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
the Zamarin how that these Strangers who had in a manner surpris'd his Majesty having no other information of what they were or their Condition but from themselves were indeed not so and that they had told him nothing but Lyes for they were able to make out that they were a Crew of Roving Pyrats and Robbers and declar'd by their actions common Enemies to all humane Society and that their King if they had one was a petty Prince far off in the West who not able to enlarge his narrow Territories upon the adjacent Countrey sent these Hectoring Desperado's through all Seas to make Booty of what they could either get by Wheedling down-right Cheating or the Sword And if his Imperial Majesty be so pleased to grant them a free Trade and Commerce that then they would being so enforc'd leave Calicut this their settled Staple and seek Trade elsewhere which sure would not redound so much to his Majesties benefit who had so long brought in their Customs and Duties a certain and great Revenue to the Crown which they by no possible means if they deserted the Place could in many years make the like or any considerable Return Thus the business was agitated and the Emperor inform'd by both Parties The Malabars contrive to make away the Partuguese When the Malabars being by Nature fickle and treacherous not onely perswaded by the Saracens how dangerous such alterations would be but also influenc'd and encourag'd from the wavering Court conspir'd laying a Plot how to dispose of the Portuguese otherwise by their utter destruction which was not so clearly carry'd but that Monzaido the Tunis Merchant and a real Friend to the Strangers Interest scenting the bottom of their Design inform'd Gama of the whole Intrigue who being very sensible of the danger made his escape sudden and privately from the City that he might the better save himself and his Fleet from undoubted Ruine so setting Sail he left the treacherous Harbor for his security where Cruising at Sea Their Plot is spovl'd and Gama falls upon the Malabars he met with an Indian Vessel standing in for Pandarana a safer Port than that of Calicut where the Emperor had formerly advis'd Gama to by whom he sent Letters to the Zamarin wherein he gave an account that he was enforc'd for his safety to leave his Harbor and trust the Sea a Plot being laid to take away not onely his Life but to seize his Ships and make Prize of all he had and that some had so poyson'd his Majesties Ear concerning them gracious to him before with lying and scandalous Tales and other false Aspersions that he would not venture any further Commerce nor have to do with such a fickle and not to be trusted People therefore desiring That such Goods as he had there left ashore might speedily be sent aboard and he would not trouble his Majesty nor them any further But the Zamarin excusing himself laid the fault on his corrupt Officers and Attendants who were already tryed and condemn'd to suffer condign Punishment But whatever his Excuses were there was no Restitution and the Goods lay still as Confiscated for the Emperors Use at which Gama being justly incens'd resolv'd by Reprisal to make up his Loss And soon after he seiz'd on a Malabar Vessel by chance standing into Calicut in which were six Persons of Prime Quality amongst them Thus the Emperor being enforc'd to release those Prisoners of so much esteem deliver'd up all those Goods which Gama laid claim to sending with them also an Answer to the King of Portugal's Letter In the mean time Monzaido the Tunis Merchant his Kindness towards the Portuguese being discover'd made his Escape from the City where he fear'd no less than Death and Confiscation of all he had for his Safety to the Fleet whom Gama receiving with all Civility carry'd him after to Lisbon where he a Convert receiv'd Baptism and lived there being turn'd a Christian Honorably and in good State and Condition many Years But the Zamarin looking upon this as a high Affront to be force'd thus to his dishonor to exchange Goods for Prisoners and to be brought to Capitulations onely three Ships opposing his Mighty and Absolute Power would not thus sit down nor take it so although his own Navy by which nay with a small part he might have vindicated his Cause which were there then by reason of the Annual Tempests hall'd ashore and could by no means possible be suddenly Launch'd yet with wonderful dexterity he Mann'd out sixty Boats with stout and expert Soldiers who were so Order'd and Commanded that they were able to destroy and Swallow them all He flying and they pursuing and just ready to lay him aboard twenty to every Ship so it pleased Providence to befriend him with a sudden Storm which parted the Fray they being routed and forc'd not without danger ingloriously to return and Gama coming clearly off loosing the sight of Calicut Steer'd his Course directly home Gama returns home to Portugal and in something more than two Years compleating his Voyage Anno 1499. he Anchor'd in the Haven of Lisbon where he was receiv'd with great joy being the first to his Eternal Fame and Honor that with an undaunted Courage passing so many imminent Dangers found a Way by Water to the so much desir'd East-Indies After Gama's Return of whom the King had receiv'd sufficient Information concerning the Profit and Advantage which might be made by the East-India Expeditions did so much encourage him that he fitted out thirteen Ships Mann'd with 1500 Mariners and 500 Soldiers under the Command of Pedro Alvaro Caprales who had strict Order That he should endeavour by all means to make a League of Amity and Friendship with the Emperor of Calicut and to request the Liberty of Raising a Fort there to the end they might there settle their Staple of Merchandise Which if the Emperor should refuse nor would be drawn to by any Perswasions then to endeavor to force him to it by Arms. Thus having receiv'd his Instruction and Commission he departed with his Fleet out of the Haven of Lisbon and Steer'd the same Course to St. James Island as Gama had done before Then he Sail'd more Westerly and fell at last on an unknown Coast which he call'd Holy-Cross-Land since Brafile where Landing and finding it a fruitful and rich Soil he cast up a Fort and sent Gaspar Lemius back to Portugal to inform King Emanuel of his New Discovery And leaving the Charge of the New Work which he made there to some choice Men that he took put of the Fleet with all Necessaries to maintain it he departed directing his Course towards Calicut But in the way he rancountred with such Storms that he lost four of his Vessels and glad he came off with no greater damage Steer'd directly for Calicut where soon after he arriv'd Where the Zamarin dealing also treacherously with him they fell at variance but Caprales
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
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
large Image which make up their University where Scholars Study and have their Residence in each of them are fair Libraries Japan Library stuft with innumerable Catalogues of Books where with a Skrew or turning of a Wheel what Book soever they desire to see presents it self Many Churches in Japan ¶ THe Number Magnificence and wonderful Riches of dedicated Places and Temples for Divine Worship are beyond admiration and almost incredible The greatest have dwelling in them to perform the Rites and Ceremonies twenty Priests the second Rate fifteen others ten and the least two Make bad use of them But these Structures built for religious intentions and commonly in the most luxurious and pleasantest Situation of the whole Isle are made by their dissolute and gormandizing Priests the Academies of all Debaucheries and especially the Schools of Gluttony Drunkenness and Lust who in their Frollicks in open view of all their Idols in a gallanting humor will not spare to prostitute their wanton Mistresses and for their more conveniency lay them at the Feet of their gods and make them Bolsters for their Adulteries Hendrick Hagenaer relates that he saw six Temples near Osacca at whose Doors stood large Images of Wood holding Boxes in their Hands into which the Japanners throw Pieces of Copper by them call'd Caxa A strange Chappel There is also a Chappel through the middle whereof runs a Stream into which the poor Women throw several Written Papers The Dining-Room wherein the Bonzi eat is very costly On one side of the Temple stands the Colledge of the Bonzi which is as glorious to behold and as strong being an hundred and twenty Foot long and thirty six Foot broad And also the Places where they sleep their Lodging-Rooms about the same are reckon'd to be an hundred and eighty besides many stately Halls whereof one stands on twenty four Cedar Columns in which is the Library of the Bonzi full of the choicest Japan Books Here are also several fair Stoves in deep Vaults and provided with all Necessaries Their Kitchins are very curiously furnish'd their Kettles made of the best Copper are two Foot and a half deep three in circumference and two Inches in thickness before these runs a Rivulet of fresh Water In the Nights they hang up twenty four Lanterns with lighted Candles in their Chambers Before this Colledge or Court of the Bonzi is a Pool that abounds with all sorts of Fish of which if any one should adventure to steal he is without mercy put to death This Temple Cobucui hath been built above seven hundred years The like Temple is also in Jedo in which the Idol Xaca of an exceeding huge stature may be seen This Image was erected formerly by the Widow of the Emperor Taykosame who caus'd it to be made hollow pouring it full of melted Copper and the out-side to be Gilt very costly Description of the Idol Xaca ¶ THe Head of this their god Xaca hath the likeness or Face of a middle-aged Man with a thin Beard the Hair of his Head cropt above his Ears his Cap folded like a Scarf about his Neck are Chains of Gold interlaid with Diamonds about his Middle a Scarf woven of Gold and Silver his Hands he holds forth but a little asunder in a praying posture about his Wrists are Strings with long Tassels and sits cross-Legg'd on a great Golden Plate before and behind him are two large Vessels in which they put their Offerings the Golden Plate whereon he sits covers a square Altar on whose Brim hangs twelve Pots by Gold Chains in which both Night and Day they burn Incense which are still supply'd with odoriferous Gums the Altar being square stands on a broad Foot cut with several Japan Characters What Xaca was formerly But this their god Xaca whom they worshipp'd when living was a great Proficient in the Pythagorean Doctrine which of old was most generall and a Religion most spread through all the World and much follow'd by the Greeks and Latines from whence the Grecian Fables of Transformation took their rise who according to Plato generally believ'd Plato 17.10 de Legibus that Orpheus after his death became a Swan Thamyras a Nightingale Ajax a Lyon Agamemnon turn'd to a Crane Ambros Lib. De Bono Mors. Cio Ambrose relates they also believ'd That the Souls of their Learned chang'd into Bees or Nightingales because that whilst living they had pleas'd the Peoples Ears with their sweet and eloquent Language but the Souls of the malicoius turn into Serpents Thieves and Robbers into Wolves Cozeners and Cheaters after their Death become Foxes every one changeth into such Creatures as best analogizeth with their several Vertues and Vices Plato and Pythagoras according to Herodotus first taught the Egyptians this Doctrine Zamolxis spread the same amongst the Northern Goths for which they worship him as a god The Druides spread it all over Gaul and Germany and the West Indians I know not how are much of that belief And Josephus tells us Joseph L. 18. Ant. G. 11. that the Pharisees amongst the Jews were much biassed with this Perswasion Julian fondly imagin'd That the Soul of Alexander the Great inform'd and gave life to his Body and therefore sleighted all dangers This their god Xaca saith Father Kircher the Indians call'd Rama the Tunkmensers Chiaga by the Chineses Xen Kian The Chineses derive him from India in the Province of Tien Turk Gnoe Moreover the Japanners have this Tradition concerning Xaca The Dream of Xaaca's Mother That his Mother dream'd that she saw a white Elephant issuing out of her Mouth and went into her left Side Why the white Elephants are of so great esteem in India From hence proceeds that great esteem which the Indians and chiefly those in China Lai Tunchim Siam and Pegu have of white Elephants for they are kept and attended on like Kings and feed on all variety of high Fare and in Golden Dishes The Nobility visit them in humble and submissive postures No other Quarrel than a white Elephant caus'd a great War Anno 1576 between the King of Siam and Pegu in which the Siams were so defeated that they not onely lost their white Elephant but were utterly subdu'd and brought under by the King of Pegu But this Yoke the succeeding Princes did soon shake off and were Masters of two white Elephants which in short time after dying caus'd great lamentation to the King and People of Siam judging them to be sent from Heaven as an evidence and earnest of future blessings Xaca Murder'd his Mother But the first piece of divine service which this their god Xaca in his humanity perform'd was offering his Mother which he himself kill'd lifting up his right Hand towards Heaven and his left pointing to the Ground said with a loud voice Behold neither Heaven nor Earth affords a greater and more holier Saint than I This done he withdrew to a dark
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
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
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
That he spake with those that had hung three days in that horrible manner but at last forswore the Roman Religion not being able to endure this pain which exceeded Fire and all other imaginable cruelties their Bowels sinking down into their Throats seem'd to force all their intrails out of their Mouths the Blood also dropping out at their Eyes Mouths Noses and Ears The first that was kill'd after this manner The first that was thus Martyr'd if Hazart deserves to be credited was a Japanner one Nicholas Kean Fucananga who dy'd in the Well on the fourth day being the last of June And the next Anno 1633. After that several others were put to death in the same manner as Emmanuel Borges Joseph Reomuy Ignatius Kindo Antonius Giannonius Joannes Kidera Joannes Zama Benedictus Fernandez Paulus Saito Joannes de Acosta Julianus Nacaura Antonius de Souza and Sebastian Viera of which some were Italians and Portuguese but most of them Japanners of whom some hung three others six seven nay nine days before they gave up the Ghost Nacaura being carry'd to the Well cry'd aloud That he had kiss'd his Holiness Pope Gregory the thirteenth his Feet in Rome being sent thither by the Kings of Bungo Arima and Omura Anno 1582. Most of the Japanners Apostate ¶ THis Persecution brought those that remain'd constant to a miserable end and the faint-hearted to Apostacy insomuch that in sixteen years time scarce one was to be found of four hundred thousand How they Apostate Roger Gusbrechtzoon an eye-witness relates That Anno 1626. there were in Nangesaque above forty thousand Christians of which in three years time not one was to be seen for most of them had sign'd it with their own bloud taken from their little finger to shew and perform due Worship to their gods Amida and Xaca The Apostates are in danger of their lives Mean while an account was kept of all Apostates and those that sav'd their lives by betraying of Christians against which a private plot was laid to destroy them all at once just like the French in the Island of Scicily who when the Evening Bell rang for our Savior's Resurrection Anno 1282. were Murder'd in such a rage that the Scicilian Women big with Child by French-men were all slain ¶ TOxogunsama having by this time sufficiently extinguish'd Christianity in Japan sent a special Edict against the Portuguese Traders in Macaco in which it being Sign'd by the Camy's which as much to say as Councellors of State Cangano Sanuquino Voudino Cambuno Runo Bungane and Teuxumano Anno 1639. He forbad strictly that no Shipping should come from Macaco to Japan and if they should offer against his Command to come thither The Japan Emperor banishes the Portuguese their Ships should be broke up and the Seamen punish'd with death because that the Portugese sent privately Priests over thither to teach the Catholick Religion so making the Subjects to rise up against the Emperor as two years before seventy thousand Christians were in Arms near Arima between the Hills and in a well fortifi'd Valley but being so rudely entertain'd most of them dy'd by the Sword Macaco sends an Embassy to the Japan Emperor ¶ IN the interim the Inhabitants of Macaco were much concern'd seeing that profitable Trade of Japan was forbidden them and therefore they thought it convenient to send an Embassy thither to inform the Emperor that the Portuguese never sent any Priests thither nor that they had the least knowledge of the Insurrection at Arima The Ambassadors Lovis Paez Pacheco Roderigo Sanches de Paredes Simon Vaz de Paiva and Gonsaho Monteiro de Carvalho spent a whole years time in their Preparation In the middle of Summer Anno 1640. they set Sail with sixty nine Officers coming in the Haven they were fetch'd in by the Governor Babasuro Zayemon their Guns immediately taken out of the Ships and a Guard set to look after their Seamen The Emperor condemns the Ambassadors and their retinue to be beheaded Immediately Zayemon sent word thereof to the Emperor who sent two Persons of great Quality accompany'd with as many Executioners as there were Portuguese come from Macaco to Nangesaque The Princes Canga Chuminimbu and Novaga Manximbioye sent for the Portugal Ambassadors asking them Who made them so bold to Land in Japan contrary to the Emperors Commands Whereunto they answer'd That the Emperors Edict onely forbade the Trade their Ship brought no Merchandise thither but were onely come on an Embassy to Treat with the Emperor concerning his Prohibiting of their Trade The two Japan Princes gave no reply to their answer but read the Sentence which Toxogunsama had pronounc'd against the Portuguese Contents of the Proclamation The Contents were That since the spreading of the Christian Religion in Japan apparently contrary to the Emperors Edicts Wickedness and Debauchery was grown to a great height in that Empire therefore necessity forc'd them to execute great Punishments upon them and at last to give a stop to all private Dealings with the Portuguese on Forfeiture of his Majesties high Displeasure Those that notwithstanding his Commands ventur'd to come to Japan where to this day many Priests were privately kept whose design was nothing else but to stir up the People against their Just and Lawful Governors to turn the Empire into a Blood-Bath and bring it under the Subjection of a Foreign Tyrant And though the Portugal Ambassdors inform'd them in Person that they neither sent or kept any Priests in Japan yet the Macaco Letters make no mention thereof therefore what was said they dis-own'd and suspected them not without great reasons and for that cause the Emperor Prosecutes such Malefactors that offend his Authority Condemning them all to the Sword except some of the meanest Seamen which were spared alive to the end they might give an account of this Adventure to the Portuguese in Macaco and also that those should expect the same that durst hereafter adventure to Anchor in any Japan Haven The Edict being read and Translated out of the Japan Tongue into Portuguese the Condemned were carry'd on a Hill near Nangesaque being in all sixty one Persons Sixty one beheaded at once some Portuguese Castilians Chineses Bengaloisians Cafrians Malians extracted from the Islands Solor and Simor Malabaer Achenen Lanannen and Macassacren which were Beheaded by sixty one Executioners Their Bodies were bury'd betwixt four Walls the Crime for which they dy'd was Engraven on the Wall twelve were sav'd alive which Sail'd to Macaco being commanded to carry the news thither that if the Spanish King Philip nay the Christian God himself should Land in Japan they should bow their Necks under an Executioners Sword Their tormenting with Ropes after what manner ¶ BUt besides the foremention'd inhumane Cruelties every Persecutor invented still newer and newer ways of tortures sometimes making fast four Ropes near the four corners of the Fire tying the Christians
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
he serves Coxenga for Toll-gatherer in Annay and without doubt will plot no great good for the East-India Company The said Pingua is run above seventy thousand Ryals in debt in Formosa Moreover Wagenaer staid till the first of November for the Ship the Black Bull which was very richly laden but because she did not come he was fain to make a Market with Tonquean Silk European Piece-Goods as Cloth Serges Perpetuanaes and Siam Furs and promise upon an Obligation That the Cargo in the Bull when she came to an Anchor before Disma should be laid up for the next Year The staying away of this Ship was occasion'd because at that time less Profit was made in Japan by eight Tun of Gold than at other times The manner of the Hollanders selling their Goods in Japan is remarkable ¶ THeir Sale is after this manner In November the East-India Company have free leave to Trade On Munday they shew their Goods for then the Store-house on Disma before Nangesaque is open'd A great long Bench stands in the middle of the Gallery which below hath three hundred Rooms for the stowing of Goods Above live the Servants to the East-India Company On the Bench stand Silver Chargers in which lye all manner of Merchandizes viz. Drugs Pepper Cloves Nutmegs Mace Cinnamon Buck-skins Buff and other Skins also Tonkian Peeleng Musk Europeans Clothes Serges Looking-glasses Speckled Wood Quicksilver Brimstone and Hats which are worn by the Nobility of Japan Towards Evening all the Store-Chambers are seal'd with the Emperors Arms in the presence of one of the Magistrates of Nangesaque who sits with the Holland Merchant during the time of Trade at the chief Table The Service here is attended by three hundred Japanners daily employ'd by the East-India Company The foremention'd Gallery is square and rests on Pillars of Speckled Wood twelve Foot high a winding pair of Stairs leads up to it the Floor thereof being cover'd with rich Tapestry Round about stand Stools on whose Silk Cushions the Arms of the East-India Company are embroider'd When the Japanners enter the Gallery they pull off their Shoes On Tuesdays they contract about the Price the next day they deliver then the Water-gate of the Holland Store-house is open'd where all November they lade and unlade their Goods into above a hundred Barques Upon Sundays they rest because the Hollanders following their Devotion permit no Work to be done The manner us'd by the Japanners in selling their Goods Mean while in the same Month also is kept an Annual Fair where the Japanners erect Booths of Sail-Cloth in which they sell Copper Silver China Roots Camphire and Camphire-wood curious Porcelan Plates and Dishes Silk Japan Coats on the outsides embroider'd with Gold and Silver and quilted with Cotton wrought Plate Rice Tobacco wax'd Cabinets and Chests Whilst thus they set their Commodities to sale they make themselves merry with Sakje a Drink made of the best Wheat having a strange smell but as strong as Spanish Wine The foremention'd Magistrate is Security for all that is sold The Silver and Copper weigh'd in a Scale and mark'd with the Emperors Stamp is deliver'd in Chests Generally the East-India Company take at one time of Sale for their Commodities six hundred Chests of Silver and two thousand of Copper yet sometimes they take a great deal more or less Every Chest of Silver amounts to a thousand Crowns Remarkable Passage of Martin Remei ¶ IN the interim Wagenaer prepar'd the Ship the Singing Bird to go for Batavia but was hindred one day by Accident Martin Remei a Native of Formosa coming as Chyrurgeon from Tayovan with the Ship Nieuport to Nangesaque had leave to inhabit ashore in the hinder part of the Hollanders Store-house on the Island Disma with three Factors but was miss'd in the Morning on the thirteenth of November yet they found at last a Letter in his Bed that he rose to bereave himself of Life because a Japan Whore with whom he had lain three days was gone away by which means she had bereav'd him of his Pleasures Wagenaer sent in vain to search all corners either to find him living or dead whereupon he made the Business known to the Magistrates who gave immediate order impowering some Bonjoises and Interpreters and also their own Servants to search all Houses and Skulking-places Whereupon they search'd the Ships Jonks and Japan Vessels and indeed all Nangesaque was in an Uproar about it Wagenaer caus'd his Men to Fish round about Disma and was not a little troubled that he could not find Remei For the Governors reported That it was a Portugttese Priest brought from China thither that kept himself private with some yet undiscover'd Christians But this Opinion soon vanish'd when Remei the fifteenth of November about the Evening was brought bound on the Island Disma to the great joy of those that kept the Watch when he made his escape for they would all of them have lost their Lives for their Negligence This Remei was gotten over the Walls in the Night and at low Water to the East side of the Haven before Nangesaque where he hid himself under a long Chinese Straw Sail till such time Hunger forc'd him to come out But being instantly taken was carried Prisoner to the Governor who sent him to Wagenaer and he kept him in safe custody and sent him afterwards to Tayovan there to suffer punishment according to his desert It hapned that at that time the Governor was in an exceeding good humor who otherwise deals very severely with those that get ashore out of the Hollanders Ships Wherefore the Japanners take a List of the Names Ages and Offices of the Sea-men to the smallest Youth so soon as any Ship approaches the Harbor of Nangesaque and if any one of them should be found wanting when they are going away both Ship and Men would thereby happen into a great inconveniency unless they could prove that the Person which was wanting died a natural death or with the Magistrates leave of Nangesaque staid behind on the Island Disma Another Exploit of a Dutch Chirurgeon Two Years after hapned almost the like Accident The Chyrurgeon belonging to the Admiral Vollenhoven leap'd over-board in the night to swim aboard of a Jonk that so out of Curiosity he might make a Voyage to China which the Pilot made known to the Commander Indiik who acquainted the Magistrates with it which immediately sent Soldiers and Servants to make search for him and if he should not be found they threatned the Hollanders to let their Ships drive ashore where with Goods and Men they would set them on Fire On the third day he that fled Was fetch'd out of a Chinese Jonk bound Hand and Foot and thrown into the Emperors Prison whence he escap'd not without great trouble and Sums of Money and was also for ever banish'd from Japan upon pain of Death Sad Accident of a drunken Sea-man ¶ BUt
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