Engelbert Kaempfer: The History of Japan, London 1727

Internet Edition by Wolfgang Michel, Kyushu University, Fukuoka-City, Japan. © Nov.1997

 

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VI.

An Enquiry, whether it be conducive for the good of the Japanese Empire, to keep it shut up, as it now is, and not to suffer its inhabitants to have any Commerce with foreign nations, either at home or abroad.

Any will call it malice to divide the globe Introduction. of our Earth, small as it is, and they will think it a crime equal to murder, to break through the society and mutual communication, which ought to be among Men. All nature pleads for Society. To declaim and reason against it is, in fact to reflect on the Author of nature. We all behold one Sun, we all tread on the same ground, we breath all the same air, nature hath set us no bounds, nor hath the Creator established any laws, but what tend to mutual association. Should men be born to a worse condition than storks and swallows ? Is it not enough for our Soul, that noblest part of ourselves, which partakes of the liberty of the Supreme and All-free mind, to be confined to our body? Must the Body also be kept prisoner in one Country, and the Soul denied the liberty to make it, and herself with it, enjoy the pleasure of others. The very Stars, dispersed through the boundless Heaven, strongly argue for it. Many believe, that such majestick, such noble bodies, have not been left naked and empty, but are inhabited by various kinds of living creatures, which praised the All-wise Creator of all things, before even the foundations of our Earth were laid, as he is pleased to express himself in the viiith of Job. Whoever dares, from the low and vulgar notions of schoolmen to raise his mind to nobler and higher thoughts, will not scruple, nor think it derogatory to the bounty and wisdom of the Supreme Being, to assert, that these Heavenly bodies are like so many great towns, inaccessible indeed to one another, because of the vast extent of the fluid wherein they float, but for that very reason fit to be, what it is not unlikely they are, inhabited by creatures of various kinds, differing in their nature, frame, and degrees of perfection. As conformable to truth, as it is highly probable this assertion is, so reasonable will it appear on the other hand, that those creatures, which the All-wise Creator hath made of the same nature and substance,

and which he hath confined to any one of these globes, as within the walls of a town, should live in a friendly communication together, a communication, which it cannot but be highly criminal to break through. As to our Earth in particular, the Creator designing it to be the habitation of men, hath also in his wisdom and goodness purposely framed it so as to make it common to all. Different Countries produce different Plants, Animals and Minerals: Not even the most delightful have been supplied indifferently with all:
Hic segetes, illic veniunt felicius Uvae;
India mittit Ebur, molles sua Thura Sabaei.
The very occasion men should have of each others assistance, was to be the strongest knot of mutual friendship and communication. How justly therefore, how deservedly accused stand the Japanese of a signal breach of the laws of nature, of an open disregard to the Supreme Will of the All-wise Creator, of a wilful infraction of the laws of society, which it was his intention should be for ever among men? To shut up the Empire, as they do, to deny all accession and commerce to foreigners, to repell them by force, if any there be who attempt to enter, to keep the natives, as it were, prisoners within the bounds of their own Country, to sentence to perpetual imprisonment, as fugitives, even those whom storms and distress of weather forced away upon other coasts, to condemn to the Cross those who leave the Country of their own choice, either out of dissatisfaction, or with an intent to see other transmarine parts of the world, to imprison those who have the misfortune to be driven upon their coasts by storms or shipwrecks: What is it else but breaking through the laws of nature, and the All-wise order which the Supreme Being established in the world. Whoever hath a mind to offer these, and perhaps many more arguments and objections of this kind, against the truth of what I propose to demonstrate in this enquiry, with regard to the advantages, that must and do accrue to the Japanese from the present condition of their Empire, as I hear some late Philosophers have, shall not be by me denied that liberty. But in the mean time, I must beg leave as freely to declare, that with me they carry no force of persuasion, and that I am nevertheless, for many good and plausible reasons, inclined to believe, that it is- by no means inconsistent with the Divine Wisdom and Providence, that this globe of our Earth should be inhabited, as it is, by nations of different languages, customs and inclinations. If we survey it in the state it now is in, we shall find it fitted up for the reception, not of one alone, but of many nations, we shall find its parts separated from each other by rivers, seas, and chains of mountains, we shall observe remarkable differences in the climates, and such, as it seems, are the very bounds which nature set to keep every nation within that climate, which hath been assigned for its habitation. Hath not God himself, in that dreadful confusion of tongues at Babel, where men as yet made up one society, given the strongest proofs of his will and

intention, that their intimacy and mutual communication should be broke, and that thence-forward different Countries should be inhabited by different nations. Such is the perversity of human nature, that whenever we are become one body, one kingdom, or common-wealth, where one and the same language is spoken, we are naturally inclined to hate our neighbours, who speak another language, and to envy their state and condition. Princes ambitious of enlarging their dominions beyond the limits set by nature, very often, when they are busy about adjusting and composing the differences, or tumults, arising in one part thereof, lose another by insurrection, or invasion. The greatest and most powerful republicks are so far from from supported by the joint strength of many nations, acknowledging their supremacy, that an excess of power proves rather their ruin, and the several dominions of their dependency become so many separate Governmrnts, which always bear a secret and cover'd hatred one towards another. Happy would have been the condition of men, if nature had so bless'd each Country with all the necessaries of life, that the inhabitants fully satisfied with their situation, should have no reason to entertain any thoughts of invading the rights and properties of others. History then would not have been fill'd with so many tragical events. Murdering and plundering of each other, ravaging and unpeopling of whole Countries, laying in waste and ruin publick and private, sacred and profane buildings, and many other calamities, the dreadful consequences of war, cruelty and ambition, would have been entirely unknown to mankind. Men, on the contrary, free from other business, would have been more attentive to promote their publick and private welfare, more diligent to cultivate the desart and barren places of their Country, more industrious in the improvement of arts and sciences, more bent upon the practice of vertue, more inclined to equity, freer from passion and self-interest, juster in rewarding the good and punishing the wicked, more careful in the education of their children, more exact and mindful in the care and management of their private families: In a word, they would have made themselves and others happy, and in their several societies stood a pattern of a Government, the best that could be wished for, in imitation of the Japanese, who confined within the limits of their Empire enjoy the blessings of peace and contentedness, and do not care for any commerce, or communication with foreign nations, because such is the happy state of their Country, that it can subsist without it. It cannot be denied, but that we are desirous of communication and commerce with foreign Countries, merely because from thence we fetch the necessaries of life, or because they supply us with those things, which contribute to make it agreeable, pleasing and commodious, and to keep up luxury and magnificence. Laws prudently to govern the state, Religion for the ease and comfort of our consciences, Sciences to embellish our minds, Mechanical arts for the use and elegance of life, various sorts of Goods and Commodities for cloathing and the table, Medicines to preserve or restore our health, are all what we can look for among foreigners.

If then there be such a Country, which nature hath proved so very kind to, as to supply it with all these things, necessary for the ease and support of life, and which, through the industry and labour of its inhabitants, hath raised itself to a high pitch of power, and makes a very considerable figure in the world, it must necessarily follow, that it is not only advisable, but very much to its advantage, that its inhabitants, so long as they can subsist without the produce and manufactures of foreign Countries, should be kept also from their vices, from covetousness, deceits, wars, treachery, and the like, provided such be the state of the Country, as to admitt, without any great difficulty, of their being confined within the limits thereof, and provided they themselves have strength and courage enough to defend it, in case of need, against any invasion from abroad. And that this is the case of Japan, preferably to any other Country as yet known, will, I hope, evidently appear from the following short description, wherein I propose to consider it chiefly with regard to the point in question.

2.

Japan, by the natives called Nipon, which signifies the of support, or foundation of the Sun, is that same island, which the celebrated traveller Marc Paul, a Venetian, who is the first of all European writers, that takes any notice-of it, calls Zipangri. It is, properly speaking, not one, but a whole set of islands, broke through by many gulphs, streights, and arms of the sea, not unlike the Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland, and situate in the remotest part of the East. Nature herself hath done the best part towards making this Empire invincible, by

making it almost inacessible, and by surrounding it with a dangerous, and exceedingly tempestuous sea. All those ships, that come from the Southern parts of the world, have the best part of the year to struggle with storms and contrary winds. But a very few months are proper for our own ships to make their voyage. The steep and rocky coasts are washed by a sea full of clifs and shallows. There is but one good port known, fit to harbour ships of any considerable bulk: This is that of Nagasaki, the entry whereof is very narrow, with many windings and turnings, and of a dangerous and difficult passage even to those Pilots, who ought to be well acquainted with its many shallows, rocks and clifs. If there be any more good harbours, 'tis more than we know, and more than the natives, so they value their lives, dare let us know. Not to mention all the troubles and difficulties of our passage across the main sea, chiefly near Formosa and the Liquejo islands; a passage, which hath been ever attended with so many and so eminent dangers, that formerly, in the times of the Portugueze, when navigation was not as yet so much improved, as it now is, 'twas thought a very good voyage, when of three ships bound thither, one got safe home.

The Country is populous beyond expression, and one would scarce think it possible, that being no greater than it is, it should nevertheless maintain, and support such a vast number of inhabitants. The highways are an almost continued row of villages and boroughs: You scarce come out of

one, but you enter another; and you may travel many miles, as it were, in one street, without knowing it to be composed of many villages, but by the differing names, that were formerly given them, and which they afterwards retain, though joined to one another. It hath many towns, the chief whereof may vy with the most considerable in the world for largeness, magnificence, and the number of inhabitants. One of the chief is called, Kio, or Miaco, that is the Town, or Metropolis, by way of preeminence, being the seat of the Ecclesiastical hereditary Emperor. It hath about three hours walking in length, and two in breadth. It is very regularly built, all the streets being cut at right angles. (v. Tab. XXVII.) Jedo, (Tab. XXX.) properly the Capital of the whole Empire, and the seat of the secular Monarch, is so large, that I may venture to say, it is the biggest town known. Thus much I can affirm from my own certain knowledge, that we were one whole day riding a moderate pace from Sinagawa, where the Suburb begins, along the chief street, which goes across, a little irregularly indeed, to the other end of the town.

The Japanese are not wanting something, which I don't know, whether I shall call it boldness, or Heroism; I mean, such a contempt of their life, that when they have been subdued and conquer'd by an enemy, or when they find it out of their power to revenge some scorn or injury done to them, they do not scruple, with an undaunted stoicism, to lay violent hands upon themselves: (The author's Latin expression signifies laying violent hands upon their bowels, because they generally make away with themselves by ripping open their belly.) The histories of their civil wars are full of such surprizing actions, whereby, it seems, that in former ages they strove, who could shew the most courage, and greatness of mind. Whoever was to be acquainted, out of their histories with the great and heroic actions of a Jositzne, a Kijomori a Kusnoki, an Abino Nakimar, and other illustrious persons, would find himself obliged to own, that Japan can boast, as well as Rome, of its Mutii Scavolae and Horatii Coclites. As an instance of what I have here asserted, let it suffice at present, to mention one single exploit of seven young men, natives of the province Satzuma, an action the more surprizing, as it was committed in a foreign Country, in presence of the Dutch, no longer ago than 1630. The case was this: A small Japanese vessel had been a trading to the island Formosa, then as yet in possession of the Dutch. Japan was not at that time shut up, and its inhabitants at liberty to trade to what Country they pleased, and the island Formosa hath been since taken by the Chinese, in whose possession it now remains. Peter Nuits, a Dutchman, who was then Governor of Formosa, treated the Japanese, who came on board this vessel, with some hardness and severity, perhaps by way of reprizals. The Japanese took it as an affront and injury done not so much to themselves, as to their Prince, to whom, when they got home, they made grievous complaints, insomuch that he grew very passionate and angry, the rather, as he saw himself, as it were, under an impossibility of revenging so heinous an affront, offered him by Nanbani,

that is, Southern people, (a contemptible name, which they give to foreigners, and particularly the Dutch) whereupon his guards addressed him in the following manner: We will no longer, Sir, said they, guard your person, if you will not give us leave to revenge your honour and reputation. Nothing but the offenders blood shall wash off this spot: Command, and we will cut off that wicked head, or bring him alive into your presence, to be punished by you, as you shall desire, and he deserves. Seven of us will be enough. Neither the danger of the voyage, nor the strength of his castle, nor the number of his guards, shall preserve him from our wrath, they are Nanbani, we of divine extraction, Nifonsin, that is, Japanese, or in the literal sense, inhabitants of the subcelestial world. They would not desist from their demand, till leave was granted them. The attempt indeed was bold, but carried on with no less prudence than courage and success. After a happy voyage they came safely to Formosa, and being admitted to an audience of the Governor, they all drew their swords, seized upon his person, and carried him off prisoner to their vessel in the middle of the day, amidst all his guards and domesticks, none of which durst offer to stir in his defence, or to rescue him from his bold conductors, who with their swords drawn, threatned to stab him the moment, any the least opposition should be made.

It cannot be supposed, that courage and resolution in war should be wanting in a nation, where love as well as hatred, esteem and contempt, are handed down to latest posterity, where wrongs and injuries are resented by succeeding generations, where mutual enmities do seldom cease, but with the death, and total destruction of one of the parties concerned. The mutual contentions of the Feki and Gendsi Families, for the throne, which involved Japan into long and cruel civil wars, are a late but mournful instance, both of the revengefulness and lasting continuance of jealousy and enmity in the minds of the Japanese. Nothing would satisfy the victorious Gendsi party, but the total extirpation of the illustrious house of the Fekis, whereof but a few escaped a cruel death, who fled to take shelter in the inaccessible mountains of the province Bongo, where they were discovered not long ago, dwelling in holes and caverns, ignorant of their illustrious descent, almost deprived of sense and humanity, and more like satyrs, than men.

Japan is so well guarded by nature itself, that it hath still less to fear from a foreign enemy. An invasion was attempted but seldom, and never with success. This valiant and invincible nation never obey'd any other commands, but of their own Princes. About a thousand years ago, under the reign of the Emperor Kwan Muu, whole legions were, as it were, thrown out upon the Japanese coasts, by that abyss of the great Tartary (as the Greeks justly call it from its vast extent, apu Tou taptapou not from a river as some imagine.) The attack was so sudden and unexpected, that the enemies easily got footing in the Country, and the Japanese found it very difficult to get rid of them. For although by repeated skirmishes, wherein they were often worsted, they were reduced very low,

yet as from time to time, fresh recruits were sent over from Tartary, it enabled them to maintain themselves 15 years, till the year of Christ 799, when the help and power of the tutelar Gods of the Country, and the strength and courage of the Japanese forces concurred totally to ruin and destroy them. For it is related in the Japanese annals, that Quan Non, or Quanwoni, that many-handed Briareus of the Country, and one of their greatest Gods, did in a stormy night, with his numerous arms (the emblems of his power) sink the enemies fleet, that the next day Tamaramar, General of the Japanese, singled out by the Gods for this glorious deliverance of his Country, attack'd the enemies, perplex'd and dejected as they were, without the least prospect of success, even without hopes of a retreat, and obtained so compleat a victory, that not one remained, to bring his Countrymen the melancholy news of this total defeat. Such another attempt was made, but with no better success, in the year of Christ 1281, when Goouda was Emperor of Japan. The Tartarian Monarch Sijsu had at that time made himself master of the Empire of China, and was advised by Mooko, one of his Generals, to subdue also that of Japan, and to annex it to the vast Dominions already conquer'd by him. Accordingly that general was sent over, with 4000 ships, and 540000 men, (Chinese writers mention only 100000) but when they got upon the coasts of Japan, this whole reputed invincible Armada was beaten by a violent storm, and the numerous army on board totally destroyed. Japan was never so severely attack'd before: No victories the Japanese have more reason to rejoyce at, than the defeat of these two enemies, equally numerous and powerful. And in short, to do justice to the Japanese nation, it must be owned, and so I believe, it will appear in ages to come, that they are not wanting prudence, resolution, and conduct in war, not good order in their military expeditions, nor a due and chearful obedience to their commanding officers. Not even the long peace and profound tranquillity, which the Empire now enjoys, is like to breed in the natives, what it hath been too apt to do in many other nations, a certain slothfulness and inactivity, which might in time degenerate into effeminacy. Commemorating, as they do, the great exploits, and noble actions of their illustrious ancestors, they keep up in their minds a certain martial ardour, and earnest desire of glory and reputation. Such is the education of their children, that it seems, ideas of courage and resolution, are the very first and chiefest impressions, they endeavour to make upon their tender minds. In the very first stage of infancy, when they cry, and are out of humour, warlike songs and ballads are made use of to appease them. The boys at school, who learn to read and write, have scarce any other book, or copy, allowed them, but the remaining letters and histories of their illustrious heroes, and those persons, who made away with themselves, an action, which the Japanese esteem noble and heroic, that by this means courage, resolution, and contempt of life might take place in their minds, from their tenderest years. Grown persons turn the conversation, when in company together, chiefly upon the

heroic exploits of their forefathers, they call to mind, what is recorded in their histories, to the minutest circumstances, they cannot cease to admire them, and are sooner drunk with love of fame and glory, than they are of their inebriating liquors. Hence it is, that when, according to the custom of the country, there are fires lighted at night at the top of the mountains, which is never done, but upon some imminent danger, threatning the Empire, or otherwise, when the Emperor commands the Princes of the Empire, to send their quota of troops upon the first notice given, their subjects crowd to be enrolled, carrying their arms along with them, impatient where to be commanded, and emulating upon one another, who should be foremost in obeying: Nay, they are so desirous of fame, and so much inflamed with martial ardour, that they willingly expose themselves, where the danger is greatest, even before they are commanded, which impatience however, as it may sometimes prove prejudicial, doth not deserve much commendation. Nor are they wanting proper arms: at a distance they fight with arrows and guns, when they get hand to hand, they make use of pikes and scimeters. Their scimeters particularly are so very sharp, that at one stroke they will cut a body asunder, and of so good a make, and so well temper'd, that long ago it hath been forbid to sell them to foreigners, or to send them abroad, under pain of the cross for the seller, and death for all persons concerned in the fact.

The Japanese are very industrious, and enured to hardships. Very little will satisfy them. The generality live on plants and roots, tortoises, shell-fish, sea-weeds, and the like. Water is their common drink. They go bare-headed and bare-legg'd. They wear no shirts. They have no soft pillows to lay their heads on. They sleep on the ground, laying their heads, instead of a pillow, on a piece of wood, or a wooden box, somewhat depress'd in the middle. They can pass whole nights without sleeping, and suffer all manner of hardships. But otherwise they are great lovers of civility and good manners, and very nice in keeping themselves, their cloaths and houses, clean and neat.
And indeed, I am far from thinking, that the Japanese are descended from the effeminate Chinese, and I flatter myself, that whoever is not prejudiced by the accounts given by some of the first travellers, and would take the pains of searching and enquiring into the origin of the nation in the Country itself, would make no scruple to subscribe to my opinion. They have rather a Tartarian genius and inclinations, softned by a greater degree of politeness and civility. There is a mixture in their blood of the fire and impetuosity of the Tartars, and the ferosity and calmness of the Chinese.

3.

And yet, with these many and considerable advantages, I have hitherto enumerated, it would be still a vain attempt in the Japanese, even with all their strength and resolution, to keep their Country free from invasions
from abroad, and to stay at home themselves without any communication with foreign nations, were it not, that within their own limits, they find enough where-withal to live content and happy. Ever since the Empire hath been shut up, nature, that kind mistress, taught them, and they themselves readily own it, that they can wholly subsist upon what it affords, and that they have no need of being supplied by foreigners with the necessaries of life. Any one who will take the pains to consider the Country in its present happy state and condition, will find it to be true what I here assert.

And in the first place, which is no inconsiderable an advantage, the Climate is exceedingly temperate, not exposed to the burning heat of the more Southern Sun, nor froze by the extream cold of the more Northern Countries. It is well known, that no Countries are so fruitful, none so pleasant and agreeable, as those which lie between thirty and forty Degrees of North Latitude. It might be objected indeed, that Japan is a rough and stony Country, with many chains of steep high mountains, and that it would be altogether barren in most places, were it not cultivated with uncommon care and industry. But even in this particular nature hath been exceeding kind to this Country: this seeming defect in the soil, this want of culture, is what keeps up in the inhabitants that so much commendable spirit of labour and industry. Such is otherwise the fruitfulness of the Climate, that there is scarce a hill, though never so abrupt, scarce a mountain, though never so high, which being cultivated, as most are, do not sufficiently reward the pains and care the industrious labourer bestows upon them. Not even the most barren places, which will scarce admit of any culture at all, are altogether useless. A numerous nation, so much an enemy to idleness, as the Japanese is, and withal confined within the narrow limits of their own Country, learnt to make use of most productions of nature, which either sea or land affords, not only for the support of life, but also for its ease and pleasures. Little can be thought of, but what appears at their table in some dress or other. Many things, despised by other nations, make up part of their desert and most delicate dishes. The woods and forests, the morasses and waste grounds of the Country, contribute their Plants and Roots towards the plenty, as well as ornament of their tables. The sea affords a vast variety of animal and vegetable substances, of crab-fish, shell-fish, Holothuria, as natural historians call them, or sea-qualms, sea-weeds, and the like. Not even the venomous qualities of some fish exclude them from use. Nature did not in vain so liberally bestow upon this nation, bodies fit for hard labour, and minds capable of ingenious inventions. A soil barren in itself, and so difficult to be cultivated, as theirs is, was in a manner necessary, lest they should be wanting proper opportunities to exercise their industry, lest instead of being laborious, as they are, they should fall into idleness, and grow slothful, like the black inhabitants of the Torrid Zone, who depending upon the spontaneous growth of the necessaries of life, are for that very reason so very much given to laziness and inactivity, leading a life little better than beasts. Another objection

that could be made, is, that a Country must be still unhappy, whose inhabitants are kept, as it were, prisoners within the limits thereof, and denied all manner of commerce and communication with their neighbours, a Country besides so much divided, and split into so many and almost numberless islands: Rut this again is rather a singular instance of nature's kindness. These many and different islands are, with regard to the whole Empire, what different Countries and Provinces are with regard to the whole globe: Differing in soil and situation, they were to produce various necessaries of life. And indeed there is scarce any thing that can be wished for, but what is produced in some Province, in some island or other, and produced in a quantity sufficient to supply the whole Empire.

They find gold in Osiu, Sado, Syriga and Satzuma; silver in Kitamai and Bengo; copper in Syriga, Atsingano and Kijnokuni; lead in Bungo; iron in Bitsju. Tsikusen supplies them with charcoals, and Ono with wood-coals. The burning mountain Iwogasima throws out vast quantities of sulphur, which is dug up besides in many other places. In Fisen they have a certain white clay, of which they make all sorts of Porcellane-ware. Great quantities of wood come from Tossa, Ofarra and Aki. Nagatta breeds oxen, Osju and Satzuma horses. Canga is very fruitful in rice, Tsikusen in chesnuts, Wakasa in figs and other fruits. The coasts of the Province Oki are eminent for affording plenty of shell-fish, those of Nisij Jamma for sea-weeds, and other sub-marine plants; the coasts in general plentifully supply the Country with a great variety of fish. Not to mention at present all sorts of grains, pulse and pease, which grow plentifully in several provinces, and variety of other things, which serve for their manufactures and cloathing. The Pearls are found in the gulph of Omura, Ambergrease upon the coasts of the Riuku islands, and of the Provinces Satzuma and Kijnokuni, crystals and precious stones in Tsugaru. Nor have they occasion to send for any medicines from abroad: So many hills and vallies, so many high and low grounds, produce within the compass of one Country, what plants and trees grow in many differing climates.

Now as to all sorts of handicrafts, either curious or useful, they are wanting neither proper materials, nor industry and application, and so far is it, that they should have any occasion to send for masters from abroad, that they rather exceed all other nations in ingenuity and neatness of workmanship, particularly in brass, gold, silver and copper. What skill they have in working and tempering of iron, is evident by the goodness and neatness of their arms. No nation in the East is so dextrous and ingenious in working, carving, graving, gilding of Sowaas, which is a particular kind of a precious blackish metal, made artifically of a mixture of copper with a little gold. Things made of this metal, when they come out of the workman's hands look altogether like gold, and are indeed scarce inferior to it in colour and beauty. They weave silken stuffs so fine, so neat and equal, that they are inimitable even to the Chinese. This is the common amusement of the great men of the Emperor's Court, when in disgrace and banished to certain islands, where they have nothing else

to do, but to spend their ingenuity and time upon this, or the like curious workmanship. Their beer, which they call Saki, and which is brewed out of rice, is much better and stronger than that of the Chinese. They also exceed the Chinese in dressing of their victuals, which they generally season with spices of their own growth. Their Paper likewise, which they make of the bark of the Morus Sylvestris, or Paper-tree, is stronger, of a better body, and whiter, than that which the Chinese make of reeds and cotton. All their varnished or japan'd housholdgoods are surprizingly fine. The Chinese and Tonquinese, with all their care and industry, never came up to that skill and dexterity, which the Japanese have in the composition of their varnish, as well as in laying of it on. For as to the Siamites, although their Country be full of varnish-trees, they are themselves so much given to a lazy and idle life, that nothing is to be expected from them.

It will not be improper to observe, that all these several and many other handicrafts and productions of art, whether they be absolutely necessary for life, or serve only for luxury and magnificence, are not made equally good and curious in all Provinces of the Empire, nor to be purchased every where at the same price. Hence it is scarce credible, how much trade and commerce is carried on between the several provinces and parts of the Empire 1 how busy and industrious the merchants are every where! how full their ports of ships! how many rich and flourishing mercantile towns up and down the Country ! There are such multitudes of people along the coasts, and near the sea-ports, such a noise of oars and sails, such numbers of ships and boats, both for use and pleasure, that one would be apt to imagine the whole nation had settled there, and all the inland parts of the Country were left quite desert and empty. But besides the structure of their ships hath something very singular, for among other material differences they must, by virtue of the Laws of the Country, leave the stern quite open, (See Tab. XXI.) and this in order to put it out of their power to attempt an escape from the Japanese coasts, for should they venture too far out upon the main, their ships would take water, and infallibly sink.

Now if we proceed farther to consider the Japanese, with regard to sciences and the embellishments of our mind, Philosophy perhaps will be found wanting. The Japanese indeed are not so far enemies to this Science, as to banish the Country those who cultivate it, but they think it an amusement proper for monasteries, where the monks leading an idle lazy life, have little else to trouble their heads about. However, this relates chiefly to the speculative part, for as to the moral part, they hold it in great esteem, as being of a higher and divine origin. They acknowledge, that they stand indebted for it to that incomparable Philosopher Koo or Koosi, or as we Europeans call him, Confutius, and it is nearly the same,. which Socrates, who lived near an hundred years after Confutius, was thought by the Greeks to have first communicated to mankind, after it had been reveal'd to him directly from Heaven. I confess indeed, that they are wholly ignorant of musick, so far as it is a science built upon certain precepts of harmony.

They likewise know nothing of mathematicks, more especially of its deeper and speculative parts. No body ever cultivated these sciences but we Europeans, nor did ever any other nations endeavour to embellish the mind with the clear light of mathematical and demonstrative reasoning. The same might be said of the knowledge of God and belief in him, as it is conducive to our Salvation through the merits of Christ. This otherwise polite nation is forbid, under the most severe penalties, to forsake the Religion professed by their forefathers, and to embrace a foreign, new, and at first sight incredible Doctrine, of a God, who was made Man and suffered the shameful death of the Cross for the Salvation of mankind. About an hundred years ago, the light of the Christian Religion shone in full brightness in this extremity of the East, but alas! it was soon after extinguish'd by the blood of numberless Martyrs Á and what is surprizing, through the faults and misbehaviour of those Reverend Fathers, who lighted it with so much zeal and indefatigable pains. I am apt to think, that the Fathers of the Society of Jesus would meet with much better success in the propagation of the Christian faith, and a surer reward of their care and industry, could they forbear too much to depend upon slender beginnings, and at the same time to entertain too high notions of their own prudence and abilities. Impatient of success, when there is but the least prospect of it, and desirous to see the grand-work of conversion quickly brought to a happy issue, they often make other causes act in concurrence, and meddle with affairs, which are entirely foreign to the purpose they are sent for: Hence, a few and hasty steps, made even, when they are advanced some way, prove often fatal to their main design. Liberty of conscience so far prevails among the Heathen nations, that they never condemn a Religion, and never deny the preachers of a foreign Doctrine admittance among them, till they find it prejudicial to the publick peace and tranquillity. As to the Japanese, it cannot be said of them, that they are or live like Atheists. There are many Religions established in their Empire: They profess a great respect and veneration for their Gods, and worship them in various ways: And I think I may affirm, that in the practice of virtue, in purity of life, and outward devotion, they far out-do the Christians: Careful for the Salvation of their Souls, scrupulous to excess in the expiation of their crimes, and extremely desirous of future happiness.

They are more expert in Physick than Surgery, at least the European way of treating Chirurgical cases. The Physicians however do not load their Patients with medicines. They make use of two external Remedies, Fire and the Needle, both which are thought very efficacious, to exterminate the causes of distempers, (which they call Obstructions) and to give room to the obstructing matter, as the cause of pain (which they call wind) to escape from its prison. The frequent and daily use of bathing, which the natives of this Country are so fond of, out of a principle of purity in point of Religion, and a natural love of cleanliness, greatly contributes to keep them in good health, and dispells many distempers, which they would be otherwise liable to. But there are

besides many and efficacious hot baths in the Country, whether they send, as we do, Patients labouring under stubborn and lingring sickness. But to proceed: Some will observe, that the Japanese are wanting a competent

knowledge of the Law. I could heartily wish for my own part, that we Europeans knew as little of it as they, since there is such an abuse made of a Science, highly useful in itself, that innocence, instead of being relieved, is often still more oppressed. There is a much shorter way to obtain justice in Japan, and indeed all over the East: No necessity of being at Law for many years together, no occasion of so many writings, answers, briefs, and the like. The case is without delay laid before the proper Court of Judicature, the parties heard, the witnesses examined, the circumstances consider'd, and judgment given, without loss of time. Nor is there any delay to be apprehended from appealing, since no superior Court hath it in his power to mitigate the sentence pronounced in another, though inferior. And although it cannot be denied, but that this short way of proceeding is liable to some errors and mistakes in particular cases, yet I dare affirm, that in the main it would be found abundantly less detrimental to the parties concerned, than the tedious and expensive Law-suits in Europe. No body can be ignorant, how long sometimes causes are depending in the Courts of Judicature, how many exceptions, demurrs, delays, and an hundred other crafty subterfuges: And after all these difficulties have been once removed, and made easy, what are the parties the better for it, but that an appeal being lodged, they are drawn before a higher Court. Here the cause must be heard over again, the patience of the parties concerned put to a new trial, the troubles, the difficulties, the expences increase in proportion, and all that can be said is, that having escaped the Charybdis, they are swallowed up by the no less dangerous Scylla. But in the mean time, I would not have the Reader imagine, that the Japanese live entirely without Laws. Far from it. Their Laws and Constitutions are excellent, and strictly observed, severe penalties being put upon the least transgression of any. And indeed, it would be impossible without them, to keep so wealthy and populous an Empire in such a flourishing condition, and to deter from mutinies and insurrections so brave and valiant a nation, and which is of no less fiery and changeable a temper, as the neighbouring sea is stormy and tempestuous. The nature of these Laws, and the happy condition the Empire is in, ever since it hath been shut up, will appear by what follows, wherein I propose to acquaint the Reader, what it was that put the Japanese Government upon taking this resolution, and how it was put in execution.

4.

The Japanese, after their first arrival from Daats, or Tartary, doubtless led an obscure life for many ages, dispersed through the several Provinces of this Empire, and supported, as is probable, chiefly by what fish the Coasts afforded. Dsinmu Tei, a Prince of great prudence, and a

majestick aspect, who was nearly contemporary with Romulus, founded the Japanese Monarchy. From him their Annals and Chronology begin. In whose hands the supreme authority was before him, the Japanese history, through the carelesness of those times, is entirely silent, as also of what else remarkable happened to this nation in the remoter ages before the foundation of the Monarchy.

The reign of the first Mikaddi's, (as they stile themselves) or Emperors of Japan, which was in Japan like those early times looked upon as the only inhabited part of the globe, was peaceable and happy. Proud of an illustrious and divine extraction, of a lineal descent from Tendsio Daidsin, the supreme of their Gods, by his first-born son, and so down, they assumed to themselves a superstitious holiness, supported by so great a pomp and magnificence, as begot in their subjects a more than human veneration for their persons, which in after-times proved very detrimental to the prosperity of their government, and the tranquillity of the Empire. It would have been unbecoming Princes boasting of so eminent a degree of holiness, to govern their subjects and adorers otherwise than with clemency. So nearly related to the Gods, and themselves respected as Gods, it would have been beneath their dignity, to take the management of political and human affairs into their own hands, but that was to be left to secular persons. By this means, and by the growing malice of succeeding ages, the power of the nobility encreased to that height, that it overthrew the supreme authority of the Emperor, under whom they were to act The Princes of the Empire not only made themselves sovereign and independant in the provinces, the government whereof the Emperor had committed to their care, but they carried their ambitious designs still farther, chiefly after the invention of arms, and quarrell'd with the Princes their neighbours, attempting by force to dispossess each other of their dominions. Hence what a train of evil consequences. How many lives were not lost in the civil wars ! how many illustrious houses totally extirpated ! Dreadful effects of discontent, jealousy, enmity, revengefulness and ambition.

In this state of affairs, and in order to check and repress insolence and ambition of the Princes of the Empire , and it was thought expedient, that the Seogun, or Crown-General, should be sent against them at the head of the imperial army. It was usual to raise the Emperor's eldest son, as presumptive heir of the Crown, to this eminent and important post, which became in time the foundation of the secular Monarchy. For the Crown-General Joritomo, who lived about five hundred years ago, being disappointed in his hopes of succeeding to the Imperial Throne, assumed to himself a sovereignty in secular affairs, and is accordingly mentioned in Japanese histories as the first secular Monarch. His successors however stood for some time upon tolerable and decent terms with the Ecclesiastical Emperors, for whose sacred persons they still preserv'd a great regard, the rather as they, the Ecclesiastical Emperors, had it in their power to entrust with the command of the army, which was the chief and only support of the secular authority, whomsoever they pleased. About the beginning of

the sixteenth century, the then Crown-General carried matters so high, that he shook off at once all dependency, and made himself absolutely sovereign in the secular government of the Empire: An undertaking which met with fewer difficulties in its execution, than could well have been expected from its nature, moment and consequences. This CrownGeneral was the Emperor's second son: excluded by his birth from the succession to the Imperial Throne, and yet fond of power, he forcibly maintained himself in the command of the army, and stript the Emperor his father of all his authority in the management of secular affairs, which he took wholly to himself, leaving only his holiness and authority in spiritual affairs unprejudiced, as prerogatives, which he enjoyed by virtue of his divine extraction and lineal descent from the Gods of the Country.

The success of this bold and temerarious enterprize was such, as in the end proved more beneficial to the Empire, than to the then Crown-General, who only laid the foundation of a new form of government, highly conducive to its happiness and tranquillity, and exceedingly proper to keep in awe a nation so much inclined to revolts and seditions. The usurper was far from being left in peaceable possesion of his unlawfully acquired Crown. Many of the most powerful Princes of the Empire contended for a long while, who should make himself master of it, as a thing well worth disputing, till at last fortune bestowed it on that incomparable Hero Fidejos, or as he was afterwards called, Taico, a Prince of great courage and consummate wisdom, who from a mean servile condition of life, had by his own merit and conduct raised himself to be one of the most powerful Monarchs in the Universe. This great revolution happen'd about the year of Christ 1583. The prudent Monarch, throughly acquainted, as he was, with the condition the Empire was then in, with the ambitious views of the Princes thereof, the genius, inclination, power and wishes of the whole nation, well foresaw, that it would be impossible for him to escape meeting with the fate of his predecessors, and that he would not be able to maintain himself in the possession of the supreme authority, unless he found means to check the insolence and ambition of the great ones, and to reduce their power and liberty to a narrower bottom. This was an enterprize of the utmost importance to him, but clogg'd with so many, and to all appearance, such insuperable difficulties, that it seemed to have been purposely left to be brought about in his time, and by no less a man than himself. And indeed it was then so far ripe for execution, as many of the most powerful Princes of the Empire had been already subdued, and others considerably weakned by mutual quarrels and dissensions and as to those few, who still opposed him, he had power and conduct enough quickly to get the better of them.

The ambition and insolence was successively grown to such a height, that at last it became almost impossible for the Ecclesiastical Emperors to restrain and controul them. In vain did they for four ages together send the Crown-Generals their sons against them, at

the head of numerous armies. And yet this great work was brought about by Taico in about ten years time, not so much indeed by force of arms, as by his prudent conduct and good management, besides that the times were then such, as greatly seconded his designs. The strength and forces of the Princes of the Empire had been already considerably broke by the long continued civil wars, but it still seem'd requisite, that the same should be done more effectually, in order to which Taico resolved to invade the neighbouring Pen Insula Coraea:a, as of right belonging to him. His main design, in taking this resolution, was to remove the most powerful of the Princes of the Empire from their Dominions and native Country, not doubting but that, whilst they should have enough to do to subdue the Tartarian inhabitants of that Pen-Insula, he should in the mean time find leisure and proper opportunities to compass his other designs, and to secure himself in possession of his newly acquired authority. In this indeed he succeeded according to his best wishes. But the expedition into Coraea a proving not so successful as 'twas expected, he began to think of recalling his Generals. Worried out by the fatigues of a troublesome war in a foreign Country, their treasures exhausted, their forces broke, he doubted not, but that they would be necessitated to lay aside all thoughts of sedition and revolt, and be glad at last to purchase their return home, and the peaceable enjoyment of their dominions, almost at any rate, even upon his own hard terms, which were, that their wives and families, under a pretext indeed of a necessary security for their persons in those troublesome and dangerous times, should be sent to Court to live within his own Castle and Residence, which on this occasion, and for these purposes, he had taken care to fortify, and to adorn with suitable palaces for their reception, that they, the Princes them selves, should after their return be put into possession of their dominions, and that a time should be fixed for them to make their appearance at the Emperor's Court, and to see their wives and families once a year. And thus it was, that Taico, at one fatal stroke, put the Government of the Empire upon a new foot, weakning the power, and reducing the condition of the Princes of the Empire so low, that for the future there should be no room for any apprehension from their secret and seditious practices. For whilst they themselves were ordered to come to Court once a year to pay their duty and allegiance to the Emperor, their wives and families were the surest hostages of their fidelity. Truly an incomparable and unparallell'd instance, of so many and powerful Princes being subjected by a soldier of so mean an extraction and within so short a compass of time.

The ambition and power of the Princes of the Empire, which was always found detrimental to the publick tranquillity, and the security of the Emperors, having once been sufficiently broke, it remained to controul and refrain also the unruliness and insolence of the common people, than which nothing can be more pernicious in a Government. The new-modell'd authority was to be secured from the seditious rage of the licentious vulgar, that manyheaded beast, by a set of new Laws. And very

happily for the new Monarch the times then were such, that he could make what laws he pleased, or thought would best agree with the state of the Country, and the genius of his subjects, that is, so rigorous ones, that one would think they had been wrote by the Athenian Dragon, not with ink, but with blood. And yet it cannot be asserted, that these Laws, though never so severe, command any thing which is not easily to be obey'd, or that in the end they were made with any other design, but that of promoting the general good of the Empire, and preserving that form of Government, which seemed to be the most conducive thereunto. Much less could it be said, that they were made with a cruel and sanguinary view, like those of that famous Tyrant Dionysius, who caused his laws to be hung up so high, and so much out of peoples sight, that no body being able to read them, there should be more offenders, and the number of executions so much greater in proportion. The rigour of the Japanese Laws consists chiefly in that no crimes whatever are to be punished by fines only, and pecuniary mulcts: None but corporal punishments, or death, without hopes of pardon or reprieve, attend on the transgression of the Imperial commands. From this utmost severity, however, the Princes and great men in the Empire are so far excepted, that for their misdemeanours they are either banished to certain islands, or else commanded to make away with themselves. Such Laws, and no others, were proper to controul and refrain a nation of that temper, which the Japanese is of. It was thought pernicious and unjust in the highest degree, (and certainly not without reason) that the Laws should be made only for the poor, and that the rich, by being enabled to buy off the punishments, should have it in their power to commit what crimes they pleased. I have often admired, in my journeys through this Country, the shortness and laconism of these tables which are hung up on the roads, in places particularly appointed for this purpose, to notify to the publick the Emperor's pleasure, and to make known the Laws of the Country, for it is barely mentioned, and in as few words as possible, what the Emperor commands to be done or omitted by his subjects: There is no reason given how it came about, that such or such a Law was made, no mention of the Law-giver's view and intention, nor is there any certain determined penalty put upon transgression thereof. Such a conciseness is thought becoming the Majesty of so powerful a Monarch. It is enough that he should know the reasons of his commands, whose judgment 'twould be treason to call in question. Besides no body can plead ignorance of the penalty, or complain of any wrong done him, in a Country where all crimes are punished with the utmost rigour, and where the bare transgression of the Laws of the Country is capital, without any particular regard had either to the degree and heinousness of the crimes, or else to the favourable circumstances an offender's case may be attended with. What the Great Duke of Muscovy Johannes Basilides used to say of his subjects, holds equally true of the Japanese: They must be governed with an iron rod. It wanted most severe Laws, and as severe punishments,

to refrain from tumults and seditions so stubborn and unruly a nation, to preserve peace and tranquillity in so many large Provinces, as differing in their principles, as they are remote from each other, and what is still more, to keep in awe the Princes and Heads of the Empire. 'Twas to be feared, that men of so much resolution, such noble and generous dispositions, as the Princes of the Japanese Empire shew'd upon all occasions, could and indeed would not forbear one time or other to attempt the recovery of that liberty and power, which they cannot but with sorrow remember to have once enjoyed, and that they would not fail of being back'd and seconded by their subjects and the common people, who are always lovers of change, and inclined to factions and parties, if sufficient care had not been taken to break the strength and forces of the one, and to refrain the insolence and unruliness of the other.

Taico having thus settled the affairs of his Empire upon a sure and lasting foundation, and recommended to his successors to tread in the same steps, departed this life in the year of Christ 1598. He was a Prince of consummate prudence, and was after his death related among the Gods of the Country, by the name of Ssin Fatzman, that is, the second Fatzman, or Mars of the Country. Not unhappily for the Empire Ongoshio, who was afterwards called Jejas, and after his death Gongin, took the Government into his hands. He was of the illustrious house Tokngava, and had been by Taico himself, upon his death-bed, appointed tutor to his only son Fide Juri, then but six years of age, (whom he afterwards deprived of the life and throne.) His descendants continued in possession of the Empire ever since, and govern the same with no less prudence than success, following the maxims and examples of their illustrious Predecessors, and strictly keeping to the severe laws by them established. They know very well, and 'tis indeed the main point, the happiness of their Government depends upon, how to keep the Princes and the great men of the Empire in awe and within due bounds of submission, so as not to suffer their power and strength to increase beyond what the security of the state will conveniently bear. They do not indeed oppress them, or keep them low by force of arms, nor do they load them with heavy taxes, but endeavour to gain their friendship and affection by a courteous obliging behaviour towards them, and by bestowing upon them signal marks of their Imperial bounty, although of such a nature, that in fact they squeeze those to whom they prove liberal, exhaust those whom they honour with their presence, and clog those on whom they conferr great titles. In short, there is no mark of honour, no kind of favour, which they do not freely and liberally bestow on the Princes of the Empire, at once to secure their obedience and submission, and to engage them to spend the revenues of their dominions, which might, if heap'd up, prompt and entice them to war and rebellion. For such is the pride of this nation, that they imagine, what ever favours are shewn them, whatever honours conferr'd on them by the Emperor, they must increase their pomp and expences in proportion,

live in a more magnificent and profuse manner, both at home and in their journeys to Court, whether they must all go once a year. Thus depriv'd, as they are, of the real power and grandeur they were once possess'd of, they have the satisfaction, at least with the remaining shadow to feed their ambition. Not to mention at present numberless other contrivances and artifices, the Emperors use to keep them from mutual communication and interviews with each other, to dive into their most secret conversations, and the private transactions of their families, to establish alliances and friendship, or to raise mutual jealousies and enmities amongst them, as it best suits their interest. Among other things particular care is taken to be appraised of the true state and revenues of the Country, to know, with what faithfulness and sincerity the Imperial officers discharge their duty, to be informed of the inclinations and way of life of the Clergy, particularly those amongst them, who are entrusted with authority, to enquire, how justice is administred in the Empire, and to take cognisance what decrees are pronounced particular causes.

Affairs being now so far settled, that there was little room left to be apprehensive of seditions and revolts home, the propensity of the nation towards the like undertakings notwithstanding, it was thought highly advisable to cut off also what foreign causes still remained, which might one time or other breed troubles and disturbances in the Empire. The work indeed had been already begun, and was very much advanced, but it still wanted a finishing stroke. The growing happiness of this new modelled common-wealth was to be raised to a higher pitch, the publick tranquillity, lately procured, to be farther secured, and in short, all things to be established upon a sure and lasting foot. This required all the thoughts and constant application of the Emperors. At least, whatever revolutions might happen hereafter, posterity should have no reason to accuse them of neglect or want of conduct, and to lay to their charge what some Politicians commonly attribute to the influence of the climate, or the fatal inconstancy of human Empires. The foreign manners and customs, whether brought from abroad by the natives, or introduced among them by foreigners, were the first, and indeed the main subject of this reformation. Cards, dice, duels, luxury and profuseness both of the table and cloathing, and all foreign dainties whatever, were declared obstacles and hindrances to the practice of virtue and continence Not even the Christian Religion, and the Doctrine of the Salvation of mankind through the Merits of Christ, could escape falling under the displeasure of the rigid Censors, but was declared highly detrimental to the form of Government, as then established, to the peace and tranquillity of the Empire, to the Religions of the Country, to the worship of their Gods, and to the holiness and authority of the Mikaddos, or Ecclesiastical Hereditary Emperors, who are, as it were, the Popes of Japan. The voyages and travels of the natives into foreign Countries, of foreigners into Japan, were judged prejudicial to the publick tranquillity, forasmuch as they serve only to breed foreign inclinations, inconsistent with

the nature of the Country, and the genius of the Nation. In a word, whatever evil the common-wealth still laboured under, or was like to be for the future liable to, was all laid to the charge of foreign Customs and Countries. Now 'twould be certainly a vain attempt to restore the body to its pristine state of health, unless the mortified parts be cut off. 'Twould be presumption to hope for a cessation of the evil,so long as its cause is suffered to subsist.
Shutting up of the Empire. Hence the state and condition of the Empire, such as it then was, the form of Government, as it had been lately established, the happiness and welfare of the people, the nature of the Country, and the security of the Emperor in concurrence required, that the Empire should be shut up, shut up for ever, and throughly purged of foreigners and foreign customs. Hence the Emperor and the Council of State came at last to a resolution, by a lasting and for ever inviolable Law to enact, That the Empire should be shut up.
Fall of the Portugueze. Of all foreigners, none were thought to have got so strong a footing in the Country, and withal so much to its prejudice, as the Portugueze, a nation of no less pride and vanity than the Japanese themselves. Soon after the discovery of this Colchis, which was merely accidental, a ship having been cast thither in a storm, about the year of Christ 1543, invited by the prospect of gain, they made large settlements there, and within a short compass of time, with their foreign commodities, with the Doctrine of the Gospel preach'd by their Missionaries, and with mutual marriages between them and the new converts, they so enrich'd and ingratiated themselves into the favour of the nation, and won over so many to their interest, that flushed with success, they durst carry their views even to some revolution in the Government, and form schemes full of ingratitude and malice, and highly prejudicial to the security of the then reigning family. The Emperor was struck with horror and surprize at the sight of two letters full of treacherous designs, one of which had been intercepted by the Dutch, then at war with the Portugueze, and striving to gain this profitable branch of trade to themselves, and the other sent over by the Japanese from Canton, a City in China. At once many circumstances offer'd very much to their disadvantage. Heavy complaints were made at Court by one of the chief Counsellors of State, because, being met on the road by a Jesuit Bishop, the haughty Prelate would not pay him the same deference and respect, which is usually shewn them by the natives. The excessive profits the Portugueze made with so curious a nation, and so desirous of foreign rarities, the immense treasures exported by them, touch'd the Government to the quick. The vast success in the propagation of the Christian Religion, the union of the new converts, the hatred they bore to the Gods and Religion of the Country, their constancy in the profession and defence of their Faith, afforded matter of uneasiness and apprehension. 'Twas to be feared, that if the Christians were suffered farther to increase in number, there would be fresh cause, new occasions of sedition and revolt against those very Monarchs, who with so much pains, and the loss of so much blood, had

but lately broke the strength of the Princes of the Empire, and by bringing about their subjection, put an end to the civil wars, which had so long desolated the Country.

For these several weighty reasons, Taico begun to put a stop to the increase of the Portugueze interest, and the propagation of the Christian Faith. However, he made but a slow progress in a work of so much consequence, and which seem'd to require a great deal of time, and dying soon after, left it to be finished by his successors, who, under pain of the Cross, ordered that all the Portugueze, with their Clergy, and Japanese kindred, should leave the Country, that the natives of Japan should for the future stay at home, that those, who then happen'd to be actually abroad, should return within a certain limited time, beyond which they should be liable, if taken, to the same punishment, and lastly, that those, who embraced the Doctrine and Faith of Christ, should forthwith renounce the same. 'Twas not without the utmost difficulty these orders were at last complied with. It cost less Heathen blood to acquire the supremacy of the Empire, than there was now shed of the Christian to secure and establish it. The new converts being not to be confuted with reasons, swords, halters, fire, cross, and the like hard arguments were made use of to convince them, and to make them sensible of their error. And vet all this hard usage, all the dreadful variety of torments invented by their cruel butchers, was so far from shaking their piety and virtue, that to the eternal shame of these Heathens, they did not scruple joyfully to seal the truth of their Faith with their blood even on the Cross, and shewed such unparallel'd examples of constancy, that their very enemies were struck with surprize and admiration. This cruel persecution, which hath not its equal in history, lasted about forty years. Jjemitz, who was after his death called Teijojin, son and successor of Fide-Tadda, or as he was after his death called, Teitokuni, and grandson of Jjejas, gave at last the finishing stroke, and with unparallel'd barbarity exterminated in one day all the sacred remains of Christianity in Japan, butchering about seven and thirty thousand Christians and upwards, whom despair and the insufferable torments, their brethren had been forced to undergo, brought together in the Castle Simabara, seated upon the Coasts of Arima, with a firm resolution to defend their lives to the very last. This Castle was, after a siege of three months, taken on the 28th day of the second month in the period Quanje (that is, on the 12th of April, 1638.) according to the printed Japanese annals Nendaiki, and Odaiki, and another book published in Japan by the title of Simabara Gasen, wherein the whole history of this revolt of the Christians is set forth more at large. This was the last scene of this bloody tragedy: The Christian Blood being now let to the last drop, the butchery and persecution ended about the year t 640. And thus the Japanese Empire was at last throughly cleared, and shut up, for ever after, to the natives as well as to foreigners. In vain did afterwards the Portugueze at Macao send over a splendid Embassy. Not the Law of nations, not the sacred Character of Ambassadors, was able to

protect them from the punishment, put by the Japanese Government upon all those who should presume to enter the Empire contrary to their Edicts. The Ambassadors, and their whole retinue, to the number of sixty-one persons, were beheaded by special command of the Emperor, excepting a few of their meanest servants, in order to bring their Countrymen the melancholly news of this barbarous reception.

The Dutch East-India Company had carried on a trade to Japan ever since the beginning of the seventeenth Century. It was thought a hardship and injustice to treat those with equal rigour, whose sincerity and loyalty they had experienced ever since their first arrival, not only against the Portugueze, then declared enemies of the Empire, but also very lately in the Rebellion of the Christians in Arima: Besides the liberty of Trade had been secured to them by two Imperial privileges, one of which they obtained from the Emperor Ijejas in 1611, the other from his successor Fide-Tadda in 1616. For this reason, a medium was to be found out, and affairs were so regulated with regard to them, that the same prison, for so I may well call it, which had been built for the Portugueze in the harbour of Nagasaki, should be assign'd for their future abode. It was not thought adviseable to oblige them also to quit the Country, and yet dangerous freely to admit them. For this reason they are now kept, little better than prisoners, and hostages under the strict inspection of crowds of overseers, who are obliged by a solemn oath narrowly to watch their minutest actions, and kept, as it seems, for scarce any other purpose, but that the Japanese-might be by their means informed of what passes in other parts of the world. Hence, to make it worth their while to stay, and patiently to endure what hardships are put upon them, they have given them leave to sell off their goods to the value of about 500,000 Crowns a year. It is certainly an error to imagine, that the Japanese cannot well be without the goods imported by the Dutch. There is more Silk and other Stuffs wore out in the Country in one week's time, than the Dutch import in a year. And as to most of their other Commodities, as Catsju, Bornean Camphire, Putsiu, or Costus, Spices, and many more, they serve only for luxury and medicines.

The Chinese, to whom the Japanese stand indebted for their arts and sciences, and even some Religions flourishing in the Country, and upon whose government that of their own Empire had been in great measure modelled, were not included in the general exclusion of foreign nations, but their trade and liberty reserved, with this restriction however, that Nangasaki should be the only place of their resort, and that they should put into no other harbour. Upon this foot they were admitted not only from China, but also from other Eastern Countries and Kingdoms, whither they had been dispersed after the late conquest of their Empire by the Tartarian Monarch. But afterwards, when the Christian Religion was preached and admitted in China, they began to import, amongst other Chinese Books, which they bring over and sell in Japan, such as treated of the Gospel

and Faith in Christ, and by this means to spread anew, and revive a Doctrine which had been declared prejudicial to the publick tranquillity, and rooted out not long before with so much trouble, and the death of so many Martyrs. This so incensed the Japanese Government, that it was resolved to put them upon the same foot with the Dutch, and to confine them much after the same manner. Nay their condition is so far the worse, as they have not the same skill and dexterity, where-with the Dutch know how to withstand and ward off the crafty impositions of the Japanese. On the contrary, although they all bear the same name, yet as they live in different Countries, they do what they can to thwart and cross one another, and are withal so avaricious, that they choose rather to bear whatever insults are offer'd them, than to miss any, though never so inconsiderable profit.

5.

In this state of affairs, when the Empire was now entirely shut up, nothing could withstand the views and intentions of the secular Monarchs: No ways apprehensive, neither of the ambition of the great ones, then sufficiently subjected, nor of the obstinacy and unruliness of the common people, nor of the counsels and assistance of foreign nations, nor lastly, of the conversation and influence of those whom they admitted and tolerated, they had their hands tied no longer, but were at liberty to do what they thought fit, to attempt things, which it would be impossible to bring about in any open Country, where there is a free access and commerce, to bring towns, burroughs, villages, all colleges and mutual societies, not even the corporations of workmen and artificers excepted, to the strictest order and regulations imaginable, to reform the old customs, to introduce new ones, to assign and limit every one's work, by commendation and recompense to rouze up their subjects to a spirit of industry, to the perfection of arts, and searching after new useful inventions, but at the same time also by appointing multitudes of overseers and rigid censors to have a watchful Eye over the conduct of the people, to keep them within due bounds of submission, to oblige every one to a strict practice of virtue, and in short, to make the whole Empire, as it were, a school of civility and good manners. And thus the secular Monarchs have in a manner revived the innocence and happiness of former ages, free from apprehensions of revolts at home, and so far relying on the excellency of their Country, and on the courage and strength of their invincible subjects, as to despise the envy and jealousy of all other nations. And indeed such is the happy condition of the Japanese Empire, that they have no enemies to fear, no invasions from abroad to dread. Liquaeo, Jedso, Coraea, and all the neighbouring islands acknowledge the supremacy of the Japanese Emperor. And so far is it, that they should have any thing to apprehend from China, though indeed a mighty and powerful Empire, that they themselves are rather formidable to the Chinese. The Chinese are too effeminate a nation for any

attempt of this nature, and the now reigning Emperor, who is of Tartarian extraction, is already so loaded with Kingdoms and Empires, that he will scarce think of extending his conquests so far as Japan. Tsinajos, (a son of Ijetzna, who was after his death call'd Genjujin, and grandson of Teitoquini) who now sits on the secular Throne of Japan, is a Prince of great prudence and conduct, and heir of the virtues and good qualities of his predecessors, and withal eminent for his singular clemency and mildness, though a strict maintainer of the Laws of the Country. Bred up in the Philosophy of Confutius, he governs the Empire, as the state of the Country, and the good of his people require. Happy and flourishing is the condition of his subjects under his reign. United and peaceable, taught to give due worship to the Gods, due obedience to the Laws due submission to their Superiors, due love and regard to their Neighbours, civil, obliging, virtuous, in art and industry exceeding all other nations, possess'd of an excellent Country, enrich'd by mutual Trade and Commerce among themselves, couragious, abundantly provided with all the necessaries of life, and withal enjoying the fruits of peace and tranquillity. Such a train of prosperities must needs convince them, whether they reflect on their former loose way of life, or consult the Histories of the remotest ages, That their Country was never in a happier condition than it now is, governed by an arbitrary Monarch, shut up, and kept from all Commerce and Communication with foreign nations.