went to the Court to know when we might have audience of themperour
and deliver our present, but they fownd so many noble men geving
presentes to themperour, it being the 28th day of the moone (and a
festivall day), that they could have noe answer, and soe were put affe
till to morow.
The King of Firando sent me a present of a barill wine, and a table of
cuttell fish drid.
_October 7._--I wrot a letter to Firando to Ed. Sayer and Jno.
Osterwick, with 2 others to China Capt. and Matinga. In that to China
Capt. I wrot for my _goshon_. These letters sent per horsmen.
Codgskin Dono sent me a present of greate peares, of 2 spans about one
peare.
Also I rec. a letter from Semi Dono, dated in Miaco, as he also wrot
an other to Capt. Adames to same effect, to gett hym out a _goshon_
for Cochinchina. Soe this night Torazemon Dono came and brought me the
letter with the ould _goshon_, and Caqemon Dono came in company with
hym and an other gentellman of King of Firando. They used many
speeches to perswade me from putting up this writing which I have made
against the Hollanders, which I esteme is Torazemon Donos doing, for
that he hath allwais byn a frend to Hollanders.
_October 8._--Capt. Adames was sent for to the Court, soe that I
thought we should have delivered our present to themperour this day.
But he remayned there from nowne till night, and had not one word
spoaken to hym.
_October 9_ (_Conguach_ 1th).--Capt. Adames sent his man to Firando
and soe for Languasakey with a _goshon_ for Fingo Shiquan, per whome I
sent the letters for Firando. And gave hym an _ichebo_ to spend per
way.
This day we went and delivered our present to themperour, viz.:--
2 fowling peeces. 84
1 de. cloth, black.
1 de. sadd blew.
10 peeces damask and satten.
104 _cattis_ wax.
10 _cattis callamback_.
25 _cattis_ silke.
_October 10._--Capt. Adames went to Cort with our _jurebasso_, and it
was ordayned to morow we should vizet the prince with a present, I
meane themperours eldest sonne.
_October 11._--We carid a present to the Prince Wacange Samme:--
1 fowling peece.
3 _tatta._ black clo.
3 _tatta._ primeroz.
5 peece damaskes or stuffes.
1 cake wax.
1 peec. _calemback_.
4 bundelles silk.
We attended a greate while to have entrance to the prince after our
present was carrid in, and in the end were put affe till to morrow, I
doe think by instigation of som from the _Tono_ of Firando, who
enformed them we came to make processe against the Hollanders. Once we
retorned back, and left the present behind.
_October 12._--This day we carid the present to the Prince Wacange
Samme, or rather delivered it to hym, yt being well accepted of; and
the Emperours factor went with us.
_October 13._--We carid our presentes to Oyen Dono, and to his
secretary; and to Codgskin Dono, and to his secretary.
More presentes geven to Emperours Councell, viz. to Oto Dono, Tushma
Dono, Itame Genuske Dono, and their secretaries.
_October 14._--We carid presentes to Chana Shogero Dono; to the two
admeralles; and to sonne Fongo Samma.
The admerall sent a bark for us, to carry us to a howse of pleasure 85
where he was, and entertayned us very kyndly. So at our retorne we
gave an _ichebo_ to the barkemen.
The singing man and Sugien Donos brother came to vizet me, and brought
a barken [baken ?] box of meate for a present.
_October 15._--A littell before son rising there happened an
earthquake at Edo, but of small contynewance.
The King of Firando sent a man to me with a letter which he rec. from
Oto Dono, advising hym of the present we gave hym, willing hym to geve
us thankes for it. Also Gensero Samma, the kinges brother, sent to
envite me to dynner 2 daies hence; but I retorned answer that as yet
we had not donne any thing for dispach of our busynes at Cort, but
howrly attended the Councells answer; but, having ended, I would com
and kisse his Lordshipps handes, etc.
_October 16._--We went to see the sepulcre of Ogosho Samma, now new
made. A wonderfull peece of work it is, and farr before that of Ticus
Samma at Miaco; and neare unto it is an other monument of Sada Dono,
father to Codgskin Dono, and a pogo[d] of heathen pristes, with a
monument of 2 noble men which kild them selves to accompany Ogosho
Samma in an other world, as they think. A servant of Oyen Dono, who
kept the monument, made us a colation, and showed us all the
singularreties of the place; unto whome we gave an _ichebo_.
_October 17._--This day was the great feast of Shecco, all the Japon
kinges (or _tonos_) viseting themperour with presentes. Soe we could
doe nothing at Cort.
_October 18._--Capt. Adams went to Cort remayning there all thafter
nowne; but themperour went a fowling, soe nothing was donne for our
dispach.
I sould this day 5 _tay_ wight of corall for 43 _tais_.
_October 19._--I forgot to set downe how Cakeyamon Dono came to vizet 86
me, telling me he came new out of cuntrey from the funerall of Oyen
Donos wife. He also advized me that I should not think ill of hym, yf
he ware forward in wordes to speake in the Hollanders behalfe in
presence of the King of Firandos people, for that he did it of
purpose. This is a craftie fello. I sent hym a present this day, viz.
1 pece fugered satten, cost 8 _tais_; 1 branch corall, containing 2
_mas_ 9 _condrins_.
The King of Firando sent one of his gentellmen to vizet me, with many
complementall wordes and offers of greate frenshipp, and that he
wanted not to labour to get our dispach. I retorned his Highnes many
thankes; but rather imagin he standeth in dowbt we goe about to get
lycense to send our shiping to Langasaque, in respect we desire to be
apart from the Hollanders, and in that he is not deceaved. But whether
it will take effect or no, I know not, only the Emperours factor sent
me word per Capt. Adames it would.
_October 20._--We went and vizeted Oyen Dono, the secretary, but had
but one word with hym, he only biding us wellcom and so went to Cort.
I thought to have delivered hym the writing I had made against the
Hollanders; but he went away without it, although he saw me have it in
my hand. So I gave it to his secretary, Cacakayemon Dono, whoe of hym
self promised me to deliver it to hym at his retorne.
I also went and vizeted the King Firando, and carid hym 3 branches
corall, containing 5 _mas_, and a bottell of strong water; and to his
brother a branch of corall containing 2 _mas_ 2 _condrin_. The king I
fownd in company with certen caveleros whoe went lyk wais to vizet
hym, he being very weake and full of the French disease, soe I think
he will not live longe.
_October 21._--I went and vizeted the Emperours merchant or factor,
and carid hym a present of 2 branches corall, containing 5 _mas_, with
a bottell hoot distild water.
I receved 18 _tais_ for 18 _mas_ wight corall of my owne, and 2 _tais_ 87
for a landshast of Companis, sould per Capt. Adams.
We were envited to dyner to Yada Dono, where we were kyndly
entertayned.
_October 22._--I sould 18 _mas_ 1 _condrin_ wight of corall at 10 per
one silver, is 18 _tais_ 1 _mas_, trusted.
Capt. Adames was all day at Cort, expecting answer for our dispach,
but did nothing, most of the Councell being gon to honer a pagod where
Ogosho Samas was bured, 3 daies journey hence, the seremony being to
be observed the 17th day of this moone after Japon stile, which was
the day of this buriall.
_October 23._--Capt. Adames was all day at Cort to get our dispach,
but retorned without doing of any thing.
_October 24._--Not having busynes to doe by meanes the Councell were
abcent about seremones of the ould Emperours mortuary, we went and
vizeted the pagod of Otongo, which these people hould to be the god of
darknes (or hell), as the antientes called Pluto. It standes on the
topp of a hill which overlooketh all Edo, and the idoll (or picture)
of Otongo is made in forme lyke a devill, with a hooked nose and feete
lyke a griffon, and riding upon a wild boare. He was painted after
severall formes, but allwais monted upon a wild boare, which the
people say was his blason or armes. And for that entent there is a
greate wild boare alive kept in a cage (or frank) at the foote of the
hill, which I saw at my entrance. And there goeth an upright peare of
[s]ton staie[r]s of 69 stepps, of a lardg breadth, leading directly up
to the pagod; but an easier way is to goe compas about the hill. There
was many people went to vizet that place, and their use is to goe 3
tymes rownd about the pagod mumbling out serten prayers. This I marked
of dyvers.
From thence we went to an other pagod, where the eldest sonne of 88
Ogosho Samma (a valient man) lyeth bured in a stately monument. This
pagod is the seate of the greate or high bushopp of Japon, next after
the _deyre_. His people used us very kyndly, and opened the dores of
the monument, and let us enter in, and opened the secret place where
the idoll of the dececed was placed, whereat all the Japons fell
prostrate and adored it. And from thence they led us into the bushops
chappell or oratory, all sett out with idolls and lamps, nether more
nor lesse then in the papist churches, before which idolls the Japons
did likewais fall downe and worship. This pagod (or monestery) was
erected to the honor of Amida, a greate saint of China, equaled with
Shacca. And I gave an _ichebo_ to them which shewed us these matters,
and so retorned hom.
_October 25._--Fongo Dono, the ould admerall, sent me a present of
frute with a letter from his manor howse, 17 leagues hence.
Capt. Adames was all day at Cort to get our dispach; but had nothing
from the Councell but a nod and smiling countenance.
_October 26._--Mr. Nealson did but ask Capt. Adames for 10 shire maps
without frames, which per his acco. he hath resting in his handes; but
he fell into such a chafe about that matter, telling them which were
about hym, in the Japon tong, that this was not the first tyme we had
charged hym with falce accomptes and after reconynges. Truly I was
ashamed to heare hym in such a humor; yet, after, yt seemed he
recanted, for he came to me and asked me yf I know of any such matter.
And I answerd hym, it apered by Mr. Eatons accompt that he had them,
wherof I know yow (_sic_) have a coppie under his owne hand. So he
went away, and said nothing to the contrary.
Matabio Oye Dono, our host of Oisa,[53] sent me a letter with a
present of 2 greate fyshes, to know whether I were in health or no, 89
for that I was sick in his howse, and not heard any news whether I
were recoverd or noe. He sent this man 16 leagues with this present
only to see how I did. So I gave his man an _ichebo_ of gould to pay
for his horshier and wrot a letter to his master.
We went this day to vizet a greate temple of Yemia Fachman, the god of
war, with an other god, as they take it, joyned with hym, which every
18th day of eache moone the people goe on pilgremage to offer to the
shrines; and this was the 18th day, which made me the more willing to
goe to see it being accomplished, with Capt. Adames, Mr. Nealson, and
others. And I doe verely thinke there were above 100,000 people, men,
women, and children, which went this day upon devotion to that place,
and in many places in the way were comodies (or plaies) to be seene,
and other showes; and before the temple the sorserars or witches stood
dansing, with knottes or bunches of hawcks belles made fast to sticks,
which they held in their hands, mumbling over sertayne prayers. But
that which I tooke most note of was of the liberaletie and devotion of
these heathen people, whoe thronged into the pagod in multetudes, one
after an other, to cast money into a littell chapell before the
idalles, most parte, or rather all which I could see, being _gins_ or
bras money, whereof 100 of them may vallie som 10_d._ str., and are
about the bignes of a 3_d._ English money; which coyne (or brasse
money) they cast in by handfulles, and then came out of the temple,
delivered a writing to one that sat within the dore, who piled them
one on the top of the other. And so the pilgrams turned on the left
hand of the entry of the pagod, and in a gallery went 3 tymes about
it, and soe departed away. There was many 100 of gentellmen which went
on horsback to doe these devotions in the forme as afforsaid.
And soe, as we retorned, we went into a _vento_[54] or tavarne, where 90
we dyned of presentes and bankets which were brought us; and gave to
the howse 500 _gins_, and the servantes 100 ditto.
Cacayemon Dono came to vizet me, and tould me many matters, how his
master and all the rest of the Councell were offended against the
Hollanders, etc.
[53] Oiso.
[54] Span. _venta_, a roadside inn.
_October 27._--Capt. Adams went to Cort about our busynes, and there
saw Jno. Yoosen, the Hollander, delivering up a present to themperour
and getting out a _goshon_.
Mr. Nealson envited Cacayemon Dono and Torazemon Dono to supper this
night, and had the dansing beares.
This day at 4 clock after nowne an earthquak.
_October 28._--Chauno Shrogero Dono, Emperours factor, sent me a
letter of his retorne to Edo; and I retorned hym answer, desiring his
frendship to procure us Emperours _goshon_ to carry our shiping to
Langasaque.
Capt. Adams went againe to Cort, to gett our dispach, but retorned
only with a nodd from the counsellors, with a smile. Also he
understood that for 3 daies space Jno. Yoosens present is not yet
deliverd, although he tendered it each day. And I had forgotten to
note downe that Caquemon Dono, secretary of Oyen Dono, tould me that
the said Yoosen brought a present to his master, which he asked hym
whether it were stolne goodes or noe, for that, said he, the
Hollanders are now well knowne to be comune theevs, etc.
Also, Capt. Adams being at Cort, Oyen Dono asked hym wherefore he
came; whereunto he answered that he came for the dispach of thenglish
Capt. "Whie," said he, "is he not gon? It is almost a month past since
I thought he had byn gon." This he spoake in hearing of Jno. Yoosen,
and soe went away laughing, for what event I know not, only Capt.
Adames thought it was in mocking ye Hollanders.
_October 29._--Capt. Adames went to castell to have gotten our 91
dispach, but retorned without doing any thing, the Emperour being gon
to looke on them which shott at blank with hand guns or kalivers.
Also he saw Jno. Yoosen, the Hollander, still with his present
unreceaved, attending their pleasures.
Capt. Adames went to Cort to get our dispache, and the Councell gave
hym order to com to them to morow morning, for that they would talke
with hym. The Emperour went this day a fowling, and with his owne
handes kild 5 elkes (or wild swans), which coming out to send them
abroad to his brothers and frendes (after his retorne to his pallace
or castell), he saw Jno. Yoosen stand in a corner with his present,
and asked what he was; and, being knowne, he went away asking whether
he were a Hollander, and yt was answersd hym yea. "Whie," said he, "it
is reported this fellow is much indebted and will not pay his
creditors." Unto which a frend of his answered, it was to the
Hollanders, his cuntremen, and to noe others; wherin his frend lied,
for he oweth to divers others. Yet upon this report his present was
receaved.
_October 31._--I went and vizeted Chawno Shrogero Dono, and desird hym
to be a meanes to get our dispach; and he tould me he would, and for
our going to Langasaque with our shiping, we might doe it yf we would,
as well as to Firando, for that it was all one to this Emperour, soe
we might doe it.
Capt. Adames went to Cort, as the Councell did bid hym, but attended
most parte of the day, and then retorned without geting out our
dispache.
_November 1._--This day we reconed with Yadeo Dono, partner with
Neamon Dono; but much trowble we had with hym, for he would have put
lodghier, incomiendo, and servantes wages to acco. for goodes sould,
and yet have kept all the profit to them selves, over and above the
bare prise left with them, they having, upon my knowledg, sould it for 92
much more. Also he would have put som thinges sould at a lower price
then it was left at, with other unreasonable matters. Soe I referd all
to Capt. Adames to make an end of it, without going to law, where I am
ashewered we should have fownd small right, as I have known per
experience.
_November 2._--Jno. Yoosen came to vizet me, and brought me a present
of sweet meates, enviting me hom to his howse, etc. Yt seemed by his
speeches he was not well pleaced with the Hollanders liberallety
towardes hym, considering the paynes he had taken for them, for which
he hath the ill will of the _Tono_ of Firando and divers others.
Capt. Adames went to Cort to get our dispache, but themperour was gon
out a hawking and the Councell a feasting; soe nothing was donne.
_November 3._--I receved three letters per expres, viz.:--1 from Ed.
Sayer and Jno. Osterwick, dated in Firando, 2th October; 1 from Capt.
Whaw, China Capt., at Langasaque; 1 from Jno. _jurebasso_ at
Firando--all to sett out 2 _goshons_ for Chinas, yf I can, one for
Tonkin, and other for Taccasanga.
Capt. Adames went to Cort to get our dispach, but retorned without
doing anything. Only Oyen Dono asked hym whether I were gon or no.
Unto whome he answerd, how I could goe without lycence of themperour.
So he tould hym I did well, and that we should forthwith be dispached.
There was 3 Japons of Langasaque with presentes to get out _goshons_
for Cochinchina; but they and their presentes were sent away without
any answer, but that they might com an other tyme, viz. Capt.
Barnardo, Cutarro or Gotarro, Manuel Gonzalves man.
_November 4._--I went to Oyen Dono, accompanid with Capt. Adams and
Mr. Nealson, and by good fortune met hym in the street at his owne 93
dore, desyring his Lordshipp to get us our dispach from themperour,
which he promised to procure forthwith, being ashamed (as he said) we
staid soe longe, and with all tellinge me he was beholden to me.
_November 5._--Yisternight at 10 a clock was an earthquake, which for
a good while shooke very much.
Capt. Adames went to Cort to get our dispache, and was answerd we
should be dispached to morow. The Japons presentes, which came for
_goshons_, were receved.
_November 6._--The Emperour sent me 20 silk _keremons_ (or coates) for
a present, wherof I gave 2 to Capt. Adames, 2 to Mr. Nealson, and 1 to
our host of Miaco, Magazemon Dono.
_November 7._--I forgot to note downe that there was a comett (or
blasing star) which hath appeared this 5 or 6 daies som hower before
day, easterly, a littell to the southwards; but it is so neare the
sunne that we could see nothing but the teale, yt being of a hudg
leangth, and doth, by littell and littell, draw to the westward,
sotherly.
Also this day I went and took my leave of all the lordes of the
Councell, but spoake with none but Oyen Dono.
And, as we retorned, about 10 a clock, hapned a greate earthquake,
which caused many people to run out of their howses. And about the
lyke hower the night following hapned an other, this cuntrey being
much subject to them. And that which is comunely marked, they allwais
hapen at a hie water (or full sea); so it is thought it chanseth per
reazon is much wind blowen into hollow caves under grownd at a loe
water, and the sea flowing in after, and stoping the passage out,
causeth these earthquakes, to fynd passage or vent for the wind shut
up.
_November 8._--We dyned at King of Firandos brothers, where we were
kindly entertayned, and I carid him a _barso_ of wyne and a fresh
salmon for a present.
The people in this place did talke much about this comett seene, that 94
it did prognosticate som greate matter of warr, and many did ask me
whether such matters did happen in our cuntrey, and whether I knew
what it did meane or would ensue therof; unto which I answerd that
such many tymes have byn seene in our partes of the world, but the
meanyng therof God did know and not I.
_November 9._--Capt. Adams was sent for to Cort about our _goshon_ of
last yeare, to know what junk it went in to Cochinchina, and, as it is
thought, Andrea Dittis, the China Capt., hath deceaved me, and
delivered my _goshon_ to Seme Dono at Firando and served his turne in
his junck, which now is com out. These matters are com to light per
meanes of seeking out the truth of sturrs which happened in
Cochinchina with Japons against Chinas, whereof the King of
Cochinchina advized themperour of their unrulynesse; soe that it is
thought noe _goshons_ will be geven out for that place this yeare.
The comet apered this mornynge greater then any tyme before.
_November 10._--I went to Chawna Shogero Dono this morning to desire
hym to get out our _goshon_, which he promised me he would, and desird
to buy som corall of me, yf I had any. Soe I sent hym that which I
had, out of which he took 9 _mas_ 4 _condrin_ wight, and would have
sent me money for it; but I gave it hym.
Towardes night Torazemon Dono and an other gentellman came to vizet me
from King of Firando, unto whome I made knowne how Semy Dono had used
me about my _goshon_, which was thoccation I was staied heare soe long
tyme without my dispach from themperour.
_November 11._--I went and tooke leave of King of Firando, I being
ready to retorne to morrow for Miaco, and fownd him very weake and
sick; yet he gave me very kind entertaynment, and wrott letters (as he
tould me) to his brother and Semy Dono, to pay me the rest of money 95
he oweth to the Company and to doe me justice against Gorezano and all
others.
And before night Torazemon Dono and wrot me a joynt letter
to deliver them my _goshon_ for use of Semi Dono; which I denyed, and
wrot them answer therof.
_November 12._--I went to Cawno Shogero Dono about the report geven
out of selling my _goshon_, and he tould me that the capt. of Semi
Donos junck is com up and witnesseth that Semi Dono sould hym my
_goshon_ for 300 _taies_; so that, yf the matter should com in
question before the Emperour, it would cost som men their lives. Yet,
for his parte, he would doe the best he could to amend all, and said
it was better I stayd here 2 or 3 daies to se all ended, for, yf I
went away, nothing would be donne.
_November 13._--The comet doth contynew still till this day, drawing
towardes W. southerly.
About 10 a clock at night a fyer began in the north parte of the citty
of Edo; but it was calme wether; otherwais much hurt had byn donne.
Yet ther were a few howses of pristes (or _boses_) servantes with 5
pagon temples burned in 3 divers places a greate distance one from an
other, many merchantes howses and tradesmens howses betwixt, and yet
it passed over all them without doing harme, and only burned downe the
other, as aforsaid; which many esteeme a handy work of God.
_November 14._--I forgot to note downe how the night past, when the
fire was neare to the King of Firandos howse and Cakayemon Donos, I
sent 8 or 10 men to have holpen them, yf need required; but the
streetes were so stopped that non could passe but one as a messenger,
to tell them of my good meanyng, which they took in good part.
_November 15._--There was presentes geven to Andrea and Maddalyna, his
wife, Mrs. Adams sister, in repect they had sent us presentes of 2 96
_barsos_ wyne, frute, and a fresh salmon, and came from Orengaua, 2
daies journey, to vizet us, viz. 1 peece velvett, 1 pece damask, and 5
_mas_ wight corall.
Mr. Nealson fell sick on a sudden of a fever with a bloody flux, in
greate extremety; so we sent for one of kinges chirurgions, to take
his councell, Mr. Nealson being very ernest to be lett blood; but he
councelled the contrary, saying it was nothing but an extreme cold he
had taken which drove hym into this excesse or fever, which, out of
dowbt, was his syting in his shert and a gowne 2 or 3 howrs together
on the topp of the howse, to look at the fyre when the pagods were
burned 2 nightes past.
_November 16._--Yisternight about 10 a clock was an other fyre.
_November 17._--We went to see the Emperours eldest brothers howse,
called Shrongo Samma, being envited to doe it per the ould Emperours
cook, who sent me a present at Shrongo and came hither and vizeted me
2 or 3 tymes since with presentes, besides this frenship. So I sent
hym a peece of damask for a present.
This howse we saw cost the workmanshipp, besides the tymber and all
other stuffe, 34000 bars of Oban gould at 13_l._ 10_s._ str. per bar.
And his 2 yonger brothers have made 2 other howses adjoynying unto yt,
not much inferior to the others. And it is to be considered that all
these buildinges are of tymber, covering and all, but soe guilded over
with gould, both within and without, that it sheweth most gloriouse to
the eye, but endureth but 20 or 30 yeares, and then build an other
new; which they accompt a greate glory and take it a base thing to
dwell in a howse builded by his predecessors.