Selected quad for the lemma: son_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
son_n	father_n	holy_a	incomprehensible_a	13,551	5	13.7213	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A51184	Remarkable addresses by way of embassy from the East-India Company of the United Provinces, to the Emperor of Japan Containing a description of their several territories, cities, temples, and fortresses; their religions, laws, and customs; their prodigious vvealth, and gorgeous habits; the nature of their soil, plants, beasts, hills, rivers, and fountains: with the character of the ancient and modern Japanners. Collected out of their several writings and journals by Arnoldus Montanus. English'd, and adorn'd with a hundred several sculptures, by John Ogilby Esq; His Majesties cosmographer, geographick printer, and master of the revels in the Kingdom of Ireland.; Gedenkwaerdige gesantschappen der Oost-Indische maatschappy in 't Vereenigde Nederland, aan de Kaiseren van Japan. English.	Montanus, Arnoldus, 1625?-1683.; Ogilby, John, 1600-1676.; Nederlandsche Oost-Indische Compagnie.; United Provinces of the Netherlands.	1671 (1671)	Wing M2486A; ESTC R218646	565,250	480

same as the Castilian and Portugal What is his Name Who did ever see him Where hath he convers'd Whereby do you believe your God to be the True God Difference of Religion ¶ IT plainly appears by the Religion of the Japanners that they embrace the Errors of the most foolish Heathens Rom. 1.23 changing the Glory of the uncorruptible God into an Image made like to corruptible Man This foul Doctrine was embrac'd by the Anthropomorphites in Christendom about the time of Arius and the Nicene Council The first Teacher was Audius deriv'd from Mesopotamia a Man who liv'd a very lend Life yet in short time got many on his side and remaining a little while by the Church at last forsook it and rais'd a new Opinion which much puzzl'd the Ancient Fathers and chiefly they were contradicted by Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria F●rb Inst Theol. 1.36 and Epiphanius at Salamina but Epiphanius disputed so indifferently that he gave no satisfaction to the Learned And indeed against this foolish and fleshly Opinion of God the Learnedst Heathens have disputed Lact. de Irac c. 11. Lactantius relates of the ancient Philosopher Pythagoras That he believ'd God to be a Spirit without a Body Plato affirms That God is the greatest Good above all things in Nature he himself being full of all Perfection In Somis Scip. wanting nothing And Macrobius saith Plato when he would speak of God durst not say what he is concluding That he cannot be known of Man what he is For God is call'd Suprema Ratio Ens Entium and is also the first Original of all things Here is added the Relation of the great Orator Cicero De Nat. Deor. in these Words In his Book of the Laws saith Plato I can better say what God is not than what he is Do you ask me what or how God is I will use Simonides for my Interpreter of whom when the Tyrant Hiero ask'd the same Question he desir'd one day to think upon it and on that day asking him again he requir'd two days so still increasing the number of the days Hiero wondering at it ask'd why he did so Because said he the longer I study the more difficult I find it to resolve Seneca also writes thus to Lucilius God is close by he is in you So say I O Lucilius a Holy Spirit is within us Ad Luci● that takes an account of all our good and bad Actions This Spirit according as it is treated by us so it deals with us but none is a good Man without God The opinion of the learnedst Heathens concerning God The Learnedst of Heathens acknowledg'd in God the greatest Perfection which consisted in three things To the first belong'd his Eternity which can be measur'd by no Time being a Life without End So that the Heathens observ'd by the Light of Nature how it was with God to see to that which he was not before or not to see after that which he was once Secondly They ascrib'd to God a Freedom against all Power because he hath an irresistible Power which is as Mighty and Omnipotent as God himself Disown God to be a substance Lastly They believ'd that his Godly Nature suffer'd no Connexion to or with himself for where there is such a Connexion there must needs be something equal or alike to connect but in God is no want of any such connected Assimilation for if there were then the Cause of such Want must precede the Connexion and consequently be before God but God is the First Causer of all things And on these grounds they could find that God was not Substantial and Frail much less consisted of Soul and Body Which if the Learn'd Anaxagoras Master of the famous Socrates had not understood he would not have call'd God a Spirit and said That all things proceeded from the Power of an Everlasting Spirit The contrary opinion of the Japanners But the Japanners go not so high notwithstanding the inexpressible Goodness of God and their own Consciences should lead them to an Everlasting Being yet they ask foolishly for a visible God that converses with Men on the Earth Byleveld's Answer ¶ BUt to return to our Story Byleveld gave Sicungodonne this Answer The Castilians and Portuguese acknowledge a Trinity as well as the Hollanders but they represent him in the shape of an Old a Young Man and a Dove which the Hollanders hold to be abominable For they acknowledge God to be an endless Spiritual Being of whom none may or can make any Likeness neither by Images or Imaginations of the Heart Moreover God hath given himself divers Names in the Greek and Hebrew Tongues but the Hollanders call him God the Father Son and Holy Ghost And because he is an Incomprehensible Spirit he can be seen by none from whence it always proceeds that a Man can no way see his own nor anothers Soul Yet the Invisible God is Visible in the Works of his Creation Preservation and Governing of all things Also Gods Son took upon him the Nature of Man in a Woman when he was born in Bethlehem travell'd through Palestine did great Miracles there and at last not far from Jerusalem died a cursed Death on the Cross to redeem and save those from everlasting Damnation that believ'd in him all which is written down in two Books the first written by the Prophets in the Hebrew Tongue the other by the Apostles in the Greek These Prophets and Apostles were great Saints to whom God gave the Spirit of real Truth And these Books were translated out of their Original Tongues into Dutch by Persons experienc'd both in Greek and Hebrew Sicungodonne ask'd further Sicungodonne's other Questions Do your Feasts agree with the Portuguese and Castilians How are they call'd Do the Hollanders keep Fast-days Are they not taught by Priests and Ministers as the Spaniards What are those Priests Have they a yearly Income out of the Countreys Revenue Do they meddle with any State-Affairs Is the Prince of Orange under any Bodies Jurisdiction or Governs he Holland alone Captain Schaep answer'd Schaep's Reply The Hollanders said he keep the first Day of the Week like the Spaniards on which every one rests from their Labor and goes to Church to hear Divine Service Only on some extrordinary Occasion Fast and Prayer-days are order'd to be kept that the Inhabitants may humbly beg of God for his merciful Assistance Besides at such an accident they abstain not from Meat and Drink but take it and give Thanks to God for it Distinction of Diet is never observ'd by them Moreover the Holland Teachers are call'd Ministers which are Men that from their Infancy have been brought up to learn the Latin Greek and Hebrew Tongues and in Publick Churches Preach to the People out of the foremention'd Books which every one may peruse that thereby it may appear if their Doctrine agree with them They are paid but of the

THE EMBASSAYS TO THE EMPEROURS OF JAPAN Cum. prerelegien Remarkable Addresses BY WAY OF EMBASSY FROM THE East-India Company OF THE UNITED PROVINCES TO THE EMPEROR of JAPAN CONTAINING A DESCRIPTION OF THEIR SEVERAL Territories Cities Temples and Fortresses THEIR Religions Laws and Customs THEIR Prodigious VVealth and Gorgeous Habits THE Nature of their Soil Plants Beasts Hills Rivers and Fountains WITH The Character of the Ancient and Modern JAPANNERS Collected out of their several Writings and Journals BY ARNOLDVS MONTANVS English'd and Adorn'd with a Hundred several Sculptures By JOHN OGILBY Esq His Majesty's Cosmographer Geographick Printer and Master of the Revels in the Kingdom of IRELAND LONDON Printed by the Author and are to be had at his House in White Fryers M.DC.LXXI De LAND REYSE van OSACCA tot IEDO 〈◊〉 Groote Steeden 〈◊〉 Kleyne Steeden 〈◊〉 Casteelen 〈◊〉 Dorpen 〈◊〉 Vlecken 〈◊〉 Heerlyckheeden 〈◊〉 Toorene en tempels 〈◊〉 De Cyffers syn de 〈◊〉 L●●●t● van de Br●●● De WATER REYSE van NANGASACQUI tot OSACCA De LAND R●YSE van OSACCA tot IEDO A MEMORABLE EMBASSY TO THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN The Earth and Sea constitute a round Globe FRom the round Shadow which darkens or eclipseth the Moon the different Rising and Setting of the Celestial Luminaries and the various Elevation of the Zenith or Vertical Point infallibly demonstrates That the Earth and Sea making one Body presents exactly the Figure of a Globe Which though the Surface of this mighty Ball be rough and gibbous many parts thereof swoln into Rocks and high Mountains others sunk into depressed Valleys yet make an even and smooth Circumference for the highest Tops and lowest Descents are nothing in comparison to the Magnitude of this vast Body but seem less than Warts on the Hand or small Furrows in a Plough'd Field Incircling this our Terrestrial Orb at an unmeasurable distance sparkle the innumerable Lights in the immense expansions of the Firmament The Description of Heaven and Earth About the Earth the Air spreading it self into three Regions dispenseth from the middle all sorts of Meteors with their several Effects upon us The lowest Storie variety of Birds and flying Fowls make their Receptacle the Sea and Rivers Fish inhabit but the Earth and Sea and all Creatures there residing the Creator left solely to the gubernation of Man under whose Command they remain so inverting the Authority of Power placed the Microcosmus over the Macrocosme the little World to Rule the great The distribution of the People upon the Earth But since the Fall of Adam his Generations persisting more and more increasing their enormous sins and louder-crying offences brought Gods just Judgment upon them who therefore destroy'd the Old World by an Inundation or general Deluge onely preserving eight Persons who descending from the Ark the Waters being ceased a new World began in which by degrees their numerous Progeny so multipli'd that they were forc'd to Plant fresh Colonies still more and more remote from the Foot of the Mountain where they first settled But nothing more help'd to the well and equal re-peopling of the desolated Universe than the confusion of Tongues which happen'd in the Worlds Infancy at Babel where all the Children of that Generation resolving to settle not minding farther Discoveries pitch'd upon the fertile Plains of Shinar Here must be say they the Center of our growing and intended Empire this our begun this our stupendious Work whose aspiring Tower looks down already upon the Clouds and hereafter threatens to scale the Skies shall be the mighty and all-commanding Head of our Imperial City which extended over these Plains we will inhabit and with our Lives and Fortunes guard and maintain But they in their vain Design and presumptuous Project were suddenly baffled by Divine Providence who in stead of setling scatter'd them over the face of the Earth for when they were at the busiest and in the heighth of their expectation labouring to finish this marvellous Structure thus the Almighty disappointed their whole endeavours all Tasks were suddenly thrown aside each mistaking not understanding one another in which confusion their onely comfort was to meet with any that spake with them the same Language These using one Tongue gathering in a Body stuck together and in several Companies fled to strange and unpeopl'd Regions where Planting they flourish'd and suddenly grew up to be several great Kingdoms Since call'd Europe Asia and Africa the then onely known Countrey So this their total rout and flying to all the Angles of the Universe proved for the better each by this means being sooner suppli'd so extending by degrees their fresh Colonies to the utmost and Maritime Coast Yet however one Party after this dissolution remaining still upon the Spot which though they utterly sleighted their begun Tower leaving it to ruine and decay yet went on chearfully with their chief City where Nimrod first taking the Title and supreme Authority upon him sat in his new erected Throne first Monarch of the Assyrian Empire Besides him many absolute Princes were thus in process of time establish'd in their several Dominions and the whole World seem'd to be once more totally replenish'd When the restless Nature of Man either unsatisfi'd with what he hath atchiev'd or spurr'd on by ambition or urgent necessity to enlarge their Bounds for their supernumerary Swarms gave the beginning to the Iron or turbulent Age War and Hostility raging every where in which those prevailing grew high and mighty those conquer'd low and humble continual vicissitudes and fluctuations of People Kingdoms subverted in Republicks and Common-wealths weary of such Government turn'd again into Monarchies The weakest Party put to all extremities and worst of exigencies by the pursuing Enemy were enforc'd all Land deni'd them venturing for refuge into the wide Ocean were soon swallow'd up some driven they knew not whither lighted on uninhabited Countreys there beginning new Plantations and perhaps by such Fugitives the new World never heard of by antiquity became of old to be peopled and by that means grown since to such vast Empires as our late Voyagers have discover'd Here it will not seem amiss to give you an account according as all Writers have it how this our Old World was peopled viz. Asia and Africa and who were the Fathers or chief Captains giving Denominations to the People and setling them in their several Plantations beginning with Holy Scripture The Offspring of Japhet Noah and his three Sons Japhet being the eldest his Offspring spread themselves over Asia and Europe Moses recounts these to be the Sons of Japhet Gomer Magog Madai Javan Tubal Meshech and Tiras Gomer as they say first settled his Colony along the Caspian Sea where Strabo and Pliny place the Cemerians the Sons of Gomer being Ashkenaz Riphat and Tagorma Planted other Colonies Ashkenaz laying the Foundation of the Kingdom of Media which others contradict supposing that he settled in the lesser Asia others the Countrey of

Hessen or Saxony but out of what Records we know not and Eusebius where ere he hath it calls Ashkenaz the Father or first Prince of the Gothes whil'st the Modern Jews make him the Planter of the Teutonick Nations or High-Dutch and the transplanted Seed of Riphat into more Northern Regions gave Denomination to the Riphean Mountains beyond Scythia which afterwards took in Paphlagonia From his third Son Togarma sprang the Togarmians who sat down on the North-side of Canaan beyond Cappadocia but it appears by the Chalde Paraphrase that Togarma peopled Germany and the Jews affirm that the Turcomany or Turks are also sprung from the Togarmians whereupon still the Turkish Emperor is by them call'd Togar But Magog Japhets second Son inhabited Coelesyria Mada and the Territory of Media Javan the third was Father to the Ionians who in process of time growing great with other conjoyn'd Nations call'd themselves Greeks their Countrey Grecia From these the Latines drew their original whereupon at first a great part of Italy was call'd Greece and still several Names of Italian Cities do undeniably shew the Extract of the Latines from the Greeks which the antient Writers affirm by making Javan to be the Bifronted Janus signifying Father both to the old Greeks and new Latines descended from him The Sons of Javan were four Elisha who Planted in the Islands of the Mediterranean Sea Tarshish from whom Tarsus in Cilicia bears the Name and Kittim a Place in Cyprus where between the two utmost Points Thronus and Dades in the Entrance formerly stood the City Kittim and still the Point Dades bears the Name of Cape Chiti Dedanim Javans youngest Son possess'd that part of Eperia where the City Dodona was renown'd famous for the Oracle of Jupiter Dodoneus presaging by tinckling Brass Instruments or Cymbals and also from the oraculous Oak it self which as they say spake from its hollow womb giving Responses From Japhets fifth Son sprang the Tubaleans afterwards call'd Syrians Others according to Josephus set themselves down in Spain so believ'd because the antient City Setubal in that Kingdom retains Tubals Name Meshechs Progeny steer'd their Coast towards Arabia The Antients differ in no thing more than settling the Habitations of Tiras Japhets youngest Son Josephus affirms him to be Father of the Thracians in whose Countrey Pliny and Mela delineate the River Atira Others transplant him to the European Sarmatia according to Ptolomy sprinkled with the Stream call'd Tyras and at present Nester Some make Tiras the Builder of Tyre in Phoenycia again some of the Duringians and others of Thurium a very antient City in the entrance of Tarentine The Progeny of Sh●m Thus far Japhets Successors next Sems that is to say Elam Ashur Arphaxad Lud and Aram did overspread Armenia Persia India and the farther Eastern part of Asia But especially Elam is acknowledg'd to be the Father of the Elamites from whence the Persians proceeded extinguishing by their firm establishment of their sole Dominion the first Name of Elamites Ashur Founded within the built City Nineveh the Assyrian Power formerly the Heathen Histories bring these down from Ninus Concerning Arphaxad Moses saith thus Genes 10. And Arphaxad begat Salah and Salah begat Eber. And unto Eber were born two sons the name of one was Peleg for in his days was the earth divided and his brothers name was Joktan And Joktan begat Almodad and Sheleph and Hazarmaveth and Jerah and Hadoram and Uzal and Diklah and Obal and Abimael and Sheba and Ophir and Havilah and Jobah all these were the sons of Joktan And their dwelling was from Mesha as thou goest unto Shephar a mount of the east These are the sons of Shem after their families after their tongues in their lands after their nations Benedictus Arias Montanus ascribes particularly these Distributions to every one of the Children of Joktan that is to say to Almodad the People of Themeotes according to Ptolomy and Mela transplanted into the Asiatick Sarmatia to Sheleph the Selebians to Hazarmaveth the Sarmatians to Jarka the Arachosians to Hadora the Hircanians to Uzal the Oxiaenian Bactrians to Dikla the Scythians within the Mountains of Imaus to Obal the Obolites between the top of Caucasus and Paropanisus to Abimael the Imaenses where the renown'd Imaus hath very high Precipices to Sheba the famous Saces yet others think it more advisable to bring the Sabeans to Sheba bordering on the Persians Ophir call'd The Territory of Ophir whether Solomon every third year set forth a Fleet to fetch Gold from thence Yet after all the Distributions and Sprinklings of Mankind over the surface of the Earth much of it confirm'd by many Authors and also by sacred Writ our Modern Geographers and late Travellers hardly make out scarce two Parts of three of the Terrestrial Globe to be yet inhabited all the Antartick and most of the Artick Regions an unfrequented Desolation and Africa and Asia full of unpenetrated Desarts and inaccessible Mountains and many Isles Of which several were discover'd by the Antients and since by our Moderns not thought worthy the labour of Cultivation amongst which our Japan lay a long time Fallow till by a necessitous Calamity a few miserable Exiles being as they say banish'd from their Countrey were enforc'd to Plant there which from such poor beginnings and unwilling undertakers hath insensibly by degrees in few Ages shot up from nothing to be a most Potent and formidable Empire But before we proceed any farther in this our intended Design concerning a Description and Relation of Japan of which the Hollanders are most able to give the best account it seems not amiss raising our selves a little from our Seat to look round about and by an easie Prospect take a brief and general Survey not onely of the new Art of Navigation but also of those famous Navigators that boldly first adventur'd to unloose though thought unpossible before the Virgin Zone of this our Terraqueous Globe so not onely finding undiscover'd Parts of the East but also a new Western Indies abounding in Gold and Silver as the other in Silk and Spices besides giving us a farther account of a third Continent though yet unknown equivalent to either of the former The Compass by whom found The Loadstone or Magnet whose several Vertues and wonderful Operations being well known through many Ages yet that it was a Terrella or little Earth having Poles respecting the North or Southern Points of the Firmament having imaginary Meridians and Parallels being the greatest wonder and of most use was not found untill Flavius Melvius a Neopolitan discover'd it about two hundred years since to the great benefit of Mankind and perfection in Navigation before which without Compass or Chart the poor Seaman when stressed with Weather the Sun and Stars his onely Pilot Night and Day muffl'd in Clouds he crept along the Shore which was the constant practice or emboldned by the signs of fair Weather ventur'd farther into the Offin their

growing upon their Heads A strange Relation of the Gengues by Father Frojus whom their Master the Devil oftentimes commands to climb to the top of a steep Mountain where they are to expect him at the appointed time Thither they flock in great Numbers and coming to the Place the Evil Spirit according to his Promise appears to them about Noon but most commonly towards the Evening passing oftentimes backward and forward through the whole Assembly of the Gengues who soon after inspir'd with mad desire to follow this their wicked Seducer where-ever he goes though through Fire and Brimstone where he vanishes they throw themselves after which is always at the steep Precipices of the Mountain thus desperately destroying themselves falling down Headlong Which thus happen'd to be discover'd An Old-Man being thus Possess'd and mad to follow the Devil his Son used all means to disswade him yet he would not hearken but thither he went his Son going with him then both scaling the top of the Mountain the Spirit appear'd to them Habited Richly like some Great Person whom the Father Worshipp'd falling on his Knees in a most submissive and humble manner but the Son drawing his Bow shot at the Spectrum which suddenly vanishing turn'd into a wounded Fox which running away he trac'd by the drops of Bloud discolouring the Grass where on the edge of the Precipice Reynard vanish'd but he looking down after him saw abundance of Bones and Skeletons of Dead-men which there broke their Necks so conquering Hell by violence running headlong to the Devil Japan Soothsayings and Conjurings whence proceeded But the fore-mention'd Charms and Conjurations Fortune-telling and other Diabolical Arts used by the Japan Janambuxi Jammaboos Harbore-Bonzi and Gengues have their Original from Asia The Japanners have learn'd these Necromantick Arts and cunning Delusions from their Ancestors which brought them from the Places of their first Original Above two thousand Years ago the Black-Art was us'd through all the Eastern World being perform'd after divers ways and manners Who knows not That in Asia they use for the performing of the foremention'd purposes Water Drinking and Looking-glasses Oyl Rings Fire Children and Birds What was more common to those that would know Future Events or regain Lost or Stoln Goods than to run to the Conjurers or Fortune-tellers which Office the Priest generally perform'd Conjuring with a Bason Sometimes they us'd a Bason full of Water in which they threw several Pieces of Gold and Silver and also Precious Stones mark'd with peculiar Letters Then standing over this Bason muttering their Charms and Incantations calling upon an Infernal Spirit at last asking what they desir'd to know and according to his Demands a Voyce as it were from under the Water made Responses to his several Questions With a Cruse At other times these Jugglers also use a Cruse filling it with clear Water and placing lighted Wax-Candles round about Then calling upon Satan they inquir'd of him concerning those things of which they desir'd to be satisfied Then standing still a Child or great-bellied Woman went to the charm'd Cruse so taking a view of the Shadow which the Water presented by which Appearance the Spirit answer'd their Desires With Glasses Looking-glasses also serv'd them as Instruments to the performing of their Diabolical Arts Glasses a known Cheat. wherein after they had ended their Charmes they saw such Shadows by which they were answer'd to their several Demands The Emperor Didius Julianus us'd the like Glasses Julian the Apostate seeing several things in them that happen'd to him afterwards With Fountains The Greek Writer Pausanius tells us of a Fountain before the Temple of the Goddess Ceres in which Fountain by a small Cord they us'd to let down a Looking-glass wherein if those that were Sick did look and saw a Dead Corps there was no hopes of their Recovery but if a live Person they were certain to live and recover With Oyl and Red-lead When they are desirous to know Future Events then they take Oyl with some Red-lead mixing them both together Then they take a stripling Youth painting his Nails therewith and holding them in the Sun which makes such Shadows that by them they know what they desire Wit a Gold Ring They also take a Gold-Ring and shaking it in the Water judge by its Motion what they desire to be inform'd of With Stones Sometimes throwing three Stones in standing Water by the manner and position of the Circles they answer the Question propounded With Water Varro a Learned Roman tells of a Youth skill'd in Magick that in a Response of a great Question read fifty Verses out of the Water foretelling but in ambiguous sense the various Successes of the long War betwixt the Romans and Mithridates King of Pontus With Wheaten-Cakes Near the Lacedemonian City Epidamnus was a Pool sacred to Juno to which to be resolv'd of doubtful Matters they us'd to resort where they threw in Wheaten Cakes made for that purpose which if they sunk were a good Omen but if they floated up and down they look'd thereon as a Sign of ill success With a Pot. It was also very common to put a Roll upon their Heads on which a Pot of Water then muttering certain Words if the Water boyl'd over that signified good but if it stirr'd not bad luck But discovering of Thieves finding Lost or Stoln Goods and the like which the Japan-Priests the Janambuxi and Gengues pretend so much to was common two thousand Years ago through all Asia Amonst many other of their Experiments this was most us'd by the Ancients With an Ax. They strike an Ax into a round Post so deep that it sticks then amidst their Mutterings they name the several Persons who are most suspected but at the first mention of the guilty Person the Ax trembles or leaps out of the Post With a Sieve Our Foolery of the Sieve and Shears is also much approv'd amongst them for a most certain Discovery of a Theft And as we use for a Charm St. Peter and St. Paul they repeat these non-sensical Words Douwima Touwima Entimemaus With an Asses Head They also do Wonders as they believe with an Asses Head broyl'd upon the Coals And the like Vanity concerning Predictions they observe with a Cock With a Cock. which thus they perform In a smooth Floor they lay so many single Letters cut in Paper that make up their Response with the Negative and Affirmative laying on every one of these a Barley-corn and scattering a few others promiscuously betwixt them then they bring a Cock fresh and fasting who falls to work picking up the Corns as his Choice directs him which done they gather up the Letters from whence the Corn hath been taken and of those by setting and spelling of them several ways they make a Judgment With Mandrakes What did they not ascribe to the Mandrake-root by throwing

Silk when they are ready the Drummers beat and the signal being given they start the Race being betwixt a Man and a Horse they thus perform The Man holds the Horse by a single Rein drawn out with which he must not straiten nor hold in the Horse who runs at his full speed and the men by him when drawing near the Goal the foremention'd Posts and Cord the Horse and he must leap over at once together which done with equal dexterity he gains the propos'd Reward or Prize which if he fail making a feeble or no performance he not onely looseth the glory of the Victory but also all manner of Court-Preferment ¶ BUt as to what concerns the Dayro he is the onely true and lawful Heir of Japan and was formerly held in such Veneration by the Japanners that they honor'd him as a god and by this his great respect he kept the Empire a long time in Peace and Quietness till Anno 1550. During the Dayro's Government Japan never tasted the inconveniencies of a Civil War which after his removal from the Throne Civil Wars were terrible in Japan the reasons thereof brake out in that nature that scarce any Countrey in the World was ever a greater Stage or Blood-shed The salvage cruelties which they us'd against one another in that grand Commotion are unexpressable the Conquerors turn'd their new-gotten Provinces top-si-turvey killing not sparing Infants in the Cradle destroying and burning both Towns and Villages of which some to this day lie bury'd in their own Rubbish by which they sufficiently testifie the Destructions which were made by their Civil Wars in which Japan was turmoil'd above fifty years The occasion and beginning was thus The Dayro who is accounted so holy that the Sun must not shine upon him nor his Feet touch the Earth nor his Hair or Nails ever suffer'd to be cut which Custom hath been in use from many Ages to this day had a hundred and eighteen years ago two Sons of which the second according to an antient Law supply'd the place of Captain-General to be ready on all occasions to quell all manner of Insurrections either by substitute Kings or Subjects The eldest expected after his Fathers Decease to possess the Throne during whose life he held no Command Their Mother out of her affections to both prevail'd so far with the Dayro that the General-ship should be so divided betwixt both the Brothers that they might Command their Forces Alternately each his Trienial But the youngest when the time came that he should Resign his Commission to his eldest Brother refus'd and privately chose several Princes of Japan for to assist him if need should require by which means he Fortifi'd himself so strongly that he car'd for no Forces whatsoever no not his Father himself who immediately chose another General granting him Commission not onely to subdue but kill his Rebellious Son Soon after several of his Substitute Kings raising all their Forces brought a mighty Army together in the Field with which they went on so successfully that in short time they utterly defeated and destroy'd the Rebel and all his Forces Insurrection against the Dayro This was the first Rebellion and Insurrection that was made against the Dayro but by the death of his Son the War was no way finish'd For the conquering General taking that opportunity as having all the Forces under his Command after the Decease of the Dayro made himself Emperor of Japan Against him the young Dayro arose notwithstanding the new Emperor allow'd him all his former Revenues and shew'd him the same Respect as had formerly been shown to his Father At last the Dayro march'd towards the new Emperor whom by means of a chosen General by the Japanners call'd Cubo he defeated and slew This Conquering General not regarding the miserable end of the new-slain Emperor aim'd also at the Crown making himself absolute Master of all the Forces The Inland Wars in Japan are very cruel From hence proceeded a bloody War Kings and Princes dividing the Countrey appropriating Territories and Provinces to themselves which was not done without much trouble for by this means not onely Countrey against Countrey and City against City but also petty Villages had peculiar Wars one with another those which were Conquer'd were sure not to find the least mercy for they neither spar'd Houses nor Temples nor indeed poor Infants consuming and destroying all by Sword and Fire so that in short time whole Cities lay bury'd in Ashes Mioxindeu● opposeth Cubo This new Cubo overcoming all at last setled himself on the Imperial Throne which was but for a small time for when he thought himself surest not thinking of the least Insurrection Mioxindono whom he had entrusted with all his Forces joyn'd in conspiracy with Dajondono Lord of Nara who had gotten an Army as we said before of twelve thousand Men which they drew up close to Meaco Soon after Mioxindono accompany'd with a strong Life-guard enter'd the City under pretence to congratulate the Emperor for some prime favors which he had pleas'd to shew him And to that purpose that he might the better bereave the Emperor of his Life privately and without disturbance he invited him to a Banquet in the Cloyster of the Bonzi near Meaco where he intended to put in Execution his bloody Design But the Emperor Cubo scenting the business suspected it the more because he had information that the Army was drawn up near Meaco made all things in readiness for his escape who being on the Way was perswaded and call'd back by some of his Council telling him that they could not perceive any such danger in the business accounting it ignoble for an Emperor to flye from a Prince which was his own Subject But in the interim Mioxindono entred the City Meaco with all his Forces and drew up towards the Palace but before he committed any hostility he sent to the Emperor Cubo demanding to send him the Heads of some of his Nobles whose insupportable Greatness as he pretended stood in his way which if the Emperor would grant a Peace should immediately be concluded and he would suddenly withdraw his Forces and depart from the City The Herald brought a Letter in which was written the Names of those Grandees which Mioxindono would have Executed An antient Courtier being sent from Cubo receiv'd the Paper which not without many reproaches to the Rebels he tore to pieces and returning again to the Emperors Presence One of the Emperors Courtiers stab himself drew out a Stilletto with which he desperately Stabbing himself fell dead on the Ground at the Emperor's Feet The Revenge of a Son taken for his Father After the same manner six more made away themselves But the Son of the old Courtier seeing his Father weltring in his own Bloud on a sudden ran out amongst the Rebels where having wounded and kill'd several of them he himself was slain Whilst

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

Guardian And also gave order That few Nobles should come in his Chamber and his Physicians should not stir from his Bed-side and if possibly they could to study for some Medicines to preserve his Life Causes a great sorrow Upon this parting all the Courtiers began exceedingly to lament seeing their Emperor by whom every one expected to be preferr'd carried away never after to be seen alive The Noise and Cry was so great within that it was heard without the Castle whose Gates were strongly guarded but this coming to the Peoples Ears gave supition that Taicosama was dead The report of his death occasions great Uproars among the People The Report of which spread up and down the Countrey like Wild-fire Whereupon the Thieves sally'd out from their several Recesses robbing and pillaging whom ever they met and in some places the People began to Mutiny not much unlike the Roman Tumults whilst the Cardinals are about the Election of a new Pope But the chief Insurrection here was in Osacca Meaco and Fissima insomuch that the Great Council were too weak to quell the Rebellion This Rumor of Taicosama's Death was credited the more by the Common People because the Council had guarded the Fort of Fissima round about with new Soldiers and Listed Forces in all Parts wheresoever they could get them How it is found not to be true Ten days together this Belief continu'd But the Emperor in this interim growing somewhat better sent two of the Council to Osacca with Orders to get the Castle finish'd that was to be built there with all expedition and also gave to the several Princes design'd to go from Fissima thither divers Bags of Rice and great Sums of Money About the Out-walls of this Castle The Castle of Osacen a strange Fabrick containing three Leagues in Circumference a thousand Men wrought daily all which were paid off every Night Within stood above seventeen thousand Merchants and Artificers Houses which were all pull'd down in three days time and every one commanded upon forfeiture of their Goods to carry away their own Rubbish and to clear the Ground Which done a new Field was alotted them to build new Houses on according to a Platform stak'd out by Surveyors and whosoever was backward in Building should lose his Ground where none might raise a House under two Stories high These Orders once publish'd the Work went on day and night insomuch that a new City and Castle appear'd at once This Building stopp'd the Rumor that went of the Emperor's Death for every one might well judge that the Council would not take so great a Work upon them Taicosama is trouble for his Son Fidery ¶ MEan time on the third and fourth of September Taicosama seem'd more and more to recover so that he spent his time in the firm Establishing of the Empire on his young Son Fidery But on the fifth of September his Sickness began again to increase Grows worse whereupon all the Gates were strongly guarded to the end the noise of the Emperor's Death might not be spread amongst the Common People Thenceforward the Distemper increas'd daily till the fourteenth of the same Month on which day he lay a considerable time without any appearance of Life so that he was judg'd by all his Attendants to be dead But at last fetching a deep Sigh he came to himself Is distracted yet in few Hours after lost his Senses so that he began to talk idly but they might understand by his distracted Expressions that the Establishment of his Son Fidery did still trouble him of whom he spoke till his last gasp Dies which was Anno 1508 the sixteenth of September being sixty four years old and after fifteen years Reign having succeeded Nobunango slain before Meaco by the Prince Aquechi Aquechi aim'd first at the Crown This Prince being encourag'd by his many Victories aim'd at the Crown but being treacherously slain by a Day-laborer left the place for Taicosama who knew exceeding well to take the advantage of such an opportunity Nobunanga had three Sons The eldest Voxequixama lost with his Father the Battel and his Life The second Oxiacen Fongedonu was distracted And for the youngest Son being but three years old Taicosama took upon him the Authority pretending to be his Guardian and to rule the Empire in his behalf and for his advantage till he attain'd fitting years to Govern but soon after tasting the sweetness of Power and Sovereignty he got so many Forces together that Nobunanga's Son was forc'd to be contented with the Kingdom of Mino and deliver up his just Title of the Imperial Crown to Taicosama Taicosama's death is kept private ¶ ONgosschio and the Council kept the Emperor's Death very private binding all those that knew of it by Oath not to divulge it but a blabbing Courtier forgetting his Oath accidentally told it and as a Reward for his Garrulity was immediately Crucified This his Punishment kept all others so in awe that every one held his Tongue and lock'd up the Secret yet not long after it was discover'd Ongosschio and the Council clash In this small time the Council fell at variance with Ongosschio whose Design of getting the Empire they all observ'd Whereupon they consulting together against him decreed That he should not be Guardian over Fidery any longer but should return and satisfie himself with his eight Kingdoms The Councellors seeing the Government lay too heavy upon them chose four Eminent Princes more to their Assistance and being thus strengthned they seem'd not in the least to fear Ongosschio who was not idle during their new Election It is the Custom among the Japanners that Noblemen upon several Accidents change their Names Japanners oftentimes change their Names according to which Ongosschio was call'd Jyavasu and Giciasu but putting off those three he exchang'd the same for Daifusama which Name we will observe in his following Story Taicosama is made a god ¶ ANd now as if free from fear or danger they were busie in Creating Taicosama a God The Temple and his Image being ready for that purpose his Corps was Interr'd in a Vault with all Funeral Solemnity and his Name chang'd into Xin Fachiman as he had before design'd This Exchanging of Names when Men are Registred amongst the number of the Deities was formerly very common both with the Greeks and Romans For Romulus was call'd Quirinus Juno Matuta Leucothoe Albunea Melicerta Palaemon Leda Nemesis Circe Marica Nersilia Hora Rhea Mother of the Gods Idaeda Dindymeda Philena Pissinuntia Cibele Berecynthia To Create Princes for Gods for their Valiant Exploits and Noble Atchievements took not its Original in Japan but was a Custom above two thousand Years since which the ancient Father Lactantius Firmianus witnesses Lactant. de Fals Re●g lib. 1. ca. 5. saying Those whom the ignorant and foolish People call Gods worshipping them none can be so weak as not to imagine them

Riogoses King of Ximo who also coming off with great loss paid dearly for his Insurrection But Xumitanda Promotes the Jusuits after having erected forty Churches or Chappels for the Jesuits and banish'd Paganism from his Dominions insomuch that a little before his death not one Heathen was to be found in the Province Omura according to the annual Observations kept by the Jesuits in Japan dy'd Anno 1587. Far less trouble did the King of Arima find when besides those of Bungo and Omura he also embrac'd the Christian Religion Those were the three Kings which Anno 1582. sent to his Holiness at Rome the Ambassadors Munico Ito Michael Cinga Julianus Nacaura and Martinus Fara as we have already related at large The Japan Ambassadors which went to Rome prov'd very beneficial to the Jesuits ¶ COncerning the return of these Japanners Linschot saith thus The Japanners went to Sail from the Haven of Lisbon in the Ship St. Philip which in its return home was taken by the English Admiral Drake and was the first Ship that was lost in the East-India Expedition about which were several opinions at that time because the Ship was by the King of Spain's Name and whilst I was at Goa they came thither Cloth'd in Cloth of Silver and Gold in a most costly manner after the Italian fashion and were receiv'd with great joy by the Jesuits who had finish'd that their great Design to that purpose Publishing a Book in Spanish containing the Voyage and Travels of the Japanners as well by Water as by Land and their several Receptions by the European Princes Going from Goa to Japan they occasion'd no small admiration in their Countreymen the Jesuits desir'd this as they pretended for two several Reasons First To make the Japanners the willinger to embrace the Christian Faith and also that they might be Eye-witnesses of the glorious and excellent Cities which none could possibly perswade them to believe But indeed the chief reason was to make their Order famous and also to get a Mass of Treasure thereby for they kept most of the Presents that were given to the Japan Princes for themselves and they obtain'd likewise an Order from the Pope and the King of Spain that no Portugal nor any other Christian might settle in Japan without their License so that the Jesuits turn'd out other Friers keeping onely a few Priests and Portugal Artificers without which they could not possible be To others of what Estate or Degree soever their admission into the Countrey was on this Proviso That as soon as ever their business was finish'd they should depart but if they were minded to stay longer they should buy that liberty for Money of the Jesuits for they were most Eminent and Powerful in all places of Japan where the Doctrine of Christ was Preached They make the Japanners believe what they list they are honor'd by them like gods and Saints They also obtain'd leave of the Pope that they might out of their Order chose a Bishop over Japan notwithstanding it is against the Law of their Order He that was sent to perform this Office was coming from Portugal but dying by the way another was Elected in his place in short the Jesuits endeavor to get all things here under their Command Thus far Linschot The manner how the Jesuits spread the Christian Religion in Japan ¶ IT is also worthy our Observation how the Jesuits spread the Catholick Religion over most part of Japan Xaverius began first telling them of the Creation of the World and how God had Created all things and that the Son of God in the fulness of time had taken upon him Mans Nature and Dy'd on the Cross was Bury'd rose again and Ascended up to Heaven from whence he will come to Judge the Quick and the Dead This Doctrine Translated out of Portugal in the Japan Tongue Xaverius read the easier to the Japanners because it was written in Portugal Characters Cosmus Turianus and Joannes Ferdinandez Preach'd most of the Miracles which Christ wrought and taught the Auditors to make Crosses with the right-hand and to begin at the Head In the Name of the Father and so Sign themselves down to the Breast In the Name of the Son and then from the left shoulder to the right In the Name of the Holy Ghost They also instructed them to Pray on Garlands of Roses telling them over knob by knob and saying Jesus Maria. A strange way how the Japanners became Christians Paul of the Holy Belief us'd a Picture representing the Image of the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus sitting in her Lap which he held before the King Cangoxima to the end to make him loathe the Heathenish Idolatry Other Jesuits shew'd them that the Angel Michael was the Guardian over Japan unfolding to them the occasions of Thunder and Lightning gapings of the Sky Rain-bows Storms Hail Snow and such like Meteors grounded on Nature ¶ THe Italian Joannes Baptista Montanus relates in a Letter written from Bungo Anno 1564. That when he set foot on Japan being sent thither by Cosmus Turrianus to the King of Bungo who had above a year and a half desir'd to have a Priest he was courteously receiv'd by him yet the King remain'd still amongst the Sect of the Bonzies None taught the Japanners better than the Jesuit Montanus which deny'd the Mortality of the Soul but shew'd a great respect to all Christians Moreover Montanus relates what course he took in Converting the Japanners in Bungo First He contradicted with strong Arguments the Japan Religion shewing them that it was impossible to attain Salvation thereby When they understood this then he told them That one God had Created all things of nothing and made Men according to his own Image to govern all But the wicked that run headlong and wilfully to the Devil had no share therein and that our Sins had brought Death upon us and how Men were still inclin'd to wickedness acting against the Laws of God and Man nay against God himself and since our Sins provok'd so Omnipotent a God they deserv'd Everlasting Punishment But the second Person of the Holy Trinity had taken upon him Mans Nature in the Virgin Mary to the end he might in Mans Nature which could onely suffer die for our Sins a most cruel Death and by reason of his God-head prepar'd for us after this transitory Life an Everlasting Being where there is the fulness of all Joys Then he explain'd them the Laws Customs and Mysteries of Baptism and at last answer'd the Bonzies to their several Contradictions which they made against the Christian Religion Trojus converts the Japanners after a ridiculous manner Trojus hung a Cross about the Necks of those that were Baptiz'd giving every one a string of Beads and a Consecrated Piece of Wax on one side the Name Jesus surrounded with a Thorn Crown on the other the impression of three Spikes a great Box full

her in above forty or fifty Sedans Which being curiously Varnish'd and In-laid with Gold are carry'd in good order two Fathom from one another both sides thereof attended by Footmen and Pages in handsome Liveries The Sons which she bears succeed their Father in his Dominion but if she die without Male issue it generally falls to another Family on whom the Emperor pleaseth to beslow it for no base Son begotten on a Concubine can Inherit Delightful places in womens Palaces In the Womens Palaces nothing is wanting that Art or Cost can procure for their Delights there being pleasant Ponds well stor'd with Fish fine Decoys for Wild Fowl Gardens full of Trees and all manner of Plants and fragrant Flowers wherewith the Beds and Walks are made exceeding Delightful to behold There are also daily Comedies Presented and both Vocal and Instrumental Musick heard from Morning to Night so seeming to be in an Earthly Paradise to which no man can have access but onely her nearest Relations and that but very seldom Degrees of Ladies and Maids of Honor. Upon the least Misbehavior or Offence their Waiting-Maids and Servants are in danger of their Lives so that they must be very Circumspect in all things and chiefly the Women to be in no company with Men These Women serve their Lady and Prince with the greatest Humility and Submission that can possibly be exprest every one of them know their Office according to which they are Cloth'd so that some wear Red Clothes with green Girdles and Head-Attire others Yellow Apparel and about their Middle a Violet Girdle and Ribbons for their Head others again wear White Coats and Red Girdles yet all agree in being richly Embroyder'd with Gold every Order or Degree commonly consist in sixteen Maids of Honor over which is the Mother of the Maids who keeps them all in good Decorum None of all these but is of a Noble Extract and exceeding well brought up Every one of them receiv'd into Service before their fifteenth Year when they attain to eight and twenty or thirty then their Prince bestows them in Marriage to one or other of his Courtiers and those that stay above they are generally made Overseers of the rest Japan Nobles spend great sums of money ¶ BUt their Countrey Governors notwithstanding they have great Revenues have also extraordinary ways for Expence for besides the Charges of the Women they must defray others far greater viz. the Emperor maintains a strange Custom amongst his Peers by which his Pomp increases and fear of their Insurrection vanishes which proves very fatal to the Princes The business thus Keep their Courts half the year in Jedo The Emperor keeping his Court in Jedo all the Kings and Princes residing to the North and East from Jedo must exactly on the set-time take up their Habitations in the Emperors sight for six whole Moneths so to add a Lustre to his Imperial Greatness and are also at his pleasure either to loose or keep their Dominions At their coming and going they give great Presents to the Emperor When the half-year is expir'd then those Princes from the West and South part of Japan repair thither also so that half of the chief Nobility in Japan are continually at the Emperors Court Those their Charges are Augmented the more because every King Prince Duke or Baron will strive to exceed one another in State during their Residence there So that they generally come with as great a Retinue of Guards Servants Souldiers Horses Gentlemen and others as possibly their conditions can bear the meanest Lord keeping a thousand Servants in his Palace at Jedo They also spend much Money on their Buildings in Repairs or Inlarging them The Liveries which they give to their Pages and Footmen and the sumptuous Banquets with which they Treat one another cost them also very dear How the Emperor oppresses his Subjects that they cannot rebel against him ¶ ANd though most of them spend all their Revenues yet the Emperor still oppresses them by fresh Taxes that being poor they cannot be able to resist him Commanding them to build here new Castles there inlarge a Fort yonder a strong Hold all at their own Cost and Charge whereby every one knows partly what it will amount to It is to be admir'd if thus Commanded how each will strive to out-do the other in Building larger costlier and with more speed not sparing any Charges towards the promoting of the Work Rerenue of the Princes By this means and several other the Revenues of the Nobility are commonly wasted which consist not in Custom or other Imposition but in the Ground-Rent of the Houses which they yearly raise either more or less according to the bigness of the Building Are known to the Emperor Each House must at a set time provide a man to serve their Lord. Moreover because Japan produces Copper in one place Gold Silver Iron Tin Lead Rich-Wood Purcelaine Hemp Cotton Silk Camphire Rice and other Commodities in another Every Lord hath out of the several Products particular Revenues which the Emperor knows to a Peny for he keeps a trusty Steward of his own in every Lords House without whose knowledge none of these Lords can act any thing The King keeps wise men to advise him It deserves no small wonder that the Noblest Princes amongst others of their Retinue keep some particular Persons of an exceeding quick apprehension and brave understanding who are daily to observe and freely to disclose all Errors committed by their Prince with whom they are continually and chiefly at Feasts and other Merry-meetings noting down all what is worthy of Praise in his Lord or deserves Laughter Their names The Princes whose Jurisdictions spread themselves far and near call their Lands by the name of their Residence They all have three Names for in their Infancy they have a Child's Name in their Manly years another and when grown they assume a third Their Sur-name they put before the other because they preserve and detain that from their Predecessors Strange custom of the Japanners who murder themselves at the death of their Lord. ¶ WHen a Lord dies generally ten twenty nay thirty rip up their own Bellies to die with him The number of these Self-Murderers is either more or less according to the Ability of the Person Many of them oblige themselves to it in their life-time for when they have receiv'd any Favors from them after an humble return of Thanks they say Most Noble Lord the number of your Faithful Subjects is great How have I deserv'd to receive such Honor From whence doth this Requital proceed This Body which already is yours I give you and promise to die by a violent Death so soon as you give up the Ghost To the Confirmation of which the Lord drinks to his Servant in a Bowl of Wine after which the Servant at the Death of his Master cannot recall his Promise for all