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Dejima

Encyclopedia : D : DE : DEJ : Dejima

 

For the Ghost in the Shell refugee island, see New Port City.
Dejima, also Deshima (出島, literally 'protruding island') in modern Japanese, Desjima in Dutch, often latinised as Decima, was a fan-shaped artificial island in the bay of Nagasaki that was a Dutch trading post during Japan's self-imposed isolation (sakoku) of the Edo period, from 1641 until 1853.
Edo-era boundaries of Dejima island (outlined in red) within the modern city of Nagasaki.
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Edo-era boundaries of Dejima island (outlined in red) within the modern city of Nagasaki.

Contents

History

The island was constructed in 1634, on orders of shogun Iemitsu, and originally accommodated Portuguese merchants. The Shimabara uprising of 1637, in which Christian Japanese took an active part, was crushed with the help of the Dutch. After the Portuguese and other Catholic nations were expelled from Japan in 1638, the shogunate ordered the Dutch East India Company (V.O.C.) transfer its mercantile operations from the port of Hirado (established on 20 September 1609) to Dejima in May 1641. The Dutch commissionner of French origin François Caron oversaw the move.

Organization

View of Dejima in Nagasaki Bay
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View of Dejima in Nagasaki Bay

Scale model of Dutch trading post on display in Dejima (2003)
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Scale model of Dutch trading post on display in Dejima (2003)

From then on, only the Chinese and the Dutch could trade with Japan. It is significant that Dejima was a man-made island, hence not part of Japan proper, thus the foreigners were kept at arm's length from the sacred soil of Japan. It was a small island, 120 by 75 meter, linked to the mainland by a small bridge, manned on both sides by guards, with a gate on the Dutch side. It contained houses for about 20 Dutchmen, warehouses and accommodation for Japanese government officials. The Dutch were watched by a number of Japanese officials, gatekeepers, night watchmen and a supervisor (otona) with about 50 subordinates. There were a number of merchants for supplies and catering and about 150 tsūji (interpreters). They all had to be paid by the V.O.C. Dejima was under direct central supervision of Edo by a governor, called a bugyō, responsible for all contact between the V.O.C. and Edo.

Every Dutch ship that arrived in Dejima was inspected by the bugyō. The sails were seized until the ship could leave again. Religious books and weapons were sealed and taken in custody. No religious services were allowed on the island.

Despite the financial burden of their residence on Dejima, the trade with Japan was very profitable for the V.O.C., initially yielding profits of 50% or even more. Trade declined in the 18th century, when only two ships were allowed yearly to dock at Dejima. After the bankruptcy of the V.O.C in 1795, the Dutch government took over the settlement. Times were especially hard when Holland was under French Napoleonic rule and all ties with the homeland were severed.

The chief executive on the Dutch side was the Opperhoofd (here Chief factor, but the same Dutch word is usually used for a native, e.g. American Indian, Chief), and remained so under Dutch state authority. There was about one incumbent a year, until 28 February 1860.

Trade

Originally, the Dutch mainly traded in silk, but sugar became more important later. Also deer pelts and shark skin were transported from Asia, as well as woolen cloth and glassware from Europe.

To this was added the personal trade of individual Dutch traders in charge of Dejima, called Kanbang trade, which was an important source of income for the employees, and allowed the Japanese to procure books or scientific instruments. Over 10,000 foreign books on various scientific subjects were thus sold to the Japanese from the end of the 18th to the early 19th century, thus becoming the central factor of rangaku studies.

Ship arrivals

Overall, 606 Dutch ships arrived at Dejima during two centuries of settlement, from 1641 to 1847.

Japanese painting of Dutch practicing astronomy at Dejima.
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Japanese painting of Dutch practicing astronomy at Dejima.

For two hundred years, Dutch merchants were generally not allowed to cross from Deshima to Nagasaki, and Japanese were likewise banned from entering Deshima, except for prostitutes. These yūjo were handpicked from 1642 by the Japanse, often against their will. From the 18th century there were some exceptions to this rule, especially following Tokugawa Yoshimune's doctrine of promoting European practical sciences. A few Oranda-yuki (those who stay with the Dutch) were allowed to stay for longer periods, but they had to report regularly to the Japanese guard post. European scholars such as Engelbert Kaempfer, Carl Peter Thunberg, and Philipp Franz von Siebold were allowed to enter the mainland with the shogunate's permission. Starting in the 1700s, Deshima became known throughout Japan as a center of medicine, military science, and astronomy, and many samurai travelled there for "Dutch studies" (Rangaku).

In addition, the Head of the Dutch 'factory' (trading post), known by the title of opperhoofd, was treated like a Japanese daimyo, which meant that he had to pay a visit of homage to the Shogun in Edo regularly (the so-called sankin kotai). In contrast to a daimyo, the Dutch delegation traveled to Edo yearly between 1660 and 1790 and once every four years thereafter. This prerogative was denied to the Chinese traders. This lengthy travel to the imperial court broke the boredom of their stay, but it was a costly affair to the Dutch. The shōgun let them know in advance and in detail which (expensive) gifts he expected, such as astrolabes, pair of glasses, telescopes, globes, medical instruments, medical books, or exotic animals and tropical birds. In return, the Dutch delegation received some gifts from the shŏgun. On arrival in Edo the opperhoofd and his retinue (usually his scribe and the factory doctor) had to wait in the Nagasakiya, their mandatory residence until they were summoned at the court. After their official audience, they were expected, according to Engelbert Kaempfer, to perform Dutch dances and songs etc. for the amusement of the shogunate. But they also used the opportunity of their stay of about two to three weeks in the capital to exchange knowledge with learned Japanese and, under escort, visit the town.

New introductions to Japan

Scene of Badminton playing in Dejima.
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Scene of Badminton playing in Dejima.

Dutch playing billard in Dejima.
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Dutch playing billard in Dejima.

Nagasaki Naval Training center

The Nagasaki Training Center, in Nagasaki, next to Dejima (in the background).
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The Nagasaki Training Center, in Nagasaki, next to Dejima (in the background).

Following the forcible opening of Japan by US Navy Commodore Perry in 1854, the Bakufu suddenly increased its interactions with Dejima in an effort to build up knowledge of Western shipping methods. The Nagasaki Naval Training Center (Jp:長崎海軍伝習所/Nagasaki Kaigun Denshūsho), a naval training institute, was established in 1855 by the government of the Shogun right at the entrance of Dejima, allowing maximum interaction with Dutch naval know-how. The center was also equipped with Japan's first steamship, the Kankō Maru, given by the government of the Netherlands the same year. The future Admiral Enomoto Takeaki was one of the students of the Training Center.

The Dutch East India Company's trading post at Deshima was closed in 1857, once Dutch merchants were allowed to trade in Nagasaki City. Since then, the island has been surrounded by reclaimed land and merged into Nagasaki: its original location is marked by rivets.

A project to restore Deshima is now underway. In modern Japanese the pronunciation would be Dejima; in relation to the Dutch trading post, Deshima is the preferred spelling.

List of Dutch Opperhoofden (commissionners)

At Hirado

At Dejima

Hendrik Doeff and a Balinese servant in Dejima, Japanese painting.
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Hendrik Doeff and a Balinese servant in Dejima, Japanese painting.


References



See also



Sources and External links





'''

Portuguese Empire — Former colonies & present overseas territories''' 








North Africa: 



Aguz (Souira Guedima) (1506-1525) | Alcácer Ceguer (El Qsar es Seghir) (1458-1550) | Arzila (Asilah) (1471-1550, 1577-1589) | Azamor (Azemmour) (1513-1541) | Ceuta (1415-1640) | Mazagan (El Jadida) (1485-1550, 1506-1769) | Mogador (Essaouira) (1506-1525) | Safim (Safi) (1488-1541) | Santa Cruz do Cabo de Gué (Agadir) (1505-1769) | Tangier (1471-1662)


Subsaharan Africa:



Accra (1557-1578) > Angola (Portuguese West Africa) (1575-1975) | Annobón (1474-1778) | Arguin (1455-1633) | Cabinda (Portuguese Congo) (1885-1975) | Cape Verde (1642-1975) | Elmina (São Jorge da Mina) (1482-1637) | Fernando Póo (1478-1778) | Portuguese Gold Coast (1482-1642) | Portuguese Guinea 1879-1974 (Bissau 1687-1974 & Cacheu 1588-1974) | Madagascar (part) (1496-1550) | Malindi (1500-1630) | Mascarene Islands (1498-1540) | Mombassa (1593-1698, 1728-1729) | Mozambique (Portuguese East Africa) (1501-1975) | Saint Helena | Quíloa (Kilwa) (1505-1512) | Saint Laurent Islands (Madagascar) (1498-1540) | São João Baptista de Ajudá (1680-1961) | São Tomé and Príncipe 1753-1975 (São Tomé 1470-1975, Príncipe 1500-1975) | Zanzibar (1503-1698) | Ziguinchor (1645-1888)


West Asia: 



Bahrain (1521-1602) > Gamru (Bandar Abbas) (1506-1615) | Hormuz (Ormus) (1515-1622) | Muscat (1515-1650) | Socotra (1506-1511) 


Indian Subcontinent: 



Ceylon (Ceilão) (1518-1658) | Laccadive Islands (1498-1545) | Maldives (1518-1521, 1558-1573) | Portuguese India (Baçaím (Vasai) 1535-1739, Bombay (Mumbai) 1534-1661, Calicut (Kozhikode) 1512-1525, Cambay (Khambhat) , Cannanore (Kannur) 1502-1663, Chaul 1521-1740, Chittagong 1528-1666, Cochim (Kochi) 1500-1663, Cranganore (Kodungallur) 1536-1662, Dadra and Nagar Haveli 1779-1954, Daman and Diu 1559-1962, Goa 1510-1962, Hughli (1579-1632), Masulipatnam (Machilipatnam) 1598-1610, Mangalore 1568-1659, Negapatam (Nagapattinam) 1507-1657, Paliacate (Pulicat) 1518-1619, Quilon (Coulão, Kollam) 1502-1661, Salsette Island 1534-1601, São Tomé de Meliapore (Saint Thomas of Mylapur) 1523-1662/1687-1749, Surat 1540-1612, Tuticorin (Thoothukudi) 1548-1658)


East Asia and Oceania: 



Banda Islands (1512-1621) > Flores | Macau 1553-1999 (Coloane 1864-1999, Taipa 1851-1999, Ilha Verde 1890-1999, Lapa and Montanha 1938-1941 | Makassar (1512-1665) | Malacca (Melaka) (1511-1641) | Moluccas 1512-1621 (Ambon 1576-1605, Ternate 1522-1575, Tidore 1578-1650) | Nagasaki (Decima) (1571-1639) | Portuguese Timor (East Timor) (1642-1975) 


South America: 



Brazil (1500-1822) | Cisplatina (Uruguay) (1808-1822) | French Guiana (1809-1817) | Nova Colônia do Sacramento (1680-1777) | Upper Peru (1822) | Portuguese colonization of the Americas 


North Atlantic: 



Azores (1432-) > Madeira (1420-)

          

























 




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