with Turn'd Cups the Coachman holding a Pike with a Gilded Star at the end of it in his left Hand and in his right four Reins which came thorow as many Holes of the Axel-Tree he sate with his Legs under him on a square Seat cover'd with Flower'd Silk behind the Coach also sate three Musicians on each side went several Servants with Fans The four Horses which drew the Coach were led by four Persons of Quality the Governor looking out sometimes between the Curtains all those that saw him fell down with their Faces flat on the Ground just behind the Coach came a Guard of Souldiers half of them carrying Pikes and the other half Musquets which were follow'd by a Merchant richly Cloth'd his Horses Head whereon he Was Mounted adorn'd with a stately Plume of Feathers some distance after him a Sedan or rather a Throne was carry'd by fourteen Gentlemen seven going on each side carry'd a long Pole to which the Sedan was made fast on their Shoulders this Throne having an ascent of five steps on a Square each corner supported by a curious Turn'd Post about every one of which Silk Curtains were ty'd the Covering also of Silk was adorn'd with Fringe In this Sedan two of the Magistrates of Meaco were carry'd then follow'd several other ordinary Sedans with Noblemen and last of all Rode divers Troops of Horse The Holland Ambassador receiv'd in this State Rode towards the City Description of Meaco ¶ The first Gate of the City Meaco hath three Entrances whereof the middlemost is the biggest built between a Free-Stone-Wall the inner Gate is one Story high from whose Roof Stream'd a Flag with the Citie-Arms Miaco by the Japanners also call'd Cabucoma and Cocquay contain'd formerly in its Circumference one and twenty Miles but is since by the Civil Wars become above a third part less yet at this day it reckons above eighty thousand Families divided into the upper and lower City the lower spreads it self to Fissima and is so costly built that one Edifice seems to be above a Mile long In the upper Miaco the Dayro with his Cungies that is Counsellors keeps a stately Court himself looks like a Savage being never Shav'd nor his Nails par'd besides five Eminent Colledges in the City there are five Free-Schools more about Miaco viz. Coja Wegru Franzon Homi and Bandu every one of which hath above three thousand five hundred Scholars which are there taught the Arts of Rhetorick Oratory Histonography Astronomy Poetry and Arithmetick Strange Tree Here grow Palm Trees of whose Juyce the Japanners make an excellent Drink the Root digg'd up and dry'd in the Sun then Planted again in a short time will grow to be another Tree Not far from Miaco the Mountain Frenojamma riseth with its spiring top towards the Clouds Peter Davity tells us of a very strange Mountain seen in the Kingdom Jetchu which Flames continually In the Meacomean Lake is a Fish not unlike a Poor-Jack which the Japanners dry and send to all parts of the Countrey Pet. Davity in his Description of Asia The foresaid Davity relates also That the French King Lewis the thirteenth had tasted of them Strange Graves in Japan Moreover here as in most places of Japan are several Tombs or Graves rais'd of Free-Stone about two Foot high in which being hollow the Friends to the Deceas'd often times lay Water and raw Rice which the poor People or Birds fetch from thence They also strow the Graves with Flowers and Boughs of Trees Taicosama's Court ¶ VEry admirable is the Palace which Taicosama built in Miaco in which hang a thousand Pieces of Tapistry Embroyder'd with Gold just before the Palace is a spacious open Court in the middle of which stands a Theatre where they Act both Tragedies and Comedies on every side thereof stand four Turrets each four Stories high The Houses and Apartments are for the most part built of Wood yet handsome to behold They seldom Build of Stone because the Earthquakes are so frequent in Japan and though often times whole Villages nay Cities are burnt down yet they all Build again of Timber Wood in Japan wherewith the Woods furnish them plentifully for they not onely produce ordinary Timber but also White Wood not unlike that of which in Europe we make Virginals besides all manner of Fruit-Trees and tall Cedars whose lofty Crowns seem to salute the Skies The Cedars are us'd most for Pillars and Masts The Japanners have strange Orders when a Fire happens in the Night for the Street in which the Fire is must help themselves for none else will come near to assist them by which means many times the Fire gets such a head that the Flame consumes all before it IN Meaco as in most other places of Japan they drive a great Trade in far better order than in any part of Europe for it is no small help or benefit that all the Japan Lordships Dukedoms and Provinces have one Measure both for wet and dry Goods Their Measure call'd Ichin Japan Measure is six Rhyneland Feet long divided into six greater and sixty lesser parts of else every Foot into ten Inches From this Ichin they make their Ell call'd Issiack which is exactly the sixth part of the Ichin but the Issiack hath also ten great and sixty lesser parts the tenths are call'd Isson ten Issons make an Itsiebou and six Itsiebous one Ichin which Measure all Shop-keepers use and is so exact that it differs not a Hairs breadth Their Streets and Miles All the Streets in Japan as well in the Cities as in the Countrey Villages are of an equal length viz. sixty Jekjens or Ichins that is thirty Rhyneland Rods sixty Streets make a Japan Mile or a thousand eight hundred Rods. In the High-ways at every Miles end are little round Hillocks thrown up by Men employ'd for that purpose on which they plant four high Trees which are great Guides and Helps to Travellers Japan Weight Moreover the Japan Weight is full as exact as their Measure which consist of Fiaekin being a hundred and twenty five Dutch Pounds one Fiaekin makes a hundred Cattys one Catty sixteen Taile one Taile ten Maes one Maes ten Coudryn one Coudryn ten Rinnen Japan Coyn very strange The same order they observe with their Coyn. The Mint-Master coyns no Money either of Copper Silver or Gold but every Merchant goes to the Farmers of the Metal-Mines of whom he buyes the gross Silver and Gold as cheap as he can then makes it of an exact weight according to the Emperors Order then he delivers the Pieces to the Emperors Officers of the Mint which meet on certain days to weigh the Money which is brought in to them whether it be full weight and if it wants but half a Grain they cut it in the middle and so return it to the Owner Those that are weight the Officers mark with their Stamp which done it must be
Fire Their greatest and smallest Villages being being thus built all of Wood suffer much and sometimes unvaluable Losses by Fire therefore the richer sort and those that are able build apart Stone Ware-houses where they lay up those Goods and Commodities they most prize Whatever Houses are burnt down they immediately build up again in the same manner of Wood which the Forrests plentifully supply They seldom use Stone because if over-thrown by Earthquake they become a great heap of Rubbish which they would not be troubled to remove The Noble-mens Buildings are very stately The Gentry or better sort have large and fairer Houses where the Husband and Wife have their several Apartments in which they live asunder when they please and also Rooms for his Employment and for Address and Entertainment Their Dining-Rooms are set forth with Cupboards of Plate Cups and Dishes that they shew glorious like a Goldsmith's Shop and Gilded giving a more various pleasure to the Eye than our choicest European Pictures But the Walls of these Halls and Parlors The Japan Structures after what manner in stead of Hangings are cover'd with Paper Painted with Imagery the Sheets being so curiously glew'd that no Man can discern where they are conjoyn'd Strange Shutters Some of these Halls have artificial Shutters which opening show little Closets and small Retirements but these Doors or Places to be open'd are so neatly Wrought that none can perceive but it is a firm and perfect Wall but over the half-Pace or uppermost part of the Hall stands a large Picture done to the Life under which a Pot always supply'd with sweet-smelling Flowers gather'd fresh from their own Gardens The chief Housholdstuff of the Japanners Along the Walls to sit upon in stead of Chairs and Stools they have Chests curiously Varnish'd after their Indian manner and Dishes which they esteem precious standing upon them to drink their beloved Chia in Besides all this they hang up upon their Walls their Scymiters and other Arms which they use in Battel This is the best and richest Furniture which they have belonging to the Grandees and Persons of most Quality the poorer sort garnish their meaner Habitations Japan Houses how in the out-side each according to their degree and ability But the Frontice-pieces of their Houses are but plain and ordinary yet they are uniform and in a direct Line their Streets being but narrow and short of which they reckon up eighty eight How many Streets there are in Nangesaque reckoning as many Gates being Lockt up every Night and at each a strong Guard with Lights attending where none may pass None go through the Gates in the Night unless he bring a Sign'd Warrant from the Governor without which neither Doctor to his Patient nor a Widwife to a Woman in Labor though upon Life and Death are admitted to go through Nay more if any of these Streets happen to be on Fire In the time of Fire one Street may not help another they must not expect any help from others but save themselves by their own care and diligence for neither cries nor tears nor loud complaints of those ready to be destroy'd and consum'd to Ashes prevail'd not in the least nor move their Neighbors nor Governors to open and bring them assistance in this miserable condition so that oft it happens that the whole Ward Men Women and Children are burnt together in one Funeral Pyle This sad Fate had like to have happen'd to some Hollanders lodging in one of these Streets twenty Houses all burning at once and many People destroy'd in the Flames before their Eyes who when they saw no hopes that the Gates would be open'd and they must suddenly with the rest endure the fiery trial brake by force through a back-side having a Wooden Fence so escaping that dreadful Conflagration It often chances that though their Locks and Keys keep out neighborly assistance yet they keep not in the Fire but that breaks through and many times destroys not the next Ward onely but the whole City leaving it prostrate smoaking in its own Ruines which suddenly as we said before they re-build in the same manner the adjacent Forrest being ready to furnish them with several sorts of Wood and Timber and the like Materials for that purpose Gardens about Nangesaque This City also lies surrounded with large and pleasant Gardens so delightful that the Eye seems never enough satisfi'd with viewing where all manner of Fruit are much improv'd growing very prosperously especially the Chinesie Apple transplanted thither and all sorts of Pears where they have Walks shaded with Cedar Their Cedars whose lofty Crowns seem to salute the Skie the single Bodies of which make Columns for their Temples and Main Masts for their Ships of the greatest Burthen or Sovereigns of the Sea The Inhabitants of Nangesaque their Shape and Apparel The Inhabitants are whiter than other Indians but sallow to those of Europe have strong and well-compacted Bodies and are healthy of Constitution their Noses are flat and Camosi'd their Eyes little especially the Womens Both Sexes are almost Habited alike wearing long Garments but shorter than the Chinesies the corners of which Coats they take up before with their Hands carrying the right Lappet under their left Arms and the left under the right which thus they fasten with a Girdle their Tunick thus ty'd up the left corner affords them a Pocket in their Bosom which keeps their Notes and Letters on the left-side hangs down from their Girdle a long two-handed Scymiter Sumptuous Apparel of the Japan Ladies Their prime Ladies and high-going Dames wear stately gorgeous Dresses their Hair is curiously sleeck'd and neatly turn'd up and their Gowns are much fuller and more flowing in thick and looser Folds than meaner Women the Stuff not onely rich and costly but Embroider'd all over with Gold with a large Silken Scarf about their Necks which meets athwart over their Bosoms a Needle-wrought Girdle rich with Silver and Gold doth compass and keep in their well-shap'd Bodies on their left Hand a great Fan with a long Handle Painted with several Birds and Flowers richly Gilt and Varnish'd under their upper Garment or Gown which as we said before is so richly Embroider'd they have seven or eight Silk Petticoats every one a degree longer than the other the longest trailing after them upon the Ground But all these Clothes upon them are neither burthenous nor troublesom though this be their daily Dress yet they seldom come abroad nor appear publick in their Houses but in the Evenings if fair Weather they take the Air a little with their Husbands by Day in close Sedans or else by Water in a Tilted Barge But ere we convey the Ambassadors further through Japan it seems not amiss to take a short Survey the better to give you a Description of this Large and Potent Empire A short and brief Description of Japan ¶
curiously pleited with Silk Silver and Gold Ribbons Their Caparisons that cover'd their Breasts and Buttocks were a kind of Net-work of Crimson Silk full of Tufts and dangling with the Motion of the Wind on their Foreheads a golden Horn resembling our painted Unicorns Their Shoes to take away the noise of trampling were of interwoven Silk instead of Iron Each Steed led by two Grooms Two great Umbrellos made of fine Linnen cover'd over with red Cloth with a Silk Fringe round about it being carry'd before serv'd to cover each Horse which was farther attended by eight Pages or Servants all in white Liveries and Arm'd according to their manner with two Cutlesses being thus attended they Rode on from the Dayro's to the Emperors Palace without any disturbance in good order Unvaluable rich Coaches After these follow'd three rich Coaches each drawn by two black Bulls cover'd with red Silken Nets and led by four Footmen in white Liveries these Coaches were each four Fathom high two long and one broad being adorn'd with Waxen Figures and Enammell'd with Gold on each side being three Windows and two before which were hung with rich Curtains the Entry behind open'd like the Gate of a Princes Palace steps ascending with Turrets on each side the Windows beneath shaded with black Wax the Rounds of the Wheels Gilded the Spokes neatly Turn'd and Inlaid also with Gold and Mother of Pearl which moving call glancing Beams like a Looking-Glass reflecting the Sun a novel and most glorious sight These Coaches or rather Towers each of them carrying in State the Dayro's Principal Wives Each Tail valu'd at an Englith Crown are valu'd at seventy thousand Tail apiece The Train of Pages all cloth'd in White which attended these Ladies was numerous each of them carrying a Gilded Foot-stool and a pair of Wax Slippers But besides their Attendance of Pages these three as we may call them Empresses and also a Train of Ladies which follow'd them in twenty three Sedans made of white Wood and Plated with Copper each having an Umbrello two Pages and four stout men to carry them Dayro's Courtiers ¶ THese being pass'd by appear'd a second Cavalcade sixty eight of the Dayro's prime Gentlemen bravely Mounted and compleatly Arm'd their Horses seeming in beauty to out-vie the former these Marching by two and two were attended by a great Train of Servants Slaves Pages and a Guard of Pikes Presents Then follow'd the Presents being carry'd in great State by several Lords of the Countrey The first were two Gilded Scymeters the Pommel Handle Hilts and Chase all Massic Gold a curious Fire-Lock much esteem'd with them a Sun-Dial imbellish'd with Gold and Pearl there a great rarity two stately Golden Candlesticks two large Pillars of Ebony three square Pollish'd Tables of the same Wood the corners Tipt with Gold three Desks two mighty Chargers of Massie Gold attended with a pair of Wax Slippers Coaches of the old and young Dayro The second Cavalcade being pass'd there follow'd two more Coaches of like bigness but exceeding the former in Riches having the Emperors Arms on the top Cast and flourish'd round in a Plate of Massie1 Gold In the first sat Sadosienminamo Tonofindelanda the Emperor himself and in the other the Heir Apparent or young Emperor Oeudesienminamo Tonoynemijtsamma fourscore Lords march'd two and two on foot before these pair of Coaches all gallant men Arm'd with Scymiters and half Pikes which are the Emperors Gentlemen-Pentioners or Life-Guard which the Japanners call Sambreys But just before the Emperors Coach march'd eight men who with Ebony Staves and Steel Battoons like our Whifflers clearing the way Two beautiful Horses richly Trapp'd were also led before the Coaches about which a Guard of eight Archers Arm'd with Pikes Bowes and Arrows The Emperors retinue Next in good Order march their Imperial Majesties Brothers then all the Princes and Nobles of Japan follow'd on Horseback to the number of an hundred sixty four Cloth'd and Arm'd like the former but much richer according to their several Births and Qualities The chiefest and most Eminentest of these Grandees and those that next follow'd the Emperors were Owarny Cammysamma Quijne Deymangon Samma Massamenemoet Nocammy Samma and Myttotchonango Samma all the old Emperor's Brethren Then came Matsendeyro Thuyquesnocammi Samma the great Lord of Langa Matsendeyro Mutsnocammy Samma Lord of Satsuma Matsendeyro Jondonne Matsendeyro Symoutsquedonno Matsendeyro Quonnenochwuchoo and at last came Turagano Deynangono Cammy Samma being the young Emperors eldest Son These ten Lords Rode immediately behind their Imperial Majesties Coaches each by himself attended by a numerous Train of Gentlemen Pages and Guards of Pikes c. t Ziedende water van SINGOCK das sicdende wasser zingock The boyling water of SINGOCK The rest of the Lords follow'd two in a Rank the primest of them taking the left hand which in this Countrey is the upper and chief Place Ouwaydonne and Wouta-donne the first the Emperors chief Councellor and the last his Sons were their appointed Leaders which were attended by four hundred in white Liveries Sumptuous Train of the Dayro's Then came six new fair Coaches though not above half so big as the former and onely drawn by one Ox but proportionably beautiful In these sat some of the Dayro's Inferior Concubines who were again follow'd by a Cavalcade of sixty eight Gentlemen on horseback attended with many Servants and Slaves There was yet another Coach wherein the Dayro's Chief Secretary Rode accompany'd with thirty seven Gentlemen on horseback then follow'd the Norimans or Sedans in which were carry'd several of the Dayro's Grandees whereof fifteen were of Ebbony Inlay'd with Ivory thirteen more shining with black Wax and Gold and eighteen all glistering like Mirrors with a deep Varnish of black Wax these were follow'd by six and forty great Gilded Caroches which with their attendance follow'd the Sedans No sooner was this Train pass'd by but there came fifty four disguis'd like Mascurades being the Dayro's Musicians Playing on several Instruments as Pipes Tabors Cimbals Bells and some strung Instruments unknown to us Description of the Emperors Sedan ¶ AFter these Merry Boys follow'd the Dayro himself sitting in a great square Edifice surrounded with drawing Doors or Windows on each corner on the top stood a Gilded Ball and a Cock of Massie Gold thereon with wings display'd This Moving-house being nine foot high was very beautifully adorn'd on all sides with Carv'd Imagery each Angle plated with pure Gold and the Roof of it imitating the Heavens with Sun Moon and Stars Fifty of the Emperors Nobles Cloath'd in long white Robes and Waxen Head-pieces carry'd this Ambulatory Palace supported on long Poles Forty Gentlemen Accouter'd like the Antient Greeks or Romans Arm'd with European Head-Pieces and Pikes Gilded at the ends carrying in one hand a Shield stuck full of Arrows had each of them an Umbrelo carry'd over them and went before being the Dayro's Life-Guard These were again follow'd
not stir one Limb. This Sight did not a little terrifie the Hollanders who were again strictly examin'd concerning their Voyage and chiefly the Spanish Priest which came with them from Namboe ask'd If their Ship Breskens had not taken in some Portuguese Priests either at the Manilla's or Macau and put them on Shore in the Bay of Namboe at unseasonable hours If they were not Roman Catholicks Both which Demands Captain Schaep answer'd with No Sieuward Johnson opening his Breast shew'd them also the great Wounds scarce whole which he had received from the Portuguese at Ceylon and therefore would never desire a move joyful Day than to revenge himself on the Portuguese Nation in which Relation Sicungodonne and Sabrosaimondonne took peculiar delight The Names Age and Offices of the Hollanders are written down Then the Hollanders return'd again to their Quarters where at Night they were visited by the Spanish Priest and two Commission'd Lords which were to write down every Man's Name Age and Office so that they writ down in a Book Henry Cornelison Schaep Captain aged thirty two years William Byleveld Merchant four and twenty Sieuward Johnson Purser thirty three Peter Gerritson Cooper twenty six Abraham Pieterson Spelt Gunner twenty two Henry Elsford Mate twenty Jurian Sholten also his Mate twenty seven Hans Slee Boatswain twenty Aert Bastianson a Youth fifteen and Jacob de Paw a Boy of fourteen years old Two Japanners discover themselves The Two Lords making themselves known told them That they had served their East-India Company for Interpreters and that one of them was call'd Kitsbioye and the other Phatsiosaimon and were sent from Nangesaque to conduct the four condemned Jesuits thither They told them moreover that there were two Dutch Interpreters coming from Firando to Interpret for them before the Magistrates who would for that purpose be in Jedo within thirty days at last telling them that they should Lodge in the House with a Priest that had apostatiz'd from the Christian Religion yet they should no ways be daunted for there was not the lead danger in their Concern and they ought the less to fear because they assur'd them of the Lords Sicungodonne and Sabrosaimondonnes Favors and Sicungodonne had given order to their Landlord that he should not let them want for any thing After this nothing happen'd to them of any remark in nine days time onely that the Interpreters now and then visited them Hallanders are exceedingly frighted But the first of September seem'd to put an end to their Tragedy so that they all prepar'd themselves for Death for the Interpreters Kitsbioye Phatsiosaimon Siovan and a considerable number of the Emperor's Guard carry'd the Hollanders out of the City Jedo Description of the Japan Horse and Foot the Foot wearing little round Helmets wrought like a Shell on the top their Coats being of Mayl hung half way over their Bellies ty'd about their Middle with a Sash in every ones Girdle stuck two Scymiters one long and the other short which below the Handles have round Shells of Ebony-wood by which they hang their Breeches like the Noblemens hung over their Feet on their Shoulders they carry'd Musquets not unlike the Europeans onely the Cocks thereof struck from them and instead of Bandileers or Powder they had square Baskets pleited of Rushes But others belonging to the Emperors Life-guard Rode on Horses which being train'd up daily by skilfull Riders Curvetted all the way they went with rich Caparisons Edg'd with costly Fringe their Heads also cover'd with a rich Cloth but in Service they wear Helmets adorn'd with Plumes of Feathers and Scarfs coming under their Arms and made fast on their left Shoulders a thick silken Cord with two Tassels hangs about their Necks and on their Backs a great Bowe under their left Arm a Quiver full of Arrows in their Girdles stick two Stilletto's or long Daggers with their left Hands guiding the Bridle in the the right holding a great Lance their Legs cover'd with Wax'd Boots Hollanders prepare for Death The Hollanders thus Guarded on all sides both with Horse and Foot were carry'd out of Jedo Close by the City is a great Palace about the bigness of a small City which entring after having past several Avenues they came before a dismal and dark Prison before the Grates of which the four condemned Jesuits sat loaden with great Fetters and Chains with some other Japan Christians from thence they were conducted into a spacious open Court in which stood Gibbets Crosses Gallows and great Wells full of Water The Place swarm'd with People and chiefly one Leaded Entry Pav'd with Free-stone was continually full of all manner of Courtiers private Officers Executioners and Hang-men which passed to and again expecting Commands At last the Jesuits and the Japanners were brought out of their Dungeon to come before the chief Magistrate of Japan And whilst the Judges were busie in examining them most part of the Day was spent Mean while the Hollanders stood in the open Court next the Guards which had brought them from their Inn thither where they saw all Passages and that they might not faint in so great a Crowd they had Sweet-meats given them to eat which they judg'd was by Sicungodonne's order At last they were led through a small Gate to a very pleasant Place having on one side a Woodden Gallery cover'd with Mats through which passing and entring into a Princely Hall they were commanded to kneel before Sicungodonne sitting on a high Throne surrounded with a great number of Councellors who by the Interpreters ask'd the Hollanders these following Questions Questions ask'd the Hollanders to which they return Answers From whence whither and when they put to Sea Why they Anchor'd in the Haven Namboe The Hollanders answer'd That they set Sail the third of February Anno 1643. from the Road before Batavia and steer'd their Course towards Ternata from whence they weighed Anchor the fourth of April but afterwards driven by great Storms were necessitated to Anchor in the Haven Namboe Then Sicungodonne ask'd them if they were Christians though no Papists If they did not desire to speak with the four Jesuits in private Their Answer hereupon was That they were Christians but no Papists and believe in one God Creator and Governor of Heaven and Earth for which Religion they were ready to die and had nothing to say to the Jesuits but held them for their greatest Enemies The other Questions which they were ask'd were these following How many Netherlanders Chineses and others liv'd in Batavia Where their Governor kept his Court How many Ships hath he in his Service What Places do they Sail to Do all manner of Artificers live in Batavia Do Shoemakers Taylors Weavers and other Handicrafts reside there The Hollanders told them That there liv'd about twelve hundred Hollanders in Batavia besides three thousand Chineses and a considerable number of Malabars Javans Bandaneesen Amboiners and Mardikers and also all
before Sofala the chief City of that Countrey They come to Sofala where he found the Inhabitants more civiliz'd who thought themselves very gay in Copper Hoops or Rings which they wore as Bracelets and Armlets and proud of Daggers with Cotton Hilts using a Language altogether unknown but one of the Towns-men spake Arabick by whom they understood that a white People in Vessels like theirs had traffick'd with them formerly Vasco de Gama had ten Convicts or condemn'd Persons in his Fleet sent by the King who sav'd their lives to be put ashore where the Admiral thought fit there to wander and seek their Fortunes and if they liv'd to make Observations of the Countrey and learn the Language which hereafter might come to some account two of these he turn'd ashore leaving them there for that purpose Mean while staying a Moneth at Sofala a great Sickness happen'd in the Fleet from the alteration of Diet which before was scarce and salt now fresh and plentiful of which many died To Mosambique The next start he made was to Mosambique a rich City famous for Trade and Commerce situated in a small Isle under fifteen Degrees of Southern Latitude Here the Merchants and Citizens went all in Sattin embroider'd with Gold and wear great Turbants of fine Linnen Simiters hanging across their Shoulders and in their left Hand a Buckler who being thus Habited came in small Boats aboard the Admiral who civilly and kindly treated them where Discoursing they told him That their King was call'd Abraham and was the sole Monarch of Mosambique but under him his Xeque or Lieutenant Govern'd the City That he was call'd Zocacia Gama soon after conversing and being amongst them got so much in theirs and the Deputies favor that he obtain'd two Pilots who undertook to carry his Fleet safe to the East-Indies which kindness of theirs arose from a mistake supposing them to be Western Saracens but afterwards understanding that they were Christians all this sweetning and good will turn'd to rancor and hatred the Pilots first repenting abhorring to do any thing for Unbelievers leapt over-board and so swimming to Shore deserted the whole business The Portuguese being troubled at this high affront conceiving their relinquishing of them was influenc'd from the Town it self brought all their Guns to bear upon them Fires at the City which discharging they hurt and slew several of the Inhabitants insomuch that Zacocia was forc'd to call a Council who there resolv'd to send him another Pilot which had also private instruction in stead of carrying them to their designed Port to betray and deliver them up to the King of Quiloa making them believe that they were Abyssine Christians who would kindly receive and furnish them with all sorts of Provisions This treachery they willingly undertook out of malice and detestation they bore to Christianity Thence weighing Anchor Gama hasted with a fair Gale to the Port of Quiloa suspecting nothing to his utter ruine which was there decreed as before mention'd when Providence being now ready to enter the Mouth of the Harbor sent a terrible Storm but indeed a friendly one which in spite of all his endeavors Tacking to get in drove him at last back into the Offin and so much to the Leeward that by his treacherous Pilots advice and they willing to save their lives steer'd his Coast to Mombaza a City or rather a Fortress being built on a Rock impregnable almost Moated round about by the Sea Here Gama having no sooner dropt his Anchors but the Inhabitants delighting in Novelty came flocking in great Companies aboard who entertain'd them with all civility whilst the Pilots not forgetting their treacherous Design inveigl'd the Inhabitants having the advantage of the Tongue first telling them that they were Christians and that they would do God and their Countrey good Service besides their own private benefit being able to over-power them to seize their Ships and sacrifice those unbelieving Dogs Thus concluding they inform'd one another going from Ship to Ship as if upon curiosity and pleasure resolving to put in action what they had thus concluded when the Decks were more fill'd with the Inhabitants This matter was the easier to perform because one of his Ships he had burnt already being not able to Man her losing so many in their last great Sickness But Gama not liking his Anchorage being too much within and too near some Rocks if he by stress of Weather should chance to drive suddenly upon better consideration gave order to weigh and to Anchor as he suppos'd in a fitter place to Ride in and to moore his Vessels A Plot against Gama discover'd and by what means Now the Saracen Pilots seeing an unexpected hurry amongst the Sailers busie to and again about their Tackle bending to Sea-wards thought their Plot discover'd and that they were carrying them clear away leapt suddenly over-board muttering they were betray'd the rest of the Natives taking the Alarm as soon follow'd them Diving under Water like a Flock of Sea-Fowl not appearing till they were out of Musquet-shot rejoycing they had so escaped But this Rout was not so sudden nor were they all so ready in making of their escape but that he took thirteen Prisoners and also carry'd away with him two of their Vessels that lay near him Gama takes two Vessels amongst which he found an expert and honest Pilot who first truly inform'd him that the City Melinde was not far distant from thence being almost under the Equinox and that their King was an affable Prince receiving all Strangers with great civility The Admiral Gama being thus encourag'd and believing the Pilots report follow'd his directions Steering streight on for Melinde where they found though a Saracen his Relation to be true The Melindian King having withdrawn himself being old from all publick Address and Business sent a handsom Present as a token of Amity and true Friendship by the young Prince his Son and soon after provided him an excellent Pilot who conducted his Fleet in twenty days safely to Calicut in the East-Indies Description of Calicut The City Calicut lies on the Coast of Malabar and though it boasts no Haven or any safe Harbor and yearly much troubl'd especially in the latter end of May with foul Weather and overgrown Seas raging with sudden and often violent Heuricanes yet by its great Commerce and Trade is a famous rich and well peopled Seat It happen'd that the Portuguese arriv'd there in the midst of this their turbulent Winter getting within two Leagues of the City and soon after there being a short intermission of Rain and Tempest the Inhabitants being able came aboard in nimble Skiffs for that purpose and Gama hoisting out his Pinnace went ashore with some chosen Men carrying another of the foremention'd condemn'd Persons along with him who being turn'd loose to seek his Fortune and distinctly habited from the rest the People flock'd about him amongst which happen'd to be
house of Entertainment for Ambassadors and Envoys The description of the mighty City Osacca ¶ AS to what concerns Osacca it is an Imperial City and the Metropolis of the Territory of Quioo Near the mouth of the River an obstructing Rock divides the Channel making it troublesom and dangerous for those that pass the River runs up Northerly branching through the middle of Osacca and also through Meaco making many Sands and Shoals and at last looseth it self in a spreading Lake beyond that City On the utmost Point or Promontory of the River stands the King's Custom-House where all Ships must touch that pass by the same there paying such Customs as belongs to their Cargo with which they are Freighted this House rais'd each Story with a several Roof shews very stately and is to be seen far into the Sea Mountains near Osacca On each side appear two rising Hills which hinder the Prospect of the East and West side of the City onely some of the high Spires appear above The Water-Castle of Osacca Opposite to the Custom-house stands the Kings Block-house surrounded with a strong Wall rais'd out of the River ready and fully replenish'd for all Occasions with well-mounted Cannon The Emperor Xogunsama began to build this Fort but his Son Toxogunsama succeeding him in his Imperial Throne Anno 1629. finish'd and Garison'd it in the space of three Years Store-houses against Fire Behind the same are built ten Store-houses opposite to the Sea with a broad Street and a Stone Cause-way These Ware-houses are exceeding large and built all of Stone that they may not suffer Damage by Fire Imperial Turrets There are also several Towers in which the Emperor keeps his Treasure collected from the Isles Chiccock Saycock and Tonsa Besides these foremention'd Buildings Water-Gate is also seen the Water-Gate through which the Custom'd Goods go in and out having a great and broad pair of Stairs which descend to the Sea and a Guard of five hundred Soldiers constantly attending the same Somewhat further is the Emperors Ship-yard which is of a great Circumference having many Docks in the same wherein continually all manner of Vessels are a building whose Hulls they make generally very broad The other part of the City stands behind the Hills but is divided from them by a Rivulet The Governors House A little way up the River from the Sea is the Governors House curiously built and within full of costly Rooms and rises aloft in manner of a Steeple with four Roofs The Temple of Devils Between this Edifice and the Block-house appears the lofty Roof of the Temple of Infernals within which the Japanners worship a horrible Image Their Idols very horrible His Head represents that of a Wild Boar with two great Tusks sticking out of his Jaws and adorn'd with a stately Crown full of Diamonds and other Precious Stones Over his Breast hangs a Scarf which is parted in the middle and that which makes it the more terrible to behold are four out-spread Arms of which one of the left stands upwards holding a Ring on the longest Finger the other hanging downwards holds a Flower not unlike a Lilly The uppermost Right Hand gripes fast a small Dragons Head spitting Fire the lowermost a Golden Scepter trampling with his Feet upon the Belly and Thigh of another Devil which lies along under him He having his Head all hairy and a pair of Ox Horns graffed thereon with an Iron Chain about his Neck a Girdle with great Buttons about his Middle a long Tail between his Leggs and broad Garters about his Knees the Right Arm stretch'd out and the left bended in to his Side is as dreadful a Spectacle as the other These horrid Shapes they nominate Joosie Tiedebak How they call them and God they call contrarily Joosie Goesar The Japanners honor and worship these resemblances of Devils with all manner of Offerings to the end they might not receive any hurt from them The Image of their Devil Vitziputzli The same Opinion have the Western Indians of their Devil Vitziliputzli whom they Worship and Reverence with great Zeal This Vitziliputzli sits on a Silver Foot-stool which stands upon a Bier whose four ends have as many Props with Serpents or Adders Heads fix'd on them The Forehead of this Idol is painted blue with two Streaks of the same Colour athwart his Nose running to each Ear. His Head like a long-Bill'd Bird is impalled with stately Plume of Feathers the tip of the Bill of massie Gold In his Left Hand he holds a white round Box and five white Plumes pleited cross-ways over one another in the middle a Branch which signifies Victory On his Side hang four Arrows which according to the Opinion of the Mexicans were sent him from Heaven His Right Hand rests on a Staff in manner of a Serpent painted with blue Streaks Upon his Bosom appears the Face of a Man with glaring Eyes a high Nose and a wide Mouth opening before or near the Orifice of his Stomach Thus stood he for the most part vail'd with a Curtain his Body almost cover'd with Chains of Pearls Diamonds and other Precious Stones which hung round with various colour'd Plumes like Labels The Devil Tezcatlipuca They no less fear their Demon Tezcatlipuca made of black Jet and cloath'd in a rich Habit In his mouth he holds a Silver Spike about a Finger long in which sometimes stick Green other times Red Plumes of Feathers which distinguish'd Colours they wear as Favors at their several Festivals Between both his Ears hang many Gems of great Value and about his Neck an Emrauld that covers most part of his Breast also wearing Golden Armlets On his Navil a costly Topaz his Left-hand bearing a Fan of Gold being a Plate so curiously pollish'd that it well perform'd the Office of a Mirror or Looking-glass by the Mexicans call'd Itlachcaia wherein they believe Tezcatlipuca sees all the Transactions of the World by which he Judges Determines and Punishes or Prefers every one according to their well or ill doing Therefore he stands ready with four Darts to distribute upon those which commit the highest Offences The Tempell of the Idoll Canon TEMPEL VAN DEN AFGODT KANON The Watch-house in Osacca is very stately ¶ BUt return again to the Description of the Imperial City Osacca Behind the Diabollical Temple spreading it self along the Shore stands a Watch-Tower a more than Royal Building rais'd extraordinary high in the great Street which leads to the City Saccai At some distance from this next you may behold a large and stately Temple in which is a wonderful Idol being fifty Foot high Its Head all of Silver presented by the King of Bom whose Countrey abounds with Mines of that Metal Imperial Banquetting-house On the Left-hand at the lower end of the City opens from behind the Hill a fair Prospect of the Imperial Tower crown'd with an almost unmeasurable
by thirteen great Waxen Chests carry'd by the Pallaquin Porters And lastly The whole Procession was clos'd with four hundred Persons all in white Vestments Marching six in a Rank in very good Order Great tumult in Mecae after the Dayro was past ¶ BEfore the Dayro's Train were all past by the Evening came on and innumerable company of People of all sorts the Scaffold and Houses which had been fill'd with Spectators had disgorg'd their burthens into the Streets so that the multitude was so immensly great that many disorders happen'd and several were crowded to death many were so squeez'd that they burst asunder others falling were sure never to rile being immediately trampled under Feet horrible was the general cry of the common People The Horsemen making their way by force through the Foot which tumbled down one over another in great number on both sides so lying prostrate for the Horses to tread o're the Streets flow'd with blood Amongst this miserable Croud were also many Thieves and Robbers which with drawn Scymiters made their way through cutting of Purses Stealing Murthering and Robbing as they wen't immediately killing without mercy all those that offered the least resistance so that in many places several fell down dead and over these tumbled others and the following multitudes still pressing forward oftentimes made a Mountain of Men heap'd one upon another whereof those that were uppermost were happy for those which were underneath were sure never to rise the noise all night was so great as if the City had been in an uprore and the insolencies grew to that height that many persons of Quality who could not get out of the throng or near retiring to their Houses were set upon and many of them spoyl'd and Murder'd among others the Lord of Firando's Secretary saw his Servant Robb'd and a rich Cabinet of his taken from him before his Face whilest he had much ado to defend himself from the violence of these Assaulters The Ambassadors escape strangely ¶ THe Ambassador Conrade Cramer stood and saw from his Scaffold many of these Cruelties and Outrages committed and seeing himself in no safety to stay there all night but that he and all his Retinue would be sure to perish before next morning he also ventur'd amongst the Croud the press being so great that he was born up by the People most of his way being but seldom able to put a Foot to the Ground yet at length so it pleas'd Providence that he and all his Followers got without any considerable loss into their Lodgings How the Dayro is treated by both their Majesties ¶ THe Dayro and his Wives lay there three days and three nights in the Emperors Palace where they were serv'd by their Majesties their Brothers and the greatest Princes of the Court Those which were plac'd by the Emperors as Stewards to prepare the several Dishes for the Dayro was the Lord Chief Justice of the Countrey and City Miaco and also the Lords Ivocomasamma Coberytothomysammay Nacamoramokumonsamma Mannosabroyemonsamma every Meal consisting of one hundred and forty Services and for to attend the Dayro's three Principal Wives were plac'd Ouwandonie Head Councellor of the old Emperors and also the Lords of the Councel Farimadonne Queniemondonne Sioyserondonne and Chirotadonne This Feasting being done the young Emperor gave the Dayro these following Presents being three thousand Boats of Silver each of them four Tails and three Marses two rich Tables cover'd with Golden Plates two hundred Japan Gowns three hundred Pieces of wrought Sattin twelve thousand Pound of raw Silk one great piece of Calombac five great Silver Pots full of Musk and ten beautiful Horses with all their Furniture but those which the old Emperor gave him were much less Thus ended the glory of that Triumphal Procession Sumptuous Palace of the Emperor Taicosama ¶ MEaco by the Japanners call'd Cabucoma is divided into upper and lower Meaco's the lower spreading towards the Fort Tutzumi is so costly built that one Range seeming one House is at least three Miles in length The Dayro hath his Residence in the upper Meaco where is also seen the most Splendant and Magnificent Palace Erected by the Emperor Taycosama Anno 1586. hung round about with a thousand Mats edg'd with fine Damask wrought with Gold The Walls of some of the Rooms all over are Plate◠with Gold the greatest part of the Palace is built of curious Wood and costly Marble before the Palace appears a spacious Court wherein stands an Imperial Theatre where Comedies and Tragedies are Acted Japauners expert in acting Plays At which the Japanners are very exquisite having no want as they say of good Poets whose Theme being either Divine or Moral they boast sufficient and well Written Plots their Commick punish like ours Vice prefering Vertue their Tragick setting forth the great though unfortunate Acts of former Saints and antient Hero's They also adorn their Stages with Scenes shifted according to their various and chang'd Arguments and betwixt every Act appears a full Chorus of Musicians Singing and Playing like the Antient Greeks and Romans on several Instruments but no place elsewhere in Japan exhibits the like Shews or Presentations of the business concerning the Stage than in this Theatre Description of the Japan Races ¶ BEfore this Palace of Taycosama they have a piece of Ground taken in for a Course or Race being a Match betwixt a Man and a Horse about the Walls stand thousands of Spectators on a more eminent Seat Rail'd in sit cross Legg'd by themselves several Drummers on the tops of the Rails hang ready fitted to their hands great Copper Kettles and Basons some also lying on the ground on which they Beat and Taber with such force that the hideous din and shrilness of the noise often deafs the unwilling hearers At the end of this Lane stand two strong Posts having a great Rope made fast from one to the other behind this at a small distance stands a square Pillar on which a Flag or Ensign waves fast on a Staff one mans Office is to imbrace this Post with his left hand and with his right points on the Breast of another who hath on his Breast hanging about his Neck a square Board Painted with a Griffin he also lays his right hand on the top of the Post and his left on his Scymiter next to him stands a third side-ways which holds a long knotted Whip in his right hand which gives the Signal to the Racers behind these three stand others with black Head-Pieces adorn'd also with a Sable Plume which are the Judges of the Course The Prize which they run for is commonly two pair of Wax'd Boots made fast to Woodden Clogs Plated with Silver he that runs hath a thin Silk Habits Lac'd close about the middle their Slceves reaching down to their Elbows their Breeches being wide are ty'd up about the middle of their Thighs like Trunk-Hose on their Legs they wear Buskins of
Affairs of the Netherlands and wondred that a Countrey of so small a compass should manage such a War against the greatest Prince in Europe the King of Spain and compelling him to an Agreement settle Plantations in many places through the world During this their Discourse he Treated the Ambassadors with such Dainties as the Countrey would afford and though he was very feeble with age and troubled with the Gout and at that time scarce able to go yet he led Spex and Segerssoon out at the Gate promising them in the after-noon to conduct and procure them an Audience in the Castle which Sadadonne perform'd The Netherland Ambassadors appear before the Emperors Son at Jedo for at two of the Clock they came before the young Emperor at whose Feet they laid two Pieces of fine Stammel one Piece of Carsey of the same colour fifteen Ells of Green Flower'd Grogarin nine Ells of Crimson Flower'd Black one Piece of Damask one Piece of Cloth of Gold Tissue five Norenburg Carpets one Piece of Sattin Flower'd with Roses one Piece of Lutestring three Elephants Teeth an hundred Bars of Steel one Musket two Carbines and Powder-Horns five less Flasks and some Pounds of shot The Emperors Son thank'd the Ambassadors for their Presents and they were joyful that he had accepted of them whose favor to obtain the Hollanders had endeavor'd long before then bowing his head the Emperor retiring order'd Spex and Segerssoon to be conducted through the Palace without the Castle by Sadadonnes Gentlemen with a Command for Horses Letters of Conduct Souldiers two Japan Coats and several other Presents both to Spex and Segerssoon and his Protection wheresoever they went Were very lovingly entertain'd Afterwards the Ambassadors were invited to a Dinner by the Governors Brother of Firando and while they were resolving to take Shipping to Sail to the Haven of Wormgouw Sadadonne prepar'd a Galley for them and a Bark for their Goods Never any Europeans whatsoever were receiv'd more kindlier at Jedo than they for the Spanish Ambassador though he had a little before made his entrance there with great Pomp yet waited many days before they were admitted to Audience where also they met but with a cold Entertainment The five and twentieth of August Spex and Segerssoon set Sail in the prepar'd Vessels and arrived in the Evening in the Haven of Wormgouw where they lodg'd in William Adam's House and found a Ship which Sailing along the weather Shore had narrowly escap'd a great Storm which else would certainly have been cast away on the North of Japan The Pomp of the Spaniards in Mexico to entertain the Japanners This Vessel brought the Japanners back which some time before Sail'd over with Roderigo de Riduere to New-Spain where they were so sumptuously entertain'd that it cost the King of Spain above fifty thousand pieces of Eight bearing all their Expences from Acapulco to Mexico where they were receiv'd in great State How New Guinee was discover'd Two Netherlanders Sailing in the Ship inform'd them that the Castilians from Manilla had discover'd on the unknown South Countrey New-Guinee lying under a temperate Climate and Inhabited by civil people full of all sorts of Provision besides Nutmegs and Gold two of the Inhabitants being stoln from the Countrey were carry'd to Madrid so to learn the Language and give them further information concerning the discover'd Coast of New-Guinee which seem'd to be of great importance to the Castilians who promis'd themselves great advantages in sending Ships from the Manilla's thither wherefore they left several men ashore to make further inspection into the Countrey and also in time to People it with their own Nation The Captain of the Ship sent three of his Officers to Complement Spex and Segerssoon and soon after several Messengers to invite them to a Collation but the Netherland Ambassadors judging that he ought first to give them a Visit they excus'd themselves The request of the Castilians to the Emperor of Japan They also were informed that the Spaniards were very earnest with Goyssio Samma Emperor of Japan to obtain leave for to sound the Japan Havens because many Ships richly Freighted Sailing over from Manilla to New-Spain were oft-times loft at Sea suffering by stress of Weather which if they might Harbor upon the Coast of Japan they would escape the like danger but they durst not adventure because they knew not the depth and sounding of the Havens Lastly they requested that they might build Ships in Japan because Wood and other Materials nor experienc'd Ship-Wrights were so easily to be had in Manilla and New-Spain as there The description of the habit of a common Citizen of Japan The Netherland Ambassadors having notice thereof went on their way through Oiso and Justivarra and Surunga about noon on the nine and twentieth of August they took Horse there amongst a great throng of People Their Habits as of all other common Citizens very costly Their Crowns shaven after the manner of Friers their Hair ty'd up behind in rowls with Fillets when they are Marry'd one Lock hangs down by the Roll. Their Coats are ty'd with Girdles broad as our Belts of several Colours in which below the left Breast sticks a Cutting-Knife by them call'd Siakkin a two-handed Sword also sticks in their Girdle thrust under the left Arm the Handle cover'd over with a Shaggerine or Fish-skin Their Coats are made with very broad Borders and Embroyder'd with variety of colour'd Flowers all walking with Canes in their hands in stead of Shooes they wear Clogs not unlike the Carmelites in Brabant made fast with a string about the great Toe by which they draw it along when they lift up their Foot But Spex and Segerszoon arriving at Mexico The Netherlands return again to Surunga made their return from Jedo known by William Adams to Cosequidonne who also immediately sent one of his Gentlemen to welcome them thither and to enquire concerning what success they had in their Journey whereupon they made Answer They could never be thankful enough to Cosequidonne for his kindness shew'd them he being the means that all things in Jedo happen'd according to their desire Furthermore the Japan Emperor as William Adams understood from Cosequidonne had enquir'd about the Lading which the Netherland Ship had brought to Firando upon which the Ambassadors rested not but instantly drew an Inventory of all her Lading which they sent by William Adams to Cosequidonne with a request that he would speedily dispatch the desir'd Letters of License that the Netherland Ships might Trade without any molestation in Japan In answer whereof he brought them word That the Letters of License lay ready onely they wanted the Imperial Signet which should be ready on that day or at farthest on the morrow Where whilst they staid waiting for it they saw in their Lodging one Jacob a Japan Christian being Captain of Junck who formerly had been kept by Wittert Governor of
when he blessed the twelve Tribes of Israel the Progeny of the House of Joseph he divided to Ephraim and Manasseh whom he likens to a first-born Ox according as Franciscus Junius saith Joseph is represented in Egypt The Japanners Ox-Religion from whom By all this it appears plainly that this kind of worshipping of Oxen had its first original in Egypt and so by degrees spread it self amongst other Heathens and at last reach'd the far distant Japanners not unlike an infectious Disease that runs from City to City and from Countrey to Countrey till at last the Contagion becomes Epidemical The Japanners Opinion concerning the Egg in which the World lay is very antient ¶ BUT concerning the Egg in which according to the Bonzies the World was inclos'd before the Ox broke the brazen Shell the Eastern People have had many strange Opinions before the Birth of our Saviour so that the Japanners conceit thereof is very antient for the famous Sorcerer Zoroaster a Scholar to Azonaces taught amongst the Persians and Medes above two thousand years past That all things had two beginnings the good acknowledg'd Oromasdes extracted from the purer Light for an increase of the World all bad things proceeded from Arimanius and himself came from Darkness That Oromasdes made the Stars and good gods and laid them together in an Egg but Arimanius created the Devil and broke the Egg from whence arose not onely envy between Arimanius and Oromasdes but also a mixture of the good with the bad The most antient Heathens as appears by the Phoenician Writer Sanchuniathon represented the World by an Egg. The Inhabitants of Thebes in Egypt worshipp'd the Creator of all things in the shape of a Man spitting forth an Egg out of his Mouth A strange Representation of the Creator of the World in the Temple at Meaco ¶ MOreover besides the Ox-Temple in Meaco there is also to be seen the stately Chappel dedicated to the Creator of all things who is represented in a very strange manner In the middle of the Temple is a great Pot full of Water surrounded with a Wall seven Foot high from the Ground in the middle of which appears an exceeding great Tortoise whose Shell Feet and Head stands in the Water out of its Back rises the Body of a great Tree on the top of which sits a strange and horrrible Image under whom are laid twelve Cushions reaching a good way over the Tree The Statue placed after the Japan manner with the Legs under the Body hath a Golden Crown on its Head which together with the Breast is as black as Jet the Hair like that of a Negro but the Crown runs up taporing and ends with a sharp Point turn'd and beset with Pearls the whiteness of the Eyes shines exceedingly above the blackness of the Body about his Neck is a double String of Pearls and a rich and costly Diamond ty'd to the same the Coat that covers the Body is open before insomuch that the Breast appears naked down to the Belly which is cover'd with a Cloth ty'd close with a Girdle on its Breast hangs a String of Oriental Pearl and under the left Arm a Scarf of Gold pleited somewhat lower hangs another on the right Side the Edge of the Coat is also beset with Precious Stones and hangs in a Bag over the Belly betwixt the Knees the Image hath four Arms one of the left Arms he holds upright and about its foremost Finger a great Golden Hoop from the Elbow of this Arm appears a second of which the Hand is clenched together holding a Lilly somewhat below the right Shoulder is another Arm the Hand of which grasps a Cruise from whence Water issues continually the other right Hand holds a Scepter The Idol is all over black which Colour among the Japanners signifies Joy Brazen Tree whereon the Creator sits The Tree whereon he sits is of Brass in which were inclos'd all the Materials of which according to the Bonzies relation this Idol was made about the middle of this Tree an exceeding great Serpent hath wreath'd it self twice whose Head and Body is on the right Side held fast by two horrible Shapes the remaining part thereof to the Tail two Kings and one of the Japan Sages stretch forth Why the Japanners worship Snakes Without doubt the Japanners have left some Place for the worshipping of Snakes in their Religion as also for evil Spirits because they should not prejudice them so that both of them are feared because they are hurtful And indeed India breeds Serpents whose Stings Hist Indic l. 2. as Johannes Petrus Maffeus affirms are mortal Serpent Porphirus what kind The Serpent Porphirus hath a white Head and Purple-colour'd Body but no Teeth his Breath exceeding poisonous Those that catch him hang him up by the Tail putting two Kettles under his Head in the one they catch the Droppings that come from his Mouth in the other the putrifying Matter that comes from the decaying Body The first Poyson in a moment bereaves Men of their Lives in a most terrible manner for all the Limbs of the Body are miserably tortur'd the Eyes turn in the Head and the Brains drop out of the Nostrils the second operates two years after it is taken Moreover some Serpents are so exceeding poisonous that those that tread on the Ground on which in few hours before these venomous Creatures have crept will immediately fall down dead Serpent Polpoch very terrible The Serpent Polpoch so call'd because it makes such a noise bites with its Mouth and stings with the Tail climbs on Trees hides its Tail in the Mouth and winds it self about Travellers whose Flesh thus bruised rots in three days insomuch that those hurt in that manner die like a Man that is laid asleep by drinking two much Liquor Strange power of small Snakes or Serpents There are also little Snakes no bigger than a Quill these set upon Men sleeping and can by no means be taken off they creep in at the Wounds and eat so long till they have quite devour'd him which without doubt is the onely reason that the Japanners have learn'd from the Indians to worship Serpents that they might not be hurt by them A long time before the Birth of our Savior the Egyptians adored an Adder and the Indians Dissertat 38. according to the relation of the antient Writer Maximus Tyrius a Serpent This kind of Idolatry may be said to be deriv'd from China the native Countrey of the antient Japanners and from Tartary bordering on China which brought it thither for it is known that not onely India but also all the North shew'd a great reverencee to these poisonous Animals many Centuries past Julius Scaliger relates In Arist Hist Anim. l. 2. That in the Kingdom of Calicut Serpents with very great Heads not much unlike those of Swine were worshipp'd by the Kings as gods In Sarmatin Euxopaen Alexander Guaginus
they stick on the Walls of the Houses then they run all over the House making a noise as if they were Devils themselves and by this means they pretend to banish the Devil The worshipping of evil Spirits spread far and near Vertoman l. 5. Navigat ¶ BUt this worshipping of evil Spirits is not onely usual in Japan and China but also in the East and West-Indies The Calicuters believe That Tamarini Creator of the World hath resign'd the Government thereof that he might live the better at ease but that he hath given the Command thereof to the Devil Deumam whose Image being made very horrible is religiously worshipp'd by the Brachmans that he should not prejudice them Practis'd in the time of Moses This adoring of diabolical Fiends hath not onely spread it self over a great part of the World but also is very antient for in Moses his time this wickedness had gotten great footing he speaks of it in Levit. 17.7 And they shall no more offer their Offerings unto Devils after whom they have gone a whoring And again in Deut. 32.17 They offer'd unto Devils not to God The unripe Fruit ripp'd from the tender Womb ' Gainst Natures Laws finds a too cruel Tomb On Wooden Altars cover'd with their Gore To shew how highly Devils they adore But on the left hand of the Japanners Creator two Kings and an ancient Philosopher hold the remaining part of the foremention'd Serpent to the Tail The nearest King towards the Image wears a Crown with three Points The first King that holds the Japan-Serpent◠and turns up behind under which hangs a Golden Scarf about his Neck is a double String of Pearls on his Breast a costly Diamond tied with a Silk Ribbon his Coat is open below the Belly his Face represents that of a young Man and looks upon the two Evil Spirits that stand on the right side of the Image This King resided some time near the Sea and joyn'd with the Devils to hinder the Creation of Heaven and Earth The ssecond King hath four Heads The same Intentions that King had which stands next He likewise grasps the Serpent with both his Hands a single String of Pearls hangs on his Breast his Coat covers above half his Legs a Scarf hangs over his Right Shoulder he hath four Heads each with a picked Beard and all cover'd with one Golden Crown like a Bonnet on which are several Tops some smaller than others all running with a Point upwards These four Heads signifie four thousand Years which this King liv'd An ancient Japan Philosopher The old Philosopher with his right Hand holds the Body of the Serpent with his left grasping the Tail His Coat just covers his Knees his Beard long and parted in the middle his Face represents that of an Old Man behind on his Head appears the Image of a Dragon looking towards the right side and towards the left his contorted Tail on his Forehead he hath a golden Circle Gods with many Heads in Japan But as to what concerns the Four-headed Idol the Japanners have divers Gods with several Heads for they oftentimes make Xaca with three which they cover all with one Cap Sometimes they represent Canon the Son of Amida with seven Heads on his Breast Father Gruber relates That he found several Temples in Necbal a Province in Tartary in which were Idols with divers Heads and in some Places six Heads without Bodies were set on a Table with three Ascents on the lowermost of which three of them were plac'd in a row on the middlemost two and on the top one each standing betwixt the Vacancy above the other On both sides stood Vessels all of Oval fashion for the burning Incense and flat Dishes with Offerings to the Heads But to come to our Description Between the foremention'd Ancient Philosopher and Four-headed King an Image appears representing the Sun rising out of the Water cloth'd in a Vest part of it seeming under the Water over his left Arm a Scarf and in the same hand many sharp Spikes his Beard long and on his Head a Crown of golden Rays his right Hand arm'd with a Steeletto or sharp Iron Bodkin with which it seems to prick and push the Tortoise on which the Brazen Tree and the Creator as they call him rest to cause it to turn which moves so slowly that they say it comes but once about in a thousand Years Nothing is less to be admir'd than that the Japanners worship the Sun also in their Temples for no Idolatry whatsoever can boast to be so old in which they did not worship the Sun whose Adoration was more Venerable and spread it self further than any Idol whatsoever concerning whose Antiquity Job speaks thus Job 31.26.27 If I beheld the Sun when it shined or the Moon walking in brightness And my heart hath been secretly enticed or my mouth hath kissed my hand Here this Adoration of the Celestial Bodies after the manner of the Heathens is apparent according to which the first Worshippers of the Sun kiss'd their Hands in token of Honor App. Met. lib. 4. though afterwards according to Apuleius they bent only their foremost right Finger towards the Thumb whilst they turn'd themselves round Deut. 4.19 and pray'd to the Rising Sun Moses also saith And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto Heaven and when thou seest the Sun and the Moon and the Stars even all the Host of Heaven shouldest be driven to worship them and serve them But notwithstanding Gods Commands the Israelites have chiefly learn'd the Sun-worship from the Syrians which call'd the Sun Bahal that is to say Lord the Phenicians Beel-Samen according to Philo from the Ancient Writer Sanchoriathon which is Lord of the Heavens The Inhabitants of the Phenician City Accaron gave the Sun the Name of Baal-zehaim signifying The Lord of Offerings but afterwards that Name was chang'd to Baal-zebub that is The God of Flies to whom in bad Times De Abstinent Animal lib. 2. as droughty Seasons when those Insects ushering great Sicknesses rage they offer'd their Children The Ammonites understood the Sun likewise by their Moloch or Milcom to whose Honor the Parents carried their Sons and Daughters betwixt two Fires or caused them to be led by Priests to be cleansed and at other times they were burnt in that Image of Moloch which was divided into seven Copper Caverns which when they are made red hot with the Image the Officer according to Rabbi Simeon throws into the first Division fine Flower in the second a Turtle-dove in the third a Sheep in the fourth a Ram in the fifth a Calf in the sixth an Ox and in the seventh a Child These seven Chambers represent the seven Planets Saturn Jupiter Mars Sol Venus Mercury and Luna Therefore the Sun of old receiv'd the chiefest Offering being held for the most eminent God The Emssenians in Syria Apomena built for the Sun Saturn l. c. 23.
by them call'd Heliogabalus that is God of the Mountain an exceeding great Temple Macrobius relates That the Assyrians ascrib'd to the Sun call'd Adad the chief Command over all and made the Goddess Adargatis his Vice-Roy Adad's Image shot its Beams downwards and Adargatis upwards By the first they gave to understand That the Power of Heaven consisted in those Sun-beams that reflected on the Earth and by the second That all things were drawn up from the Earth The Arabians offer'd to the Sun daily on Altars made on the Roofs of their Houses Frankincense and Myrrh The same and no other was the Idol Chamis and Baal-Peor of the Moabites and Midianites Hieronymus saith In Esai 15.2 That in the City Nabo was the Consecrated Idol Chemosh which was also call'd by a second denomination Baal-Peor The City Baisampsa near the Red-Sea was exceeding famous amongst the Arabians it being consecrated to the Sun Sampsa in the Arabian Tongue as Stephanus witnesses signifies The Sun So that Baisampsa is as much as to say The House of the Sun Why three peculiar Feasts to the Sun The Persians held the Sun for their Chief and Supreme Deity to whose Honor they kept three Feasts yearly because they observ'd in him Prudence Benignity and Omnipotence and also to express the three Operations of the Sun by Heat Splendor and distinguishing of the Times or lastly for its altering the Days as in Harvest and Summer long and short in Winter The Armenians Massagetes and Persians offer'd to the Sun a White Horse Ovid. l. 1. East To Mithra for so the Persians call the Sun that precious Gem call'd Mithridax is consecrated because according to Pliny and Isidore the Sun-beams shining upon it give it various and still changeable Colours The Egyptians worshipp'd the Sun under the Name of Osiris Heliopolis or The City of the Sun was most famous amongst them wherein the Ox Mnevis was dedicated to that Deity Saturn l. 1. c. 21. But this Statue of the Sun was in the time of the Egyptian King Senemuris carried from thence to Assyria Apias an Agent to the Assyrian Standard-bearer Delebores brought it thither which Macrobius describes thus It is says he of massy Gold without a Beard in the right Hand it holds a Whip after the manner of a Rustick the left Hand holds a Sickle and an Ear of Corn. Strange Sacrifice to the Sun The Moors also took the Sun for the chiefest God calling him Assabin and offer'd him Sacrifice in the following manner Their Priests onely had the Liberty to gather Cinnamon with a Proviso That they should first kill to the Honor of Assabin forty four Oxen and as many Goats and Rams neither should they seek to gather the Cinnamon but either before or after Sun-set The Cinnamon-sticks brought together were divided by the Priests in Holy Ground That part which remain'd for the Merchants was by them carried away as soon as paid for Then the Priests took every one their part but if any was imbezilled in the sharing it was instantly known for if justly divided the Sun-beams fir'd the Fragments and broken Pieces that were neglected and left scatter'd behind otherwise not as Theophrastus Pliny Heophr Hist Ph. l. 9. c 5 Plin. l. 12. c. 19. Solin c. 31. and Solinus aver The Suns Feast The ancient Greek Writer Proclus describes a Solemn Feast amongst them in honor of the Sun which thus they perform They hang upon a great Pole store of Laurel and all manner of Flowers in the first Quarter of the Moon then they plac'd on the top of the Staff a great Copper Ball from which hung many lesser the middle of the Pole adorn'd with three hundred sixty five Garlands the bottom cover'd with a Womans Vestment died yellow The uppermost Ball signified the Sun the lesser the Stars and the number of Garlands the Days of the Year There are scarce any People that have not been guilty or at least made themselves so of that Idolatry of Worshipping the Sun For the far-distant Massagetes worshipp'd the Sun Herod lib. 1. as Herodotus relates The Germans also were ravish'd with the Worship of this Celestial Luminary before they embrac'd the Christian Religion Geothic Rer. lib. 3. cap. 2. Moreover Olaus Magnus relates That the People in the most Northern Parts of the World pray'd to the Sun when after a six Months Night it appears above their Horizon and brings Light and Comfort And what is more common among the Western Indians than the Worship of the Sun For which cause they mock'd at the Spaniards when they told them of a Savior telling them That they had a better God which appear'd every Morning in Glory Josephus Acosta relates peculiarly concerning the Peruvians Hist. Mor. Var. Jud. That they mention'd Viracocha for their Prime Deity and next him the Sun and for the third Ictillapa signifying Thunder a Man arm'd with Stones and a Sling All three of them are worshipp'd after one manner viz. with Hands lifted aloft making a noise like the Smacks of Rusticks and then praying for what ever they want In Lusco they offer'd living Children to the Sun Eastern-Indians have a long time us'd to worship the Sun Amongst the East-Indians the Sun was Religiously worshipp'd long before the Birth of our Savior Ctesias relates of them That they travel yearly fifteen days to an appointed Place to keep a Feast in honor of the Sun praying That it would please him to grant them thirty five days cool Weather that they may not be scorch'd whilst they are coming worshipping and returning home Benjamin Tudelensis the Jew relates also of the Inhabitants of Haaulam if the Learn'd Vossius takes not Haaulam to be Zeilan or rather Sumatra After seven days Travel I came to Haaulam which is the beginning of the Kingdom where they worship the Sun in stead of God A People deriv'd from the Astronomer Chus The Sun is worshipp'd by them on several great Altars built in all Places about two Miles distant from the City They commonly run to meet the Sun early in the Morning to which stand dedicated several Images on all their Altars seeming by Necromantick Art to dart Beams which when the Sun rises seem to crackle at which time both Men and Women offer their Sacrifices Furthermore it is requisite for us to know how the Japanners and besides them many other ancient and late Heathens amongst their other Deities worship the Sun Arist de Coelo lib. 1. cap. 3. The general Opinion of all Men as Aristotle Simplicius Themistius and others witness is to place the Omnipotent Godhead in the uppermost Region that surrounds the Earth Why the Japanners worship the Sun for which cause those that pray lift up their Hands to Heaven And since the Heavens represent nothing more glorious than the Sun that is held for the onely and chief Deity whether it be for its Beauty and Splendor or its Bigness being
several Servants being also ready One amongst the Company told them That Mosysuoque Chyoboyedonne was sent to supply the place of Oritido Cansaymondonne he being gone home to conduct them to Jedo At last came the Bonzi and the Knights that two days before in the Kings presence had examin'd the Hollanders In their Company was also the Lord of the Village before which the Ketch Breskens lay at an Anchor Soon after a large Table was cover'd and fill'd with all manner of Varieties The Cups with Wine going freely from one to another and their good Journey being also drank round the Captain and the Merchant went each into a Sedan and their other Men mounted on Horses having Paper-Cloaks given them to keep off the Rain Their Ferrying over and Entertainment After having rode four Leagues they came to a quick Stream which between two pleasant Shores flows with a great swiftness Along the way which led towards the Ferry stood several Crosses on which hung divers Men after a most horrible manner some being Rack'd others run through with Spears others had their Bones broken and all died lingering Deaths Being all Ferried over and Landed on the opposite Shore they entred into a delightful Village where they staid and din'd after a Princely manner The two Knights which came with the Bonzi told them their Names the one being call'd Isy Cavova If a Jemondonne and the other Poechy Chennemondonne which they gave the Hollanders great charge to remember and gave them their choice either to ride or be carri'd in a Sedan But all mounting they rode most South-West and after a Journey of eight Leagues about the Evening they enter'd into a great Village where they were nobly entertain'd Jemondonne and Chennemondonne bidding the Hollanders welcome ask'd them if they were not tir'd with riding And setting a Watch about the House left them for that Night Japan Cocks carried long Journeys The next day at the Rising of the Sun they Travell'd further towards the South-West through a Hilly Countrey By every Hollander went two Japan Soldiers and seven Grooms each of them carrying a live Cock tied behind them on the Horse in a Straw Basket which sometimes they took out and carried on their Hands This day they travell'd eleven Leagues taking fresh Horses seven times and in the dusk of the Evening they enter'd into a small Village where they found but mean Entertainment A Bonzi cunningly examines the Hollanders Here the foremention'd Bonzi coming to them ask'd several Questions viz. What Employment Schaep and Byleveld follow'd Who had the Command of the Ketch Breskens in their absence How it was call'd How many Seamen they had aboard What store of Provision and Ammunition they had and what they were laden withal From whence they came and whether they design'd to go To all which the Captain answer'd as little as possible could be fearing to be trepann'd into an inconveniency by the Bonzi whom they took to be an Apostate Castilian because he spoke not only Spanish and Portuguese but also broken English and Low-Dutch The Hollanders Answers to his Demands But they warily answer'd That Schaep was Captain of the Ship and Byleveld a Factor That the Mate bore the chief command in his absence That he had fifty Men aboard which came with him from Batavia to Ternata and were going to Tayoan but since by dark stormy Weather and a great Storm out of the West they had lost their Admirals Ship call'd Castrecom they were at last driven to Japan where they came to an Anchor because the Japanners were at Peace with their East-India Company and the more because their Ship being much Weather-beaten and most of the Seamen sick the Ship wanted mending and the Men refreshment All which the Bonzi noted down Their further Journey to Jedo how At break of day they went on in their Journey and after nine days Travel they came into a Village about a League distant from Jedo The Way thither sometimes pleasant by Rice-fields and Groves of Cedar-Trees sometimes by spacious Plains and Commons and in other places troublesom for its craggy Ascents and steep Precipices and also dangerous by means of the quick Floods and deep Lakes over which both Horse and Man were forc'd to be Ferried But on the Shores of all such dangerous Passages are generally small Villages built which make them so much the safer because upon all Occasions the Inhabitants are ready to assist in any thing Their remarkable Entertainment ¶ EVery where both in Town and Village the Hollanders found noble Entertainment the Burgers and Merchants accounting themselves highly honor'd when they entertain the Emperors Prisoners and besides that they discours'd with a People that were come from so remote a Countrey many hundred Leagues from Japan at whose Habit and Custom they stood all amaz'd every one desiring a Note from the Hollanders of their Names with which they accounted themselves fully satisfied for their Expences in entertaining them Yet notwithstanding this kind usage all the way the Netherlanders were continually guarded by six Bonjoises and a hundred and thirty Soldiers Description of the Japan Musicians ¶ DUring these nine days Travel they met with several of the Japan Musicians which go up and down the Countrey to delight and entertain all such young People as are desirous of Musick and chiefly to inquire out Weddings or where any great Feasts are kept being all Whores and Vagabonds one amongst another The Women sit with their Legs across under them On the top of their Heads is a black Paper Roll from whence falls a long Scarf over their Backs Their Tunicks with Embroider'd Collars are open before betwixt which space appears a pleited Girdle In their Hands they hold two Sticks plated over with Copper on which they play very curiously Behind the Women sit Men on high Stools with their Legs across These are also cloth'd in short upper Vests open before their under Garment made all of one piece their Breeches hanging over their Feet their Doublets tied about them with two pleited Girdles one about their Breasts under their Arms and the other about the Waste in the lowermost stick their Swords They hold in each Hand a Whip the Ends whereof being tied together have a hollow Block with Bells in the middle which waving to and again over their Heads makes a noise pleasing to their Ears keeping Time with their Feet on the Stool On both sides of the Women that sit others stand bare-headed Over their right Shoulder lungs a broad Belt to which coming under their left Arm a round Wheel with Copper Bars is made fast which they turn with their right Hands by an Iron Handle whilst they strike with the other on the Bars with a Bell to which Musick they dance very neatly Before these sit others with their Faces muffled in their left hand holding a great Umbrello and in the right a Fan acting several Antick Postures
is gone to Sea out of the Haven of Namboe without Officers Do the Hollanders keep such small Command over those that are under them Their Answer Byleveld answer'd That the Pilot in the Captain and Merchants absence according to their Custom bore the chief Command in the Ship which the other Seamen ought to obey But the Pilot must give an account concerning his Command therefore they knew not how he could answer it before the Indian Council at Batavia for he notwithstanding their earnest entreaties by Writing desiring him not to weigh Anchor from Namboe yet on the contrary set Sail without staying for his Captain and the Merchant The Reasons that mov'd him thereto may be better guess'd than poke for truth Perhaps he was fearful of further danger seeing us thus violently carry'd away by which he might judge that the Hollanders were not priviledg'd to come on the North of Japan though the Emperor gave them leave to Trade to Nangesaque Moreover none in the Ship to our knowledge was ever in Japan to know it wherefore the Pilot might think that we could sooner get from Jedo to our Countreymen at Nangesaque than to the Ship in the Haven of Namboe Father Examination and Answer concerning the State of Portugal Samoccysamma reply'd This present Emperor did not onely grant free leave of Trade to the Hollanders but also his Father and Grandfather were no less Courteous to them But how comes it that after a long War with Portugal sworn Enemies to the Japan Empire you have made Peace with them which dealing the Japan Emperor cannot but suspect and dislike Japan Councellors make enquiry after the difference of Religion between the Portuguese and Hollanders But Sammoccysamma went on in his Examination The Portuguese Priests said he teach That they can help themselves and others by Prayers and Offerings to I know not what not onely in this Life but also in the other Do you Hollanders also believe that you can reap any benefit by that means Most mighty Lord replied Schaep how should we be so foolish to expect good from those that prosecute our Souls and Bodies for indeed very great is the difference between the Portuguese and Dutch Clergy which in the time of the Popish Priests were murder'd by thousands and at present since they cannot destroy us by violence they condemn us to everlasting damnation accounting us Vagabonds that must for ever burn in unquenchable Fire so that if they could save us they would not But how can they Why do they not help themselves Ought they not to use that Art and rid themselves from so many tortures We believe that the Emperor of Japan can give us free leave that we may go for Nangesaque Which Discourse of Schaep caused all the Japan Lords to laugh But during this Examination a Secretary sat next to Sicungodonne who took an exact account of and set down all the Questions and Answers that pass'd between the Councel and the Netherlanders Description of a Japan Inkhorn They write in this manner The Inkhorn is like a long Box out of the Top of which appears the Mouth of a long Flask cover'd with a Wax Lid to keep it from breaking the Box is divided into three Partitions one is the Place in which the Writing-Pencils lie inclos'd of which the top is made fast with Pins at the bottom of the Box in which the Flask stands is a place wherein they preserve their Cakes of Ink which are sometimes red but generally black and cost much Money because they use them but little These Cakes must be mark'd with the Emperor's Arms and try'd by his Officers and if they are found to be good they set certain Letters upon them without which mark upon pain of death they may not be put to Sale or us'd Japanners are great Artists in Writing Hereby it plainly appears that the Japanners have great skill in the noble Art of Writing which like a Master domineers over Death because it not onely shews on Paper the Transactions of Man and communicates to us the Knowledge of others in the Mysteries of God and Nature but also preserves things against the wearing of Time to all Posterity therefore the antient Greek Philosopher Anaxagoras judg'd that Man was the wisest and strongest of all Creatures because he had Hands which would write things that Death could not blemish for Learned Books last many Ages and by that means instructed their Successors Japan Pencils after what manner they are made But the Japan Pencils are made of Copper or Silver and at one end eight square and flat on the top on which every ones Arms are Engraven for to Seal their Letters withal under the Seal is a round hollow Joynt full of black or red Powder according to the colour of their Ink about the middle Images are Engraven which serve for Ornament and below appears the Pencil with which they Write in this manner The foremention'd Box hath a round Case on one side for the Pencil and on the other side a long square place wherein are four Indentings at the end thereof are eight Copper or Silver Pins in the four holes they pour their Water for to make their Ink with which they make either black or red according as they please and dipping the Pencil first into the Water they rub it on the Seal'd Cakes of Ink. How they Write They Write quite after another manner than the Europeans for the Japanners take not the Pencil with which they Write between their three Fingers but in their whole Hand so that the upper end thereof appears between the Thumb and Fore-finger and the middle part they grasp in the Palm of their Hand and after that manner they make exceeding good Letters and Write very fast with their Pencil their Paper not unlike the European is somewhat browner but smoother and the one side which is not written represents Silver Checker-work on a blue Ground Several ways of Writing Here also is to be observed their four several ways of placing their Letters The first and oldest hath always been us'd as also to this time by the Hebrews Chaldeans Syrians Arabians and Egyptians Writing from their right Hand towards their left whereas on the contrary the Latines Greeks Celâ—s and other Europeans Write from their left to their right The antient Greeks had another way of Writing as may be seen by the famous Laws of the wise Solon which was where the first Line ended the second began directly and upright and where the second ended there began the third and so accordingly the rest not unlike Roads in Countreys which take a beginning where others end and oftentimes are cut through one another Genial Dies l. 2. c. 36. Lastly the Chineses a great part of the Indians and all the Japanners begin on the right-side and so Write from the top downwards Alexander ab Alexandro relates That the antient Moors in like manner
Paw which was also Examin'd to Beat on it who being not altogether ignorant in that Art first beat a March and then an Alarm with which he seem'd exceedingly to please the Lords and presently after they rose up all together and went out and the Hollanders got leave to go to their Inn. Description of a Japan Lady On their Way home they met with some Ladies of Honor attended by a great Train of Servants of which some carry'd wax'd Devices others Handkerchiefs and variety of Sweet-meats in Dishes on the sides went their Waiting-maids with Fans at some distance follow'd two of their Maids of Honor every one holding a crooked Stick between which hung a Silk Canopy to be carry'd over their Ladies Heads Whilst these Persons of Honor engag'd the Hollanders eyes on their Way homewards Schaep and Byleveld had some Discourse with the Interpreters Tosaimon and Manikebe concerning what had pass'd in Sicungodonne's Palace The Hollanders asking Why they were placed next the four Japan Priests which was never done before and also for what reasons the Councellors Sammoccysamma and Ysosamma went away so suddenly Whereupon Tosaimon told them That Sammoccysamma had been incensed against them and told When he saw the Hollanders he must judge by their presence that they were guilty of bringing over Japan Priests and chiefly when they should be placed next the four Portuguese Prisoners Which Answer occasion'd no small joy in the Hollanders who were in all haste to make ready and go to the Emperors Palace before the chief Court the appointed hour of their Audience being at hand Two Jesuits recall their Apostacy Afterwards the Hollanders heard from the Servant of the House That two of the four Roman Priests had recanted their denying of the Christian Faith to embrace the Japan Religion wherefore Siovan who was ready to go for Nangesaque receiv'd a Command to stay in Jedo till farther Order his Presence being requir'd when the two other Priests should be carry'd to their torture The four Interpreters are puzled to translate two Letters Isaiemon one of the Gentlemen th came with the Hollanders from Namboe to Jedo ask'd them for the List of their Men in the Ketch Breskens which they giving him he immediately got it Translated into the Japan Tongue by Manikebe The four and twentieth of November the Interpreters Tosaimon Manikebe Kitsbioye and Phatsiosaimon were exceedingly puzled the foremention'd Councellors giving them two Letters all of one Content but the one written in Low-Dutch and the other in Portuguese by the Governor of Batavia to Sabrosaimondonne at Nangesaque The Letters came from Batavia the four and twentieth of April Anno 1643. of which Samoccysamma was desirous to know the Contents and if they differ'd one from the other The Interpreters having spent a considerable time in Studying to Translate them but could not it was thought convenient to command the Hollanders to assist them in it None were more puzzel'd than the Interpreters Tosaymon and Manikebe because of their little knowledge in that Tongue and yet would be accounted good Interpreters The Hollanders being better able to Correspond with the Portugal Interpreters Kytsbyoye and Phatsayosaymon who both understood Portuguese very well so that at last they read them over so often that they found both the Letters to agree and be all of one Content and Translated them into the Japan Tongue Hollanders receive tidings The next day after Manikebe visited the Hollanders in their Inn and amongst other Discourse he related That the day before he had been with Sicungodonne and other Japan Lords of whom he understood that they should stay in Jedo till Elseracks coming thither Wherefore they desir'd him because the Nights began to grow cold to speak to their Landlord that he would let the ten Prisoners have six Blankets Quilted with Cotton which Manikebe took upon him to do and spoke to their Host who not onely promis'd them the Blankets but all other necessaries that they requir'd Moreover Manikebe told them from Sicungodonne That they should not be melancholly nor troubled but be chearful and merry for Mr. Elserak would shortly set forth on his Journey thither Phatsyosamon told them also That he had receiv'd tidings from Nangesaque wherein he had advice of the Arrival of a Holland Ship Laden with Skins Pepper and Speckel'd Wood and also that a Dutch Flie-Boat accidentally took Fire yet the Flame being suddenly quench'd sustain'd but little damage Soon after the Apostate Priest Syovan went for Nangesaque and came to take his leave of the Hollanders who would willingly have given him a Letter which they had made ready some days before to deliver to Elserak but Syovan excusing himself told them That he had receiv'd Orders from Sicungodonne Commanding him not to carry any Letters for the Hollanders Therefore they desir'd him since he durst not carry their Letter that if he should meet Master Elserak any where by the way to relate the whole circumstance of their condition to him by word of mouth which Syovan promis'd according to their request to perform On the first of October the Interpreters Kytsbyoye Phatsyosamon and Manikebe came again to the Hollanders and brought them advice of a Holland Ship that engaging with the Quinammers was burnt and also that Sicungodonne permitted the Hollanders to cut and shave their Hair which till that time was forbidden them This Design was not mention'd when you were brought Prisoners in Jedo therefore the Emperor to have a true account of the whole Business hath order'd you to be kept close Prisoners till Elserak comes thither that then your innocency in carrying over Portugal Priests and your Design of discovering the rich Golden Islands may plainly appear Byleveld ask'd Tosaymon in what degree and whereabouts these Islands might lie because none of the Hollanders knew the Japanners rich Gold Islands The rich Japan Golden-Islands where they lye Tosaymon told them That they lay sixty Leagues at Sea from the Promontory of Jedo by which Schaep and Byleveld judg'd it to be the same Coast where they lost the Ship Castrecom on May the 19. in the Night namely about fifty six Leagues East-South-East from Jedo Description of a Japan Gentleman Whilst they sat pondering on this News Schaep and Byleveld were call'd by their Landlord into a stately Chamber where they found the Interpreters Kitsbyoye and Phatsyosaymon with a Lord holding a Paper written full of Japan Characters and a square Wax'd Chest fitting in great State on a Carpet in an Embroyder'd Coat Lin'd through with Ermins and bare headed his Hair being ty'd behind on the top of his Head the Coat open before was Clasp'd about the middle of his Breast with a Golden Hook between the opening of his upper Garment appear'd a Flower'd Suit of which the Breeches hung quite over his Knees almost to his Feet in his left hand a Fann the top thereof adorn'd with a Gilded-Rose on each end his Servants
Emperor like Slaves Between the two outward Pillars come one half Year all the Kings that inhabit the West part of Japan and the other those of the East and one by one throw themselves down with rich Presents on the second Step upwards that leads to the Throne For by three Steps you ascend to a square place whose utmost Corners bear the two foremost Pillars Right forward rise the Steps which ascend to the Throne which being seven in number are all cover'd with rich Tapestry By the King that lyes with his Face flat on the Ground are two of his Nobility in the same posture on the first Step and behind them the Kings Private Guard-Man lies in the humblest posture that may be No Japan King how powerful soever he be may bring into the Emperors Inner Court above three Servants The Emperors Apparel The Emperor sits in a Suit embroider'd with Gold with his Leggs cross-ways under him This Coat which covers his Under-Garment is clasp'd together a little below his Chin and the rest open before so that the Lappets thereof hang on each side of his Breeches Between the gaping of it appears a broad Girdle stifned with Gold and beset with Pearls and Diamonds On his Head he wears a little Golden Crown which rises aloft with three spiring tops Japan Government how ¶ BY this Splendor and State may easily be judg'd the ground of the Japan Government namely To bring the Power of the Empire into one sole Monarchs Hands of whom all Persons are in fear Their Emperor never appears but he is dreaded for his Power and reverenc'd for his Magnificent Splendor which so dazzles the Eyes of the Beholders that no Subject nay Prince or King that doth not fear and tremble at his Authority much less dare they offer to Plot or Rebel against him And indeed who would not be terrified where the Sword being drawn punishes the least Offence offer'd against the Supreme Power and destroys not onely the Malefactor and his whole Family but his Relations to the third Generation Who would not be afraid of such a Commander before whom the powerfullest Kings in Japan fall down on the Earth So that Japan is by his Strictness and great Power kept in good Order whereas otherwise these People are subtile and stout enough to plot and undertake great Designs and in their Performance to undergo the greatest Torments and look upon the cruellest Deaths Joy wish'd to the releas'd Hollanders ¶ AFter the Imprison'd Hollanders were by Sicungodonne discharg'd in the Emperors Name they receiv'd Order to go to the place where they waited first being wish'd Joy for their happy deliverance by Poechennemondonne besides other Persons of Quality that attended the Court. Lastly the Ambassador Elserak's Retinue came also to wish them Joy and desir'd them all in his Name and likewise the Merchant Paul Cornelison Veer to go to the Dutch Inn whilst he took leave of some of the Council to wash away the Sorrows they had suffer'd during their Imprisonment in Jedo Elserak's Journey from Jedo to Nangesaque ¶ THe four and twentieth of December Elserak went with his releas'd Hollanders out of Jedo and riding that day seven Leagues lodg'd in Cawasacca From thence he travell'd as followeth From Cawasacca through Cammagowa Fundaga Taska where he din'd Fovissauwa Tamra Banio and Firaski he came against the Evening to Oiso being twelve Leagues Journey Going from thence he found a troublesom way through the Mountain Toukery so that he travell'd scarce six Leagues and lodg'd in Odauro a stately City at the Foot of that Mountain The next day he went as far again For after having din'd in Faukeney where on the hanging of the Mountain lies the pleasant Village Faccone he came late in the Evening through Jammakak and Scabary to Missima From Missima he travell'd to Nomatz and from thence through Farri Jussiwarri over the River Fisicaw to Cambaro where he refresh'd himself and viewing Ini and Okis staid at Jesares having travell'd thirteen Leagues that day Then they view'd the famous City Surunga the Town Miriko the Villages Ocambe Tovisjeda and Simanda and crossing over the River Oyengauwa lodg'd in Kaneia Elserak's Journey farther Next day the Ambassador Mr. Elserak travell'd along the Foot of the Mountain Comi whose Top is crown'd with lofty Cedars and saw in the way as he pass'd the Villages Nisaca and Kakingow refresh'd himself at Foucorai saw many Rarities at Mitske and Nagaisum lost some time before he could be Feried over the River Terni met with divers Woods and Forests between Terni and Tannama where staying a Night he went by Day-break to the Villages Meisacca Arei Straski and Itagawa and dining in Arei he afterwards view'd the beautiful City Josinda Then leaving Astanamica on the left Hand he travell'd through Goi and staid that Night at Accosacci On the first of January Anno 1644. going on forwards the first Village he came to was Fuitzawa from whence he came to the great City Occosacki so passing on through the Villages Siriomi and Narromi to Mia This City lying in a Bay of the South-Sea is very Populous and hath many stately Buildings Opposite to it lies Quano where he rested and afterwards went through the Villages Tonuda Jokeitz Owaka Oiebakits Zono Isacuts the City Cammiammy and lodg'd after having travell'd eleven Leagues at Siceonosiro Then he Posted thirteen Leagues further and by the way saw the pleasant Village Sacca Ferried over at Jocatangauwa to Sintzamma scituate on the Shore of the River and having pass'd by the Foot of the Mountain Coetsekajamma din'd at Minacutz from whence travelling on he pass'd another Ferry at Jacatungauwa and so through the Village Itzibe came and staid a Night in Cusatz shaded in the middle of a pleasant Grove through which he rode to the River Osacci which brought him into the great Lake of Meaco on whose Shore in the middle of a Bay lies Jesi a considerable City and about two Miles further on a Promontory Oets border'd by the foremention'd Lake In Oets he eat fresh Cod whose taste agreed with those in England and Holland Towards Evening Elserak enter'd the City Fissima famous for the stately Palace in which the Emperor Taicosama kept his Court. Taking Shipping at Fissima he left Meaco and sailing by Sonda saw Achas on the right side and Firaskatta on the left and at last landed at Osacca sixteen Leagues distant from Fissima So that Elserak in twelve days time had travell'd a hundred and forty Leagues for so far Jedo lies distant from Osacca The redeem'd Hollanders also spent twelve days in going a hundred thirty two Leagues from Namboe to Jedo But Elserak staid six days in Osacca ¶ NOt far from this City as generally through all Japan were seen several Burying-places or Tombs on which the Japanners bestow great Cost and Charges as indeed most People do in Europe Wherefore the Heathens accounted them barbarous that misus'd
dead Corps Of which the Greek and Latin Writers accuse the Lotophagi The strange Dealings and Cruelty of some People us'd to their dead Corps which threw their Dead without Chests or Coffins into the Sea judging it to be all one if they rotted in the Earth or whether they were consum'd by Fire or decay'd in the Water The Sabeans cast their deceased Friends nay their Kings dead Bodies on the Dunghils The Taxili Iberi and Brachmans gave departed Corps to the Crows and Ravens to eat This Custom also was observ'd by the Barchaei but onely to Valiant Men that were slain in the Wars Those that died a natural Death they burnt The Parthians gave the Flesh of the Dead to Dogs onely burning the Bones The Hyrcanians in their Life-time bred up great Mastiffs that when they died they might be eaten by them The Essedons brought their departed Friends Bodies out at their Doors where calling their nearest Relations together they cut the Corps asunder so mixing and boyling it amongst Sheeps Flesh they eat it as a Solemn Funeral Feast The Massagetes carbonado'd their Dead also and eat them The ancient Jeren accounted it Religious to feed upon the Flesh of their Deceas'd Friends Parents and Relations The Dervices slew all their Men and Women before their Altars when they came to seventy years of age The Hyperboreans made Feasts for their dead Bodies hanging Garlands about their Necks at last throwing them from the Rocks into the Sea On the Island Code those that attain'd to sixty years were forc'd to drink Poyson because their Provisions should not grow scarce The Caspians so soon as their Fathers and Mothers were seventy years old lock'd them into a Chamber or drove them to desolate and uninhabited Wildernesses that there they might die of Hunger Remarkable Ceremonies us'd about the burning of Beasts ¶ BUt although these People wanted Humanity acting such unnatural things with their Dead yet others have bestow'd vast Charges on their Funerals nay some have not stuck with prophaneness to erect Monuments for their Beasts of which Lacys was one who with great Ceremony Entomb'd a Goose that whilst it liv'd would not go from him Alexander the Great made a sumptuous Feast at the Death of his Horse Bucephalus The Emperor Angustus and after him Adrianus and Commodus built every one for their dead Horses a stately Marble Tomb. Cimon and Xantippus famous Generals amongst the Greeks Interr'd their Dogs with Funeral Ceremonies And nothing was more usual and common amongst the Egyptians than to take dead Cats Crowes and Cranes and having Salted and Imbalm'd them to wrap them in fine Linnen and in a Coffen Interre them Japan toomes or burning places Of Men. Yet far greater Cost was bestow'd on the Burying of Men. How famous is the Tomb which Artemisia erected for her deceas'd Husband Mausolus The Stones thereof were all Marble it contain'd in the Circumference four hundred and eleven Foot and five and twenty in Height surrounded by twenty six curiously ingraven Pillars The famous Architects Scopas Briar Timotheus and Leocares had scarce finish'd every one their Parts when Artemisia died after having burnt the Bones of her Husband to Powder and drank them up and spent all her Revenues on the before-mention'd Structure Who hath not heard of the famous Pyramids which were the Burying-places for the Kings of Egypt of which three are yet remaining The greatest is square and runs up sloaping yet on the top so broad that there may stand fifty Men The breadth from one corner to another at the bottom being three hundred twenty four Paces and rising aloft with two hundred and fifty Steps every Step five Foot high and each Foot nine Inches long At each of the four Corners is a low Descent to which none can go but stooping Peter Belloon relates That he found this Pyramid Anno 1548. built within after this manner Creeping through a narrow Passage with a Wax Candle in his Hand he came into an empty Room where turning on the left Hand they found a spacious Place to which a curious Gallery led the way The Gallery was pav'd with great Free-stones curiously polish'd without Steps so that he was forc'd to support himself by the Rails on both sides after which manner he ascended sixteen Paces at the end of which appear'd a handsom square Chamber in which stood a Chest of twelve Foot long five high and as many broad without a Cover hewn out of one entire piece of black Marble wherein the Egyptian King lay Interr'd that built this Pyramid Besides these he found several other Apartments and also a Well fill'd with Stones Moreover the Athenians made so much ado about the Burying of their Dead that they condemn'd ten Commanders because they neglected to do that Office to two departed Soldiers The Hebrews neglected not to bury their Enemies The famous Roman Orator Paulus accounts it Death for those that dig up dead Bodies out of the Ground Alexander the Great kept so magnificent a Funeral in Babylon for Hephestion that the Charges amounted to six hundred Tun of Gold Furthermore the Ancients bestow'd great Sums of Money on Pillars Images Coffins Imbalmings and other strange Ornaments with which they adorn'd the Burying-places every one according to his Capacity This ancient Custom is yet observ'd amongst the Japanners Japanners burn their Dead where the Bodies being burnt after the Roman manner they lay the Ashes under stately Tombs It is certain that the Romans have not always burnt their Dead for their ancient Law commanded Bury none in the City nor burn none Cornelius Sylla a Roman General was the first that order'd his Body to be burnt fearing some might out of revenge do to him what he had done to Marius whose Bones he digg'd up and threw into the River Anienis After that the Romans us'd only Funeral Pyres which Custom decay'd and became void in the Emperor Antoninus his Reign he commanding again That the Dead should be buried in great State and have costly Tombs erected over them Their remarkable and strange Ceremonies used about the Dead The Roman Pride in those Affairs the Japanners have taken an exact Pattern by for when a Person dies they set the Corps on a Bier with his Head bow'd forwards and his Hands folded together in a praying Posture clad in White over which hangs a Paper Coat pasted together whereon is written the Religion of that Idol whom the deceas'd honor'd and worshipp'd In this posture four Men carry it out of the City to the Fire then a great number of his Relations and Friends which attended the Corps stand round about the Fire and call a whole Hour together on the Name of the Idol whether Amida Xaca Canon or any other to whose Service in his Life-time the Departed was most devote whilst the Bonzies play making a horrible noise by striking on Copper Kettles and Basons The Pit wherein the Fire is made is square hung
round about with Mats and hath an Entrance that opens towards the four Winds The Pit it self fill'd full of Wood which is cover'd with a Sail. On both sides thereof stand Tables fill'd with Meats all dress'd in Blood and Vessels fill'd with Perfumes and next them lie great Heaps of Sweet-wood When the Bier with the Corps approaches they fasten a long Rope about it on which every one that can come near lays his Hand and call all together on the Name of the Deceased's Idol Thus they carry the Body three times about the Pyre on the Shoulders of four Men At last setting the Bier with the Corps on the Pile of Wood the chief Bonzie waves a lighted Torch three times over the dead Bodies Head which done he throws it away but it is taken up again by the nearest of the Deceaseds Relations of which one stands on the East and the other on the West side of the Bier Three times they give it from one to the other over the Corps then they set Fire on the Pile of Wood whilst others that stand next to them pour Oyl and Essences thereon so that the Flame suddenly ascends the Sky and consumes the dead Body to Ashes Mean while the Children and nearest Relations go to the Tables kindle the Vessels with Perfumes and shew Worship to him that is burnt Which done every one returns home onely the Common People that follow'd the Corps make themselves merry about the Fire with the Meat that stands on the two Tables by the Funeral Pit The next day the nearest Allies return again to the Fire and there gather the Ashes Teeth and Bones into a gilded Urn which carrying home they set in a private Chamber and cover with a rich Cloth Seven days together they mourn accompanied all the time with some of the Bonzies who receive great Rewards for the time they spend in such Services On the seventh day the gilded Urn is Interr'd without the City in the place where the Body was burnt which done they spare no Cost nor Charges in erecting a stately Monument Description of the Japan Burying-places First great Stones are laid over the gilded Urn sometimes three-square sometimes after an oval fashion and at other times with several Corners The Sides thereof are Ingraven with curious Imagery either a Lion-Rampant making towards a Japanner that holds his Swords in his Hand ready to resist him or of Armed Men deeply engag'd in a Battel or else of Flowers which are commonly the Graves of Women On these Stones are square or round Marble Pillars on which are ingraven in Japan Characters his Birth-day his Life Imployment and other Atchievements and the time of his Death whose Bones lye there Interr'd Next these Graves are to be seen the Representation of the Idol worshipp'd by the Deceas'd which are generally cut to the life out of Marble Then are there Men and Womens Pictures sitting after the Japan manner with their Legs across under them every one dress'd in fashionable Apparel the Men holding their Hands together in a praying posture The Women on the contrary hold theirs asunder and look side-ways over their Shoulders Description of Siquani the deceas'd Childrens Idol ¶ MOreover you do not onely meet with very costly Tombs in Japan but also large Temples dedicated to their Gods that rule over the Dead Not far from Osacca is a stately Temple where the Idols Jene and Siquani are worshipp'd by all Mourners This Idol Sequani sits on a round Pedestal cover'd with a Scollopp'd Cushion adjoyning to which a silver Parrot appears on a Pearch The Face of the Image represents a Youths the Hair of the Head ty'd behind with a String of Pearls one Lock being curl'd standing upright His four Arms are cover'd with wide Sleeves full of sparkling Stars About his right Arm a Serpent is twisted whose Head he holds aloft in his Hand From the Elbow of this Arm grows another which embracing a young Child squeezes it against his Breast In his left Hand he holds a Scymiter in a ready posture to fight Half from the left Arm appears a second with the Hand downwards holding a round String with Beads The Child looks stedfastly towards the Sword with his Hands folded together and with his Legs across under him sits on Siquanies wide Breeches But the Idol Jene is held in great Adoration by the tenth Sect of the Bonzie He sits in State on a High Altar which is curious to behold for at every corner stands a square Pillar a little distance from the Altar and is joyn'd Arch-wise to the uppermost Ledge thereof which is engraven with Stars and other Curiosities and the Spaces betwixt full of Japan Characters On every corner of the Altar stands a flat Dish onely behind the Idol towards the right side stands a deep Platter in which Perfumes are continually burnt The Plates serve to hold the Money which the People offer In the middle Jene sits on a round Scollop'd Cushion being represented with four Bearded Faces the Heads whereof are all joyn'd together behind He wears a Golden Crown with seven Spires on whose tops are round Balls full of Diamonds On his Breast hangs a double String of Pearls and at the end thereof a Rose of Diamonds His left Arm he holds aloft and his folded Hand grasps a Staff which he sticks into a Sun From this Arm hangs a second downwards in the Hand holding a pleited Garland In the uppermost right Hand is a Japan Plant but that which points downwards thrusts a Golden Staff into the Smoke over the Perfuming Vessel Idol Jene rules over ancient deceas'd People This their Idol as they say rewards Good and Bad after Death To him are the Souls of aged and married People committed Wherefore those that mourn for their Fathers Mothers Wives Husbands or any other near Relations come in great numbers to this Temple to offer for the Departed Souls on Jene's Altar Jene's Temple Moreover this Temple is always kept lock'd for the Image stands in an open place under the azure Canopy of Heaven between the Temple and the Bonzies Habitation which look after the performance of their Divine Service to Jene Before the Temple is a square Portal on whose Roof at each end rise two Spires of an exceeding height On one side lies the Temple-Grove which with pleasant and shady Trees takes up a great deal of Ground Moreover though the Lacedemonians according to the Laws of Lycurgus buried their Dead in the City and near the Churches yet it was forbidden by other Grecians In a Field not far from Athens was the Burying-place of the Athenians full of Posts and Pillars on which the Names of the Deceased were Ingraven In the time of the Consul Cnejus Duillius the Romans made a Law by which every one was commanded to bury their Dead either near the Flaminian or Latin way or elfe in his own ground near Rome Nay the Emperor Adrianus order'd That
it fell not out so well with a drunken Sea-man belonging to the Graveland who took oft the Emperors Straw Seal with which the Hatches were seal'd when on the Morning the Interpreters coming aboard with the Workmen that brought the Balast which consists of little Chests full of Copper weighing a hundred and fifty pound weight observ'd that the Emperors Arms were torn from one of the Hatches They immediately made it known to the Bonjoises which continually sit on the Prow of the Ship upon a costly Carpet The Bonjoises seal'd the Hatch again and immediately inform'd the Governors who instantly sent twenty of the Emperors Soldiers aboard to demand the Man which had so presumptuously spoil'd the Emperors Arms or else they would carry all the whole Ships Crew to Prison Whereupon he that was guilty discovering himself was carried ashore before the Magistrates who cutting him in at the left Shoulder made their Sword come out under his right Arm. How the Japanners cut their Servants in the middle ¶ In this bloody Office they use no Executioners but every one that buys a new Hanger tries it either by cutting a Man Woman or Child through with both his Hands This kind of Exercise happens often and chiefly when any Christians stand condemned for they take them and hang them up by the Feet on a Gibbet with their Heads downwards into a Well in which they cut several Holes that the Blood may so drop out by degrees Near the Gibbet on one side burns a continual Fire on the other side waves a white Pennon taken in every Evening and put forth in the day-time till the Malefactor be dead and burnt But the nearest Relation to the so tormented Christian as also three of his Neighbors die without sparing either Wives or Children by the foremention'd way of cutting them in at the left Shoulder so bringing their Sword out under the right Arm. Chinese Merchant cannot sell their Goods ¶ AFter this the Chineses in Coxenga's Name complain'd again about the taken Jonk which was call away before Tayovan but were order'd to go to Batavia to seek for redress there Upon which they gave out That if they should come in Batavia they should be murder'd which Report of theirs was but little regarded And they had not much better Success with their raw white Silk of which they sold not one pound at Nangesaque whereas on the contrary the East-India Company exchang'd al their Tonquean and Bengala Silk for good Silver the Japan Merchants having agreed to bestow all their Moneys on the Hollanders before they bought any thing of the Chineses Mean while they finding nothing to do were necessitated to depart from thence with their Merchandize not without great damage and should they but one or two Years more meet with such a bad Market it would without all peradventure weaken and dishearten their great Navigation and hinder them from sending yearly fifty loaden Jonks to Japan to the great prejudice of the East-India Company who in many things are forc'd to give way to the Chineses ¶ WHilst Wagenaer was preparing for his Voyage to Batavia he receiv'd twenty one thousand seven hundred and sixty pieces of the best white Porcelan A Month before the delivery of them another Person had brought a considerable Parcel of Porcelan to sell on the Island Disma but because they were too full of Flowers most of them stuck on his Hands The Japanners have some few years been more eager in making of Porcelan than heretofore Japanners make great store of Porcelan so that not onely the Hollanders but also the Chineses vend a great deal thereof The best place for this Commodity is the Lordship Fesen of the Earth of which place they make it being finer and whiter than elsewhere The Japanners grow every Year more and more experienc'd in this Art so that they make their Porcelan better and better Wagenaer contriv'd a small Flower to be made on a blue Ground but was exceedingly amaz'd when not long after he saw all the Shops full of them But whereas Fesen produces the best Porcelan in Japan so in China the Village Sinktesimo It is worthy our observation That the Earth which is not unlike fine Sand of which they bake their Porcelan is digg'd up near the Metropolis Hoeicheu lying in the Territory of Nankin where they onely knead it into Balls or Pellets How it is made which seal'd with the Emperors Arms are sold at a certain price and sent to Sinktesimo for this Village onely by a hidden Power or Operation in the Waters there makes the best Porcelan Those that bake are Rustical Clowns brought up to that Trade from their Infancy They prepare the Earth two several ways Sometimes they work it so soon as it comes from Hoeichen after the same manner as our European Potters prepare their Clay for their Pots and Pans At other times they let it lye so long till it is grown as hard as a Stone which they afterwards stamp to Powder sift it through a very fine Sieve then mixing it with Water knead it into Balls and at last press it into a Wooden Frame according to what fashion they please Then they are first dry'd in the Wind and put into an Oven which fifteen days together is continually hot and afterwards kept close as many days more that so they may cool by degrees or else they would break all to pieces After thirty days the Oven is open'd in the presence of one of the Emperors Officers who narrowly looks on every Piece thereof and according to the Laws of the Countrey takes away every fifth Piece of Porcelan to the Emperors use The rest the Potters at Sinktesimo sell to the Inhabitants of Uciengen a Village lying at the Lake Poyang on the left hand Shore of the River Can. The Place is above two Miles long rich for Traffick and replenish'd with handsom Buildings every Year so full with those that Trade in Porcelan that one can scarce pass the Throng The River lyes generally full of Barques wherein they load and so transport it over all the World From hence appears the old mistake of their Opinion in Europe believing Great mistake That the Stuff of which they made the Porcelan was the Powder of Sea-Cockles or Egg-shells or else of Earth which their Fore-fathers prepar'd and kept it a hundred Years after under Ground so their Succeffors valu'd it according to its Age. How the Japanners carry the Dutch Ships out of their Haven ¶ WAgenaer setting sail in the Ship Hilversom for Batavia so soon as ever his Guns were brought aboard and the Rudder hung was forc'd to be gone notwithstanding a great part of his Goods lay upon the Deck The Japanners hold it for an ancient Law That as soon as ever the Hollanders Ammunition is brought aboard whether in the Night or Day contrary or fair Winds they must go to Sea but if by reason of contrary