Indian Antiquary Vol 53

SR No.: 032545
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple, Stephen Meredyth Edwardes, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1985
Total Pages: 392
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 327

APRIL, 1924 ]
NOTES ON PIRACY IN EASTERN WATERS
Man of Manilla,' the first Christian missionary having come from that island (Lettres Edifiantes, IV, 38). At first thoy made use of paper pictures, then figures out in wood, and in 1669 twenty bronze plates, 5 by 4 inches, made from metal taken from Christian altars, woro cast and engraved by one Yusa of Nagasaki (As. Soc. of Japan, Trans., IX, 134). Presumably the Dutch, with their fanatical hatred of image worship, had no objection to submit to this test. In the Records of Macao (quoted in the Hai-Kwoh-T'u-Cha) it is stated that in the stones of the Batavian quay at Nagasaki the Japanoso had engraved a crucifix upon which foreigners were compelled to tread as they landed. In the threshold of the gate of the city was a stone image of Jesus placed there for the same purposo (Chin. Repos., XIX, 217). How long this custom remained in foroo is shown by the fact that when in 1850 the British ship Eamont was wrecked on the coast of Japan, and the crew were taken to the Town-house of Nagasaki, each man was forced to tread as he entered upon a brazen crucifix in the doorway (Chin. Repos., XX, 112).
260. In 1631 Simao Vaz do Poyva was sent by the Portuguose from Macao with presents and excuses, but the Japanese rejected their advances (Sing. Chron., 27th February 1834).
261. In 1636 the Japanese Shogun Iyernitsu restricted foreign commerce to Nagasaki and Hirado and, to keep the Japanese at home, ordered the destruction of all foreign built ships or ships built on foreign models, which were in the possession of the Japanese : nothing was allowed for the future except the coasting junk. Such Portuguese as remained in Japan Wero imprisoned on the small island of Deshima in the harbour of Nagasaki (Murdoch, II. 470). In 1637, owing to the Christian rebellion in Shiinabara, in which from thirty to forty thousand Christians were killed, they were expelled altogether from Japanese territory (As. Soc. of Japan, Trans., IX, 136). The Dutch however were allowed to trado at Nagasaki, but when Captain Weddell visited Doshima in 1637 he was not well received (Logan's Journal, V, 661). The Japanese did not considor Protostants and Greek Catholics as Kristans,' as these did not worship images, had no connection with the Inquisition and did not attempt to make converte (Griffis, Mikado, p. 173).
262. In 1639 it was ordered that all Portuguese ships coining to Japan should be burnt with their cargoes and that overy one on board should be executed (Murdoch, II, 663).
263. In 1640 the Portuguese, in the hope of renewing friendly relations, sent envoys to Nagasaki. These the Japanese Government caused to be executed for their temerity.67 In the same year a very strongly armod Spanish vessel entored the harbour of Nagasaki and proobeded to load a rich cargo, whilst the orders of the Government were being ascertained.
Though repeatedly warned of their danger, the Spaniards, out of cupidity, delayed until, when the order for their destruction arrived, unfavourable winds made their escape impossible. The ship was surrounded by boats and, after a desperate resistance, in which 5,000 Japanese aro said to have been killed, all the Spaniards were slain or drowned, and the ship set on fire and sunk. For many years after, portions of the treasure were from time to time fished up (Kaempfer, II, 58, 59). Such is the Spanish-story; the Japanese is somewhat different :"In 1640, on July 7th, a ship arrived from Luzon [i.e., Manila). It was seized and the crow imprisoned in Deshima. Sixty-one of them were put to death at Nishigaki on August 3rd and the ship with its cargo consisting of 60 kwamme [1 kwammes10 lbs. Troy or 8 lbs. Avoirdupois) of gold, gold ornaments and piece goods, was sunk off Sudzure in Nishidomari. Thirtoen of the crew, who stated that they had come to Japan against their will, were spared and sent home on September 12th in a Chinese junk to inform their countrymen of the fato of
67 Faria (Hist. of Portugal, p. 42) says that four Portugueu ambassadors with 53 of their rotfrue er executed on this ocoaslon.