THis Spacious and Wealthy Isle by the Natives call'd Nippon and formerly by the Spaniards Argantana and in the Year of Christ Twelve hundred according to that Famous Author Paulus Venetus Chryse and Zipangry hath on the East-side California Its bordering Countreys and New-Granada but at a vast distance an Ocean of a thousand Leagues spreading betwixt Westward but far off it looks upon the Isle of Corca and Great China Hugh Linschot reckons the nearest Promontories or Head-lands stretching from China to Japan to be eighty Leagues distance The North opposes the Land of Jesso and the Straights of Anian and beyond all the Coast of America The South verges on the Philippines Mindanao Gilolo and the Molucco Isles And Latitude It extends from thirty to forty Degrees Northern-Latitude so that the longest day is fourteen Hours fifteen Minutes and the shortest nine Hours forty five Minutes Their highest Sun appears 15 Degrees at Noon short of the Zenith The Air differs not much from the Temperature of the Islands Sardinia Rhodes Cyprus Candia and Sicilia and like that of the main Land of Portugal and Spain and as moderate as Arabia Syria Persia and China Division of the same ¶ JApan is divided into five Provinces Jamaystero Jetsengo Jetsesen Quanto and Ochio besides the Isles Saykok and Chiccock Maffeus calls Saykok Ximum making that seven Provinces but Francis Cairon being an Eye-Witness deserves more to be credited He affirms That several Kings Govern there and also in Chiccock one King and three Vice-Roys That part of this Countrey that is call'd corruptly Japan boasts two Metropolitans Miaco and Jedo Maffeus also tells us That this hath fifty three Kingdoms amongst which he names Miaco and Amangutium saying Miaco consists of twenty three and Amangutium of thirty Kingdoms but of late all these petty Kingdoms are fallen into the Lap of one Sole Monarch or Emperor who keeps his Magnificent Court at Jedo But Japan also besides Saykok and Chiccock lies surrounded with several lesser Isles as Hiu Tacaxuma Iquicuchi Canga Firando Meacxima Oeno Cocyque Beroe Oqui Murgan Avans Mettogamma Meho Mianisinu Sando being full of Silver Mines Vulcans Isle and Vulcania often ejecting hideous Flames to the Sky lying to the West beyond the Straights of Diemon which washes the Isles Chiccock and Tacaxuma The Territory of Ochio ¶ OChio the North-East Territory of Japan borders on the vast Wildes of Jesso For the Inlet or Bay which divides them runs not up above forty Leagues there ending stopt by the Mountains of Ochio Description of the great Countrey Jesso ¶ THe Extent of Jesso being Mountainous and abounding with costly Furs is yet unknown although the Emperors of Japan were much concern'd taking great pains about the Discovery thereof to that purpose imploying several Persons at his own Cost and Charges who made search over Rocks and Mountains and almost inaccessible Places explor'd vast and wild Countreys very far but found no end though they diligently inquir'd of the People who being Salvages could give them no Account further than where they dwelt So after long Toyl and Trouble they were forc'd to return without any Effect of their Design as we said before The Jesuit Lodowick Frojus in his Letter of the eight and twentieth of February 1565. to the Indian Fathers writes thus concerning the Inhabitants of Jesso Against the Northermost Part of Japan about three hundred Leagues from Meaco is a very large Countrey full of Salvage People The Inhabitants of Jesso are horrible People which are Cloth'd in Skins of Wild Beasts Hairy all over their Bodies having exceeding great Beards and long Whiskers or Mustachioes which they turn up with Sticks made for that purpose when they drink They covet and are very desirous of Wine also Valiant in War and therefore much fear'd by the Japanners If by chance they receive any Hurts in an Encounter their onely Application is Salt Water with which they bathe and wash the Wound so drying it up On their Bosoms they wear Looking-Glasses which serve them as Shields or Breast-plates Their Swords they tye about their Heads in such a manner that the Hilt thereof hangs on their Shoulders They onely Worship the Moon Aquita a great City stands in the Territory of Genuaen bordering Jesso Hither the Natives come in great Numbers to Trade and also the Aquitans Travel to them but not in such Multitudes because they are oftentimes cut off and murder'd by the Inhabitants Error of the Geographers concerning Japan ¶ THe Maps of the World our Terrestrial Globe have till of late plac'd nothing beyond Aquita but the Ocean though long since confuted by Hugh Linschot proving upon the testimony of the Jesuit Frojus who deserves to be more credited as having resided a long time in Japan than some of our Geographers who set down by hear-say the Largeness and Extent of Japan without any Proofs or Testimony whereas it is made manifest That Japan extends it self much further than commonly drawn Moreover Francis Cairon Ambassador to the Emperor of Japan at Jedo witnesses That the Largeness of this Countrey is not known to the Inhabitants themselves Mistake of Maffeus and Cluverius Therefore Maffeus is much mistaken when he sets down the length of Japan to be two hundred Leagues and its greatest breadth but thirty And Cluverius in his Geography reckons the length to be an hundred and fifty Leagues and the breadth seventy Hazarts ignorance concerning the Description of Japan But none more errs in this than the Jesuit Cornelius Hazart in his History of the Island of Japan which that we may the better answer hear his own Words Japonien or as others call it Japan by the Inhabitants Nippon is a Territory lying in the farthest Point of the East being the outmost Borders of Asia which to prove he quotes Isaiah cap. 18. ver 2. For although to the West to the Frontiers of China Vide Isaiah is no more than fifty Leagues says he and to the City Amacoa two hundred ninety seven and on the South having so vast an Ocean no known Countrey being beyond Japan may certainly be call'd The Worlds End And standing divided into so many small Islands that a Geographer of our times calls it also A World of Isles the chiefest of which are Niphon Ximus and Xicocus consisting of sixty six several Kingdoms The Isle of Niphon reckons fifty three boasting also many stately Cities of which the Metropolis is Meaco The Island Ximus hath nine and several handsom Towns amongst which Usuquin Funai and Cangoxima The Isle Xicocus accounts no more than four Kingdoms Which being taken together Japonien is as big as all Italy Though this his Style be ridiculous yet his Ignorance and so strangely false Description is so much more that he ought rather to be pittied and laugh'd at as one distracted than to be answer'd but that we are bound in Conscience to undeceive his believing Readers Hazart's false
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
Degree of Lords Their Lowest Degree of Lords of which some fill their Treasuries with the Revenues of the small Circumjacent Iles are Sangoro Saffioye and Fory Minnasacka each of them having Twenty thousand Pound Sterling yearly Qua Jamma Sammon Fossacauwa Gemba Fackina Deysen Matsendeyra Deysen Gottawais Lord of the Island Goto near Firando Cattayngiry Iwamy Cassima Jetsingo Coubery Tomoty Tackandy Mondo and Miake Jetsingo have each One Tun and a half of Gold per Annum But Odaura Bisen Tojamma Giwo Fira Oucka Giuemon Oseki Jemon Fayssien Gouwas Kibon Outano Tango Fieno Ouribe Auby Ceynocamy Otana Mousoys Majuda Jammatta Taytsibanna Sackon Cackebe Sayngoro Mynangauwa Chinamovani Jaydsio Dewanocamy Coungay Inaba Oictana Caweyts Niwas Kibon Fory Arbays Fosio Mimasacka Sayngo Wacksacka Touda Inaba Miangy Sinsen Sannanda Nyki Iton Tangou Ikenday Jetseses and Touda Nayki Emperors Officers Pay As for the Emperors Chief Officers their Revenues are as followeth His Councellor of State Dayno Idonno Fifteen Tun of Gold a Year Sackay Ontadonno Nangay Sinadonne Ten Tuns of Gold Sackay Sinadonno the like Sum. Sackay Sannickodonno One Tun of Gold less Audo Ouckiondono Six Tun of Gold Inote Cawatsdo Five Inabe Tangedonne Four Sackan Auwado and Sackay Jammassirodonno each have Thirty thousand pound Sterling Nayta Ingado Sintsia Winbondonno Misson Ockiedonno Matsendeyro Jemondonno Jamanguyts Tayssimodonno and Matsendeyro Juedonno receive from the Emperors Treasury Two Tun of Gold a piece Yearly But Ale Boungodonne Auwe Jamma Ouckerodonne Ciongok Sinsendonno Itacoura Nysiendo Narsy Jucdonno and Akimonta Maysimaddonno have each of them Fifteen thousand pound Sterling Yearly Lastly Forita Cangadonne Miura Simaddonne Maynda Gonoskedonno Mesiono Jamatta Fory Itsuocamy Miury Oemenoskedonno and Fondo Sanjadanno have every one One Tun of Gold per annum The Emperors expences in house-keeping and guard ¶ THe Emperors House-keeping consisting of several Boards for all his Officers and his Seraglio of Ladies amounts to 1400000 lib Sterling Annual Pension His Life-Guard also cost him ten Tun of Gold more So that the Pensions for his Lords and several Officers and the whole maintenance of his Court and Militia reckons up 28000345 Tun of Gold yearly Apparel of the Souldiers As for the Souldiers which the Emperor keeps in Service most of them are Noble-men and wear small Helmets but exceeding great Breeches sometimes they are Arm'd with short at other times with long Fire-Locks or Muskets not unlike ours onely the Cock strikes not from them but towards them Instead of Powder-Horns or Cartrage Boxes they use small square Baskets made very artificially of Flags or Rushes In their Girdles they stick one short and one long Scimiter The Netherland Ambassadors go by water from Nangesaque to Osacca ¶ BUt to return again to our Embassadors Andreus Frisius and Anthonius Brookhorst which Sail'd from Nangesaque the 25 of Septemb. 1649. with three great Barks Laden with rich Presents for the Japan Emperor twenty Netherlander three Bongies as guides to direct them in their Journey from Osacca to Jedo three Interpreters and thirty four Japanners besides the beforemention'd Ambassadors In short time they got beyond Foveunda Zotta and Nanatjamma and Sail'd Northwardly between Firando Omodackey and Oysinocuby Towns scituate on Bungo then they reach'd the Islands Auwo Fimissima and Ginkai and left Nangago on the left side of the Coast of Bungo Then they brought the Island Aymissima under their Lee and descry'd the City Assia The City Asia twelve Miles North-East from Aymissima This City stands on a white Sandy shore and is seen a great distance off at Sea by reason of its high Mountains which seem to touch the Clouds After this they discover'd the famous Town Icaminangano-misacco and the City Cocero lying in an Inlet of the Sea The City Cocero Cocero at its first view is very delightful to behold having two Suburbs one above the City and another below towards the Sea Here they directed their Course Easterly into the Straits which in the North washes Japan and on the South Chiekok and Tousa On the left side of Japan stands the City Simonisicci The City Simonysicci within which is a small Fort and opposite to that a strong Castle built on a high Hill near which is the Haven Isacka to which belongs two Villages containing forty houses a piece ¶ VVIthin the foremention'd Straits they met with many Islands Islands several of their names unknown yet at the hither end lies Mettogamma and next Mocko The City Camenosacci Mianosimi and Camero betwixt which the City Cammenosacci stands on the more of Japan In a long Tract from East to West they saw near the Coast of Japan the Islands Icowe Szuwa Caroto Cominagari and Jocosmi all improv'd with Villages Opposite to Caroto are seen in the middle of this Channel between Japan and Tonsa several high Mountains whose tops are crown'd with various Trees here they stood due East and had on their Larboard in the Japan Coast the Towns Tantonomis Mewarri Bignatum and Binga On their Starboard the Inhabited Isle Syrais So Sailing on between Simeia and Samnic Ousimate and Wota Icsima and Muro they met with so strong a Current that their Rowers had great labor to bring them thorow The City Muro ¶ MUro a Town scituate on Japan hath a very fine Haven five Miles beyond which rises Firmensi The City Firmensi a stately City Fortifi'd with a strong Castle near which the Sea is often times very rough which they left on their Larboard and also Ahos Takasima and Swoja and came to Fiongo But when they met with Calms and wanted Wind their Men with a Line hall'd their Barks along the shore Netherland Ambassadors come to Ojacc◠Sailing from hence they kept along the Coast of Amanasacci and came on the thirteenth of January after nineteen days travel to Osacca and getting up the River they came to Anchor before Anissima the Suburb of Osacca Soon after three Pleasure-Boats came thither for to carry the Ambassadors with their Goods and Retinue Fayfena a Japan Pleasure-Boat ¶ THe Japanners build a kind of Pleasure-Boats or Barges by them call'd Fayfena which commonly have forty Oars built before like an Elephants Head and in the Starn a fine Looking-Glass Cabbin and Helm after the Portuguese manner Some of these Fayfena's have above thirty Rowers in them which Row with such speed and make so fresh way that it is to be admir'd for commonly they make a Voyage from Osacca to Nangesaque in twelve days time lying two hundred and twenty Leagues distant from one another Art exact description of the situation of the Cities between Nangesaque and Osacca ¶ FRom Nangesaque to Fouconda is two Leagues from Fouconda to Zitta eight thence to Nanatzjamma three from thence to Omodakey two then to Oysinocubi five so to Firando eight from Firando to Auwo six then to Jobeco seven thence to Fimissima seven from Fimissima to Ginha
the Treasure of the deceas'd Taycosama and all Necessaries for War In the interim some of these Provincials set upon Dayfusama who entertain'd them so roughly that Eighty thousand Men were either slain by the Sword ripp'd open their own Bowels or were taken Prisoners few of them escaping by Flight Conquest of Dayfusama Hereupon Dayfusama carried his Victorious Army with all speed to Osacca where Morindono was so much astonish'd at his gotten Victory that he left the Invincible Castle Osacca which was provided with double Stores and strong enough to endure the greatest Siege that could be Osacca is taken to Dayfusama before whose Approach he with some of his Nobles forsook the Castle and went to his stately Palace beyond Osacca resolving to submit himself freely to the Mercy of the Conqueror But the King of Sassuma shew'd much more Courage for he with Six hundred Soldiers valiantly fought his way through the Conquering Army of Dayfusama and marching on undiscompos'd towards Osacca got thither some Hours before Dayfusama where he furnish'd himself with such Vessels as he found with which he Sail'd to his own Kingdom Sassuma distant above two hundred Leagues from Osacca to the end that he might there Fortifie himself against Dayfusama A horrible Earthquake in Osacca ¶ BEsides this their suffering by War this City before endur'd a far greater Misery almost to an utter Desolation by a sudden Earthquake happening Anno 1585 the fourth of August about Midnight which was so terrible that they expected nothing less than present Destruction The first shudder or shake was so vehement that in less than half an hours space many hundreds were buried in the Rubbish of their own fallen Houses The fairest Buildings first failed coming to ground with horrible cracks amongst which that stately Palace the fairest and largest that ever the Sun shin'd upon which Taycosama built with ample Galleries and such spacious Courts that therein they say he was able to Exercise a hundred and fifty thousand Men. This stupendious piece of Architect he built on purpose to shew his Power and Magnificence to Ambassadors that were ready with an Embassy from the Emperor of China Their Journey to Menco With this Train the Ambassadors came about Noon to the great Village Firaskatta where they Dined and about four a clock they travell'd through Jonda which is a small City curiously built Fortified with a strong Castle and surrounded with Walls The Governor of this Place came to meet the Ambassadors who having a considerable Train was carried in a Sedan and follow'd by some of his Guards All the way which they pass'd was on a high Bank verg'd with Rice-Fields so far as could be discern'd At that time it was every where Frozen very hard on the top of this Bank and in going down the same they Travell'd through several Villages and the Way it self was planted on both sides with Trees Description of the Japan Cedars Amongst these the Cedars rais'd their lofty tops above all the others to an exceeding height Theophrastus relates That the Syrians and Phenicians us'd Cedars for the Building of their Ships The same Custom is at this day in Japan and no marvel because the Cedar hath a Gummy Moysture which preserves it from rotting which Secret the Japanners not knowing oftentimes look upon the Sudor or Sweating of their Cedar Images as a great Wonder But this is occasion'd by the moist Air and a South Wind which generally draws an Oyl out of that Wood. Moreover this Tree grows higher and thicker according to the several Places it is Planted in On the Mountains of Syria they grow so large-wasted that four Men are scarce able to fathom one of them but these have spiny and slender Bodies considering their wondrous Height whose lofty Crowns seem to mingle with the Clouds Japan also produces Cedars no ways inferior to those The Leaves thereof are soft and downy but prickly at the sharp ends There is also a small kind of Resemblance between the Cedar and the Juniper-Tree but the Leaf of the last is longer and smaller and grows nothing near so high and the Wood thereof being cut asunder and us'd is soon subject to rot And also the Cedars are of a more fragrant smell and bear a kind of Cod not unlike the Myrtle which being open'd hath four white Corns or Grains like Rice inclos'd in them which when ripe are of a deep yellow Colour whereas the Juniper-berry is black bitterish and unpleasant to the Palate Gum of Cedars of what Vertue and Use The Gum which the Cedar produces preserves the dead Corps from decaying and the Berries have three several tastes for the innermost of them is of a sharp rellish the outermost Shell sweet and the Pulp it self between sweet and sowre These Trees either have continually Fruits or Blossoms on them So that whilst one Tree bears Blossoms or Green-fruit the other Ripen This Fruit being hot in Operation helps all Coughs proceeding from cold Defluxions the Cramp opens obstructed Uritories and the Oyl thereof if the Body be annointed therewith defends it from the biting of Venomous Creatures Furthermore the Cedar always flourisheth being constantly green whose stately Branches run up in an exact Line like the Trees themselves but if the Branches grow too heavy for them the Body of the Tree commonly bends growing crooked under the Burthen The Cod which incloses the Berries when it begins to ripen opens it self and in time of Rain or Mists drops off leaving a round Stalk at the Boughs This Stalk decays not till two Years after the dropping off of the Cod which of it self requires a whole Year before it becomes ripe and this happens chiefly in Winter The Ambassadors come to Meaco Along this Bank shaded with Trees verging the River the Netherland Ambassadors going through a Town call'd Iondo came to Meaco where they were Receiv'd and Lodg'd in the House of a Wealthy Merchant ¶ THis Imperial City Meaco lies in the Province of Mino eighteen Leagues beyond Osacca Along this River which takes its Original from a great Lake three Hours Walk beyond Meaco discharging its Waters through Osacca into the Sea stands the Imperial Blood-Grove The Imperial Blood Grove near Meaco why so call'd which Denomination it receiv'd from the Japan Emperor Nobunanga who was murder'd there June 22. Anno 1582. The Emperor Nobunanga would be worshipp'd as a God ¶ THis Nobunanga in the time of his Reign had erected a new City and call'd it Anzuquiama on a pleasant Hill raising within it a stately Temple which to make the more famous he caus'd to be brought thither the most Ador'd and Venerable Idols in all Japan Next to this Temple he Founded a Sumptuous Chappel where on a polish'd Marble he had his Imperial Arms Ingraven and his own Statue delineated to the Life which so soon as finish'd he publish'd his Royal Edicts with strict Commands That after Proclamation and
between Meaco and Quano stands more Northerly into the Countrey the famous City Piongo which in the War that Nobanunga maintain'd after the Emperor Cubus's death was quite ruin'd For when Cavadonis Vocata Brother of the deceased Cubus who was the onely Person that was left alive of that Imperial Family escaping from his Enemies and flying to Vantandonus for Aid which he obtain'd was not onely nobly treated by him in his Castle but also endeavor'd by perswasions to stir up his neighboring Kings to take revenge on the Emperor's Murderers amongst whom Nobanunga King of Voari willingly embraced this opportunity to the end as he pretended to help Vocata to the Crown of his deceased Brother Cubus but contrary in a Civil War he embroil'd the whole Countrey for when Nobanunga had quell'd the Rebels and made Peace with their chief Commanders Mioxidoni and Diondoni he never so much as thought of establishing Vocata in the Throne but turn'd his victorious Army against other Japan Kings of which he brought thirty under his subjection as is said before and by these Conquests made himself Master of the whole Empire Amongst which fluctuating Commotions and Turmoils of an intestine War Piongo bore no small share for being taken by force it had not quite worn out the marks of Nobanunga's cruelties and soon after in the Year 1596. was totally ruin'd by a terrible Earthquake that more than half the City with Houses Temples and People were swallow'd up in the Earth and the remaining part thereof turn'd so topsie-turvie that it represented nothing but a heap of Ruins and Rubbish and miserable marks of Divine severity Terrible Earthquakes in Trugillo ¶ THese Earthquakes in Japan are very common as also in America and amongst other Places Trugillo a City in Peru Anno 1619. the fourth of February was exceedingly shaken by the like Trepidation a little before Noon the Ground began to move and in few Minutes ran the space of an hundred and sixty Leagues continuing very fiercely for fifteen Days all which time a dreadful Comet hung over their Heads which added if possible more terror to the Inhabitants expecting their utter destruction and the end of the World Two being struck with a consternation became dumb Besides those great numbers that were destroy'd and had scarce room to lie buried under the ruin'd Buildings it is worthy our observation how Peter Flores a Councellor Johannes Pontinus de Leon Secretary to the Peruan Bishop both Spaniards were struck with such a wonderful consternation that they became dumb and never spake after A strange accident Amongst others also happen'd another strange Accident which may serve as a fit pattern of Divine Justice A publick Notary coming over thither and being busied about drawing some Articles of Agreement by which a poor Man suffer'd much injury and great damage he having false Witnesses ready to Sign the same one there present discover'd the Cheat who falling out with the false Witnesses was by them drove out of the House and he no sooner being got in the Street but the House tumbled down killing him and his false Witnesses Great Earthquakes in Canada No less terrible was another late Earthquake in Canada The first of February Anno 1663. there arose a great noise and rumbling like Thunder in the Air whereupon soon after the Bells fell a Jangling as if they had Rung of themselves the Walls rent asunder great pieces of Timber and Stones fell on the Ground the Roofs of Houses and the Trees struck and fought one against another Near the Village call'd The Three Rivers two great Mountains with Woods were turn'd with the bottoms upwards Rocks and Mountains thrown into the River so making several Channels in the same and the Waters made new Inroads into the Countrey In other Places Hills were swallow'd up whole Woods remov'd and by Pauwels Village a Mountain was wash'd off by the Floods and became an Island and is still to be seen in the River But no Countrey in the World suffers so many Calamities and more almost total Ruines than this our Japan ¶ FRom Quano the Ambassadors took Shipping for between Quano and Mia the Ocean makes a great Bay so that none can travel by Land but with great Charges loss of Time and through bad Ways for which cause they hir'd sixteen Japan Vessels in which they Shipp'd their Goods Horses and Men so hoising Sail and having a small Gale of Wind it was Midnight before they reach'd Mia the Bay being about seven Leagues over Description of the City Mia ¶ THis City is very curiously built and adorn'd with many Temples and fortifi'd towards the Sea with a strong Castle Here the Hollanders stay'd a whole Night Narromi Siriomi and the stately City Occosacci ¶ THe Ambassadors parted from Mia the twenty fourth of January in the foremention'd Year 1646. travelling through the great Village Narromi and Siriomi to the stately City Occosacci full of curious Buildings and fortifi'd with a strong Castle which defends it from the sudden Onset of the Enemy To this City leads a Bridge of an hundred eighty eight Paces long over which the Hollanders carry'd their Goods Here they Din'd and in the Afternoon march'd on through Fintzara to Accasacci The Road thither is exceeding pleasant in some places of it divided by several Rivulets others with easie Ascents and delightful Valleys but each shaded with Trees The Retinue of the Lord of Bungien very strange About ten a Clock they reach'd the Village Ftagawa where they met with some of the Lord of Bungien's Soldiers who according to the Relation of the Interpreter came with a Commission from the Japan Emperor residing at Jedo to take possession of the Castle and Places belonging to Osacca The first Train was follow'd by the Lord himself who was carried in a Sedan after him follow'd his Ammunition and Houshold stuff guarded both by Foot and Horse which Rid on stately and well-train'd Steeds Arm'd with Bowes and Arrows Launces two Scymiters one short the other long with a Dagger and Helmets on their Heads and Wax-leather Boots The Foot as well as the Horse march'd very orderly and in good Martial Discipline not making the least noise nor any one Voice heard notwithstanding they were half an hour passing by in great Companies About eleven a Clock the Netherlanders descending a Hill entred the Village Siraski Siraski bordering the Sea being wash'd by the same on the right side and the left verg'd by a high Mountain cover'd with Trees Leaving Siraski they reach'd to Arei Arei where the Sea makes a Bay of a League and a half broad but is very shallow which put them to much trouble in carrying over their Goods because the Vessels oftentimes ran aground On the opposite side of this Bay lies on a Promontory Meisacca the Village Meisacca From hence Riding on in their Journey they went through several Villages along a Road on
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
Bonzi the Minister that performs the Funeral-Rites in a great Coach which shines being all Silk and Gold Thirty Bonzies more run about the Coach they wear broad-brimm'd Hats over a fine Linnen Surplice a Black Cloke cover'd with a gray upper Garment each carrying a long Torch lighted made of Pine-Branches which they say lights the Defunct that he may not mistake or miss the Way These thirty are follow'd by two hundred more who call aloud upon that God or Idol which he most Worshipp'd when alive They also beat on great Copper Basons and carry two large Baskets full of Artificial Paper-Roses of divers Colours which they tie at the end of a long Stick shaking them as they go in such a manner that the Roses fly out of the Baskets that being a sign as they say That the Soul of the Deceas'd is already gone to the Place of Everlasting Happiness After these follow eight Youths young Bonzies in two Rows who trail after them long Canes with Flags each Inscrib'd with the Name of his Idol They also carry eight Lanthorns with lighted Candles which in stead of Horn are cover'd with fine Cotton Near these Lanthorn-carriers walk two Youths in gray Clothes which carry also Pine-Torches which they light when they come out of the City and with these kindle the Fire that must consume the dead Body The remaining Ceremony Next before the Corps walk a great number of People all in gray Clothes their Heads cover'd with little three-corner'd Caps of black shining Leather on which they pin small Papers written with the Name of his Idol And that it may be more conspicuous a Man follows which carries in a Frame in large Characters the Name of that God he had so much ador'd The Corps it self Then follows the Corps it self which is carried by four Men on a Bier cover'd with a Bed very richly adorn'd on which sits the dead Body with his Head bent forward and his Hands folded together being cloth'd all in white over which hangs a Paper Coat being a Book concerning the Mysterious Devotions belonging to his Deity and full of Prayers That he would be pleas'd in mercy to save him After the Corps follow the Sons of the Deceas'd in comely Habits the youngest Son carrying also a Torch of Pine to kindle the Funeral-Pyre Last of all comes a second Rabble of Common People suited with black Caps as the former How the dead are burnt in Japan When coming near the Pyle they stand in a Ring and soon after make a hideous Noise the Bonzies striking with great force on their Copper Basons and Kettles and all the People calling aloud on the Name of his Idol which continues a whole Hour during which they prepare the Pit being square and Rail'd about and hung with Mats Towards the four Points of Heaven are four Entrances being the East West North and South The Pit is cover'd over with Canvas and on each side of it stands a Table with all manner of Fruits near the Table Pots smoking with Perfumes and Frankincense no sooner they approach near the Inclosed place but they throw a long Rope over the Corps on which every one lays their hands and call on the name of their Idol several times together then they walk three times about the inclosed place At last they set the Bier with the Bed and Corps on the Funeral-pyre to which the Bonzi who Conducted the whole Train steps forth and Mutters several Words which none of those that are present can understand and takes a burning Torch which he Waves three times over the Head of the Dead Body signifying by those Circles that the Soul of the Deceased had never beginning nor shall ever have an end when done he throws away the Torch which two of the nearest Relations to the Deceased whereof one stands at the East end of the Bier and the other at the West as a Ceremony reaching it over the Corps to one another thrice together then they throw it on the Pyle whilest others pour on Sweet Oil then setting Fire which kindles so suddenly and grows to that height that the Body is consum'd in a moment Strange Custom when the body is burnt In the Interim his Sons and kindred walk towards the two Tables where setting Fire to the Pots with Perfumes they fall on their Knees and Worship the Deceased then as they believe to be in Heaven This finish'd their Bonzies are rewarded according to their several Services and the Chief Orderer of the Funeral receives at least twenty Duckets and the other Officers lesser Sums After the departure of the Friends and Bonzies to their several Houses then the Common People and those which were Habited in Grey make merry about the Fire with such Food as stands on the Tables On the next day the Children and Friends of the Deceased repair again to the Funeral Fire where they gather the Ashes Teeth and Bones in a Gilded Pot or Urn which they carry home and covering it over with a Cloth set it in one of the chief Rooms of the House Make repetition Sermon after what manner Thither all the Bonzies come to make a Repetition of the Funeral Sermon On the seventh day they begin their Visit and set the Urn with the Relicks on the Ground others set down a square Stone on which is Engraven the Name of the Idol After this the Sons go daily to their Father's Grave on which they strow Roses and place hot Liquor and set several Dishes of Meat about it so that their Father's Soul may be refresh'd Bon a dead Fast But besides these Funerals which commonly cost those that are able at least three thousand Duckets and the ordinary Citizens generally two or three hundred They keep on one day yearly a general Feast through the whole City which they call Bon dedicated to all the souls of their deceas'd friends on which day each hangs a Lanthorn and Candle at his Door and all visit the Graves of their several Relations great multitudes carrying out of the City Chargers full of Variety of Cates with which they Treat as they believe their departed Spirits then inviting them home to their Houses of which we have already spoke at large The corps of poor people misused The Funerals of the Poor People are no way to be compar'd to those of the Rich for not one Bonzi follows their Dead they having no Money for to satisfie them for their Labor without which they will not budge one Foot so that they onely take care for to provide Food for the Departed Souls and the more because most of them either publick or private are against the Immortality of the Soul therefore the Dead Bodies of the Poor of which there are very great numbers in Japan they throw in the night time in some private place or other or else upon the nearest Dunghil Departure of the Netherland Ambassadors from Jedo ¶ BUt to return
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
move them to it was this After Antonius Mota Franciscus Zeimot and Antonius Pexot Sailing from Dodra to China were driven by stress of Weather on the Coast of Japan so discovering the same accidentally the Portuguese got still greater Footing to drive their Trade there A Japan Youth as we mention'd before call'd Angar to escape Death whereto he was condemn'd fled as Father Tursellinus tells us Tursell in vita Xaverii lib. 3. cap. 12. with a Merchant nam'd Georgius Alvaresius to Malacca and from thence travell'd to Goa Francis Xaverius Cosmus Turrensis and Joannes Ferdinandes being perswaded by him took upon them the Voyage to Japan where Xaverius staid three years and a half at the Charge of John the Third King of Portugal who spent above a thousand Ducats on that Voyage It will not be amiss to annex here the Letter written by Xaverius from Cocin Xaver Epist ad Ignat. Loyolam the twenty ninth of January Anno 1549. to Ignatius Loyola Master of the Jesuits Order Since I am here inform'd by credible Witnesses that Japan lies not far from China and the Inhabitants thereof having neither Saracens nor Christians amongst them are very desirous of Novelties whether Natural or Spiritual I am resolv'd so soon as possible to travel thither In the Colledge of the Holy Hope in Goa is a Japan Youth by Name Angar of a quick and noble Apprehension who sends a large Letter to you He hath learn'd in eight Months time to speak write and read Portuguese and sufficiently understands the Mysteries of our Christian Faith I hope by God's help to bring many of the Japanners to embrace the Christian Religion for I am assuredly promis'd upon my arrival to speak with the King and have leave to visit their Schools or Colledges In another Letter Xaverius writes thus Xaver Epist 1550. I have oftentimes disputed with the Bonzies which far exceed others in Wisdom and chiefly with him who is accounted the Learnedst among them and higly esteem'd for his Age being eighty years old He is as their Bishop and is call'd Nitrix that is to say according to the Japan Tongue A Heart of Truth With him I have Discours'd and find him oftentimes wavering in his Arguments concerning the Immortality of the Soul Sometimes he acknowledges the same and at other times he denies it It is almost incredible how strangely he affects me and how most of the Bonzies and several others take delight in our Conversation The most they wonder at is That we should come from Portugal to Japan being above six thousand Leagues distance on purpose to treat with them about Matters of Religion The Christian Religion hath but small success amongst the Japanners Tursell in vita Xaverii Yet for all this the Christian Religion went on but slowly partly because Angar according to Tursellinus could not well describe the Articles of the Christian Faith in the Japan Tongue and withal writ so badly that the Japanners could not make any sense thereof and also the Japan Tongue being exceeding difficult Xaverius could not easily learn the same Yet in Cangoxima were those that affected Christianity insomuch that there was some hopes of a few that would embrace the same but this soon vanish'd The King of this Countrey had kept Xaverius a considerable time and permitted him to Preach the Doctrine of Jesus Christ and Baptize those that believ'd therein which he did not that he was any way concern'd for the Christian Faith but because he was inform'd that the Portuguese Merchants Ships brought very rich and costly Commodities from Europe and Goa which might prove very advantageous to Cangoxima if they came thither But because the Portugals in the interim came constantly to an Anchor at Firando the King of Cangoxima was much displeas'd and chiefly had a bad opinion of Xaverius because that he being of great esteem amongst the Portuguese could easily perswade them to remove their Staple or Factory to Cangoxima The Bonzies watching for such an Opportunity stirr'd up the displeas'd King the more because Xaverius had spoil'd their Heathenish Doctrine The King of Cangoxima is enrag'd against the Christians and declar'd their abominable and wicked Lives Whilst thus the Progress or the Christian Faith was stopp'd there was publish'd an Edict That none should Apostatize from their Fore-fathers Religion which was establish'd in the Empire of Japan Xaverius observing that no good was to be done parting from thence went to Firando where he converted about a hundred Persons which he perform'd in this manner First reading to them the Grounds of the Christian Faith concerning the Trinity and of our Savior Christ and that by his means we must be all sav'd Angar had translated these Articles out of the Portuguese Tongue into the Japan Language but not without great Mistakes This done Cosmus Turrensis had a regard over the new Christians whilst Xaverius and Joannes Fernandez travell'd to Amungucium How and what the Jesuits learn'd in Japan where they found several Inquisitive People as well amongst the Nobles as Commons but were never the better for they being not able to speak the Japan Tongue their best way then was to read twice a day at the corners of the Streets Angar's Translation of the Christian Belief which Doctrine seem'd very strange to many some jeering thereat The Children and Boys running after the Jesuits mock'd them with what they had said and chiefly with such Words as they could not pronounce plainly because of the difficultness of the Japan Tongue Yet others invited them into their Houses and besought of them farther Instructions Their Deeds in Amangucium Xaverius and Fernandez having spent some days in Teaching the Amangucians they were commanded to come before the King who demanded of them Of what Countrey they were and why they came to Japan Whereupon they answer'd That they were come from Portugal a place above six thousand Leagues distant from thence to the end they might declare God's Laws and Preach the Gospel in which the Savior Jesus Christ was describ'd without whom none could be sav'd The King desir'd them to declare the Grounds of that never-heard-of Religion which Xaverius perform'd by reading Angar's Translation at which the King laughing order'd them to depart Yet after this Xaverius and Fernandez gave not over but Preach'd along the Streets in the foremention'd manner But seeing their Labor bestow'd in vain they resolv'd to travel to the Metropolis Meaco Xaverius travels to Meaco Two Months and much Money did they spend in this their Journey suffering also much by Robbers and extreme Cold Yet having a Japan Convert in their Company whom they had Baptiz'd Bernard they hop'd with less difficulty to perform their Business having an Interpreter with them But they soon found their expectation frustrated for after long Preaching and using all possible means yet they could not be permitted to the presence of the Cubus Why they could effect
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
Goodness that a Scorpion and most of all other Poysonous Creatures being kill'd and their Flesh laid raw on the Wound which they made cures it in a short time Fasting-spittle hath also a great Operation to dispel this Poyson The ancient Father St. Ambrose relates concerning this Creature Hoxaem lib. 6. cap. 6. That he kills a Lion and is himself destroy'd by Pismires But to return to our Story Strange Battel between the Pismires and Scorpions in the Voyage to Nangesaque ¶ IN the Voyage between Osacca and Nangesaque it is often seen with great admiration that a Scorpion being surrounded with an innumerable Army of Pismires who storm him on all sides biting his Feet so extremely that not being able to bear it nor seeing any way to escape at last kills himself with his own Sting running the same into his Head of which he immediately dies whereupon they joyn all their Forces to carry him away In which Work it is pleasant to behold how they help one another some shoving the Prey forward with their Feet while others haul it along with their Mouths and the remaining part creep under to bear it on their Backs always having fresh Supplies to release those that grow weary God represents in this small Animal the exact Image of Vertue wherefore the Holy Scripture admonishes the Slothful to take Example by them And indeed their Care is exceeding great for they make their Nest with so many crooked Entrances that it is secure from all hurtful Creatures The Earth which they scrape out they stop before their Holes to keep out Rain These Holes are divided into three Partitions in one the Males and Females live together in another the Females breed up their Young and the third serves them for their Storehouse wherein they lay their Provision Majolus relates That near Barleta a City in Terra di Barria he found a strange Nest of Pismires under a great piece of Timber which being easily taken away there appear'd a City with four Corners City of Pismires almost four Foot long and one and a half broad lying so direct as if it had been made straight with a Line a Street going through the same long-ways was a Finger broad and one deep made in a Clayie Ground three lesser Streets also which came into the foremention'd middle-way of the same bredth and depth at one end thereof a Market-place and at the other end a Stile made of Egg-shells On the other side of this Pismires City appear'd several deep Pits so full of Corn that it lay scatter'd on the Ground about them Along the Ways the Pismires pass'd to and fro like the Inhabitants of a Populous Town Towards the south-South-West exactly in the middle of the longest Wall was the Gate through which some came in loaded with Corn others went out empty to fetch their Burdens the eldest of them creeping before who also climb the Blades biting off the Corn whilst the young ones stand below and pick every Grain out of the Ear that which is too heavy for them to carry they shove before them those that are empty make way for those that are loaden and that the Corn should not sprout they bite that end that uses to shoot and if accidentally it happens to be wet they bring it forth laying it to dry in the Sun which is a certain sign of Fair weather Moreover they labor continually resting neither Night nor Day Hist Anim. lib. 6. ca. 50. A conceited Passage of the Pismires Aelian relates That Cleanthes once observ'd some Pismires which carried away a dead one to the Hole from whence it was us'd to come forth when living and coming before it stood all still they belonging to another Hole upon which some Pismires that were in the same came immediately to the Strangers and went several times in and out as about Business of great concern at last bringing out a rotten Pear as a Ransom for the dead Prisoner and a Reward for their Labor they took the Deceas'd with them to bury him as it is very common amongst them By this Spectacle Cleanthes concluded That Beasts could speak and especially the Pismires about which Opinion Pythagoras Cicero Celsus and other Learned Heathens have often held great Disputations Farther Voyage of the Ambassadors ¶ BUt to return again to our Ambassadors Frisius and Brookhurst who proceeding forward in their Journey and Sailing by the Islands Fibi Simeia Samnik Syrais Caroto Szuwa Jowe Camro Mianofimi Moeko and Mettagamma left on their Starboard upon the main Coast of Japan Binga Bignatum Mewarri Tantonomi Jocosimi Caminagari Cammenosacci Simonisicci and Ximontchequi In this Voyage they met in several Places and chiefly about the Islands divers Japan Fisher-men who have generally their Wives with them The Men commonly have the Crown of their Heads shaven Japan Fisher-men how cloth'd onely a Ring of Hair just about their Heads not unlike the Roman Priests Their Coats they fold over their Breasts being girt with a broad Girdle in which they stick a great Cutting-knife On their Shoulders they carry a Yoke at which hangs on each side a long and square Vessel wherein they carry their Water and also keep their Fish alive when they bring it to sell The Women wear a Scarf wound about their Heads with a Tuft hanging down on their Foreheads their Breasts cover'd with a square Cloth interwoven with several Flowers of Silk about their Necks a long Cotton Cloth that hangs down their Backs their Coats both full and long hanging down to their Ankles their Shoes or rather Soles onely are made fast behind with a kind of Strap and betwixt the two great Toes with a Knob Frisius and Brookhurst arrive at Nangesaque ¶ THeir Excellencies Frisius and Brookhurst at last Sail'd through the Straights where on the one side upon the main Coast of Japan lies the City Simonisicci and on the opposite Shore the great Island Bungo So Weathering the Point they got into the Bay Kokero thence getting into the Corean Sea they run between the Island Simissima and the Bongian Village Assia by Jobeco Auroo Firando Nanatzjamma Zetta and Foucunda into the Haven of Nangesaque on the twenty second of May Anno 1650. where they found their Countrey-men all in good health and were inform'd of the strict Customs and Laws of the Japanners After what manner the Netherland Ships sail to Nangesaque about the Netherland Ships who when they come between the Priest-Mountain and the low Cliffs call'd the Hen and Chickens passing by the Emperor's three great Block-houses must discharge their Guns three times at which the Japan Barques full of Soldiers come aboard taking an account of the Ships Crew setting them down by their Names and also their Age and Conditions which they are again demanded at their going away therefore every one must well observe how he hath describ'd himself for being found in a Lie is as much as
Ships that are by a Storm either out of the East or South-east driven from the Coast of Japan thither are easily lost This Island affords store of Provisions is full of People Horses and Cattel in the middle a high Mountain crown'd with Trees seems to touch the Clouds the lesser Hills have barren tops yet the Valleys abound in Rice Wheat and Barley Their remarkable Journey there ¶ AFter five days time the Wind changing the Hollanders as before were again Shipp'd aboard of four Jonks and getting to Corea at Sun-set were carry'd ashore at the Sun-rising where being furnish'd with Horses they all met together in the City Heinan whither they came in four several Companies for the four Jonks Landed them all in several Places Whilst they Lodg'd in Heinan the Governor Paul Johnson Kool died having never enjoy'd his health since he suffer'd Shipwrack The Commander of their Guard gave order to bury the Corps after which the Hollanders travell'd through the Cities Sansiang and Tiongop and also by the great Castle Jypansangians built upon a Rock then they past the Town Tunge and the great City Sendy where some years ago the King of Corea kept his Court but was now onely the Residence of a Vice-Roy Going from hence they Lodg'd in Jesorn the last City in the Territory Thielado Lastly after they had travell'd seventy Leagues and besides the foremention'd Villages pass'd through Lynjin Jesaen and Consio they came into the Royal City Sioor where not long after they were Examin'd at Court by the Interpreter Weltevree whereupon the Prisoners declaring their whole Adventure at last begg'd that they might have leave to go for Japan that they might once more see their Wives and Children which their Request was deny'd receiving this Answer That the King never suffer'd any Stranger to go out of his Countrey therefore they must not think of any thing but to die in Corea Soon after every Hollander receiv'd a small Board with the King's Arms burnt on it and every ones Name Extract and Office which he was to perform Carv'd on the same in Corean Letters Weltevree bore the Command as Sergeant over them all An expert Soldier taught them to handle the Corean Arms and whilst they were busie in learning this Martial Discipline the Tartars according to their custom came to fetch in his Revenues from Corea whereupon the King sent the Hollanders to the strong Castle Nanna Sansiang built on a Rock seven Leagues beyond Sioor to which in time of need the King takes his flight A strange undertaking of two Sea-men When the Tartars went the second time out of Sioor the chief Pilot Henry Johnson an Amsterdammer and the Gunner Henry vander Boss also went out with them under a pretence to cut some Wood for Fewel but their Design was to intermeddle themselves with the Tartarian Horse that if so they might find a Way home through Tartary they stay'd therefore till the said Horsemen with the Corean Money were half pass'd by then running amongst them but were known by some Coreans that follow'd after and re-taken put close Prisoners where not long after they dy'd Their Companions could never be certainly inform'd if they dy'd a natural death or whether they were Executed During this time news was brought to the King's Court that another Ship was lost on Quelpaerds Island wherefore three Hollanders that best understood the Corean Tongue were sent thither because Weltevree being over-grown with Age was not able to Travel Lastly The King grown weary of the Hollanders resolv'd to make them away by Murder but the King's Brother begging their Lives as Weltevree inform'd them they were sent to the strong Castle Thiellapeing where they found the three Hollanders sent to Quelpaerds Island here being a House provided in which the thirty three Hollanders were Lodg'd The Governor seem'd to have some small inclination for the Hollanders but his Successor a hatred forcing them to fetch Fuel three Leagues off over the Hills and kept those Clothes from them which they were promis'd at the Corean Court so that they endur'd extream cold and were also very much plagued with Lice which almost kill'd them yet it happen'd at last that half of the Prisoners had leave by turns to go a begging whilst the other half staid at home for the Coreans seldom deny any requir'd Alms and chiefly the Priests which being there in great abundance are very charitable These kind of People entertain'd them very courteously the more because they began to speak the Corean Tongue and related to them the Affairs of Europe and India in which they took great pleasure ¶ ANno 1660. A new Governor succeeded the old one of Thiellapeing he being of a quiet and mild disposition Protested oftentimes that if it were in his Power he would release the Hollanders instantly Famine in Corea In the second Year arose a great Famine in Corea the over-dry Seasons having so scorch'd the Ground that thousands of People dy'd of Hunger some eating Wild Herbs others Barks of Trees and had not the Valleys afforded them some Corn most of the People had been Starv'd The Hollanders bore no small share in this general Calamity Their allowance which was given them by the King's Order being exceedingly pinch'd In the interim Order came from Court that the two and twenty Hollanders for the rest dy'd of hardship were to be divided into three Towns twelve should go and live in Saysing five at Sutsen and as many more at Wammon and whilst they suffer'd either more or less inconveniencies according to the Dispositions of the Governors which chang'd every three year who either us'd them kind or cruelly there appear'd two Blazing Stars or Comets Blazing Stars about the latter end of 1664. The first appear'd in the South-East the second in the south-South-West These Signs struck the Coreans into a great Consternation because the same were seen just before the Tartars Invaded them and also when the Japanners sent over their Forces thither The Coreans therefore enquir'd of the Hollanders What those Planets Prognosticated What the Europeans thought of them They answer'd That experience had sufficiently taught that those Stars were always very Prodigious Signs generally threatning War Famine or Sickness The King exceedingly amaz'd Fortifi'd all his Towns Castles and Bulwarks with double Watches and forbad strictly that none living near the Sea-side should burn Lights at Night Remarkable passage of eight Holland Prisoners ¶ BUt the Hollanders at last found a way to make their escape they having a long time before gather'd some Moneys together for which they intended to buy an old Fishermans Barque it being subtilly contriv'd to make their Landlord believe that they would now and then go to the small Islands before Corea to fetch Cotton from thence of which he should have his share This Proposal was very well approv'd of by the Coreans so buying a small Vessel he gave it to the Hollanders who what e're they