakes must be mark'd with the Emperor's Arms and try'd by his Officers and if they are found to be good they set certain Letters upon them without which mark upon pain of death they may not be put to Sale or us'd Japanners are great Artists in Writing Hereby it plainly appears that the Japanners have great skill in the noble Art of Writing which like a Master domineers over Death because it not onely shews on Paper the Transactions of Man and communicates to us the Knowledge of others in the Mysteries of God and Nature but also preserves things against the wearing of Time to all Posterity therefore the antient Greek Philosopher Anaxagoras judg'd that Man was the wisest and strongest of all Creatures because he had Hands which would write things that Death could not blemish for Learned Books last many Ages and by that means instructed their Successors Japan Pencils after what manner they are made But the Japan Pencils are made of Copper or Silver and at one end eight square and flat on the top on which every ones Arms are Engraven for to Seal their Letters withal under the Seal is a round hollow Joynt full of black or red Powder according to the colour of their Ink about the middle Images are Engraven which serve for Ornament and below appears the Pencil with which they Write in this manner The foremention'd Box hath a round Case on one side for the Pencil and on the other side a long square place wherein are four Indentings at the end thereof are eight Copper or Silver Pins in the four holes they pour their Water for to make their Ink with which they make either black or red according as they please and dipping the Pencil first into the Water they rub it on the Seal'd Cakes of Ink. How they Write They Write quite after another manner than the Europeans for the Japanners take not the Pencil with which they Write between their three Fingers but in their whole Hand so that the upper end thereof appears between the Thumb and Fore-finger and the middle part they grasp in the Palm of their Hand and after that manner they make exceeding good Letters and Write very fast with their Pencil their Paper not unlike the European is somewhat browner but smoother and the one side which is not written represents Silver Checker-work on a blue Ground Several ways of Writing Here also is to be observed their four several ways of placing their Letters The first and oldest hath always been us'd as also to this time by the Hebrews Chaldeans Syrians Arabians and Egyptians Writing from their right Hand towards their left whereas on the contrary the Latines Greeks Celâ—s and other Europeans Write from their left to their right The antient Greeks had another way of Writing as may be seen by the famous Laws of the wise Solon which was where the first Line ended the second began directly and upright and where the second ended there began the third and so accordingly the rest not unlike Roads in Countreys which take a beginning where others end and oftentimes are cut through one another Genial Dies l. 2. c. 36. Lastly the Chineses a great part of the Indians and all the Japanners begin on the right-side and so Write from the top downwards Alexander ab Alexandro relates That the antient Moors in like manner
same as the Castilian and Portugal What is his Name Who did ever see him Where hath he convers'd Whereby do you believe your God to be the True God Difference of Religion ¶ IT plainly appears by the Religion of the Japanners that they embrace the Errors of the most foolish Heathens Rom. 1.23 changing the Glory of the uncorruptible God into an Image made like to corruptible Man This foul Doctrine was embrac'd by the Anthropomorphites in Christendom about the time of Arius and the Nicene Council The first Teacher was Audius deriv'd from Mesopotamia a Man who liv'd a very lend Life yet in short time got many on his side and remaining a little while by the Church at last forsook it and rais'd a new Opinion which much puzzl'd the Ancient Fathers and chiefly they were contradicted by Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria Fâ—rb Inst Theol. 1.36 and Epiphanius at Salamina but Epiphanius disputed so indifferently that he gave no satisfaction to the Learned And indeed against this foolish and fleshly Opinion of God the Learnedst Heathens have disputed Lact. de Irac c. 11. Lactantius relates of the ancient Philosopher Pythagoras That he believ'd God to be a Spirit without a Body Plato affirms That God is the greatest Good above all things in Nature he himself being full of all Perfection In Somis Scip. wanting nothing And Macrobius saith Plato when he would speak of God durst not say what he is concluding That he cannot be known of Man what he is For God is call'd Suprema Ratio Ens Entium and is also the first Original of all things Here is added the Relation of the great Orator Cicero De Nat. Deor. in these Words In his Book of the Laws saith Plato I can better say what God is not than what he is Do you ask me what or how God is I will use Simonides for my Interpreter of whom when the Tyrant Hiero ask'd the same Question he desir'd one day to think upon it and on that day asking him again he requir'd two days so still increasing the number of the days Hiero wondering at it ask'd why he did so Because said he the longer I study the more difficult I find it to resolve Seneca also writes thus to Lucilius God is close by he is in you So say I O Lucilius a Holy Spirit is within us Ad Luciâ— that takes an account of all our good and bad Actions This Spirit according as it is treated by us so it deals with us but none is a good Man without God The opinion of the learnedst Heathens concerning God The Learnedst of Heathens acknowledg'd in God the greatest Perfection which consisted in three things To the first belong'd his Eternity which can be measur'd by no Time being a Life without End So that the Heathens observ'd by the Light of Nature how it was with God to see to that which he was not before or not to see after that which he was once Secondly They ascrib'd to God a Freedom against all Power because he hath an irresistible Power which is as Mighty and Omnipotent as God himself Disown God to be a substance Lastly They believ'd that his Godly Nature suffer'd no Connexion to or with himself for where there is such a Connexion there must needs be something equal or alike to connect but in God is no want of any such connected Assimilation for if there were then the Cause of such Want must precede the Connexion and consequently be before God but God is the First Causer of all things And on these grounds they could find that God was not Substantial and Frail much less consisted of Soul and Body Which if the Learn'd Anaxagoras Master of the famous Socrates had not understood he would not have call'd God a Spirit and said That all things proceeded from the Power of an Everlasting Spirit The contrary opinion of the Japanners But the Japanners go not so high notwithstanding the inexpressible Goodness of God and their own Consciences should lead them to an Everlasting Being yet they ask foolishly for a visible God that converses with Men on the Earth Byleveld's Answer ¶ BUt to return to our Story Byleveld gave Sicungodonne this Answer The Castilians and Portuguese acknowledge a Trinity as well as the Hollanders but they represent him in the shape of an Old a Young Man and a Dove which the Hollanders hold to be abominable For they acknowledge God to be an endless Spiritual Being of whom none may or can make any Likeness neither by Images or Imaginations of the Heart Moreover God hath given himself divers Names in the Greek and Hebrew Tongues but the Hollanders call him God the Father Son and Holy Ghost And because he is an Incomprehensible Spirit he can be seen by none from whence it always proceeds that a Man can no way see his own nor anothers Soul Yet the Invisible God is Visible in the Works of his Creation Preservation and Governing of all things Also Gods Son took upon him the Nature of Man in a Woman when he was born in Bethlehem travell'd through Palestine did great Miracles there and at last not far from Jerusalem died a cursed Death on the Cross to redeem and save those from everlasting Damnation that believ'd in him all which is written down in two Books the first written by the Prophets in the Hebrew Tongue the other by the Apostles in the Greek These Prophets and Apostles were great Saints to whom God gave the Spirit of real Truth And these Books were translated out of their Original Tongues into Dutch by Persons experienc'd both in Greek and Hebrew Sicungodonne ask'd further Sicungodonne's other Questions Do your Feasts agree with the Portuguese and Castilians How are they call'd Do the Hollanders keep Fast-days Are they not taught by Priests and Ministers as the Spaniards What are those Priests Have they a yearly Income out of the Countreys Revenue Do they meddle with any State-Affairs Is the Prince of Orange under any Bodies Jurisdiction or Governs he Holland alone Captain Schaep answer'd Schaep's Reply The Hollanders said he keep the first Day of the Week like the Spaniards on which every one rests from their Labor and goes to Church to hear Divine Service Only on some extrordinary Occasion Fast and Prayer-days are order'd to be kept that the Inhabitants may humbly beg of God for his merciful Assistance Besides at such an accident they abstain not from Meat and Drink but take it and give Thanks to God for it Distinction of Diet is never observ'd by them Moreover the Holland Teachers are call'd Ministers which are Men that from their Infancy have been brought up to learn the Latin Greek and Hebrew Tongues and in Publick Churches Preach to the People out of the foremention'd Books which every one may peruse that thereby it may appear if their Doctrine agree with them They are paid but of the
dead Corps Of which the Greek and Latin Writers accuse the Lotophagi The strange Dealings and Cruelty of some People us'd to their dead Corps which threw their Dead without Chests or Coffins into the Sea judging it to be all one if they rotted in the Earth or whether they were consum'd by Fire or decay'd in the Water The Sabeans cast their deceased Friends nay their Kings dead Bodies on the Dunghils The Taxili Iberi and Brachmans gave departed Corps to the Crows and Ravens to eat This Custom also was observ'd by the Barchaei but onely to Valiant Men that were slain in the Wars Those that died a natural Death they burnt The Parthians gave the Flesh of the Dead to Dogs onely burning the Bones The Hyrcanians in their Life-time bred up great Mastiffs that when they died they might be eaten by them The Essedons brought their departed Friends Bodies out at their Doors where calling their nearest Relations together they cut the Corps asunder so mixing and boyling it amongst Sheeps Flesh they eat it as a Solemn Funeral Feast The Massagetes carbonado'd their Dead also and eat them The ancient Jeren accounted it Religious to feed upon the Flesh of their Deceas'd Friends Parents and Relations The Dervices slew all their Men and Women before their Altars when they came to seventy years of age The Hyperboreans made Feasts for their dead Bodies hanging Garlands about their Necks at last throwing them from the Rocks into the Sea On the Island Code those that attain'd to sixty years were forc'd to drink Poyson because their Provisions should not grow scarce The Caspians so soon as their Fathers and Mothers were seventy years old lock'd them into a Chamber or drove them to desolate and uninhabited Wildernesses that there they might die of Hunger Remarkable Ceremonies us'd about the burning of Beasts ¶ BUt although these People wanted Humanity acting such unnatural things with their Dead yet others have bestow'd vast Charges on their Funerals nay some have not stuck with prophaneness to erect Monuments for their Beasts of which Lacys was one who with great Ceremony Entomb'd a Goose that whilst it liv'd would not go from him Alexander the Great made a sumptuous Feast at the Death of his Horse Bucephalus The Emperor Angustus and after him Adrianus and Commodus built every one for their dead Horses a stately Marble Tomb. Cimon and Xantippus famous Generals amongst the Greeks Interr'd their Dogs with Funeral Ceremonies And nothing was more usual and common amongst the Egyptians than to take dead Cats Crowes and Cranes and having Salted and Imbalm'd them to wrap them in fine Linnen and in a Coffen Interre them Japan toomes or burning places Of Men. Yet far greater Cost was bestow'd on the Burying of Men. How famous is the Tomb which Artemisia erected for her deceas'd Husband Mausolus The Stones thereof were all Marble it contain'd in the Circumference four hundred and eleven Foot and five and twenty in Height surrounded by twenty six curiously ingraven Pillars The famous Architects Scopas Briar Timotheus and Leocares had scarce finish'd every one their Parts when Artemisia died after having burnt the Bones of her Husband to Powder and drank them up and spent all her Revenues on the before-mention'd Structure Who hath not heard of the famous Pyramids which were the Burying-places for the Kings of Egypt of which three are yet remaining The greatest is square and runs up sloaping yet on the top so broad that there may stand fifty Men The breadth from one corner to another at the bottom being three hundred twenty four Paces and rising aloft with two hundred and fifty Steps every Step five Foot high and each Foot nine Inches long At each of the four Corners is a low Descent to which none can go but stooping Peter Belloon relates That he found this Pyramid Anno 1548. built within after this manner Creeping through a narrow Passage with a Wax Candle in his Hand he came into an empty Room where turning on the left Hand they found a spacious Place to which a curious Gallery led the way The Gallery was pav'd with great Free-stones curiously polish'd without Steps so that he was forc'd to support himself by the Rails on both sides after which manner he ascended sixteen Paces at the end of which appear'd a handsom square Chamber in which stood a Chest of twelve Foot long five high and as many broad without a Cover hewn out of one entire piece of black Marble wherein the Egyptian King lay Interr'd that built this Pyramid Besides these he found several other Apartments and also a Well fill'd with Stones Moreover the Athenians made so much ado about the Burying of their Dead that they condemn'd ten Commanders because they neglected to do that Office to two departed Soldiers The Hebrews neglected not to bury their Enemies The famous Roman Orator Paulus accounts it Death for those that dig up dead Bodies out of the Ground Alexander the Great kept so magnificent a Funeral in Babylon for Hephestion that the Charges amounted to six hundred Tun of Gold Furthermore the Ancients bestow'd great Sums of Money on Pillars Images Coffins Imbalmings and other strange Ornaments with which they adorn'd the Burying-places every one according to his Capacity This ancient Custom is yet observ'd amongst the Japanners Japanners burn their Dead where the Bodies being burnt after the Roman manner they lay the Ashes under stately Tombs It is certain that the Romans have not always burnt their Dead for their ancient Law commanded Bury none in the City nor burn none Cornelius Sylla a Roman General was the first that order'd his Body to be burnt fearing some might out of revenge do to him what he had done to Marius whose Bones he digg'd up and threw into the River Anienis After that the Romans us'd only Funeral Pyres which Custom decay'd and became void in the Emperor Antoninus his Reign he commanding again That the Dead should be buried in great State and have costly Tombs erected over them Their remarkable and strange Ceremonies used about the Dead The Roman Pride in those Affairs the Japanners have taken an exact Pattern by for when a Person dies they set the Corps on a Bier with his Head bow'd forwards and his Hands folded together in a praying Posture clad in White over which hangs a Paper Coat pasted together whereon is written the Religion of that Idol whom the deceas'd honor'd and worshipp'd In this posture four Men carry it out of the City to the Fire then a great number of his Relations and Friends which attended the Corps stand round about the Fire and call a whole Hour together on the Name of the Idol whether Amida Xaca Canon or any other to whose Service in his Life-time the Departed was most devote whilst the Bonzies play making a horrible noise by striking on Copper Kettles and Basons The Pit wherein the Fire is made is square hung
round about with Mats and hath an Entrance that opens towards the four Winds The Pit it self fill'd full of Wood which is cover'd with a Sail. On both sides thereof stand Tables fill'd with Meats all dress'd in Blood and Vessels fill'd with Perfumes and next them lie great Heaps of Sweet-wood When the Bier with the Corps approaches they fasten a long Rope about it on which every one that can come near lays his Hand and call all together on the Name of the Deceased's Idol Thus they carry the Body three times about the Pyre on the Shoulders of four Men At last setting the Bier with the Corps on the Pile of Wood the chief Bonzie waves a lighted Torch three times over the dead Bodies Head which done he throws it away but it is taken up again by the nearest of the Deceaseds Relations of which one stands on the East and the other on the West side of the Bier Three times they give it from one to the other over the Corps then they set Fire on the Pile of Wood whilst others that stand next to them pour Oyl and Essences thereon so that the Flame suddenly ascends the Sky and consumes the dead Body to Ashes Mean while the Children and nearest Relations go to the Tables kindle the Vessels with Perfumes and shew Worship to him that is burnt Which done every one returns home onely the Common People that follow'd the Corps make themselves merry about the Fire with the Meat that stands on the two Tables by the Funeral Pit The next day the nearest Allies return again to the Fire and there gather the Ashes Teeth and Bones into a gilded Urn which carrying home they set in a private Chamber and cover with a rich Cloth Seven days together they mourn accompanied all the time with some of the Bonzies who receive great Rewards for the time they spend in such Services On the seventh day the gilded Urn is Interr'd without the City in the place where the Body was burnt which done they spare no Cost nor Charges in erecting a stately Monument Description of the Japan Burying-places First great Stones are laid over the gilded Urn sometimes three-square sometimes after an oval fashion and at other times with several Corners The Sides thereof are Ingraven with curious Imagery either a Lion-Rampant making towards a Japanner that holds his Swords in his Hand ready to resist him or of Armed Men deeply engag'd in a Battel or else of Flowers which are commonly the Graves of Women On these Stones are square or round Marble Pillars on which are ingraven in Japan Characters his Birth-day his Life Imployment and other Atchievements and the time of his Death whose Bones lye there Interr'd Next these Graves are to be seen the Representation of the Idol worshipp'd by the Deceas'd which are generally cut to the life out of Marble Then are there Men and Womens Pictures sitting after the Japan manner with their Legs across under them every one dress'd in fashionable Apparel the Men holding their Hands together in a praying posture The Women on the contrary hold theirs asunder and look side-ways over their Shoulders Description of Siquani the deceas'd Childrens Idol ¶ MOreover you do not onely meet with very costly Tombs in Japan but also large Temples dedicated to their Gods that rule over the Dead Not far from Osacca is a stately Temple where the Idols Jene and Siquani are worshipp'd by all Mourners This Idol Sequani sits on a round Pedestal cover'd with a Scollopp'd Cushion adjoyning to which a silver Parrot appears on a Pearch The Face of the Image represents a Youths the Hair of the Head ty'd behind with a String of Pearls one Lock being curl'd standing upright His four Arms are cover'd with wide Sleeves full of sparkling Stars About his right Arm a Serpent is twisted whose Head he holds aloft in his Hand From the Elbow of this Arm grows another which embracing a young Child squeezes it against his Breast In his left Hand he holds a Scymiter in a ready posture to fight Half from the left Arm appears a second with the Hand downwards holding a round String with Beads The Child looks stedfastly towards the Sword with his Hands folded together and with his Legs across under him sits on Siquanies wide Breeches But the Idol Jene is held in great Adoration by the tenth Sect of the Bonzie He sits in State on a High Altar which is curious to behold for at every corner stands a square Pillar a little distance from the Altar and is joyn'd Arch-wise to the uppermost Ledge thereof which is engraven with Stars and other Curiosities and the Spaces betwixt full of Japan Characters On every corner of the Altar stands a flat Dish onely behind the Idol towards the right side stands a deep Platter in which Perfumes are continually burnt The Plates serve to hold the Money which the People offer In the middle Jene sits on a round Scollop'd Cushion being represented with four Bearded Faces the Heads whereof are all joyn'd together behind He wears a Golden Crown with seven Spires on whose tops are round Balls full of Diamonds On his Breast hangs a double String of Pearls and at the end thereof a Rose of Diamonds His left Arm he holds aloft and his folded Hand grasps a Staff which he sticks into a Sun From this Arm hangs a second downwards in the Hand holding a pleited Garland In the uppermost right Hand is a Japan Plant but that which points downwards thrusts a Golden Staff into the Smoke over the Perfuming Vessel Idol Jene rules over ancient deceas'd People This their Idol as they say rewards Good and Bad after Death To him are the Souls of aged and married People committed Wherefore those that mourn for their Fathers Mothers Wives Husbands or any other near Relations come in great numbers to this Temple to offer for the Departed Souls on Jene's Altar Jene's Temple Moreover this Temple is always kept lock'd for the Image stands in an open place under the azure Canopy of Heaven between the Temple and the Bonzies Habitation which look after the performance of their Divine Service to Jene Before the Temple is a square Portal on whose Roof at each end rise two Spires of an exceeding height On one side lies the Temple-Grove which with pleasant and shady Trees takes up a great deal of Ground Moreover though the Lacedemonians according to the Laws of Lycurgus buried their Dead in the City and near the Churches yet it was forbidden by other Grecians In a Field not far from Athens was the Burying-place of the Athenians full of Posts and Pillars on which the Names of the Deceased were Ingraven In the time of the Consul Cnejus Duillius the Romans made a Law by which every one was commanded to bury their Dead either near the Flaminian or Latin way or elfe in his own ground near Rome Nay the Emperor Adrianus order'd That
keep two of them for himself and give order what shall be done with the rest The Presents which are to be given to the Emperor his Councel and other Persons of Quality are by times as the Hollanders Landlord and Interpreter think fit divided at Jedo because thereby they may raise the value and esteem of them and an Inventory thereof deliver'd to Sicungodonne who looking it over alters it divers times Moreover Goods requir'd by the Japan Lords there hath been chiefly desir'd by Jaabaminosamma Lord of Odoura an Astronomer three Pieces of white Velvet and two costly Perspective-glasses the Councellor Botsokey a green Thrum Blanket the Councellor Matsondeiro Issinocamy five Pocket Looking-glasses one Reading-glass and three Spectacles the first Councellors Son Jusiensamma a Piece of English Dy'd Damask one Piece of white Velvet and three Pieces of black Cloth-Serge Mito Siovangosamma the Emperor's Uncle five Strings of red Coral and three pair of Spectacles of all which give to every one their desir'd Commodities The Emperor's Presents For the Emperor we have sent with you besides rich Pieces of Plush Padaways two great Copper Globes a rare Looking-glass and a live Casuaeris Description of the Bird Casuaeris This Bird is taken on Banda and much bigger than a Crane hath brown Feathers but neither Wings Tongue nor Tail his Breast is arm'd with an Oval Shield exceeding hard his Neck like that of a Turky onely that his moveable Combe being red and blue hard and stiff of the thickness of a Mans Finger stand upwards athwart his Head his Feet yellowish are most like unto those of an Ostrich The most to be admir'd in it is his devouring and evacuating that which he hath eaten swallowing not onely all that comes before him but also glowing Coals which come cold from him again Wagenaer arrives at Nangesaque Wagenaer arriving at Nangesaque took possession of Bouchelion's Place who going Aboard of the Fly-boat call'd The Evening-Star set Sail on the second of October Anno 1656. for Batavia After which Joffiesamma the new Governor of Nangesaque went to visit the Governor Wagenaer in the East-India Store-house on the Island Disma where he took great delight in the Garden behind the Store-house being planted after the Dutch manner Mean while Wagenaer prepared himself to Complement the Emperor the Governor giving him his own liberty when he pleas'd to go so that he concluded to set forth on his Journey the seven and twentieth of December Is forc'd to put off his Journey because of the foolish opinion of the Japanners concerning Day◠But the Interpreters having a Custom to make the Hollanders Requests known to the Governor Sacquemondonne the chief Magistrate their Journey was put off Sacquemondonne telling them that the twenty seventh of December was by the Japanners accounted amongst the unlucky Days Which Opinion hath long reign'd amongst the Heathens The Romans and Greeks accounted those fatal Days on which their Countrey or City suffer'd any mischance yet some of them despised this foolish Fancy for Lucius Lucullus led his Army against Tigranes on the sixth of November by the Romans accounted unfortunate to begin any weighty matter upon yet it so fell out that Lucullus with small Forces routed a great Army The Macedonians reckon'd the Moneth of June to be fatal notwithstanding Alexander the Great sleighted that idle Opinion when in June he encountred with the Persian King Darius Ventidius also was no way daunted to venture against Pacorus the Parthian on the same day whereon Crassus with a great Power of the Romans had been defeated by the Parthians But Sacquemondonne had another opinion concerning the Times he thereby seem'd to be careful of Wagenaer and thought it convenient to put off the unfortunate Day till the tenth of the Japan Moon which agrees with the last day of the European December But the Governor still putting it off from time to time Wagenaer did not set out of Nangesaque till the ninth of January 1657. Wagenaer's Journey for Jedo leaving the Government of the Island Disma to John Odgers and Meindert Mestecker Left Orders concerning the Netherland Store-house ordering them to take care that the Store-house should be carefully look'd after to keep out the Rain and other Water from spoiling the Goods that the Book-keepers should keep no Fires in their Chambers so to prevent all danger that might happen having understood before his departure that a great Fire had been at Jedo that the Chinese Jonks which come to Coxenga with Fleets consisting of thirty Ships at a time from Anhay and Chincheu to Japan may easily be prohibited because they had dealt like Enemies with the Japanners by Sailing to the Manilla's by which means the East-India Company would reap great benefits for when the Chineses come often thither then the Japanners raise their refin'd Copper Bars and their Camphire to a high rate The Camphire Trees grow most in the Japan Province Satsuma Is forced to stay at Osacca Whereupon Wagenaer taking Shipping arriv'd in twelve days at Osacca where in two days he provided all things necessary for his Journey by Land but when ready to set forth he receiv'd Order to stay in his House the Day approaching on which the former Emperor died which was kept very strictly through all Japan After that Wagenaer having already hir'd eighty five Footmen and six and forty Horses to carry the Presents and their other Luggage to Jedo had leave to depart Japanners Marry many Women ¶ AS the Japanners with great state and sorrow keep the Day of the Emperor's death so likewise their Ceremonies of Marriage are perform'd in as great state and splendor with unexpressible joy It is the Custom in Japan as in most Parts of Asia to Marry several Women which Custom the Japanners have brought from China where a Man is not bound to one Woman This unlimited lasciviousness took place in Asia many Ages since And who knows not that the Persians and Medes nay the Israelites themselves and mongst them the wisest of Kings Solomon were given over to that wanton Lust Where a Woman hath many Husbands But if this Crime deserves to be punish'd then we may condemn the foul Custom observ'd by the antient Arabs Nebatheans and Britains namely that one Woman was common to a whole Family to which when any one went he set his Stick up at the Door as a sign that at that time none might come in and concern himself with her on punishment of Adultery Some Moors as also the Garamanties and Liminiri Lay with the Women by the hundred and after five years the Children begotten out of such a mixture were distributed every man taking one which was most like him The Troglodites gave the betrothed Brides first to be known to the Bridegrooms nearest Relations and Brothers Of some People about their Marriage Yet though the Japanners take as many Women as they will yet they hold one
their Breath squeez'd out of their Bodies and others crawling over all Mean while the Fire approach'd the Sparks and Smoak whereof was ready to choak them Nay the Smoke so darkned the City that the Afternoon seem'd rather to be midnight onely now and then the Sun pierc'd through the thick ascending Cloud and the Night seem'd to come on six Hours too soon None could have known whether to have fled had not the Flame lighted them And the horrible Cry of those that were in danger calling to others that were somewhat safer to fly further enough to deafen the Hearing Wagenaer and his Retinue found themselves straitned on all sides Before them the Street was fill'd with Goods and Men that lay heap'd one upon another On one side the Flame had pass'd them on the other it went somewhat farther from them behind the Fire pursu'd them very closely whilst they stood in a thick Smoke full of innumerable Sparks which were driven by the North Wind like Flakes of Snow The Fronts of Houses sometimes tumbling forwards into the Street so covering in a glowing Grave both Men and Goods which by reason of the Throng could not get away Sometimes falling sidelong or inwards they seem'd to cover the Flame so as at present to keep it from seeking any farther Food Here crack'd the Wainscots and Partitions which suddenly taking Fire hastned the ruine of the Floors and Walls The Roofs cover'd with little Wooden Shingles generally took Fire first unless sometimes one House burning set fire of another either about the middle or the bottom There the Timber and whole Stories tumbled down yonder great Splinters of burning Wood flew into the Streets in another place the Roofs fell through into their Cellars elsewhere the Ground was shaken by falling Towers These kind of Falls and several Blows would have been more distinctly heard had not the miserable Cry of Young and Old or those that lay scorching in the Flames or fear'd being burnt deadned the sound thereof It may easily be guess'd in what an exigence of danger the Holland Ambassador was with his Retinue which they perceiving at last strove to save themselves by helping one another over the Heaps of Goods and Lumber So stepping over Men Chests and all things that lay in their way to get farther and farther out of the Press and breaking through Fences Pales and Walls In which Work had not the Bonjoisen and the Interpreters been great Assistants to them none of the Hollanders had escap'd with Life from the Fire At last getting into an open place not without extraordinary danger they went to seek for shelter against the cold Night They judg'd it convenient to go to Joffiesamma his Palace but the Way thither being exceedingly crowded the Ambassador Wagenaer went to the Lord of Firando's House being not far distant from them Wagenaer can sind no Lodging Their Request of Lodging there was modestly denied notwithstanding the said Lord was indebted a considerable Sum to the East-India Company which had not yet been demanded of him After this Wagenaer went to four places more but could not be admitted So that walking most part of the Night to and again in Jedo he got at last Westward out of the City Gâ—ts out of Jedo into a Hut near the River where he knock'd at the Hut of a poor Rustick who gave him leave to come in but found neither Fire nor Candle Mean while it froze exceeding hard and soon after several that were fled from the Fire came also thither and inform'd Wagenaer that half an Hour after his departure the Hollanders Inn was laid in Ashes The next day views the Fire At day-break Wagenaer went again into the City where he found all the South part of Jedo lying in Ashes and the Fire raging with more fierceness than the day before the Flame about Noon taking hold of the Emperors Castle Here the great Gates were burnt from the Hinges Half the Watch-houses tumbling into the Moats were there quench'd and the remaining part thereof became Fewel for the Fire About the Evening the Imperial Palace also began to kindle The Flame never appear'd more terrible The Palace is burnt than when it blazed out of the high Turrets for it seem'd to threaten the Sky This Spoil went on so ragingly that the Emperor and his Council had scarce time to secure themselves in the Play-houses built on the North side of the Castle In two days time the Imperial City lay all in Ashes above a hundred thousand Houses being burnt to the Ground Wagenaer searches for his melted Silver The fourth of March Wagenaer requested of the chief Bonjois that he would be pleas'd to order some of the Soldiers that attended the Embassy to search if they could find any Silver under the burnt Goddon The Bonjois approving of it provided him Men with which Wagenaer and Verschuren went to the place where the Hollanders Inn stood Approaching the City of which nothing remain'd but the Eastern and Western Suburbs he saw with admiration as far as possible he could discern a great Plain smoaking in several Places where two days before had stood a little World of Houses the Ground heap'd with whole and half-burnt Timber and abundance of Ashes according as the Building had been greater or lesser All the Ways far and near miserable to behold which but a little before were adorn'd with Habitations for above a Million of Souls stately Palaces fair Towers sumptuous Temples and the Imperial Castle no ways inferior to all Amsterdam Now nought but a bare Wall surrounded the Plain whereon Jedo the Metropolis of Japan stood but eight and forty Hours before The Ambassador could scarce go ten Paces but he saw several strange deform'd Bodies of which some had been squeez'd flat under the Timber of Houses some stifled in the Smoke and others had their Limbs burnt off and not a few were so strangely handled by the Flames that it was impossible to know them by what Limbs they had left In some places they lay three or four one upon another being either crowded to death smother'd scorch'd or burnt In the Street along which they pass'd to the Hollanders Inn the Ambassador Wagenaer told above three thousand dead Corps At one of the outmost Points of Jedo lies a corner of the City that is separated from the other by strong Walls and great Gates Thither a great number fled thinking they should there be safe wherefore those within lock'd the Gates But it was not long before the Flame took hold of those Houses that stood along the Walls so that in that small place above eight hundred were destroy'd besides the Emperors Prisoners that were carried thither The Japanners reckon'd the number of those that died by that Calamity Above a hundred thousand People burnt to be above a hundred thousand Wagenaer accompanied with twenty Bonjoises Verschuren and Ginnemon whose House within three Years had been twice burnt came to
Rows on which appear strange deform'd Creatures artificially made of Rushes some representing the shape of Elephants Dragons and Tygers others half Men and half Beasts Rhinocerots every ones Back representing a Seat like a Throne on four Square Pedistals curiously Painted some of which Seats are fill'd with Sandal-Wood to burn the Corps These Pleited Monsters are made fast with Ropes one to another by which they are drawn forward through thousands of people Out of one of the foresaid Houses along the Rail of Red Rushes comes forth the Siam Bishop and sets himself down on one of the artificial Tygers Behind the Bishops the Sons of the King of Siam get upon the back of one of the Elephants The youngest Son rides just before the Chariot whereon the Corps of his deceased Mother lies his Elephant being made fast to it by Cords of fine Linnen full of Gold Rings at least an Inch thick The Corps it self stands on a Throne eighteen Foot high which rests on a Chariot six Fathom long Every thing represents either Art or Splendor for the Chariot and the Throne whereon the Corps stands is cover'd with thick Golden Plates and adorn'd with Imagery Inlaid with Mother of Pearl and green glittering Glass The Coffin sharp on the top and standing upon one end is of Massie Gold Emboss'd with Rubies and Diamonds The artificial Elephants Tygers Rhinocerots Dragons and other deformed Creatures are drawn along with the Corps by all sorts of People but distinguish'd by their several Caps Behind the Deceased Queen follows the King of Siam Riding on a She-Elephant Capparison'd in white Linnen adorn'd with great Tassels of Gold he that leads the Elephant holds a Golden Hook beset with Precious Stones The King Apparel'd in White hath a great Hat on his Head made fast under his Chin the end of Which hangs over his Shoulders Behind the King sits a prime Lord with his Head and Body bent forward which reaches him a Hanger of an Inestimable value And lastly When the Corps with all the Riches is thrown into the Flame after some time the Ashes of the Queen and the melted Gold are gather'd out of the Fire the Ashes preserv'd in a great square Tower Plated without with Gilt Tin but the melted Gold serves to make an Image representing the deceased Queen which when made is put into the Temple and Religiously Worshipped When the Siammers must be Shav'd And after the Queen is Burnt the Siammers may let the Hair of their Heads grow for as long as she was yet standing on the Earth they were necessitated to Shave their Heads every Fortnight An exceeding strange adventure that happen'd at the Funeral of the King of Siam's Daughter ¶ WIth such a Siam Idol the Temple in Saccai is adorn'd but to give you a somewhat nearer Relation concerning the Original of this Inestimable Image it will be necessary to add hereunto the strange adventure that happend on the three and twentieth of February and the following days Anno 1649. which the Governor John Van Muiden at that time residing in Judia the Metropolis of Siam as Agent for the Netherland East-India Company being an Eye-witness relates thus I was says he with the rest of the Netherlanders by the Interpreters call'd to Court to see the Splendid Funeral of the King's Daughter Born by his Royal Queen But because the Messengers came somewhat too late the Corps was already carry'd to the Funeral Pire but going thither we got upon a Scaffold which by the King's Order was built for us not far from the Fire In the middle of the Market-place in Judia in sight of the Royal Palace stood five Turrets rais'd of high Masts hung round about with Gilded Mats four Towers more of the same height and shape made an exact Quadrangle In the middle of the four was another Erected much larger and higher for whereas the four were but twenty Fathom high the middlemost was thirty all Plated with Gold and Emboss'd with Precious Stones Dazelling the Eyes of the Beholder Within the biggest Tower stood an exceeding costly Altar rais'd six Foot from the Ground on which the Corps of the King's Daughter was to be Burnt and was now brought thither after it had been Embalm'd and stood six Moneths in State in her Fathers Court. The Corps its self was Apparel'd in Majestick Robes with Gold Chains Arm-lets Neck-Laces of Pearl and other Precious Jems on her Head she wore a Crown of Gold the Body sat up-right in a Praying posture in a Chest of Massie Gold an Inch thick her Hands folded together and her Face up towards Heaven Then the greatest Mandarines or Siam Lords with their Ladies stept to the Corps and every one shewing a very mournful Countenance were all Clothed in fine white Linnen without any Gaiety Very rematkable Funeral and Strew'd an Handful of Flowers or Perfumes on the Deceased after which the Golden Chest with the Corps was set on a high Throne Erected on a stately Chariot and Presented before the chief Peers and Ladies of the Land whereupon the Princesses make first a doleful cry then wringing their Hands and Shreeking aloud calling also several times together on the Name of the Deceased shew all the Postures of a hearty sorrow Mean while the Chariot which was drawn by the Prime Nobility began to approach the foresaid five Towers Before the Corps the King 's eldest Son the Deceased's eldest Brother Rode on an Elephant On both sides his two second Brothers whose Elephants were Caparison'd in White every one having a long Scarf in their Hand whereof one end was made fast to the Coffin so seeming as if they drew the Body along On both sides of the Chariot also walk'd fourteen of the King's Children on Foot Clothed in fine White Linen and a green Bough in their Hand Just behind the Chariot follow'd all the Princes and their Princesses in great State On both sides of the Way through which the Chariot pass'd stood stately Scaffolds each standing twenty Fathom from the other on which the meaner sort of Mandarins or Lords sate who when the Corps came before them threw several Suits of Clothes amongst the throng of People and also Oranges stuck full Ticols and Masees which is a sort of Siam Silver Coyn the first valu'd at about two Shillings and the last at six Pence The concourse of People was so exceeding great that many were throng'd to death But so soon as the Chariot stopp'd before the middlemost of the five Towers the Corps was taken down by the primest Lords and not without great Ceremony whilst the Musicians Sung and Play'd all manner of doleful Tunes was placed on the Altar in the fifth Tower and surrounded with Sandal and Agor-Wood sprinkled with the sweetest Perfumes and best of Essenses Princesses that must either cry or be beatâ—n where that Custom is us'd Then the whole Train of the King's Children and prime Lords return'd to Court but the Princesses stay'd
two days and two nights with the Corps where sitting round about the Altar they may not during that time stir a foot from thence but must cry continually without ceasing to which every one uses her utmost endeavor thereby to express her exceeding forrow for if otherwise they forget this Ceremony they are immediately without regard of their Quality miserably beaten with short thick Cords by Women order'd by the King for that purpose On one side at some distance from the five Towers stood a brave Scaffold cover'd with thick gilded and oyl'd Paper on which the chief Priests of Siam sat Praying for the Deceased sometimes ceasing they gave Alms amongst the common People as abundance of Clothes Pots Pans Beds and other Houshold-stuff and also Carpenters Tools Axes Saws Augers and the like But besides this prime Scaffold there were several less for the ordinary Priests whose numbers amounted to above a thousand which were also employ'd either in Praying or distributing of Alms amongst the People In a spacious Place round about the five Towers stood twenty more out of which after Sun-set for fourteen days together rare and artificial Fire-works were shown The King burns his Daughters Corps The five and twentieth of February the whole Train that attended the Funeral two days before appear'd again in a far more splendid manner The King himself being present Rode on a young Elephant to the Altar on which the Corps stood where dismounting he set fire on it with a lighted Toâ—ch which suddenly grew to that heighth that the Flame took hold of all the five Towers and burnt not onely his Royal Daughters dead Body but all those Riches with which she sat in the Gold Chest when after some hours the heat gone and the Place grown cool he caus'd a search to be made amongst the Coals for the Bones Strange wonder of a piece of Bloody Flesh Ashes and melted Gold himself holding a Golden Urn in his Hand and receiving the gather'd Bones into it when a piece of raw Flesh all bloody which the Fire had not consum'd was found at which the King being exceedingly amaz'd ask'd his Council Oja Sabartiban which stood next to him and help'd him to gather the Reliques that were left what he thought concerning it Sabartiban answer'd Most mighty Lord your great understanding easily apprehends the meaning the business being so very apparent The King struck with a consternation ran immediately like a distracted Person to his Palace saying Now I see it plainly what I so long doubted namely that my Daughter was poyson'd Wherefore he suddenly seised on all the Women not excepting any that ever Serv'd the Princess in her Life-time and committed them all to safe Custody nay he took all those in his whole Dominions that at any time convers'd with her The eight and twentieth of February he began his scrutiny three hundred Ladies of Honor and other great Persons of Quality which had ever been in Company with the King's Daughter whilst she was living were driven through a huge Fire that according to the Siam Law they might be try'd if they were guilty or not which they knew by the Flames hurting or preserving them This Trial was perform'd not without great Charms and Incantations yet all of them passing safe through the Fire without receiving the least hurt were again set at liberty Mean while there was great suspicion that the youngest Daughter to the former King for the present King had in a Rebellion bereav'd his Predecessor both of his Life and Crown might have committed the Fact because being this King's Concubine she had sometime shew'd her self very much dissatisfi'd because he shew'd such exceeding kindness and great respects to his eldest Daughter and regarded not hers who also acknowledg'd him for her Father and indeed the suspicion grew the greater when the King was inform'd that this his Concubine was observ'd to laugh whilst every one present at the Funeral bewail'd the death of the Deceased For this jealousie the Princess with a great Train of her Ladies of Honor was forc'd also to go through the Fire all of them passing through without being hurt except the Princess who was very much burnt on both her Feet therefore she was immediately loaden with Silver Fetters and committed to a Prison where none were suffer'd to speak with her On the second of March she had publick Audience before all the Mandarins or Lords where whether out of fear of exquisite tortures or terrifi'd with the King's anger she freely said If the King will promise upon Oath that he will immediately Execute me and keep me no longer alive to be a scorn and derision to the World there will need but little trouble to find out the mystery of his Daughters death The Mandarins which remembred the former Condition and State of this Princess when her Father was King of Siam were no less amaz'd at her noble courage than inwardly prick'd with compassion to find out a means for her Deliverance but the fear they had of the present King quenched all such motions They reported that which she had said to his Majesty who immediately promis'd upon Oath that the Princess after real confession should not live an hour to be despis'd by the World Upon which she confessed That not without help of her Nurse she had prepar'd a Poyson which was so Charm'd that one piece of his or her Flesh that took it should not be consum'd by Fire whene're the so poyson'd should be burnt This Compound by a mistake the King's Daughter greedily swallow'd which thus prepar'd was intended for her Father that the death of so bloody a Tyrant who like a Villain treacherously took the Scepter out of my Fathers Hand that was lawful King of Siam and oppress'd the true Royal Family might satisfie my Revenge for my Fathers Death and to deliver those of Royal Blood from insupportable slavery No sooner was this Relation of hers carry'd to the King but he caused a great piece of Flesh to be cut out of the Princesses Side which he forc'd her with great threatnings to eat up and whilst she was swallowing the last Bit some of his Executioners appointed for that purpose fell upon her with drawn Swords and left not off till they had chopp'd her into a thousand pieces which they afterwards threw into the River Judia Not long after the Princesses Brother Son to the depos'd King of Siam was also Executed he being in the former Insurrection spar'd alive because he was suppos'd to be frantick but at his Death appear'd the contrary he also subtily contriving with his Sisters to destroy the King and make himself Master of the Crown and had not the Business been untimely betray'd he had no small hopes to repossess his Fathers lost Kingdoms Strange Image in Siam When the fore-mention'd Funeral Ceremonies were ended the King caus'd an Image to be made on which he bestow'd not onely all the melted Gold in the middle
Winds they cannot get beyond the Priest-Mountain they have above a hundred Watches about their Ship which cutting their Cables tow them out of the Haven of Nangesaque In the Corean Ocean generally from September to April a Northerly Trade-wind blows so fresh that they can scarce carry out their Top-sails The Bank Pracellis formerly a Kingdom But this Ship Hilversom ran once in this Voyage no small danger falling by Night on the Tail of Pracellis which is a Riff or Bank lying about twenty Leagues from the main Coast of Cambodia being above a hundred Leagues long and forty broad The Indians relate That it was a Kingdom in former Ages but sunk by Earthquakes On both sides of Pracellis lye two Shoals call'd Bruers Sand and Alkmaers wherefore it is very dangerous here for Shipping and this is the place where in Anno 1660. the rich laden Ship Tergoes was split all to pieces Wagenaer would fain have put for the Piscadore Islands to find out the longmiss'd Ship the Bull but durst not go too near the Shore because of the Hazie Weather Yet Anchoring at Pool Timon Miserable condition of the Ship call'd the Sea-Knight he found there the Ship call'd The Sea-Knight miserably torn and shatter'd by foul Weather most part of her Masts being gone and the Fore-castle and Cabins well-nigh wash'd away by the Sea The Merchant Henry Baron and a great many of the Sea-men seem'd more like Skeletons than Living Creatures Baron was struck with a lameness in his Hands and the Palsie in his Feet so seeming to hasten to death while he was yet living which made Wagenaer earnestly to ask him concerning the State and Condition of Tonkin that after his Decease he might relate the same to the Council at Batavia Strange Sickness in Tonkin The Sea-men related That there hapned that Year a great Sickness in Tonkin which suddenly took away abundance of People and seiz'd upon the healthfullest Persons in a Minutes Time first a Giddiness taking them in the Head of which they fell on the Ground and died both senseless and speechless in few Hours after which manner the Netherland Agent in Tonkin Nicholas de Voog died also This Tonkin Sickness was not unlike the Plague in England first known in King Henry the Sevenths Reign Anno 1486. which after forty three Years spreading over Germany swept away an innumerable company of People in a short time Plague After which the Plague began again in England and chiefly in London where Anno 1550. died a very great number in a few Months It is said That a Master of a Family having twelve Children besides his Wife and Servants was well and hearty at Dinner yet all of them dead before Night Those that got the Sickness died in few Hours but if suddenly they sweated out the Poyson they recover'd by Degrees Wagenaer arrives at Batavia ¶ WAgenaer furnishing the Sea-Knight with some Provisions went on his Voyage but missing the Straights of Banka he hapned to come amongst several unknown Islands where he drove up and down three Hours before he got on his right Course again This and the other trouble of getting over the Tail of Pracellis arose from the difference amongst the Officers of the Ship every one willing to Steer a several Course notwithstanding the strong Currents deceiv'd many yet in December Anno 1659. Wagenaer arriv'd safe at Batavia and went ashore with Henry Indiik and Ernest of Hoogenhoek Indiik made Governor of Disma But Indiik staid but a small time in Batavia bein sent back to Japan to take the Place of John Bouchelyon and accordingly he set Sail in the Calf Frigat accomnied with the Hearn and Sparrow on the six and twentieth of November Anno 1660. The Charge and Command of the East-India Companies Treasure in Japan was committed to Indiik whom the Secretaries Sannemondonne and Mootefnostrydonne complemented according to the Custom being establish'd in his new Employ in the Governor of Nangesaque's Name desiring him to take special care of his Fire and Candles to prevent all dangers that might accrew thereby and took also a List of the Netherlanders Names that remain'd on the Island Disma the number whereof were nineteen amongst which were reckon'd Indiik's Son and Daughter besides the Blacks which were in the Service of the East-India Company But the Secretaries that came to Complement the new-elected Governor after some Entertainment return'd home The Hollanders Burying-place in Japan ¶ NOt long after Indiik had leave to Interre the Body of the Deceas'd Merchant Francis Reynerson The Corps put in a Coffin was carried under a Black Cloth through Nangesaque by the Book-keepers Interpreters and other Servants of the East-India Company to a Barque in which they carried it over to the other side of the Haven before Nangesaque and there buried it on a Hill being the Place for that purpose given by the Japanners to the Netherlanders News of Coxenga's Design upon Formesa Mean while the Ottena for so they call the Japan Governor of Disma whereon the Hollanders Store-house stands brought Information from a Chinese Jonk that was come with a rich Cargo from Zaetsin to Nangesaque That Coxenga not long after their departure had a considerable number of Soldiers ready to send under the Conduct of a valiant Chinese General and two Mandarins of which one was his Uncle Sauja to Formosa there to take Tayovan and the Fort Zealande from the East-India Company or at least to pillage the Countrey The Jonk also brought news That the Chinese Admiral Itchien coming with a great many rich Merchandizes to Japan had by a mighty Storm lost all his Upper-works and with much ado sav'd his Life And that in Tonkin since the last great Sickness there which swept away many thousand People after the manner aforemention'd a second Plague had hapned which did no less mischief for the Waters breaking up in all parts of the Countrey Strange poysonous Water had poyson'd all the Soil and sent forth malignant Vapours which destroy'd both Men and Beasts ¶ FUrthermore Indiik engag'd the Servants of the East-India Company not onely to come and hear the usual Evening and Morning Service but also to be present at the hearing of the Sermons and singing of Psalms on the Sunday And whilst they follow'd their Religion thus undisturb'd Tsoemangy Ficojemon came to Nangesaque to Officiate as Governor in the deceased Kaynussio's Place Wherefore Indiik was not negligent to wish Ficojemon Joy by the Interpreters and Ottena of his new Office desiring that himself might have the Honor to Complement and tender him some Presents which being granted Indiik went thither proffer'd his Presents and desir'd Ficojemon's Favor who modestly receiv'd the Presents promis'd his Assistance to the promoting of the Netherland Trade Ficojemon visits Indiik and not long after came with great Attendance to visit Indiik on the Island Disma where he took great delight in the Garden
before the Store-house Planted after the Dutch manner and chiefly in the strange European Commodities and also in the Presents which were to be sent to the Emperor Indiik thought to entertain him with Preserv'd Persian Fruits Brandy and Tent but he neither tasting the one nor the other took his leave and departed A sad accident at Nangesaque ¶ SOon after Ficojemon met with some trouble by means of a Citizens Daughter who hang'd her self in the Night in Nangesaque He made strict Inquiry after the Reason that provok'd her thereto which at last he discover'd to this effect A Chinese Commander of a Ship being enamour'd of the Maid had upon great Promises and by the assistance of a Japanner crop'd her Virgin-Flower which she afterwards seriously considering with her self and fearing that if she should be with Child then her Crime would be publickly known and bring her into utter disgrace to prevent the same she laid violent Hands on her self But the Criminals being taken and put in Prison ran great danger of their Lives yet at last by many Intreaties a milder Sentence pass'd on both the Chinese being for ever banish'd from Japan and the Japanner to the Islands Goto and his Goods seiz'd upon by the Law were most part of them given to the Parents of the foremention'd Maid Jeffiesamma's cruelty ¶ NOt long after this Accident Joffiesamma shew'd the People a Pattern of his Cruelty by cutting asunder two of his Servants for a small Offence the one thirteen and the other fifteen years old A Fire in Nangesaque The Night after hapned a Fire Nangesaque which in four of the eminent'st Streets consum'd a hundred Houses which undid many great Merchants for they putting all their Goods in the Stone Store-houses judging them to be very safe they were all burnt ¶ THe nine and twentieth of November Nangesaque was also shaken by an Earthquake which sometimes seeming to abate soon after made the whole Town tremble which was chiefly on the third of January in the following year when this Trepidation threatned no small danger in the night The Joynts of the houses beginning to gape the Timber and Walls tumbling down which occasion'd a general out-cry in the City yet with the day-break the noise and Earthquake ceased but the whole City was in a hurry occasion'd by five and twenty Roman Christians Cruelty us'd to Roman Christians that after intolerable Tortures yet remain'd constant in their Religions and were now going to be led out of Nangesaque there to be hung with their Feet upwards and their Heads flea'd downwards so to die a lingering death when they had hung a day and a night in that miserable manner two of them desir'd that they might appear before the Magistrates of the City of Nangesaque who thereupon coming to the place of Audience heard that they were not able any longer to endure the unsupportable torture but were ready to renounce their Christianity and imbrace the Japanners Doctrine on which promise How the Japanners deny Christianity being let loose they spat at a Woodden Cross then stamp'd upon the Picture of our Saviour Christ and the Virgin Mary to the great grief of their Brother Sufferers which refus'd to be releas'd on these terms but pittifully crying said Surely we shall soon depart out of this Wretched World and go to Paradise where we shall be out of the Power of the Japan Tyrants and enjoy Everlasting Beatitude Seventy four Christians beheaded And when these foremention'd had hung seven days in that manner with their Heads downwards there were seventy four more new discover'd Christians brought thither which were all to be Beheaded these cry'd as loud as their faintness would permit them Remain stedfast in the Christian Faith we shall e're long meet in Heaven The seventy four amongst which were not onely Women and Children but also sucking Babes were altogether Beheaded their Heads set on Iron Pins and their Bodies thrown in a deep pit Indiik being an Eye-witness admir'd at their Constancy and the more because the Martyr'd Japanners had so little knowledge of the Christian Religion but the Netherland Interpreters inform'd him that several of them gave themselves out to be Christians Why they suffer themselves to be Executed that with their Wives and Children which for want of Provisions and chiefly Rice they were not able to maintain they might die together and so be rid of the Miseries of this World Freezes hard in Japan ¶ THe fourth fifth and sixth of February it Froze so hard that the Ice would bear the weight of three Men. Moreover Fire at Miaco News came to Nangesaque that the fourteenth and fifteenth day of the same Moneth a Fire happen'd in Miaco which consum'd not onely seventy Streets to Ashes but also the Dayro's stately Palace Nâ—â—rlyckhydt 〈◊〉 The Lordship ONNAYS The Town Coyo In this part of Japan the Town Coyo Consecrated to a Bonzi call'd Conbodaxi is very famous being held for the Burying-place of the Prince of Bungo or if they chance to be Interr'd elsewhere there must at least a Tooth of theirs be found at Coyo Indiik's Voyage ¶ BUt Indiik Sailing from Cokero to Simonisicci he found the Barque there which he had sent before thorow the Corean Ocean with his Goods So going Aboard on the seventh of March in the Haven of Simonisicci in seven days he arriv'd in Osacca The Hollanders Landlord Icubia Serojemon and the Interpreters made Indiik's arrival known to the two Governors before which he appear'd and brought Presents the next day which by both were kindly accepted And Indiik provided with Horses His Journey by Land to Jedo came thorow Firaskatta Jonda and Fissima to Miaco where the old Host Koffe Sabrojemon carry'd immediate News thereof to the Grand Judge Mackino Sandosamma which that Evening permitted him Audience kindly accepted the Presents and gave him a new Letter of Conduct wherefore he neglected no time but went on his Journey and Lodg'd afterwards in Cusatz and next in Sacca and forcing over from Quano he got late at night to Mia where he rested Moreover he found the House for the Hollanders Entertainment in Occosacci Lock'd and Guarded because the Master thereof being fall'n out with his Neighbors was in danger to be slain by them Leaving this Town he Lodg'd in the Village Accosacci Ferry'd over the Bay between Arei and the Village Meisacca and was forc'd by reason of the great Showres of Rain to stay in Fannama he design'd to Lodge the next night in Caneia but finding the usual Inn there Guarded notwithstanding it was almost dark and Rain'd hard he went on and Ferrying over the River Oyengauwa refresh'd in Simanda At Merico he was again forc'd to pass by the old Inn no body being at home the Master thereof being gone to Surunga there to release his Son who was committed to Prison for fighting with one of the Villagers Arrives
after the Storm blowing afresh they were not able to carry out the least Sail till the Gusts were more favorable mean while the Ship being so miserably toss'd sprung a Leak so that they could scarce keep her free with Pumping sometimes a Sea beat over her in such a manner that the Water could scarce find ways to run out again seeming as if it would sink immediately With these inconveniences came far greater for towards the Evening a Sea wash'd away one of the Galleries and soon after another the Head so loosning the Boltsprit yet they had not been in such great danger had not the Ship rowl'd so extremely and the Seas follow'd one another so suddenly they judg'd it convenient to hale up their Mizin and Sail before the Wind the second Watch they discover'd Land but the Ship in the dark was got within Musquet-shot of the Shore before they could see it the steep Shore suffer'd the Ship to run against a Rock which with three blows broke it into a thousand pieces and of sixty four Men escap'd onely thirty six most of which were miserably wounded by the sharp Rocks those that lay in their Cabbins being tir'd with watching died all amongst those that were sav'd was the Captain Reinier Egbertson of Amsterdam From the Wreck they sav'd one Barrel of Flower one Barrel of Salt-Beef some Pork and a Rundlet of Tent which prov'd very happily for the wounded Moreover they gather'd up as many Pieces of the Ship as would make them a Booth to defend them from the Weather for they knew not in what Countrey they were how call'd or whether inhabited or not because the Skie being Clouded for several days they could take no observation On the second day after they suffer'd Shipwrack they saw a Man whom they beckning to come to them ran away soon after came three other of which one carry'd a Musquet the other two Bows and Arrows which also fled from them but one of the Sea-men running after them unarm'd got some Fire which they wanted extremely Against the Evening their Tent or Booth was surrounded with above a hundred Men wearing Hats made of Horse-hair The next day came a small Army being about two thousand Foot and Horse while the Hollanders were making of a bigger Tent. The Commander of them fetch'd the Book-keeper Henry Haemel with the Pilot Quartermaster Strange usage by the Coreans of thirty six Shiâ—wracked Hollanders and a Boy out of the Booth which were all four thrown down on the Earth before the General at which the whole Army made a kind of strange noise The Hollanders that remain'd in the Tent believ'd certainly that their Companions were put to a miserable death but they us'd them not so cruelly for the Coreans onely put an Iron Chain about their Necks to which a great Bell was made fast under their Chin. Then some of the Officers went into the Booth and had a great deal of Discourse which the Hollanders understood not but they signifi'd to them that they intended to go to Japan but suffering Shipwrack they were come ashore there to save themselves The Chineses look'd upon those Goods which they had sav'd and finding onely a little Meal Salt-Beef and Pork they brought some Rice boyl'd in Water which was a great refreshment Not long continu'd their joy that they were not in a barren Countrey for whilst they were eating a great many of the Soldiers came running towards their Tent every one holding a Rope in his hand which made the Hollanders think that they should be bound and kill'd but this fear soon vanish'd when the Coreans ran with all speed towards the Wreck every one laboring to hale the Wood ashore which burning they carry'd the Iron away In the interim the Pilot taking an observation found that it was Quelpaerds-Island where they had lost their Ship and were in thirty three Degrees and thirty two Minutes Latitude Moreover the Coreans still busied themselves in haling ashore the Pieces of the Wreck and burning it for the Iron and lastly they set the whole Wreck on Fire which might have cost them dear for two Brass-Guns deeply loaden went off but it so hapned that the Muzzles of them lay towards the Sea this Blow struck such a fear amongst them that every one fled and coming to the Hollanders desir'd to know of them if it would do the like again but they informing that there were no more Guns that were Charged in the Ship they went on with their work Moreover the Hollanders visited the Governor of Quelpaerds-Isle and presented him with a Bottle of Tent which pleas'd him so well that he became very kind to them sending them boyl'd Rice twice a day and bid them come and see the punishment which would be inflicted on those that had robb'd the wreck'd Vessel The Iron they had stole was tied to their Backs and they themselves laid upon the Ground receiv'd several Drubbings on the Balls of their Feet with a Stick about a Fathom long and as thick as an ordinary Boy 's Arm so beating them unmercifully Their Journey through Quelpaerds-Island After this was over the Hollanders had order to be gone with all their things so travelling with a Guard of Foot and Horse they went that day four Leagues and Lodg'd in a small Town call'd Tadjunch in an old Store-house from thence they went to the City Moggan where the Governor of Quelpaerds keeps his Court here on a great Market place three thousand Armed Men were drawn up in Battel aray The Governor caus'd Henry Hamell with the Pilot and Quartermaster to come to him and ask'd them where they were going at which Hamel cry'd several times Japan and Nangesaque at which the Governor nodding his Head seem'd to understand it The remaining Hollanders were also carry'd four and four to the Governor Examin'd and Lodg'd in a House in which as they afterwards understood the Kings Uncle had a long time been kept Prisoner and at last died there because he endeavor'd to depose his Nephew Every day they had their allowance of boyl'd Rice wheaten Flower and another strange Food which they could not eat wherefore they liv'd most upon Rice The Governor a Man aged about seventy years and of a noble Aspect signifi'd to them that he would Write to the King to know what should be done with them but it would be a considerable time before he could have an Answer for the Place where the King kept his Court was thirteen Leagues over-Sea and above twenty Leagues from Moggan But whilst they waited for it the Hollanders had fresh Meat allow'd them and also leave for six at a time to walk abroad by turns The Governor oftentimes invited them to his Palace bidding them write their Names and cur'd those that were wounded at their Landing and also prepar'd several noble Dinners for them In which kind Hospitality-the Heathens far exceed very many Christians Strange adventure of a Hollander But
exceed those of Africa The strength of those in India may be judg'd by the great Towers which they carry on their backs In the Wars by Antiochus Eupator against the Jews every Elephant carry'd a small Tower with thirty six Soldiers besides the Indian which guided him That these Monsters live three hundred years Aristotle Pliny Ambrose and Nonnus witness Policy of the Elephants Moreover Philostratus the Greek Writer saith That the Elephant is likest to Man of any Beast in Policy and Prudence his Sence the Elephant expresses two ways either by his natural Apprehension or by good Instruction to the first must be reckon'd that the Elephant rowls himself in the Mudd against the heat of the Sun and when he goes to drink he first stirs the Water with his Snout that he may not swallow any hurtful Creature which is more credible than what Theophilactus Simocatus saith That the Beast stirs the Water because he is afraid of his own Shadow When they go to wade through any River the youngest walk before for otherwise the old ones would sink and make the Ground deeper by their weight so that the young ones could not possibly get over But concerning the Apprehensions of this Beast several credible Witnesses give us many remarkable Examples Seneca Pliny and Suetonius relate That the Elephants in the Theatre at Rome not onely Fenc'd with Swords but Danc'd on the Ropes Hieronimus Osorius relates That Anno 1514. an Indian Elephant bow'd himself three times to Pope Leo the tenth Augerus Busbequius relates in his Embassy to the Turkish Emperor That he saw a young Elephant who observ'd the steps and Danc'd exactly after the Time of a string'd Instrument and cast a Ball backwards It deserves peculiar observation Epist Lyps ad Janum Hautanum what Peter Bellon an eye-witness related to Carolus Clusius who told it again to Justus Lipsius That his Elephant coming weary and hungry into the Stable where he found an Ass eating of Corn he drove him from the Manger and eat up what he found but soon after the Master of the Elephant coming into the Stable gave him his fill of Corn the Beast considering the wrong which hunger had made him do the Ass he divided the Corn and gave the Ass as much as he had taken from him This vast Monster Lib. 8. c. 9. as we said is very fearful of Man-kind Pliny saith So soon as the Elephant spies the foot-steps of a Man though he never saw one before he is afraid of private Ambuscades and looking about him goes not a step forwarder but makes it known to his followers so from one to the very last whereupon they all return The same Pliny relates Lib. 8. c. 5. That Bacchus set thirty Elephants against several Prisoners which he had condemn'd but they less bestial than their Master would not observe or obey his cruel Commands Wherefore Ptolomy Physcon made the Elephants drunk when he would have the naked Jews with their Wives to be put to death And full as fearful they are of Stags When Alexander the Great had past beyond the utmost bounds of the Herculean Pillars and Bacchus Encamp'd his Army those that were sent into the Forrests for Wood came amazedly running back upon the sight of a great number of Elephants coming towards their Army at which Porus an Indian King encourag'd Alexander telling him That he need not fear the least danger if his Troopers took but some Hogs on their Horses and with beating compell them to make a noise at which the Elephants all return'd back again into the Woods ¶ BUt to return again to Malacca This City is inhabited by Hollanders Chineses and Malacquers Half a Mile off at Sea lies the Red Island from whence the Hollanders took Malacca from the Portuguese The Malacquers of Queda some years since maintain'd a War against the East-India Company but were subdu'd by force of Arms. Queda belongs to the Queen of Achien on Sumatra who not long since would have Marry'd with a Hollander but that the Councel in Batavia for several weighty Reasons judg'd it no way convenient Dingding an Island ¶ BEtween Queda and Peru thirty Leagues from Meaco lies the uninhabited Isle Dingding close by the Marine Coast Here is that famous red Wood of which the East-India Company Anno 1663. made a trial The Haven before Dingding full of Fish and very safe which they enter Eastward and go out Westward The Water which flows from the Mountains along the Valleys into the Sea is as good as any fresh Water in India A League Westward from Dingding appear the three Islands which the Hollanders for a certain accident call'd The Man-eaters Isles because the Weesop and Schelling Frigats were cast away there and the People which were sav'd going ashore were all slain by the Inhabitants Anno 1661. five Ships going from Malacca to fetch their Countrey-men found them unbury'd whereupon they brought their Guns ashore to take revenge on the Cannibals and built a Ship of the Pieces of the Wreck that were remaining which was afterwards us'd at Malacca ¶ THe East-India Company traffick at Mesopatam with Japan wax'd Chests Copper and Silver besides other European Commodities This Mesopatam is a great City inhabited by Moors that drive a vast Trade with large Ships the Tackle whereof is made of Trees as we mention'd before ¶ IN Peleacato is also no small Trade driven the Hollanders having a Fort there close under the City fortifi'd with sixty Guns which was assaulted by the Natives but being beaten off by Laurence Pitman left a considerable number of their Party dead behind them after which Peleacato came wholly under the subjection of the East-India Company The Vessels which they have there are very remarkable and by them call'd Catamarous being four round pieces of Wood ty'd together he that steers it sits with his back-side in the Water Dabbles with his Feet and Rows with an Oar small in the middle and broad at the end which he moves to and again so making his way very fast through the Water The King who keeps his Residence up in the Countrey is a Tributary to the great Mogull On the same Fort stands an exceeding high Mast upon whose top is plac'd a Flag five hundred Yards long which is seen eight Leagues off at Sea ¶ SInce the Governor of Goa Conquer'd the City Cochin on the Coast of Malabar the third of February Anno 1653. the Netherlanders have driven a great Trade there Through the City runs a Rivulet sixteen Foot deep and an Island lying before Cochin makes a convenient Harbor there The Malabar Coast produceth good store of Ambergreece which in stormy Weather thrown upon the Shore the Malabars a strong People strugling with the Waves take up in great quantities and preserve in their Stores THus we have given you a large account of the present Estate prodigious Wealth and wonderful Magnificence of the Empire of Japan taken out of the Journals of several Embassies from the Councel of the Netherland East-India Company setled in New Batavia being the latest and fullest Observations that ever were taken concerning that Isle reaching within three years of this our present Publication presuming the Discourse though long will not be tedious the variety of Argument being such and so strange that hitherto we presume hath scarce reach'd any English Ear. If this by Volume meet with a kind acceptation we shall be encourag'd to give you betwixt our great Atlantick Work for your divertisement a Continuation of China as full of Novelty and as much or rather more illustrated with Sculptures than the former FINIS