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
Learning Towards the East end of Jedo appear two fair Temples both Dedicated to their god Amida The Temples of Amida But distinguish'd by calling the one onely Amida and the other The Golden Amida At the farthest end of the City opposite to the Village Tonquerba is the Court of the Emperors Chief Custom and Collector in the East part of Jedo The Empress worships Amida ¶ FAther Lodowick Frojus relates in his Letter from Canga an Island in Japan dated Anno 1565. That the Emperor Cuba his Royal Consort had built a Chappel in her own Palace Dedicating it to Amida in which she daily attended with a great Train of Ladies there paying her Devotions to his Statue representing a comely Youth Crown'd with Gold that Reflected Rayes like Sun-Beams for when the Emperor Cubus was slain by the Rebels Diandono and Mioxindono and the Empress making her escape took Sanctuary in a Monastery near Miaco where being discover'd the Priviledge of the place not protecting they sent an Executioner to take away her life she preparing to obey the hard Sentence call'd for Pen Ink and Paper and Wrighting to her two Daughters which were also Imprison'd in the next House Informing them That she was to be unjustly Murder'd but she rejoyc'd and would be glad to Imbrace Death because she doubted not but that Amida had found this means to bring her to a better Habitation and the sooner to enjoy that Paradise where her Dear Husband so lately Murder'd remains expecting by her company the full accomplishment of both their Happiness Then Sealing the Letter she thank'd the Bonzi for his kind entertaining of her in their Colledge and drawing near to Amida's Altar where kneeling she lifted up her Hands and call'd twice on the god for to forgive her her Sins Then the Bonzi laid his Hand upon her Head as a Token that she had Absolution from all her Offences then going from thence into a private Room she lifted up her hands again to Heaven and cry'd Amida Amida which said Was beheaded she was Beheaded Images of Amida are divers Furthermore it is to be observed that there are several Images Representing this god for whereas he sometimes is made as we said before with a Dogs Head riding on a Seven-Headed Horse another resembling a Naked Youth with Holes in his Ears sitting on a large Rose Carv'd of Wood and in a strange Shape with a Fantastick Cap on his Head slit before with two large Buttons on the top with a comely and youthful Countenance in his Ears hang two Rings one within another about his Neck a Scarf his Breast cover'd with an Oval Plate curiously Engraven over his Shoulders and Back hangs a Coat of Feathers neatly Wrought and joyn'd together in his Hands a String of Beads his Breast and Belly exceeding large sitting on a great Cushion before him stands several Japan Letters Engraven on a square Stone They also place oftentimes near their god Amida another Idol with thre◠Heads which are cover'd with one flat Cap or Bonnet joyn'd close together their Chins Hairy about the Neck a Pastboard Band on each side four Arms and Hands the Breast and Waste girded with five Strings of Pearl the Belly appears like the Body of the Sun darting Rays with several Characters in the middle the Walls are all hung with rich and costly Japan Habits and before them many burning Lamps A very stately Temple with a thousand Images near Meaco But besides these two Temples of Amida in Jedo there is a most famous Chappel about a League from Meaco being of more antiquity erected by some of their antient Emperors and since by the Modern enlarg'd and beautifi'd being four hundred and twenty Foot long having two great Porches with Portcullises in the middle where entring you may first see a large Seat on which sits an Image bigger than the Life resembling a Giant with Holes in his Ears Bald-headed and shaven after the manner of the Indian Brachmans over this huge Figure hang several Cups on both sides divers shapes of Armed Soldiers Morisco Dancers Exotick Wizards and other dreadful Figures with antick Gestures Their Wind and Thunder also are personated in terrible Figures Then they enter the Chappel ascending on seven Steps having five hundred Idols on each side fix'd to the Wall all representing Canon the Son of Amida with amiable Looks each having thirty Arms two of which are of ordinary size but all the other very small and in every Hand two Arrows on their Breasts are engraven seven little Faces on their Heads Golden Crowns with Strings of Diamonds Moreover not onely the Chains Bells and other things belonging to these Images but also the Statues themselves are all Massie Gold wrought by the Goldsmith insomuch that the beholders Eyes dazle at the glory and splendor of Canon's Chappel To which most People from all Parts of Japan repair to perform their Devotions and the rather because there are many more Temples near it to which they also resort upon the same account Description of an University in Japan ¶ ABout two Miles from the aforemention'd Chappel is a famous University built at the Foot of a Hill and divided into several Halls Colledges Cloisters surrounded by a pleasant Stream near which are many Chappels in some of which they worship a horrible Image representing as we suppose the Devil On the top of the Hill appears three great Temples built of Wood on exceeding large and thick Pillars the Ground Pav'd with polish'd Marble Of the Idol Xaca In one of these stands a very large Image of their god Xaca having many lesser Statues plac'd on both sides of him at his back hangs a Piece of Parchment to which are joyn'd two thousand broad Seals near which stands forty Representations of two-year-old Children on each side of the Temple are two foul and horrible Monsters Arm'd with great Clubs All these Images and Seals are richly Gilt. In the second Temple or rather a Theatre for there they keep all their Commencements promoting of Students according to their several Merits to Places and Dignities which they perform thus The Proficient and the Master of this Ceremony are placed in the middle of the Stage with Penons and Flags hanging over their Heads where the Graduate in a formal manner beseeches a Prime Doctor to put him in Orders and prefer him according to his Deserts which done he takes Place as he is advanced The Temple for the Porcupine This Edifice is dedicated to the Porcupine amongst them the Embleme of Learning but they erect no Altar nor Image for him as for other gods but onely hang the dead Animal up in the Roof of the Hall that when the Students implore this Deity to fill them with Arts and Sciences they may lift with their Eyes their Hearts also to Heaven The third exceeds the other two in heighth and beauty Palaces for Scholars Here are other several Halls adorn'd with
also relates that the Lyflanders believe Adders and Serpents to be gods for which reason they shew'd them all honor imaginable every Master of a Family noble or ignoble keeping one in his House which they worshipp'd and fed with Milk and Cocks-flesh It was held for a certain ill Omen if any misfortune or ill happen'd thereto and the unfortunately wicked Offender that hurt the Vermin was generally cut Limb from Limb. The Prusians Antiquit. Boruss l. 1. according to the account of Erasmus Stella liv'd several Ages without acknowledging any Religion till at last they became devoted adorers of Serpents The same ignorance is at this day a Custome amongst the Samogithes if any ill happen to them they presently judge that it proceeds from their House-Serpent which hath not been well treated Sigismund Baron of Herbenstein tells us that he came from Muscovia to Troki Comment Muscovia where his Host in whose House he had Lodged the Year before told him that at that time he had bought some Bee-hives of a Servant to a worshipper of Serpents who by many convincing arguments was become a Christian for which cause he slew his Serpent which till then he had religiously worshipped but afterwards going to the Field to view his Bees he found by their Hives a Man with his Mouth wide open to his very Ears and of strange shape This deformed Creature cry'd out I have laid violent hands on my god the Serpent and am therefore thus purnish'd and if I do not return to my deserted Religion I shall suffer ten thousand times more Of whom the Japanners have learnt to worship Serpents It appears that the Japanners and also other antient and later People have erected the Images of Serpents in their Temples because Eve was deceived by a Serpent for who will contradict that the Heathens do not hide Gods Truth under their seeming Ignorance and shew through their greatest darkness a glimmering of light although by the Devils policy and falsness of Man-kind the glory and splendor of the holy Bible hath been more and more darkned which the Greek and Latine Poets have neatly adorn'd and chiefly that which they relate of the never-sleeping Dragon that kept the Golden Apples in the Garden of Hesperides which Hercules slew at last bringing away the Golden Fruit to his Father Eurystheus Is not this a likeness of the Serpent in Eden whose Head our Saviour bruis'd to pieces and doth it not represent the Religion of the antient Greeks According to the testimony of the Greek Writers Hesychius Clemens and Plutarch the Greeks say they cry aloud on their Feast-days Clem. in Protrept Plut. in Alex. Eva Eva pointing together at a Serpent And what a pudder the Ophites which came forth Anno 132. made about a Snake may be seen in the Church-Histories Ophites what kind of Hereticks They Preach'd that Christ was the Serpent that deluded Eve and afterwards entred into the Virgin Mary in the shape of a Snake They kept not the Sacrament without bringing forth by Charms a Serpent out of her Hole and sometimes out of a Box judging the Bread to be vile and not holy if the Viper had not tasted or at least touched it The Serpent under the Japan Creator of what kind BUt to return again to the Japan Serpent about the Tree whereon the Idol of the Creation fits This Snake stretches its Head to the right side of the Idol where two horrible Fiends stand on the edge of the Wall that incloses the Water and Tortoise before mention'd Description of a Japan Devil The foremost Spirit hath two hairy Feet a long Tail a Scarf wrapt under his Arms which hangs on his Back about his Neck a rich String of Pearls with both the Hands holding the Serpent close by the Head the Ears are great like an Asses that stand upright but Headed like a Dog with a long Snout In former times Anubis a famous Deity amongst the Egyptians appear'd with a Dogs Head because Isis made use of Anubis that thereby she might seek for her lost Husband Osiris King of Egypt who was murder'd by his Brother Typhon and at last in Syene found him in several Pieces Another very terrible Moreover between the Image with the Dogs Head and the chief Idol stands a second Shape likewise laying hold on the Serpent Clothed in a Coat cut sloapingly above the Knees a Scarf about his Neck made fast on his Breast the longest end thereof hanging over his right Arm His Head is most like unto that of a Roe-buck holding its Mouth wide open with large Ears and a pair of Harts-horns These two Monsters as they say us'd all their Force and endeavor to hinder the Creation of the World Why the Japanners offer them Sacrifice The Japanners offer Sacrifice to them when Herbs and Plants are in their first Growth to the end they should not hurt the tender Plants The worshippnig of the Devil brought from China to Japan Maff. Histor. Indie l. 6. ¶ It seemeth that this worshipping of evil Spirits was brought from China to Japan for the Chineses worship the Devil not for any good they desire of him but because he should not hurt them The Images of these Devils rest on horrible Dragons that spit forth Fire from their gaping Mouths and are made after a terrible manner Of them they desire to know the event of such things as they take in hand which they do thus Strange dealings with evil Shapes They have two Woodden Buttons as big as Acorns which are split in the middle and strung on a piece of Thred which they throw down at the Feet of one of these evil Spirits if they both fall with the flat sides downwards or one on the flat and the other on the round side that they look upon as a bad Omen for which cause they rail exceedingly against their Deity but immediately after as if they repented they again flatter him and sue for pardon by offering Sacrifice and whenever their lot falls out unluckily they fall from Words to Blows throwing the Image into the Water or burn some part off from his Body then they fall again to Praying This kind of scolding and worshipping continues so long till both the Buttons fall flat on the Ground whereupon they all rejoyce thanking the evil Spirit presenting him with all manner of Dainties curiously drest as Ducks Geese Rice and Swines Heads accounted one of their best Dishes and a Can of Wine When they have laid a little scrap of the foremention'd Dishes on the Altar before the Image as the Tip of the Hogs Ear the Claws of the foremention'd Fowls and some drops of Wine they fall upon the rest themselves and eat it up with a great deal of mirth and good appetite There are also Priests amongst the Chineses establish'd by Lanzis whose Mother went big with him eighty years These draw on yellow Paper horrible Shapes of evil Spirits which
the Clouds and middle Region of the Air. ¶ THis Countrey abounds in Mines Mines from whence the Inhabitants gather their greatest Riches whose special care invites foreign Merchants to Trade and Barter with them Trees A wonderfull Tree in Japan ¶ THeir Trees or Plants which they set either for use or pleasure resemble ours unless their Palms which are of a tender and strange quality contrary to all Plants whatsoever for they endure no manner of moisture for if the least wet touch the Roots they fade and wither immediately being destructive to them as Poyson which to save and cure they dig up and dry the taken up Roots in the Sun then set it in a new Hole fill'd with dry Sand where being so Transplanted it soon recovers and reflourisheth in full verdure those Boughs or Branches that are cut or torn off with Winds or any other accident they Nail on which grows to the Body as well as if Graffed or Inoculated Cedars in Japan very great Several places abound with Cedar some of them so tall and large that the Carpenters use their Limbs or Branches for main Timber in their stateliest Buildings and Shipwrights make Masts of them Japanners live on Venison ¶ THe Japanners neither breed nor keep Sheep Swine Geese nor Poultry nor eat scarce any other flesh but Venison the Desarts are full of wilde Cattel and untamed Steeds of a good race The Woods are full of Wolves Bores Stags and Conies Beasts and Fishes there Amongst their several sorts of Fowl they want not Pheasants Ducks wild Pigeons Turtle-Doves Quails and Partridges Here they have also abundance of Fish amongst which the Eells and what they call Voom they most esteem Butter they know not nor the use of Sweet Oil but what they spend is prest out of Whales which are often driven ashore upon their Coast The meaner sort of People use neither Tallow nor Wax but carry up and down to light them Branches of Pine Trees in stead of Candles and Torches Their shape and strength ¶ THey are something tall of Stature and well Set and easily endure Watching and other hardships signs of a strong Constitution From twelve to sixty years of Age they are liable to Musters Impresses and Martial Affairs They suffer their Beards to grow something long Difference in Hair and use several fashions in Shaving their Heads Youths keep onely their Foreheads bare the Rusticks and common sort imploy the Razor but on half their Heads the Nobles leave onely a Tuft or Lock of Hair near the Nape of their Necks which if any touch they look upon as a high affront and a great dishonor The Japanners are a strong People They much exercise their patience in all manner of sufferings and are so inur'd by Custom that Hunger Cold Heat and Thirst Watching and Travel are their Play-Fellows for as soon as born though the weather happen to be extream cold and pinching they carry out the Infants and wash them in the Running Streams where whilest they are cleansing they let them paddle in the Water to save themselves from sinking So soon as Wean'd their first Lesson is the Art of Hunting kept from their Mothers and all Female Relations their Schools of Learning wherein they commence in Hardiness are wild and unfrequented places believing that nothing makes them more tender and effeminate than to be near Women Their manner of sleeping and eating ¶ THe Floors of their Houses are Matted all over very curiously and that they may tread the softer stuft like a Quilt which indeed are rather their Couches or Beds where laying themselves down under their head in stead of a Down-Pillow a Log or Stone whereon they well and quietly Repose These Mattings are their Tables also on which sitting cross Legg'd they take their Repast Are very politick Yet in their Diet they are no less curious or dainty than the Chineses and like them use two Sticks one in each hand with which they take up their Hash'd Service needing neither Knives nor Forks which they handle so dexterously and these Tools are so fitted for their purpose that they never let any thing fall nor foul their Fingers entering their Dining-Room for the more cleanliness they pull off their Shooes The meaner sort especially those that live poorly near the Coast fare hard eating onely Rice Fish and Sallets but the Inlanders Feast daily and feed plentifully like the Chineses Rich Feasts In stead of Table-Clothes and Napkins their Dishes are serv'd up on little Boards or Tablets being either Pine or Cedar curiously Painted after their manner with various colours Their prepar'd Dishes are heap'd up with variety of Meat like our Bisks or Olapotreeds trick'd up with Leaf-Gold the edges stuck about with Cyprus Branches But when they Treat Noblemen they gild the Bills Feet and Leggs all over with Gold They entertain their Friends and Strangers Chearfully with hearty Welcome During their time of Eating and Drinking they haâ—e several Customs which they perform with strange and Mimick Gestures the whole Nation every where punctually observing the like The Blood of the Grape is altogether unknown to them but in stead thereof they make their Wine of Rice but above all they are most delighted with Water heated mixt with the Powder of Chia Their Drink is made after a peculiar manner In nothing they are more curious and diligent than in making this Compound which the Grandees themselves pride to prepare when they entertain their Friends for which purpose to make this their special Liquor they have peculiar places in their Houses where in a kind of Furnace over a gentle Fire it stands infusing from whence when they are visited by Strangers lifting up the lid they take it up in Dishes and present it hot trowling the Cup about one to another The Japan Treasures wherein they consul Their several Vessels which they use in this Preparation are a kind of Limbeck or Furnace Tunnel Stone Cruses Spoons and Pots in which they keep both the Herb and Powder of Chia Their last Complement which they are most proud of is to shew them their Wealth boasting their accumulated Treasure But their foremention'd Drink the Japanners esteem and value more than we our Precious Stones and Inestimable Jewels They also set a strange Rate upon Sword-Hilts especially when made by some peculiar Masters Their Houses and Cloysters Most of them dwell in Houses of clinch'd Wood cover'd with slit Plankings because of the frequent Earthquakes which happen there so with falling they suffer not much harm and are soon repair'd some dwell in Edifices built of Stone no less Costly than Artificial Their Temples also are most Magnificent with stately Cloysters and Inclosures where their men and women are aparted The Japanners Tongue is very strange ¶ THe Japanners have one Tongue or Language in common yet it is so various in Pronounciation that it seems to be of
the appointed Time none should dare presume thenceforth to worship any other God than that his Image in the Temple within the City Anzuquiama because he was Created by Heaven and Earth A great resort of People to Meaco This being Proclaim'd through all the Empire the great City Meaco was much too little for so vast a Concourse of People that in throngs flock'd daily thither So that several Leagues were taken up round about the City for the Entertainment of these mighty Multitudes the Town being first cramm'd up and many forc'd to ly aboard their Ships A new Idol Xantai On the Day of Celebration the young Prince Nobunanga's Son first began the Ceremony prostrating himself in a devout manner before the new Image Xantai After in order the Kings Princes and Nobles and other Eminent Persons in their respective Degrees At which time appear'd to their great amazement a wonderful Prodigy a Blazing Comet and also at Noon-day Fire falling from Heaven seeming to signifie sudden and sad Misfortunes all threatning and impending over the Head of Nobunanga A Temple and Idol at Dubo About a Mile from Meaco in the Village Dubo Nobunanga also built a fair Temple in which he set up an Image intended for his own and to the Life resembling himself The Idol sits Cross-legg'd in the middle of a Pedestal rais'd with broad Margins curiously Ingraven his Hands lying upon his Belly About his Neck hangs flying a loose Scarf Chains of precious Gems and Jewels adorn his Breast and Bosom and a tripple Chain of Pearl about his Neck Waste and Belly But the greatest Ornament was the Illustrious Crown which impalled his Head which thus Nobunanga made himself Master on MIAKO Thus they destroy'd the whole Royal Family onely preserving Cubo his younger Brother because he had taken the Order of Priesthood and that they might not suspect him hereafter they ty'd him with a Sacerdotal Vow and oblig'd him by the like Religious Promises but he by this means making his Escape he secretly convey'd himself to Vatadomo Governor of Loca who receiv'd him very courteously and perswaded to his assistance Nubunanga King of Boari who joyning together brought an Army of sixty thousand Men into the Field against the Emperors Murderers who finding themselves not able to resist they freely resign'd some of the prime Abettors being punish'd he in stead of putting in the next of Blood made himself absolute Master of the City and Castle of Meaco re-edifying the burnt Palace Meaco taken and the burut Palace re-built which for the sudden perfecting he neither spar'd Cost nor Labor employing fifteen thousand Men daily at Work and going up and down with a drawn Scymiter that none might be idle or lose any time where he cut off a Carpenter's Head for lifting up the Vail of a Woman by chance then passing by At last Nubunanga went on so victoriously that in short time he conquer'd and brought under his subjection thirty several Kingdoms also making himself Master of Cubo setting the Imperial Crown upon his Head as a Trophy of his Victories and afterwards put the same upon his new Idol in Dubo which represented him to the life that so he might whilst living be worshipp'd as a god to which end he wanted not store of Sycophant Courtiers and other City Flatterers that held him up in this his vanity making him believe That nothing could be more just and honorable for a Person that had perform'd such wondrous Acts and made so many Conquests by his Prudence sole Conduct and Valor But others resented hainously this his vain Imagination and proud Design not but that several Princes they had themselves deifi'd for their worthy Actions after they were deceased but that his ambition should aspire so high to be both God and Man at once and whilst he was yet living and subject to all mortal frailties he should blasphemiously presume to take place among the gods and receive Offerings and Sacrifice onely fit for Immortals and the ever blest unless said they we should make him a god for his Cruelty his Promise-breaking and Perjury for whatsoever Countreys were surrendred to him trusting in the Honor of a Prince his Oaths and Clemency he put without mercy to the Sword as if he had taken them by Storm and entred by violence But more than any King Aquechi being a bold and high-spirited Prince chaf'd and storm'd and would not sit down tamely and talk onely of this his prophane arrogance though he had oblig'd him with many great favors and bounty making him King of Tango and General over his whole Army yet in such a Point as this the honor of Religion and the true Worship of their ever just gods at the stake therefore converting the Emperors whole Forces against him he march'd up to Meaco the two and twentieth of June Anno 1582. The Prince Aquechi flays Nubunanga Nubunanga being thus suddenly surpris'd and beleaguer'd with his own Forces had no way to attempt his Escape but being follow'd close by the Enemy he was after some resistance slain in the Wood near the River of Meaco which from thence receiv'd the denomination of The Imperial Blood-Grove Revenues of the Temple at Dubo The Temple which he erected in the Village Dubo hath a Revenue of two hundred thousand Tail of Silver yearly every Japan Tail reckon'd to be five Shillings Sterling But now we will return again to Meaco Description of the City Meaco ¶ ON the side of this Imperial City is the great Mountain Duboyamma which runs to Iondo at whose Foot stands the Village Dubo adorn'd with the stately Temple erected there by Nobunanga whose lofty Roof is seen in some Places above the shading Trees The Idol Xaca at Dubo Within stands the great Idol Xaca taken for the chiefest in Japan for which cause the Temple is constantly Lockt up except at one time in the year when it is open'd with great Ceremony and entred first by that Order of Priesthood call'd Foquexus Several Opinions of the Japanners concerning their Religion ¶ THe Japanners differ so much in their Opinions in matters of Religion that they may be divided into three principal Sects which branch into many The Sect Xenxus The first call'd Xenxus acknowledge the Life to come a Reward for the Good and Punishment for all Evil doers The Bonzi are of this Opinion and chiefly shew great Reverence to their Idol Chamis The Idol Chamis for whose honor they have Founded several Temples and use his Name upon all serious Matters or when they take the Oath of Allegiance to their Emperor To him they bring several Offerings praying him either to remove those troubles which are upon them or else to grant them a victorious and happy success in all their Enterprises Pythagorea◠Doctrine embraced in Japan The second Perswasion allow also of the immortality of the Soul but according to Pythagoras That the Soul should be transmigrated
large Image which make up their University where Scholars Study and have their Residence in each of them are fair Libraries Japan Library stuft with innumerable Catalogues of Books where with a Skrew or turning of a Wheel what Book soever they desire to see presents it self Many Churches in Japan ¶ THe Number Magnificence and wonderful Riches of dedicated Places and Temples for Divine Worship are beyond admiration and almost incredible The greatest have dwelling in them to perform the Rites and Ceremonies twenty Priests the second Rate fifteen others ten and the least two Make bad use of them But these Structures built for religious intentions and commonly in the most luxurious and pleasantest Situation of the whole Isle are made by their dissolute and gormandizing Priests the Academies of all Debaucheries and especially the Schools of Gluttony Drunkenness and Lust who in their Frollicks in open view of all their Idols in a gallanting humor will not spare to prostitute their wanton Mistresses and for their more conveniency lay them at the Feet of their gods and make them Bolsters for their Adulteries Hendrick Hagenaer relates that he saw six Temples near Osacca at whose Doors stood large Images of Wood holding Boxes in their Hands into which the Japanners throw Pieces of Copper by them call'd Caxa A strange Chappel There is also a Chappel through the middle whereof runs a Stream into which the poor Women throw several Written Papers The Dining-Room wherein the Bonzi eat is very costly On one side of the Temple stands the Colledge of the Bonzi which is as glorious to behold and as strong being an hundred and twenty Foot long and thirty six Foot broad And also the Places where they sleep their Lodging-Rooms about the same are reckon'd to be an hundred and eighty besides many stately Halls whereof one stands on twenty four Cedar Columns in which is the Library of the Bonzi full of the choicest Japan Books Here are also several fair Stoves in deep Vaults and provided with all Necessaries Their Kitchins are very curiously furnish'd their Kettles made of the best Copper are two Foot and a half deep three in circumference and two Inches in thickness before these runs a Rivulet of fresh Water In the Nights they hang up twenty four Lanterns with lighted Candles in their Chambers Before this Colledge or Court of the Bonzi is a Pool that abounds with all sorts of Fish of which if any one should adventure to steal he is without mercy put to death This Temple Cobucui hath been built above seven hundred years The like Temple is also in Jedo in which the Idol Xaca of an exceeding huge stature may be seen This Image was erected formerly by the Widow of the Emperor Taykosame who caus'd it to be made hollow pouring it full of melted Copper and the out-side to be Gilt very costly Description of the Idol Xaca ¶ THe Head of this their god Xaca hath the likeness or Face of a middle-aged Man with a thin Beard the Hair of his Head cropt above his Ears his Cap folded like a Scarf about his Neck are Chains of Gold interlaid with Diamonds about his Middle a Scarf woven of Gold and Silver his Hands he holds forth but a little asunder in a praying posture about his Wrists are Strings with long Tassels and sits cross-Legg'd on a great Golden Plate before and behind him are two large Vessels in which they put their Offerings the Golden Plate whereon he sits covers a square Altar on whose Brim hangs twelve Pots by Gold Chains in which both Night and Day they burn Incense which are still supply'd with odoriferous Gums the Altar being square stands on a broad Foot cut with several Japan Characters What Xaca was formerly But this their god Xaca whom they worshipp'd when living was a great Proficient in the Pythagorean Doctrine which of old was most generall and a Religion most spread through all the World and much follow'd by the Greeks and Latines from whence the Grecian Fables of Transformation took their rise who according to Plato generally believ'd Plato 17.10 de Legibus that Orpheus after his death became a Swan Thamyras a Nightingale Ajax a Lyon Agamemnon turn'd to a Crane Ambros Lib. De Bono Mors. Cio Ambrose relates they also believ'd That the Souls of their Learned chang'd into Bees or Nightingales because that whilst living they had pleas'd the Peoples Ears with their sweet and eloquent Language but the Souls of the malicoius turn into Serpents Thieves and Robbers into Wolves Cozeners and Cheaters after their Death become Foxes every one changeth into such Creatures as best analogizeth with their several Vertues and Vices Plato and Pythagoras according to Herodotus first taught the Egyptians this Doctrine Zamolxis spread the same amongst the Northern Goths for which they worship him as a god The Druides spread it all over Gaul and Germany and the West Indians I know not how are much of that belief And Josephus tells us Joseph L. 18. Ant. G. 11. that the Pharisees amongst the Jews were much biassed with this Perswasion Julian fondly imagin'd That the Soul of Alexander the Great inform'd and gave life to his Body and therefore sleighted all dangers This their god Xaca saith Father Kircher the Indians call'd Rama the Tunkmensers Chiaga by the Chineses Xen Kian The Chineses derive him from India in the Province of Tien Turk Gnoe Moreover the Japanners have this Tradition concerning Xaca The Dream of Xaaca's Mother That his Mother dream'd that she saw a white Elephant issuing out of her Mouth and went into her left Side Why the white Elephants are of so great esteem in India From hence proceeds that great esteem which the Indians and chiefly those in China Lai Tunchim Siam and Pegu have of white Elephants for they are kept and attended on like Kings and feed on all variety of high Fare and in Golden Dishes The Nobility visit them in humble and submissive postures No other Quarrel than a white Elephant caus'd a great War Anno 1576 between the King of Siam and Pegu in which the Siams were so defeated that they not onely lost their white Elephant but were utterly subdu'd and brought under by the King of Pegu But this Yoke the succeeding Princes did soon shake off and were Masters of two white Elephants which in short time after dying caus'd great lamentation to the King and People of Siam judging them to be sent from Heaven as an evidence and earnest of future blessings Xaca Murder'd his Mother But the first piece of divine service which this their god Xaca in his humanity perform'd was offering his Mother which he himself kill'd lifting up his right Hand towards Heaven and his left pointing to the Ground said with a loud voice Behold neither Heaven nor Earth affords a greater and more holier Saint than I This done he withdrew to a dark
a Wall and strow'd all over with white Sand stood a great Table whereon when he wanted Criminals who ever he had a picque against or had a desire to see how he would die where laid according to his Fancy then began his sole Delight and chief Recreation This he Quarters with great Art and Dexterity which done rips up his reaking Bowels yet alive and when perceiving with the effusion of Blood and Spirit before his last Gasp to feast his Cruelty chops off his Head That he binds to a Post so that he may not stir then takes his Bowes Arrows and several Guns taking aim here and there where Wounds are not Mortal and when he perceives him full of Torture with Bullets and Arrows hanging in his Legs and Thighs then to Crown his pleasure shoots him in the Breast and Belly whilest dying to close up the Tragedy he claps a Brace of Bullets into the Head But when thus he hath satiated his Cruelty upon Men to renew his delight he takes a Woman with Child and in stead of Butchering Anatomizes alive viewing the Infant in the Womb and making inspection through all the Labratories of Nature concerning the Formation Production and the Birth of Mankind and as they affirm what ever infliction hath been exercis'd by the most cruellest Tyrants he hath so much exceeded that he may be call'd The Prince of such Bloody Butchers Phalaris Bull and many other of the like inventions Cruelties of Phalaris Of Atreus Of Tullia seeming to this but easie torments besides he excell'd all those Masters of Cruelty because he troubled none with the horrid Office but was their Salvage Executioner himself The reasons from whence the malice proceeded between Quabacondono and his Unkle Taicosama But this inhumane Monster not long Raign'd thus perpetrating such unheard of Murders for his Unckle Taicosoma though he had chosen him his Successor declaring him Heir-apparent and already put him in possession of five Kingdoms suddenly this his sweetning and love towards him turn'd into hate upon several occasions for though Quabacondono was Elected by his Unckle and stil'd Emperor this his great Name bore but small Command for he administred in all Affairs of State himself keeping the Reins of Government in his own hands whilst the Favorites and flatteries about the young Emperor weary'd his Ears insinuating that he was but a Nominal Prince and how the People mock'd at his great but empty Name which signifi'd just nothing calling him Emperor without Empire and that the blindest might see Taicosama's aims who had twice intended to send him to Corea where he might either be dispatch'd or lingering in such a long War loose all his Interest at home but incourag'd him not onely with the Conquest of that Isle but that he would enable him with Forces to Conquer the main Land China and there make himself an Emperor But the business of Corea falling unsuccessful what e're he flattering pretended or secretly intended the whole design fell and came to nothing But concerning the practices of both these Princes Unckle and the Nephew and their Plots of destroying each other since the Relation stands for an attested truth we shall at large give you the whole account Taicosama hath a son in his old age QUabacondono's Fears and Jealousies daily increasing on several occasions but more especially exasperated thus Taicosama being without any Issue on which account he made him Heir-apparent and had Invested him in all his own Regalities now had a Son who by Birth and Laws of Nature might possibly sway the Empire after his Father Taicosama's Decease whose Genethliacon or Birth-day was kept with all the Joy and Celebration that could be imagined in Festivals and Thanksgiving to their gods through all the Cities in Japan that Quabacondono beyond all expectation had an Heir in his old Age This stung him to the heart being evidently bereav'd of the Empire but that which more imbitter'd his grief were his three Sons the hopes of his Family which he had already design'd to bear the Chief Commands under him in the Empire His hopes thus vanishing like a Dream all that he could bethink himself of for present redress was to cast out that this Son was none of his begetting and that they might well have spar'd their Festival Rejoycing if the truth were known The Emperor Taicosama being inform'd that this Fame was of his Nephew 's broaching stirr'd up private Animosities the more so that the whole Nation sat as in a Theatre expecting on the Japan Stage the Bloody Tragedy either of the Unckle Nephew or both Strange custom in Japan when the Emperors give over their Government ¶ DUring these private Grudges the time came on in which Taicosama according to the Japan manner was to give his Nephew Quabacondono a Visit for it was an antient Custom that when the Chief Governor voluntarily deserts his Authority investing another being grown old and retiring to privacy that not onely he but all the substitute Kings should address themselves and honor him with a Visit which Confirmation of his Authority the manner of which being so expensive and Magnificent it will not be amiss here to relate The Emperor preparing for his Progress and the Nephew to Entertain his expected coming sent Huntsmen by thousands to ransack the wide Forests for Venison as many Fishermen searching the Sea Ponds Lakes and Rivers for Scaly Banquets How the Japanners keep their feasts ¶ THe Japanners at Meals sit cross Legg'd on the ground one behind another each at a peculiar Table which being square are a Foot and a half high and according to the conditions of the People more or less Costly some made of white shining Wood like Glass some richly Varnished other Wax'd after the Indian manner and some Inlaid with Gold according to the greatness of the Feast or the number of the Tables at ordinary Dinners or at the first Course three Tables set before every one with great Variety Dish'd up all Gilded At the last Course they bring three Tables more full of Salt Meats to rellish their Cups At the Emperors Feast a great Golden Bowl call'd Sacansuchi is carry'd about Cup call'd Sacansuchi out of which the Princes are invited to drink Quabacondono had prepar'd against this Feast thirty thousand of these Tables of several fashions both for Men and Women The Women sit out of the sight of the Men in a Hall apart On the other side Taicosama was ready for the accustomary Visit to Quabacondono who in like manner was ready to receive him Taicosama puts off his journey When an eminent Person that had the Emperors Ear privately inform'd him That these gallant Preparations vail'd a secret Plot for his Ruin This warning wrought so on Taicosama that he put off the Journey which Quabacondono resented very ill having prepar'd all things in a readiness which were now lost and all his Cost and Charge bestow'd in vain and besides
to Quobacondono but coming amongst the Emperor's Guard he was stopt and commanded to return if he did intend not to incur his Majesties displeasure but he neither regarding their advice nor fear what they threatned from the Emperor said Should I leave my Prince though he be forsaken by every one No now is the time for me to manifest my Love Duty and Loyalty There is no Touchstone like Danger to prove a Friend by Who will not help those that are in Prosperity and who forsakes not a Friend in Adversity He is not worthy the name of a Friend that in his assistance will undergo the worst of Fortunes and smile at Death it self which having said put Spurs to his Horse and Riding post by midnight found the young Emperor who exceedingly rejoyced to see one so kind and faithful to him but that he might not prejudice so good a Nature as to bring Sacandono to his utter ruine which would not ought avail him he seriously perswaded him to return But soon Taicosama had information of all this and had it not been for the good Service of his Father he had undoubtedly perish'd in his prime Quabacondono is shaven and changes his Name But Quabacondono since his departure from Fissima Lodg'd one Night in Tamamizu where he was forc'd according to the Japan manner to have his Beard and Head shaven and his Name exchang'd for another for in stead of Quabacondono he call'd himself Doi that is I will clear my self by Reason At last coming to the Cloyster Coja he was conducted in by Mocusico one much esteem'd by the Bonzies In his Way thither he met with several of his Retinue disguis'd like Beggars that they might not be known by any of Taicosama's Guard All these express'd their grief with tears not daring to utter their minds in words Ten of his chief Favorites went him into the Cloyster where being but meanly Treated he told them saying Not long ago I could have given you Provinces and Kingdoms my Fall hath been the undoing of many And now for my self of all my Pomp and Magnificence I have scarce so much left as to keep you and me alive O inconstant Fortune thou hast rais'd me on purpose to the heighth of Greatness and Glory that so my Fall might be the greater and I more wretched Is liept close Prisoner These Complaints he had free liberty to utter in the fatal Cloyster Coja for no other priviledge was allow'd him insomuch that he could not speak nor deliver the least Note to any Person whatsoever and the business was so far gone that he lost all hopes of ever obtaining his Liberty Mocusico Conjures for Quabacondono Mocusico the Head of the Monastery repair'd to his Idols and with Charms performing peculiar Ceremonies with great zeal begg'd of the gods that Quabacondono might once more be restor'd to the Imperial Dignity but none ever were slower in their assistance than these their deaf deities for it happen'd that this came to Taicosama's Ears who the sooner resolv'd on Quabacondono's Death which fell out on the fifteenth of August Anno 1595. Quabacondono and all his Company are commanded to rip up their own Bowels Thus chearing him up with future hopes they kept him a while from laying violent hands on himself when soon after Taicosama sent a Messenger to command him and his Company according to the Japan manner to rip open their own Bowels No sooner had they receiv'd their Condemnation but they all prepar'd themselves to die The first that cut up his Belly was Quabacondono's Page being a Youth of nineteen years of age who whilst he was struggling with Death Quabacondono after he had embraced him chopp'd off his Head which he set in a Charger on a Table The like he perform'd to two more of his Servants The next that was to do the cruel Office on himself was the Bonzi Biuscirtus whose Grandmother was sent by Taicosama to Quabacondono's Court as a Spie and because she had carry'd her self well in that business her Son Biuscirtus he commanded to be sav'd but he refus'd the Emperor's mercy saying with an undaunted courage to him that brought the Order I scorn to take any thing from that Bloodhound that should deserve my thanks for I will rather chuse to die with Quabacondono than to live in slavery under such a grand Tyrant this said he desperately stabb'd himself but suffering much under the agony of a lingring Death Quabacondono gave him present ease by chopping off his Head which was no sooner done but with the same Weapon he stabb'd himself One onely remaining slew himself with his Masters Scymiter The Execution was no sooner finish'd but the Bonzies performing their Office consum'd them together in one Funeral Fire Taicosama destroys all the Confederates of Quabacondono But Taicosama rested not thus but following his Blow hunted and destroy'd all those his Friends and Intimates that had been Abettors with Quabacondono in this Conspiracy The first with which he began were three Persons of great Quality that were fled to a Cloyster of the Bonzies The next was Scirabingo who made the Kings to Sign the Oath of Allegiance to Quabacondono for which Crime he was judg'd to suffer a cruel Death But none was more lamented than Chimura who had done Taicosama great Service both in War and Peace but because he had held private Correspondence with Quabacondono he was also condemn'd to be his own Destroyer Chimura's Son hearing of his Fathers Misfortune who was then in Saicoure wrote to him That a Wise-man might easily look Death in the face especially if he suffer'd innocently and that it was no trouble to leave this World for a far more happy Life which would last for ever And thither he was resolv'd to accompany him as his Father for he would not live after his Death of whom he had receiv'd Life So whilst he expected to hear the sad Tydings he call'd for a Chest of Scymiters out of which chusing the best he girded it about his Waste In the interim the News of his Fathers Death and Taicosama came to him together the Emperor proffering him Life notwithstanding he was Chimura's Son who ought according to the Japan Laws for his Fathers Crime to suffer Death But the Youth return'd Taicosama Thanks telling him That he was bound in Conscience to take Revenge of the horrible Slaughter committed on his Father Chimura and seeing no possible Means to effect such his Design he would rather die than live wanting satisfaction for his Fathers Death Thus said he immediately deserted the Court and went to Meaco where going into the Temple there offering his Devotions to the Idol Fotoco ripping up his Belly he Sacrific'd his Life before the Altar Not long after Taicosama particularly order'd Chimura's Consort to be Beheaded in the Temple of Amida Cruel Persecution of Taicosama against the Wives and Children of Quabacondono ¶ IN this cruel
in the middle so hoisting and retching their Bodies with the Ropes pulling them up a great height then on a sudden let the Cords go at once that the Tortur'd fell with great force to the ground which in a manner bereav'd them of Life whereupon the Executioners ran to them with all speed pouring Cordial Liquors into their Throats by which means they reviv'd again but no sooner did these miserable Wretches breath but they were afresh afflicted With Canes fill'd with sulphur At other times they fill'd hollow Canes with Sulphur and other strong burning Ingredients shutting their Mouths close together and putting one end of the Reed or Cane into their Nostril and set the other a fire which made not onely the skin come off from their Faces but scorch'd their Heads inwardly With sharp Reeds lighted Torches and Scourges They also cut their flesh with sharp Reeds or Flags tearing the Wound open to the Bone then burning the body with lighted Torches insomuch that the Skin shriveling together hung like Lappets Others were stript stark Naked and ty'd by their Arms and Legs cruelly beaten with Japan Canes Cruelties against the Mothers Mothers of young Children suffer'd above all others for the Executioners with great violence struck their Childrens Faces against theirs and the more the Children cry'd the more the Mothers were tortur'd To others they apply'd green Flags which making very hot they laid them on their naked Bodies till all their Skin from Head to Foot was burn'd black they also put glowing Coals into their Hands which if they threw away should be a sign of their denying the Christian Religion according to the Verdict given by the Japan Judges And Children The Children had their Flesh torn from their Bones with hot Pincers and their Ears and Noses cut off In Ximabara Bungodono kept fifty Christians Prisoners which in a disgraceful manner were led through the Streets of the City to a Plain near the Sea-side against seven of them he was very severe namely Thomas Chibioius Paul Nagata Leonardus Sacuzaiemon Joannes Gonzaiemon Jenixus Dines Maria and Clara Nagata's Wife because they had been instruments to the spreading of Christianity therefore in the foremention'd Field were digg'd seven Pits three Fathom deep and six wide at an equal distance one from the other in each of them stood a thick Post with a piece of Timber nail'd on the top thereof like a Cross the Condemned sate down whilst their Arms being stretch'd out A cursed way of Execution were made fast to the cross piece their Necks were lock'd betwixt two thick Planks made hollow in the middle so that their Heads appear'd immoveable above them Bungodono was one of those that perform'd this Office first Sacuzaiemon's right Arm was leisurely Saw'd off then they began to file the Necks of those that were made fast with sharp tooth Canes strowing Salt into the Wounds five days they continu'd their filing without unbinding them or letting them have the least rest The Executioners releasing one another the Physicians were also ready which thorow small Tunnels pour'd Cordial Liquors down their Throats to the end they might be the longer dying The remaining three and forty stood the first and second day as Spectators but on the third and fourth they were ty'd Hand and Feet and plac'd on a sharp piece of Wood with a great Stone in their Laps close by the Martyrs Against the Evening they were carry'd through the City to their Prison the Japanners shouting and hallowing at them when any chanc'd to fall from their sharp piece of Wood. In the Jayl their Tortures began with lighted Torches pieces of sharp Canes drove betwixt their Nails Pails full of Water pour'd thorow Tunnels into their Bellies and trampling On their Bellies to make them disgorge it but in a short time all the forty three became Apostates The tortur'd Apostatize except Michael Xozaburo a Youth of Conga The seven also which were near Ximabara remain'd not constant for on the first day five forsook their Baptism and on the last night Nagata also deny'd the same onely Thomas Chibioius endur'd all their Tortures full seven days when on the last of May Anno 1630. the Executioners being tired with their bloody work Saw'd off his Head The others were let loose out of the Pits but Nagata Sacuzaiemon and Gonzaiemon though they had renounc'd yet by order of Bungodono were slain Clara dy'd soon after those Tortures which she had endur'd by the excessive pain being so bereav'd of sence she never came to her self again and Gonzaiemon repenting of his Apostacy had his Head cut off by a Woodden Saw Some recal the renouncing of their Religion and cut thorow in the middle with a Scymiter Horrid Prison in Japan ¶ NOt far from the City Tomioca in the Island Xiquo the Governor Tobioio had erected in a Field a large Prison with several Apartments for Men Women and Children but so little that every Prisoner was forc'd to sit on his Knees not being able to rise up nor stir himself the one way nor the other the Walls and Roof being stuck full of sharp Canes and Spikes so that many for want of sleep and continual pain gave up the Ghost in the Prison In Amacusa they nail'd up their houses so starving them to death Emperor Toxogunsama dies ¶ ANno 1653. The Emperor Toxogunsama dy'd without Issue so that Daifusama his Family ended all in the second Generation The next to the Crown was Prince Quane who was immediately after Toxogunsama's death set on the Throne under the tuition of five Overseers Congono Bongono Inhano Oyemo and Sannikino The Christian Religion was now fully rooted up wherefore those strict Edicts heretofore Issu'd out against them began to be forgotten it seem'd as if the Emperors Overseers had a greater mind to a foreign Trade The Peers govern more mildly and therefore Govern'd a quite contrary way to that of the Emperors They first wink'd at those Sanguinary Laws so letting them decay by degrees by which means many Traders suddenly came ashore The Spaniards also had no small hopes to regain their former Trade and the Japanners themselves had leave to Trade in other foreign Countreys which liberty they had been debar'd of a long time Jesuits intend to return to Japan Haz. Church Hist fol. 182. But chiefly the Jesuits took fresh courage who immediately spread themselves over the neighboring Provinces of Japan as Tunquin Councina and other places to the end they might be near at hand that as soon as any fit opportunity presented they might Land on Japan and go on afresh with their former design but it hath to this day had no success for the Overseers of the Emperor Quane kept strict Watch against their incroachings though they seem'd not so eager in erecting the foremention'd Blood-baths according to those strict Edicts publish'd by Toxogunsama Toxogunsama a great Sodomite ¶ IT deserves
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.
Goodness that a Scorpion and most of all other Poysonous Creatures being kill'd and their Flesh laid raw on the Wound which they made cures it in a short time Fasting-spittle hath also a great Operation to dispel this Poyson The ancient Father St. Ambrose relates concerning this Creature Hoxaem lib. 6. cap. 6. That he kills a Lion and is himself destroy'd by Pismires But to return to our Story Strange Battel between the Pismires and Scorpions in the Voyage to Nangesaque ¶ IN the Voyage between Osacca and Nangesaque it is often seen with great admiration that a Scorpion being surrounded with an innumerable Army of Pismires who storm him on all sides biting his Feet so extremely that not being able to bear it nor seeing any way to escape at last kills himself with his own Sting running the same into his Head of which he immediately dies whereupon they joyn all their Forces to carry him away In which Work it is pleasant to behold how they help one another some shoving the Prey forward with their Feet while others haul it along with their Mouths and the remaining part creep under to bear it on their Backs always having fresh Supplies to release those that grow weary God represents in this small Animal the exact Image of Vertue wherefore the Holy Scripture admonishes the Slothful to take Example by them And indeed their Care is exceeding great for they make their Nest with so many crooked Entrances that it is secure from all hurtful Creatures The Earth which they scrape out they stop before their Holes to keep out Rain These Holes are divided into three Partitions in one the Males and Females live together in another the Females breed up their Young and the third serves them for their Storehouse wherein they lay their Provision Majolus relates That near Barleta a City in Terra di Barria he found a strange Nest of Pismires under a great piece of Timber which being easily taken away there appear'd a City with four Corners City of Pismires almost four Foot long and one and a half broad lying so direct as if it had been made straight with a Line a Street going through the same long-ways was a Finger broad and one deep made in a Clayie Ground three lesser Streets also which came into the foremention'd middle-way of the same bredth and depth at one end thereof a Market-place and at the other end a Stile made of Egg-shells On the other side of this Pismires City appear'd several deep Pits so full of Corn that it lay scatter'd on the Ground about them Along the Ways the Pismires pass'd to and fro like the Inhabitants of a Populous Town Towards the South-West exactly in the middle of the longest Wall was the Gate through which some came in loaded with Corn others went out empty to fetch their Burdens the eldest of them creeping before who also climb the Blades biting off the Corn whilst the young ones stand below and pick every Grain out of the Ear that which is too heavy for them to carry they shove before them those that are empty make way for those that are loaden and that the Corn should not sprout they bite that end that uses to shoot and if accidentally it happens to be wet they bring it forth laying it to dry in the Sun which is a certain sign of Fair weather Moreover they labor continually resting neither Night nor Day Hist Anim. lib. 6. ca. 50. A conceited Passage of the Pismires Aelian relates That Cleanthes once observ'd some Pismires which carried away a dead one to the Hole from whence it was us'd to come forth when living and coming before it stood all still they belonging to another Hole upon which some Pismires that were in the same came immediately to the Strangers and went several times in and out as about Business of great concern at last bringing out a rotten Pear as a Ransom for the dead Prisoner and a Reward for their Labor they took the Deceas'd with them to bury him as it is very common amongst them By this Spectacle Cleanthes concluded That Beasts could speak and especially the Pismires about which Opinion Pythagoras Cicero Celsus and other Learned Heathens have often held great Disputations Farther Voyage of the Ambassadors ¶ BUt to return again to our Ambassadors Frisius and Brookhurst who proceeding forward in their Journey and Sailing by the Islands Fibi Simeia Samnik Syrais Caroto Szuwa Jowe Camro Mianofimi Moeko and Mettagamma left on their Starboard upon the main Coast of Japan Binga Bignatum Mewarri Tantonomi Jocosimi Caminagari Cammenosacci Simonisicci and Ximontchequi In this Voyage they met in several Places and chiefly about the Islands divers Japan Fisher-men who have generally their Wives with them The Men commonly have the Crown of their Heads shaven Japan Fisher-men how cloth'd onely a Ring of Hair just about their Heads not unlike the Roman Priests Their Coats they fold over their Breasts being girt with a broad Girdle in which they stick a great Cutting-knife On their Shoulders they carry a Yoke at which hangs on each side a long and square Vessel wherein they carry their Water and also keep their Fish alive when they bring it to sell The Women wear a Scarf wound about their Heads with a Tuft hanging down on their Foreheads their Breasts cover'd with a square Cloth interwoven with several Flowers of Silk about their Necks a long Cotton Cloth that hangs down their Backs their Coats both full and long hanging down to their Ankles their Shoes or rather Soles onely are made fast behind with a kind of Strap and betwixt the two great Toes with a Knob Frisius and Brookhurst arrive at Nangesaque ¶ THeir Excellencies Frisius and Brookhurst at last Sail'd through the Straights where on the one side upon the main Coast of Japan lies the City Simonisicci and on the opposite Shore the great Island Bungo So Weathering the Point they got into the Bay Kokero thence getting into the Corean Sea they run between the Island Simissima and the Bongian Village Assia by Jobeco Auroo Firando Nanatzjamma Zetta and Foucunda into the Haven of Nangesaque on the twenty second of May Anno 1650. where they found their Countrey-men all in good health and were inform'd of the strict Customs and Laws of the Japanners After what manner the Netherland Ships sail to Nangesaque about the Netherland Ships who when they come between the Priest-Mountain and the low Cliffs call'd the Hen and Chickens passing by the Emperor's three great Block-houses must discharge their Guns three times at which the Japan Barques full of Soldiers come aboard taking an account of the Ships Crew setting them down by their Names and also their Age and Conditions which they are again demanded at their going away therefore every one must well observe how he hath describ'd himself for being found in a Lie is as much as
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
which may be seen a great distance off at Sea In these Temples the Bonzies worshipp'd that great God which formerly not onely Created the Sun Moon and Stars but also the fifteen lesser Deities which some Ages since convers'd upon the Earth The Prime God commanded the Substitute Gods that they should make a Brazen Egg in which they were to enclose the four Elements Water Earth Air and Fire and also the four principal Colours Red Yellow Blue and Green Out of this Egg the four Elements and Colours being tempred ran together in such a nature that the visible World appear'd The World thus created Man was wanting Not long after a Woman growing in the Shell of a Callabash had no Soul which the Chief God pittying made a Stier come to the Callabash who through his Nostrils blew Breath into the Callabash which came to be a Soul in the growing Woman who then coming forth was familiar with the inferior Deities by which means Mankind not onely increas'd in number but also in wickedness differing more and more from their Heavenly Extract growing still worse and worse mocking at Thunder Rainbowes and Fire nay they blasphem'd the great God himself whom when the Interpreter nam'd he bow'd his Head to the Ground whereupon he call'd his inferior Deities about him telling them That he resolv'd to destroy and ruine all things kick the Sun Moon and Stars out of the Firmament mix the Air and Water together and make a round Globe in which the four Elements should be all resolv'd into their former Mass And chiefly he commanded the Idol Topan to make Thunderballs to shoot through the Air and fire all the Kingdoms with Lightning which was no sooner said but it was done the whole World on a sudden lying together like a heap of Rubbish so that none were saved except one Man and his Family that had entertain'd and duely worshipp'd the Gods The Chief and Supreme Deity took care in this general Ruine for the innocent Man locking him in a deep Cave before which he put a great Shell that the Water might not run into the Pit or Cave Japanners acknowledge the Fall of Adam and the Hood Who doth not observe by this Discourse that the remotest Heathens acknowledge though darkly the fall of Adam and the Flood in which Noah and his nearest Relations were sav'd The Romans and Greeks also represented the same in their Golden Silver Copper and Iron Ages and also with Deucalion and Pyrrha strangely preserv'd from a Deluge The foremention'd Japan Interpreter judg'd that the Portuguese Castilians English and Hollanders had also their Original from the Man that was secur'd in the Cave against the Flood the Reasons of which his Discourse were grounded on these Arguments When said he the Supreme God destroy'd all things yet Nipon that is Japan Mangy so they call China and the Kingdom Lechy bordering on China were preserv'd therefore the Inhabitants differ much from those of Europe because they have not such great Heads nor such Camosie Noses hollow Eyes broad Eye-brows and well compact Bodies as the Japanners Strange Relation of the Japan Interpreter Moreover the vertuous Man got out of his Cave when the Idol Canon call'd back the Seas to their respective Bounds and Topan gather'd the scatter'd Thunderbolts together and setled himself in the Province Koejelang where he got several Children which intermarrying grew to a considerable number But when these Generations increas'd so fast the Gods which were commanded up to Heaven ask'd leave of the Supreme Deity that they might return again to the Earth and there be familiar with Men Einholung der gesanten zu mia t Inhalen vand AMBASSADEURS The Reception of the AMBASSADOURS which being granted them they descended into a pleasant Wood where whilst they were consulting how they should best take the Venison the Inhabitants of Koejelang joyning their Heads together said These are the Gods which drown'd our Forefathers let its take Revenge for so hainous a Crime And considering which way it might best be done they judg'd that the readiest would be to set Fire on all parts of the Wood which in few Hours consumed all the Trees Some of the Gods that went to escape from the Flame were cut to pieces by the People that had encompass'd the Wood others were burnt yet seven of them getting up to Heaven complain'd of that execrable Plot to the Chief God who being exceedingly enrag'd at so great a piece of Villany immediately commanded an Angel whom he impower'd to punish them for their Crime The Angel no sooner descended but he drove the Offenders out of the Province Koejelang to the Boyling Waters at Singock in which they are continually tortur'd without the least respite or cessation Holland Ambassadors reception at Mia ¶ MEan while the Holland Ambassador proceeded forward on his Jourhey and Ferried over from Quano to Mia where he had no sooner landed the Emperors Presents but the Governor of Mia with a considerable Train of People came out of the City to receive and conduct him Just without the Gate several Copper Basons were hung on cross Poles on which the Japanners tabering made a great noise Moreover several Norimons or Sedans were carried towards the Water-side every one guarded with a considerable number of Soldiers At the foot of a high Rock stood the Ambassadors four Trumpets each of them sounding a Levit. The Governor Obirham Giantodono had no sooner gotten sight of the Ambassador but stepping out of his Sedan he went to meet him and bow'd himfelf after the Japan manner to the Ground Behind stood some of the Guard with Musquets others with Pikes and Halberds Lastly the Ambassador going from hence soon after arriv'd at Jedo where having staid some time and dispatch'd his Business he had leave to go for Nangesaque again Description of a Whale ¶ NEar Firando he found the Whale-Fishers which go yearly to Corea to catch Whales The bigness of these Sea-monsters is to be most admir'd their Pizzles being generally fourteen Foot long which they hide in their Bellies When they couple they rage with Lust holding their Bellies together and embracing one another with their Fins above an Hour at a time after which according to Julius Caesar Scaliger Dist c. 13. sect 150 they bear their Young ten Months The ordinary Whales are commonly a hundred and twenty Foot long and their Heads are the third part of their Body On their Noses are two round Holes at which they suck in abundance of Water and spout it out again an exceeding height Their Eyes are three Yards long and a Foot and a half broad Their Ears with which they hear any small noise are less without than within they open their Mouths five Fathom wide their Tongue eighteen Foot long and ten broad rests on eight hundred Supporters full of downy Hair The Whale-catchers seldom find any thing in their ripp'd-up Bowels more than some handfuls of Sea-Spiders and
Children for they shew by their Looks and Conversation that they have a magnanimous Soul But these their good Qualifications they shew not always for they stand tax'd with as many Vices insomuch that all which we have said before may be thought rather to be a counterfeit and well acted Part as in a Play than otherwise Japan Religion is abominable ¶ THeir Religion or abominable Idolatry and Superstition by several perswasions inclines them not onely excellently well to dissemble and cover their ill nature under the Cloak of Zeal but also help'd by the inspiration of evil Spirits their gods we may suppose they take delight in cruelty bloodshed and the like of which their Preachers and Doctors are the Bonzies Bonzies Doctrine These though differing amongst themselves yet all agree concerning the Immortality of the Soul Some hold forth in publick to Congregations others of the superior Dignity inculcate their Divine Doctrine and are as Chaplains in Noble-mens Houses and the Families of Princes but these Grandees to whom they belong they little or seldom trouble with punishments for Offenders in the World to come but publick Ministers that openly Preach to the common People always belabor the Pulpit with terrors of tortures and eternal damnation in Hell Amida and Xaca are two Japan gods Besides these two Orders there are others who always make their Theme the praises of Amida and Xaca These are their Saviors on whom they build their Faith and are to them as Law and Gospel whom they must always implore not onely in calamity and trouble but also in their times of Joy and greatest Felicity That they would graciously be pleas'd by their merits to wash away their sins and offences that so their Souls may come to everlasting Bliss these and their other supreme gods they call Frotoques As also the Frotoques They have also their inferior or lesser rank which they follow onely for worldly benefits Praying for Health Wealth Children and all transitory blessings these they style Camis And Camis How they make Men gods Though their gods are numerous yet still they add and make more of their Princes for when any King famous and much honor'd for his great Exploits and valiant Atchievements deceases they also in the midst of their Funeral Solemnities Instal and Register in the Lift of their Deities paying them ever after Divine Worship as the antient Greek and Romans did so several of their eminent Hero's they having gods much resembling these such as Mars Bacchus Venus Mercury and others making them first Examples Wickedness of the Japanners after call upon them as Protectors in their hainous Debaucheries as Lust Drunkenness and the like Amongst other seeming Vertues one especial ability they have their Looks and Gestures still denote them to be the onely practisers of Piety and pure Zeal when their Bosoms swell with projects of all manner of mischief and where they bear the greatest and most inveterate malice resolving to be severely reveng'd there they Smile and Fawn and in their Speech Face and Gesture express nothing but their dear respects love and honor that they bear them This is so common amongst them that whosoever deals plain and honestly speaks as he thinks and performs what he promises becomes a mocking-stock and their onely May-game They murder one another on small occasions Revenge is so sweet to them that the first occasion of having any advantage in the very Streets where stealing close behind the Person drawing their Scymiter if the first Stroke fail the second dispatches him which done the Asassinate wipes his Sword and Sheathing it walks away unconcern'd as if a Jest or nothing done Nay sometimes having no Quarrel in a meer Frollick they will try whether the Edges of their Blades be so tender as to be bated or turn upon one anothers Heads Their cruelty on those which they Conquer But those Towns or Villages have a sad destiny which are taken in War by force of Arms for they grant no Quarter no respect of Age Sex or Degree but are all promiscuously and without mercy put to the Sword and so left weltring in one mothers Gore And in like manner any Party or Army when they are defeated in the open Field of those not one escapes either they are kill'd upon the Spot valiantly Fighting or if they flye are barbarously murder'd by the Countrey People all one to them Friend or Foe for whomsoever they find stragling they without mercy dispatch upon no other account but to strip them and enjoy what they have Filching and Stealing as we said before that they all abhor but Robbery and Bloodshed they glory in therefore all the whole Countrey groans under the Murders committed in Robberies by their Highway-men and the Sea as much molested with Pyrates Women with Child murder their Infanis ¶ THeir Women also are as strangely merciless to their own Issues murdering without any Motherly compassion their tender Infants either before their Birth or if failing soon after to which purpose the Bonzies their good Confessors teach them a Drink to cause Abortion which if by strength of Nature overcoming as soon as born they worse than brutish Tygers tread upon the Infants Neck and so dispatch it which they commonly do either hating the trouble of Nursing them up and giving Education or else counsell'd by ill advising Poverty as not being able to maintain them Poor and Needy Perish in Japan ¶ FOr Persons that are Sick Lame and Infirm or Travellers they have no publick Hospital or other private Reception but they are forc'd to take up their Lodgings under the cold Canopy of Heaven fled from and deserted of all Men so that either they must recover of themselves or else die there in a miserable manner and when dead thrown upon the Dunghil as Offal or Carrion ¶ FOr all Crimes or Offences whatsoever Punishments they use but three Punishments viz. Drubbing on the Soles of their Feet Banishment or Death their Heads being cut off by a Scymiter which they see not But in some Places the Robbers being accounted the greatest Offenders they carry and show them about in Waggons which done they Crucifie them and leave them nail'd to their Crosses in the High-ways near the City Strarge Punishment for the Robels in Japan When Persons are suspected for Treason or Plotting Rebellion the King sends a Party which surrounds the House so close that none can escape then makes them onely two Proffers either to kill themselves or yield to Mercy which if they accept they are stigmatizi'd with hot Irons so to be distinguish'd and known to have been Quondam-Traitors wheresoeuer they go but if they chuse rather to be Self-Executioners They cut up their own Bellies they rip up their own Bellies some of them with strange courage in a horrible manner open athwart so that when their Bowels hang out to be the sooner dispatch'd they lay down
their Heads to be cut off by one of their Servants whom they suppose hath most kindness for them the rest of the Abetters or Conspirators scorning to out-live their Captain divide amongst themselves making two Parties bravely fighting kill one another The like they will do in many other Exigencies and especially in private Quarrels that concern their good Name and Reputation Nay their Children themselves when taking Pet against their Parents or any such like unkindness will desperately rip up their own Bowels The Children rip up their own Bowels They have no Laws ¶ THey have no Rules or Observations in driving their Trade or making Bargains but all is left fast or loose to the will and pleasure of those that Deal taking no Cognisance of Promise or any Signing of Contracts or Articles of Agreement And in Cities the antient Burgers have no more Priviledge than the new-come Foreigners Their Tradesmen and Artificers not being imbodied in Societies or Companies no Guilds nor other Courts to Plead in nor Try'd before a Judge and Jury No Serjeants or Actions to lay hold on Debtors but all Controversies are decided by force of Arms and Judg'd by the arbitrary Power of their King from whom there is no Appeal These Monarchs have absolute Power over their Nobles commanding and sending without any farther Trial when they please for their Heads The Nobles thus domineer over the Gentry the Gentry over the Citizens all of them exercising the like Authority over their own Families ¶ THeir Kings though they keep not in Pay Strangers nor any hir'd Soldiers Ambassadors of the Japan Kings onely depending upon the favor and good-liking of their Subjects yet they expect to receive from them the same Honor and Obedience as if they had all the Countrey in Custodiam and their whole Militia Strangers Either sitting in the Throne or walking they are still surrounded with a constant Guard which keep off all Petitioners and if any with great difficulty are permitted to make their humble Address the King never answers them but with a Frown or a Nod or else by Writing Are oftentimes remov'd But for all this Greatness if the People take a spleen and rise against them they are often left destitute and not able to raise any Assistance But sometimes Subjects are divided one Party Royalists standing for the King the other Commons in Defensive Arms for the People which oft joyn Issue in Battel and according to the success thereof either he is depos'd or sits better setled in his Throne But when the People get the better and proceed to a new Election then there oftentimes happen such Clashings amongst them in nominating Competitors that thence also grows a second War and now and then after all this pudder to close up the Breaches and reconcile all Interest with the Crown and Scepter for the most part Force carrying all and deciding by the Sword they are forc'd to take and receive their former King again Still the sternest and severest Princes sit fastest in the Throne and Reign longest But yet their Registers shew very few that many years have enjoy'd the Crown and as few succeeding out of one Family Japan was first Govern'd by a Dayro or sole Monarch It is most certain that Japan in former times was Govern'd by a Dynastie of successive Princes the last of which call'd Vo or Dairo Reigning long in Peace and being observ'd to be of a mild and quiet Disposition gave occasion to two of his Peers or Ministers of State they being of a rough and turbulent Nature to conspire being indulgent to their own ambition so to share and assume the Imperial Government to themselves these from their eminent Places were call'd Cubi so watching upon the first occasion Cubi the chiefest Peers and fit opportunity they put this their Design in execution raising a great Rebellion and in a moment turn'd the Hinges and dislocated the Ligaments of Government by which a happy and long Peace had been maintain'd into Uprores Tumults and all the hatterings and harrases of Civil War the success whereof falling on the wrong side the Emperor onely losing so much of his former Authority but soon after these Brethren in evil usurped the absolute Command Clashing amongst themselves neither admitting of an Equal in a second Civil War one being destroy'd the other Govern'd all The Priviledges of the Dairo Yet the Dairo retains to this day the Power to be the Fountain of Honor all Titles and Degrees of Places and Dignity being deriv'd from him from whom all being his Substitutes he receives Annual Tribute a great part of which he expends in the Magnificence and Splendor of his Palace-Royal and Attendants Who is the chief of the Japanners He that stands foremost at this time being the most eminent and powerful of the Japan Princes is Texiba the Great King of Meaco and the Territories belonging thereto commonly known by the Name Tasa all which he keeps under his Obedience by force of Arms. This Crown belong'd to King Nubananga which Taxiba with some of his Confederates wrested from him and in the hard pluck destroy'd him his Wife and whole Posterity Thus much saith Johannes Petrus Maffeus of our Japan Relation of Cosmus Turrensis concerning Japan ¶ HEre we will also annex the Contents of Father Cosmus Turrensis a Latine Letter Dated from Firando Anno 1557 concerning the Customs and Character of the Inhabitants The Japanners saith he are so capaciously apprehensive and so tractable not onely easily yielding to Reason but Matters of Faith that when they come to us are very inquisitive and earnest to be resolv'd in some hard Questions of Religion when we had first presented them the original and immortality of the Soul they were soon brought to an understanding and belief thereof And when we set forth to them That none could be sav'd nor Salvation granted by any but the Father of all things and Omnipotent Maker of Heaven and Earth by which Arguments they were so suddenly convinced and their former Reasons which led them on in their blind Superstition so totally routed that without any farther scruple or asking time to consider they abominated their old Idolatry and were converted to good Christians which after receiv'd they never waver'd not stagger'd from most of them so resolv'd that they become Champions for Jesus Christ and were ready to lay down their Lives in maintaining the Truth of the Gospel Neither are they obtuse or ignorant in putting their Questions but will smartly examine and answer Logically as if they were Casuists concerning deep Mysteries in Divinity insomuch that since Xaverius Landed here which is now five Moneths he hath been daily visited by the Bonzi and the Laiety Conferring from Morning till Midnight asking and disputing several Questions concerning our Belief First What God is What his Power Where he dwells Why not visible How it is possible that the Soul hath a beginning as we