Japan and the Japanese ... New and revised edition

Front matter

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Preface

. The interest which at the present moment attaches to everything connected with Japan, and the limited information we possess in relation to that country, are circumstances which it is presumed cannot fail to render these volumes acceptable to the public. For the space of two centuries, the Japanese Government has prohi bited communication between its own subjects and the natives of other countries. The rigorous laws against foreign intercourse, enacted in Japan about the middle of the seventeenth century, have been partially mitigated only in favour of the Dutch ; merchants of that nation having been permitted, under certain regulations, to trade with the Port of Nangasaky. The consequence has been, that the little information respecting Japan which has occasionally found its way to Europe, has been transmitted through the medium of the Dutch language, and vol. i. b editor's preface.

IV has therefore been, only in a partial degree, accessible to the English public. ' These considerations have sug gested the republication of the present work. The extraordinary incidents connected with the captivity of Captain Golownin and his companions, impart a strange romantic interest to the Narrative itself; whilst, in detailing his singular adventures, the author unfolds a vast multitude of curious facts relative to the manners and customs of the people. Other details of the same kind, combined with a mass of useful information on subjects connected with the government, laws, commerce and general state of the country, will be found in the " Recollections of Japan," subjoined to the Narrative. The Introductory Chapter prefixed to the work, will not, it is hoped, be deemed superfluous at the present moment, when circumstances seem to promise a renewal of the commercial relations which in former times existed, though in a very restricted form, between the English and the Japanese.

The shrewd inteUigence and unprejudiced feeling of Captain Golownin enabled him to observe closely, and to form an accurate and unbiassed judgment of many peculiar traits in the national character of that people, towards whom the attention of the civilized world is at present directed. The inferences which our author EDITOR'S

PREFACE.

. V frc pently draws from his knowledge of the Japanese ch: racter, may afford useful hints to those negotiators on whom may devolve the task of establishing friendly intercourse between the Japanese and the other branches of the great family of mankind. That such iutercourse will ere long be established, seems to be a fact as little doubtful as the speedy annihilation of Japanese isolation and exclusiveness. S. R. LONDON, 1852. EXPLANATION OF WORDS AND TERMS, CHIEFLY RUSSIAN, WHICT OCCUR IN THE FOLLOWING WORK. Baidar or baidare — a kind o_ boat used in the Kurile Islands and on the coasts of Japan. Copec — the hundredth part of a rouble, in value about a half penny. Eessav.l — a chief or officer. Isprawnik — the captain or chief of a district. Kibitka—a. kind of travelling carriage. Kicass — a strong liquor.

Natschalnik — chief commander. Parkis — large cloaks made of the skins of quadrupeds or birds. Pocd — the weight of one pood is 40 Russian or 36 English pounds. Rouble — a rouble is in general worth about 4s. 2c.., but the value varies according to the course of exchange. Step or steppe — a desert or extensive heath. Tschetwerik — the 8th part of a tschetwert, which is equal to .Winchester bushels. Werst or verst — a measure of length containing 500 sazsheens or fathoms, each 7 feet English ; 2 English miles are equal to 3 Russian wersts. ♦ N B. — When the depth of water is expressed in fathoms, the measure is 6 feet, the same as the English fathom. The Russians frequently use patronymics in the names of per sons ; forming the patronymic, in the case of persons of quality, by the addition of vitsch or itsch to the Christian name of the father.

Thus, Captain Golownin is sometimes called Wassili Michaelo vitsch, and so with others Most of the Japanese words are explained as they occur. Page i 33 77 CONTENTS DI THE FIRST VOLUME. Introduction

Chapter I

Departure of the. sloop ' Diana' on a surveying expedition — Island of Eetooroop — A Japanese chief and his tent — A letter. — Visit of a party of Kuriles to the ' Diana' — Dress of men and women described— Departure from Eetooroop for the coast of Oooroop — Traffic between the Kuriles and the Japanese — Arrival at Kunashier — Hieroglyphical messages — A flag of truce — Conference with Japanese authorities— Invitation to land — Interview with the governor of the fortress — Treachery of the Japanese — Golownin and his companions attacked and made prisoners.

Chapter II

'ruel treatment of the captives — They are conveyed to the coast of Matsmai — Fishing villages — Travelling by land in boats — Halting-places — View of the town — Bay of Atkis — Night quarters and Japanese beds— Food— Tea of native growth — Plans for escape — Writing of the Japanese — Populous villages along the coast — The Matsmai Kuriles — Formal entrance into the city of Chakodade — Description of the prison in which Golownin and his companions are confined. CONTENTS. 163 200

Chapter III

Page Trait of benevolence — Sad situation of the prisoners, and wretched food provided for them — Interview with the Governor of Chakodade — Description of the Audience Hall, and curious examination of the prisoners — Desire of the Japanese to learn Russian words — writing on fans — Passion for collecting curiosities — Baggage and letter brought from the ' Diana' — Tedious interrogatories — Japanese curiosity and distrust — Mysterious missive — Rigorous laws — A comet visible — The prisoners removed from Chakodade to Matsmai . . . . .122

Chapter IV

Arrival at Matsmai — The prison described — The captives conducted into the presence of the bunyo for examination — Hall of Justice — Ornaments and furniture of a Japanese saloon — Dresses of the bunyo and his suite — Japanese tai , loriug — Cookery — The bunyo's curiosity respecting European manners and customs — Frivolous and troublesome questions — Improvements in the prison — Portraits of Japanese ladies — The prisoners furnished with writing materials — A stupid interpreter — Memorial and petition — Confession of the Kurile Alexei — Gratifying address of the bunyo— He orders that the prisoners shall be unbound .

Chapter V

Temporary improvement in the treatment of the prisoners — Renewed suspicion— A new interpreter— The prisoners are required to teach the Russian language — A clever pupil- Angry scene— Curious anecdote related to Captain Golownin when at Portsmouth — Laborious process of translation — Trait of Japanese curiosity— Mysterious inscription — An epitaph— Names and titles— Drawings, paintings and charts —Japanese curiosity respecting Christianity and its forms of worship— A man of science— False representations regarding Russia and England— An English ship in the harbour of Nangasaky— Fraudulent proceedings of Dutch traders- House allotted for the abode of the prisoners CONTENTS. IX Page 240 257 295

Chapter VI

Japanese love of gardening— Description of the prisoners' house — Obunyos or Viceroys — Determination to attempt escape — Prejudice raised against the captives — Suspicious conduct of Mr. Moor — Japanese taste for reading — Mode of printing — Introduction of playing-cards into Japan — Mode of playing at draughts — Preparations for flight — Mr. Moor tampers with the Kurile Alexei — Declares his determination to spend the remainder of his life in Japan — The prisoners effect their escape during the night .

Chapter VII

Pursuit of the fugitives — They conceal themselves — Golownin lamed by an accident — Scenery of the country described- Perilous situation — A party of soldiers appears in sight — Golownin and his companions endeavour to reach the sea-shore — Difficulty of concealing themselves — Accident to Mr. Chlebnikoff — The fugitives discovered and recaptured — They are conducted back to Matsmai and examined before the bunyo — Moor's duplicity — The prisoners again bound with cords, and placed in confinement

Chapter VIII

Cages for the confinement of the prisoners — Japanese mode of dividing day and night — Measuring time — Examination of the captives — The Hall of Justice — Treatment of the prisoners — Their food — An earthquake — Kindness of the guards — Artifices of Mr. Moor — Captain Golownin's illness — A Japanese doctor — Corporeal punishment in Japan — Intolerance of Christianity — Appointment of bunyos — Small stature of the Japanese — Statement of Mr. Moor to the bunyo — Letter relating to trade between Russia and Japan — Generosity of the interpreter, Teske — Encouraging promises ....... CONTENTS. X Page 315

Chapter IX

Improved treatment of the prisoners — They endeavour to learn Japanese writing — Assiduity of the sailor, Schkajeff, in learning to read and write — Extraordinary cure — Interchange of presents — Letters from Mr. Rikord — Capture of Japanese by the Russians — Death of the bunyo — Rigorous law against Japanese living among Christians — A rich Japanese merchant and his wife — Letter from an officer of the 'Diana' — Curious Japanese proverb — Discovery of secret correspondence — New Year's Day hopes

Introduction

Early in the reign of James I., the lucrative trade carried on by Spain, Portugal and Holland, with Japan, induced some merchants of the English India Company to prepare an expedition to the last-mentioned country. The project was favoured by the circumstance of an Englishman happening then to be at the Court of Japan. This person, whose name was William Adams, and who acted as an ambassador, though unaccredited, proved of essential service in assisting the first attempts of the English to trade with the Japanese. Adams had been a master in the navy in the reign of Elizabeth, and he afterwards entered into the employment of the Barbary Company ; but, being actuated by a desire to acquire a knowledge of Indian navigation, he engaged himself as pilot on board the Admiral's ship of a fleet of five sail, fitted out by the Dutch India Company.

These vessels, half mercantile, half piratical, sailed from the Texel in 1598, passed through the Straits of Magellan to the Pacific in 1599, and cruized for some time on the coasts of VOL. I. B

INTRODUCTION.

. Chili and Peru. Being at length obliged to leave the coast, they resolved, as a large part of their cargo con sisted of woollen cloth, to proceed to Japan. This course was suggested by a man who had been to Japan with the Portuguese, and who affirmed that the cargo was more likely to find a sale there, than at the Moluccas, or in the other parts of India, with which Europeans were then acquainted. Owing to accidents which occurred in the course of the voyage, the fleet was reduced to one ship, and at its arrival on the coast of Japan on the 19th of April, 1600, there were only seven persons, including Adams, who were capable of duty. On approaching the shore of Bongo, the vessel cast anchor, when the crews of a number of Japanese boats went on board, and though they offered no personal violence, yet they stole everything they could lay their hands on.

Their depredations were, how ever, speedily checked ; for soldiers were sent on board the next day to protect the property, and shortly afterwards the vessel was conveyed into a safe harbour, there to remain, until orders should be received from the Emperor respecting her disposal. At the same time, the greatest kindness was shown to the people on board ; they were allowed to land , and an hospital was provided for the sick, and a comfortable place of abode for those who were still well. It is a curious fact, that a jealousy of English interference in the Japan trade even then began to manifest itself, though there were but two English men on board the ship — William. Adams, and Timothy Shotten, also engaged as pilot, and who had been round the world with Candish. A Jesuit and some other Por tuguese from Nangasaky, assured the Japanese, that their English visitors were not merchants, butpirates, which

INTRODUCTION.

. inspired the people with such a very bad impression of these two unfortunate men, that they expected every hour to be crucified, as a punishment for their alleged crimes. Nor were the Dutch backward in aiding the Portuguese in their evil designs. Two Dutchmen, who had entered the Japanese service, claimed all the property on board the ship, and did all in their power to injure the English cause. A short time after their arrival, an order came for Adams to go to the court, where, through the medium of a Japanese who could spe^k Portuguese, the Emperor asked him numerous questions respecting England, his religion, the political state of Europe, the route by which he had arrived, &c. This interview lasted several hours, during which Adams informed the Emperor, that England was at war with Spain and Portugal.

He entreated that the English might be granted the same commercial privileges as the Portuguese and Spaniards. To this the Emperor made some reply, which, however, Adams did not understand. He had another interview with the Emperor two days afterwards, and on that occasion he assured his Majesty that he had not visited Japan with any treacherous design, but " from the general disposition of his nation, which was to cultivate friendship and com merce with all other countries by exchanging their own commodities for theirs, whereby mutual riches and ad vantages were obtained." After this, Adams experienced better treatment, but was detained six weeks in confinement ; during which time the Jesuits and other Portuguese spared no endeavours to prejudice the Japanese against the two English men, alleging that they were robbers, and that, if they were suffered to live, it would turn out greatly to the b

INTRODUCTION.

. disadvantage of Japan, since every other nation would come to rob the country; but that, if justice were to be administered, it would deter such intruders from going there again. To these representations the Emperor answered, that as yet these strangers had done no harm to him or his subjects, and therefore it was against reason and justice to put them to death. In 1605, Adams, anxious to return to his country, requested the Emperor to permit him to depart; pro mising that he would engage both the English and Dutch to open commercial intercourse with Japan. The Emperor, however, answered, that he wished Adams to remain in Japan, but that he was desirous that the English should trade there ; directing him, at the same time, to write home for that purpose, and also to address such of his countrymen as might be in any part of India.

In consequence of this, Adams wrote several letters, and gave them in charge to the Dutch captain, who was per mitted to leave Japan ; but he, after arriving at Malacca, was, killed in an action with the Portuguese. Adams remained without any communication with his country men until 1611, when, hearing that some English merchants were at the Island of Java, he wrote to them a letter, the superscription of which was : " To my unknown friends and countrymen." This letter, when brought to Bantam, ou the 28th of October, 1612, was delivered to Captain John Saris and his companions, and " was read to all the merchants, that they might take notice of the hopes there were of trade in that country" (Japan). Captain Saris, with three ships, had sailed from the Downs in April, 1611. Having visited all the European ports on the eastern coast of Africa, he proceeded to

INTRODUCTION.

. Mocha, in Arabia, and arrived at Bantam in October, 1612. In January, 1612-13, he sailed for Japan, leaving two of his ships behind him at Bantam. His vessel was manned with twenty-four Englishmen, one Spaniard, one Japa nese, and five Indians; and it appears that the principal part of his cargo consisted of seven hundred sacks of pepper. It is needless to follow him in his adventurous course, until he arrived off Japan, the coast of which was seen, for the first time, by an English ship, on the 9th of June, 1613. On the 11th of that month, Captain Saris anchored at Firando, a small island lying off the west coast of Bongo, or Xicoco, where he was received in the most friendly manner by the governor, or as he calls him, King, Foyne Sama, and many of the nobility and people. On a visit of ceremony which the governor paid to Saris on board his ship, the captain delivered a letter from King James, which was received with great satisfaction ; but the governor declined opening it until Adams, who was sent for. should be present as interpreter.

The Dutch at this period had a factory at Firando ; and the chief, Kennck Brower, "came aboard, to visit the General (Saris), or rather to see what passed between the governor and them." On the 13th, Saris delivered his presents to the governor, amounting in value to about one hundred and forty pounds ; amongst them was a large cup, which the governor ordered to be filled with sagi, and then drank it off to the health of the King of England. Several days now passed in de monstrations of mutual friendship and good-will, notwithstanding the efforts made to prejudice the Japanese against their visitors. Purchas relates, that on the 29th, "a soma, or junke of the Flemings arrived at Nangasaky from Siam, laden with Brazil-wood and skins of all sorts,

INTRODUCTION.

. wherein it was said that there were Englishmen, but proved to be Flemings. For that, before our coming they passed generally by the name of Englishmen; for our English nation had been long known by report among them, but much scandalized by the Portuguese Jesuits as pirates, and rovers upon the seas." Pending the return of an answer from the Emperor, Captain Saris prepared to enter upon his commercial transactions ; and, in the course of his inquiries, he ascer tained that part of his cargo, consisting of broad cloths, was likely to realize a good price, the Dutch then selling cloths, which had only cost fifteen or sixteen pounds per piece, at the enormous profit of eight pounds for two and a half yards, there called a mat. Saris was aware that the Dutch had a considerable quantity in .their warehouses ; and, though he could well have afforded to undersell them in the market, yet he chose to act a more liberal part, and he proposed to the chief of their factory, that a price should be mutually fixed on, below which, neither party was to fall.

" In the morning, the chief of the factory seemed to approve thereof, but ere night, sent word that he disliked it, excusing himself that he had no warrant from his masters to make any such agreement. The next morning, he shipped away great store of cloth to divers islands, rating them at these prices, viz. : at twenty, eighteen, and sixteen rials the mat" (instead of forty, the former price), "that he might procure the more speedy dispatch of his own, and glut the place before the coming of ours." It may be useful to future speculators, to present here a slight view of the value of some of the principal articles of commerce at that period : Bantam pepper, ungarbled,

INTRODUCTION.

. 7 which cost at Bantam about one and three-fourth rials, or five shillings and two-pence per sack, was worth, at Japan, two pounds ten shillings ; tin, per pecul of one hundred and thirty pounds, was worth two pounds ten shillings ; elephants' teeth, per pecul, twenty pounds , iron, cast in pigs, one pound ten shillings ; gun-powder, five pounds fifteen shillings ; Soeotrine aloes, one pound ten shillings per cattee, of about twelve ounces ; a fowling piece five pounds; and Indian calicoes, at proport. prices, according to their quality. Intelligence of the arrival of the English ship soon spread far and wide; and several of the neighbouring princes, came to Firando to gratify their curiosity, and to request that the Englishmen might proceed to their al islands, where they should receive the he welcome.

About the end of the month of July, William Adams made his appearance, and conferred with Captain Sans, in the presence of the merchants, " touching the encouragement he could give of trade in those parts, and it was not always alike, but sometimes better, someworse, yet doubted not. but we should do as well as others : giving admirable commendations of the country, as much affected thereto." A circumstance now took place, connected with the progress of Northern discovery, which has not generally been noticed by writers on that subject. " This da)r," says Captain Saris, in his journal, "there came to Firando, certain Spaniards of Mr. Adams' acquaintance, to desire passage in our ship for Bantam. These Spaniards had been belonging to a Spanish gentleman, their general, who, about a year past, were come (upon the King of Spain's charge), from Nova Hispania, to discover to the northward oi Japan, and, arriving at Edoo, attending the

INTRODUCTION.

. monsoon to go to the northward, which beginneth in the end of May, his company (whereof these were two), mutinied against him, every one taking his own way, leaving the ship utterly unmanned, wherefore I thought it best to keep them out of my ship." Preparations were now made for a journey to court, which the governor of Firando was so certain would be permitted, and even desired, that he offered to supply all the boats, horses, and provisions necessary, and requested a list of those who were to go, in order that he might provide for them in the handsomest manner possible. If we compare the presents then given with those given in more recent times to the Chinese Emperors, the contrast is very striking. Those for the Emperor amounted in value only to eighty-seven pounds, seven shillings, and sixpence ; those for his son to forty-three pounds, fifteen shillings ; and the remainder for different officers of state, merely raised the sum total to one hundred and eighty pounds, three shillings, and ten-pence !

On the 7th of August Captain Saris set off for the Japanese Court, accompanied by ten Englishmen, and attended by a sufficient retinue. He passed through a populous country, proceeding partly by boats; and he soon arrived at a town called Fuccate, where he " did land and dine there in the towne, the tyde and wind so strong against us, as that we could not passe. The towne seemed to be as greate as London is within the walls, very well built, and even, so as you may see from the one end of the street to the other. The place is exceedingly peopled, very civil and courteous, only that at our landing, and being here in Fuccate, and so through the whole country, whithersoever we came, the boys, children, and worser sort of idle people, would gather about and follow

INTRODUCTION.

. after us, crying " Core, Core, Cocore ware," that is to say, " you Coreans with false hearts ;" wondering, whooping, hallooing, and making such a noise about us, that we could scarcely hear one another speak, sometimes throwing stones at us (but that not in many towns), yet the clamour and crying after us was every where alike, none reproving them for it. The best advice that I can give those who hereafter shall arrive there, is that they pass on without regarding those idle rabble meuts, and in so doing, they shall find their ears only troubled with the noise." The Japanese Court was, at this period, at Surunga, where Captain Saris arrived early in September. The account of his reception, in his own words, is highly curious. After minutely describing all the ceremonies which preceded his introduction to the imperial presence, he thus concludes: "Coming to the Emperor, according to our English compliments, I delivered our King's letter unto his Majestie, who tooke it in his hand, and put it up towards his forehead, and commanded his inter preter, who sate a good distance from him behind, to will Master Adams to tell me, that I was welcome from a wearisome journey, that I should take my rest for a day or two, and that his answer should be readic for our King.

Then he asked me whether I did not intend to visit his sonne at Edoo. I answered, I did. The Emperor said, that order should be taken to furnish mec with men and horses for the journey, and against my return his letters should be readie for our King. So taking my leave of the Emperor, I came to the door where I had left the secretaire and the admiral, &c." On the ensuing day, Captain Saris "delivered the

INTRODUCTION.

. articles of privilege," fourteen in number, and received the sanction of the Emperor, who affixed his seal to them. The probable future importance of these articles, may warrant their insertion here. " Privileges granted by Ogoshosama, Emperor of Japan, unto the Right Worshipful Sir Thomas Smith, Knight, Governor, and others the Honourable and Worshipful Adventurers to the East Indies : "I. Imprimis. We give free licence to the subjects of the King of Great Britain, viz., Sir Thomas Smith, Governor, and Company of the East Indian merchants and adventurers, for ever safely to come into any of our ports of our empire of Japan, with their shippes and merchandizes, without any hindrance to them or their goods. And to abide, buy, sell, and barter, according to their owne manner, with all nations ; to tarry here as long as they think good, and to depart at their pleasures.

" II. Item. We grant unto them freedom of custom, for all such merchandizes as either now they have brought, or hereafter shall bring into our kingdome, or shall from hence transport to any foreign part. And doe authorize those shippes that hereafter shall arrive, and come from England, to proceed to present sale of their commodities, without further coming or sending up to our court. " III. Item. If any of their shippes shall happen to lie in danger of shipwrecke, we will our subjects not only to assist them, but that such part of shippes and goods as shall be saved, be returned to their captains, or Cape merchants or their assignes. And that they shall, or may build one house or more for themselves in any part of

INTRODUCTION.

. our empire, where they shall think fittest, and at then departure to make sale thereof at their pleasure. " IV. Item. If any of the English merchants, or other, shall depart this life, within our dominions, the goods of the deceased, shall remaine at the disposal of the Cape merchant. And that all offences committed by them shall be punished by the said Cape merchant, according to his discretion : and our laws to take no hold of their persons or goods. " V. Item. We will that ye, our subjects, trading with them for any of their commodities, pay them for the same, according to agreement, without delay, or returne of their wares again uuto them. " VI. Item. For such commodities as they have now brought, or shall hereafter bring, fitting for our service and proper use ; We will, that no arrest be made thereof, but that the price be made with the Cape merchant, according as they may sell to others, and present payment upon the delivery of the goods.