Dejima

For the fictional Ghost in the Shell refugee island Niihama-shi, 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.

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.) to transfer its mercantile operations from the port of Hirado (established on 20 September 1609) to Dejima in May 1641. This was done at the request of local merchants and because of the relative remoteness of Nagasaki. The Dutch commissioner of French origin François Caron oversaw the move.

Organization

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 meters, 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 the Netherlands (then called the Batavian Republic) 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.

• The first period, from 1641 to 1671, was rather free, and saw an average of 7 Dutch ships every year (12 perished in this period).
• From 1671 to 1715, about 5 Dutch ships were allowed to visit Dejima every year.
• From 1715, only 2 ships were permitted every year, which was reduced to 1 ship in 1790, and again increased to 2 ships in 1799.
• During the Napoleonic wars, in which the Netherlands was an ally of France, Dutch ships could not safely reach Japan in the face of British opposition, so they instead relied on "neutral" American and Danish ships. (Interestingly, when the Netherlands became a province of France (1811-1814), and Britain conquered Dutch colonial possessions in Asia, Dejima remained for four years the only place in the world where the Dutch flag was still flying, under the leadership of Hendrik Doeff.)
• Regular traffic was reestablished in 1815.

Sakoku policy

For two hundred years, Dutch merchants were generally not allowed to cross from Dejima to Nagasaki, and Japanese were likewise banned from entering Dejima, except for prostitutes. These yūjo were handpicked from 1642 by the Japanese, 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, Isaac Titsingh and Philipp Franz von Siebold were allowed to enter the mainland with the shogunate's permission. Starting in the 1700s, Dejima 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

• Badminton, a sport which originated in India, was introduced by the Dutch during the 18th century, and is mentioned in the "Sayings of the Dutch".
• Billiards were introduced in Japan on Dejima in 1794, and are mentioned as "Ball throwing table" (玉突の場) in the paintings of Kawahara Keika (川原慶賀).
• Beer seems to have been introduced as imports during the period of isolation. The Dutch governor Doeff made his own beer in Nagasaki, following the disruption of trade during the Napoleonic wars. Local production of beer would start in Japan in 1880.
• Clover was introduced in Japan by the Dutch as packing material for fragile cargo. The Japanese called it "White packing herb" (シロツメクサ), in reference to its white flowers.

• Coffee was introduced in Japan by the Dutch under the name Moka. Siebold refers to Japanese coffee amateurs in Nagasaki around 1823.
• Piano. Japan's oldest piano was introduced by Siebolt in 1823, and later given to a tradesperson in the name of Kumatani (熊谷). The piano is still visible in the Kumatani museum (萩市の熊谷美術館).
• Painting, used for ships, was also introduced by the Dutch. The original Dutch name (Pek) was also adopted in Japanese (Penki/ペンキ).
• Cabbage and tomatoes were also introduced in the 17th century by the Dutch.
• Chocolate was introduced between 1789 and 1801, and is mentioned as a drink in the pleasure houses of Maruyama.

Nagasaki Naval Training Center

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 Dejima 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 Dejima is underway.

Current status

Work is underway to restore Dejima. In 2000, five buildings including the Deputy Factor's Quarters were completed and opened to the public. In the spring of 2006, the finishing touches were put on the Chief Factor's Residence, the Japanese Officials' Office, the Head Clerk's Quarters, the No. 3 Warehouse and the Sea Gate. Along with the reconstruction of buildings, work is being carried out on Dejima's surroundings, including the island's stone embankment.

Short / Medium-term Reconstruction Plan

Reconstruction work began in 1996 and entailed the reconstruction of 25 buildings to their early 19th century state. Furthermore, in order to show Dejima's fan-shaped form, plans called for parts of the surrounding embankment wall that enclosed the island to be reconstructed. In addition to this, the buildings that remain from the Meiji Period were to be utilized.

Long-term Reconstruction Plan

The long-term plan states that Dejima should one day once again be surrounded by water on all 4 sides and that Dejima’s characteristic fan-shaped form be fully restored. The long-term plan necessitates a large-scale urban redevelopment, such as rerouting the Nakashima River and moving Route 499 and will therefore take a considerable amount of time and money to achieve.

Chronology of Dejima

• 1550: Portuguese ships visit Hirado.
• 1570: Nagasaki Harbor is opened for trade and 6 town blocks are built.
• 1571: The first Portuguese ships enter Nagasaki Harbor.
• 1580: Omura Sumitada cedes jurisdiction over Nagasaki and Mogi to the Society of Jesus.
• 1588: Toyotomi Hideyoshi exerts direct control over Nagasaki, Mogi and Urakami from the Jesuits.
• 1609: The Dutch East India Company opens a factory in Hirado. It closes in 1623.
• 1612: Japan's fuedal government decrees that Christian prosetylizing on Bakufu lands is forbidden.
• 1616: All trade with foreigners except that with China is confined to Hirado and Nagasaki.
• 1634: The construction of Dejima begins.
• 1636: Dejima is completed; the Portuguese are interned on Dejima (Fourth National Isolation Edict).
• 1639: Portuguese ships are prohibited from entering Japan. Consequently, the Portuguese are banished from Dejima.
• 1641: The Dutch East India Company on Hirado is moved to Nagasaki.
• 1649: Dutch surgeon Caspar Schambergen comes to Japan.
• 1662: A shop is opened on Dejima to sell Imari porcelain.
• 1673: The English ship "Return" enters Nagasaki but the Shogunate refuses its request for trade.
• 1678: A bridge connecting Dejima with the shore is replaced with a stone bridge.
• 1690: The German physician E. Kaempfer comes to Dejima.
• 1696: Warehouses for secondary cargo reach completion on Dejima.
• 1698: The Nagasaki Kaisho (trade association) is founded.
• 1699: The Sea gate is built at Dejima.
• 1707: Water pipes are installed on Dejima.
• 1775: C. Thunberg starts his term as physician on Dejima.
• 1798: Many buildings, including the Chief Factor's Residence, are destroyed by the Great Kansei Fire of Dejima.
• 1804: Russian Ambassador N.P. Rezanov visits Nagasaki to request an exchange of trade between Japan and Imperial Russia.
• 1808: The Phaeton Incident occurs.

List of Dutch Opperhoofden (commissioners)

At Hirado

• Jacques Specx 20.9.1609 - 28.8.1612
• Hendrick Brouwer 28.8.1612 - 6.8.1614
• Jacques Specx 6.8.1614 - 29.10.1621
• Leonardt Camps 29.10.1621 - 21.11.1623
• Corneliszoon van Neijenroode 21.11.1623 - 31.1.1633
• Pieter Stamper (1631)
• Pieter van Sante[n] 31.1.1633 - 6.9.1633
• Nicolaes Couckebacker 6.9.1633 - 3.2.1639
• Maerten Wesselingh (1635, 1636, 1637)

At Dejima

• François Caron 3.2.1639 - 13.2.1641 First 'Opperhoofd' following the move from Hirado to Dejima.
• Maximiliaen Le Maire 14.2.1641 - 30.10.1641
• Jan van Elseracq 1.11.1641 - 29.10.1642
• Pieter Anthonijszoon Overtwater 29.10.1642 - 1.8.1643
• Jan van Elseracq 1.8.1643 - 24.11.1644
• Pieter Anthonijszoon Overtwater 24.11.1644 - 30.11.1645
• Reijnjer van 't Zum 30.11.1645 - 27.10.1646
• Willem Verstegen (Versteijen) 28.10.164 - 10.10.1647
• Frederick Coijet 3.11.1647 - 9.12.1648
• Dircq Snoecq 9.12.1648 - 5.11.1649
• Anthonio van Brouckhorst 5.11.1649 - 25.10.1650
• Pieter Sterthemius 25.10.1650 - 3.11.1651
• Adriaen van der Burgh 1.11.1651 - 3.11.1652
• Frederick Coijet 4.11.1652 - 10.11.1653
• Gabriel Happart 4.11.1653 - 31.10.1654
• Leonard Winninx 31.10.1654 - 23.10.1655
• Joan Boucheljon 23.10.1655 - 1.11.1656
• Zacharias Wagener / Wagenaer 1.11.1656 - 27.10.1657
• Joan Boucheljon 27.10.1657 - 23.10.1658
• Zacharias Wagener 22.10.1658 - 4.11.1659
• Joan Boucheljon 4.11.1659 - 26.10.1660
• Hendrick Indijck 26.10.1660 - 21.11.1661
• Dirck van Lier 11.11.1661 - 6.11.1662
• Hendrick Indijck 6.11.1662 - 20.10.1663
• Willem Volger 20.10.1663 - 7.11.1664
• Jacob Gruijs 7.11.1664 - 27.10.1665
• Willem Volger 28.10.1665 - 27.10.1666
• Daniel Six (Sicx) 18.10.1666 - 6.11.1667
• Constantin Ranst 6.11.1667 - 25.10.1668
• Daniel Six 25.10.1668 - 14.10.1669
• Francois de Haas 14.10.1669 - 2.11.1670
• Martinus Caesar 2.11.1670 - 12.11.1671
• Johannes Camphuijs 22.10.1671 - 12.11.1672
• Martinus Caesar 13.11.1672 - 29.10.1673
• Johannes Camphuijs 29.10.1673 - 19.10.1674
• Martinus Caesar 20.10.1674 - 7.11.1675
• Johannes Camphuijs 7.11.1675 - 27.10.1676
• Dirck de Haas 27.10.1676 - 16.10.1677
• Albert Brevincq 16.10.1677 - 4.11.1678
• Dirck de Haas 4.11.1678 - 24.10.1679
• Albert Brevincq 24.10.1679 - 11.11.1680
• Isaac van Schinne 11.11.1680 - 31.10.1681
• Hendrick Canzius 31.10.1681 - 20.10.1682
• Andreas / Andries Cleyer 20.10.1682 - 8.11.1683
• Constantin Ranst de Jonge 8.11.1683 - 28.10.1684
• Hendrick van Buijtenhem 25.10.1684 - 7.10.1685
• Andreas Cleyer 17.10.1685 - 5.11.1686
• Constantin Ranst de Jonge 5.11.1686 - 25.10.1687
• Hendrick van Buijtenhem 25.10.1687 - 13.10.1688
• Cornelisz.van Outhoorn 13.10.1688 - 1.11.1689
• Balthasar Sweers 1.11.1689 - 21.10.1690
• Hendrick van Buijtenhem 21.10.1690 - 09.11.1691
• Cornelis van Outhoorn 9.11.1691 - 29.10.1692
• Hendrick van Buijtenhem 29.10.1692-19.10.1693
• Gerrit de Heere 19.10.1693-7.11.1694
• Hendrik Dijkman 7.11.1694-27.10.1695
• Cornelis van Outhoorn 27.10.1695-15.10.1696
• Hendrik Dijkman 15.10.1696-3.11.1697
• Pieter de Vos 3.11.1697-23.10.1698
• Hendrik Dijkman 23.10.1698-12.10.1699
• Pieter de Vos 21.10.1699-31.10.1700
• Hendrik Dijkman 31.10.1700-21.10.1701
• Abraham Douglas 21.10.1701-30.10.1702
• Ferdinand de Groot 9.11.1702-30.10.1703
• Gideon Tant 30.10.1703-18.10.1704
• Ferdinand de Groot 18.10.1704-6.11.1705
• Ferdinand de Groot 26.10.1706-15.10.1707
• Hermanus Menssingh 15.10.1707-2.11.1708
• Jasper van Mansdale 2.11.1708-22.10.1709
• Hermanus Menssingh 22.10.1709-10.11.1710
• Nicolaas Joan van Hoorn 10.11.1710-31.10.1711
• Cornelis Lardijn 31.10.1711-20.10.1712
• Nicolaas Joan van Hoorn 20.10.1712-7.11.1713
• Cornelis Jardijn 7.11.1713-27.10.1714
• Nicolaas Joan van Hoorn 27.10.1714-19.10.1715
• Gideon Boudaen 19.10.1715-3.11.1716
• Joan Aouwer 3.11.1716-24.10.1717
• Christiaen van Vrijbergh(e) 24.10.1717-13.10.1718
• Joan Aouwer 13.10.1718-21.10.1720
• Roeloff Diodati 21.10.1720-9.11.1721
• Hendrik Durven 9.11.1721-18.10.1723
• Johannes Thedens 18.10.1723-25.10.1725
• Joan de Hartogh 25.10.1725-15.10.1726
• Pieter Boockestijn 15.10.1726-3.11.1727
• Abraham Minnedonk 3.11.1727-20.10.1728
• Pieter Boockestijn 22.10.1728-12.10.1729
• Abraham Minnedonk 12.10.1729-31.10.1730
• Pieter Boockestijn 31.10.1730-7.11.1732
• Hendrik van de Bel 7.11.1732-27.10.1733
• Rogier de Laver 27.10.1733-16.10.1734
• David Drinckman 16.10.1734-4.11.1735
• Bernardus Coop (Coopa) à Groen 4.11.1735-24.10.1736
• Jan van der Cruijsse 24.10.1736-13.10.1737
• Gerardus Bernardus Visscher 13.10.1737-21.10.1739
• Thomas van Rhee 22.10.1739-8.11.1740
• Jacob van der Waeijen 9.11.1740-28.10.1741
• Thomas van Rhee 29.10.1741-17.10.1742
• Jacob van der Waeijen 17.10.1742-9.11.1743
• David Brouwer 5.11.1743-1.11.1744
• Jacob van der Waeijen 2.11.1744-28.12.1745
• Jan Louis de Win 30.12.1745-2.11.1746
• Jacob Balde 3.11.1746-25.10.1747
• Jan Louis de Win 28.10.1747-11.11.1748
• Jacob Balde 12.11.1748-8.12.1749
• Hendrik van Homoed 8.12.1749-24.12.1750
• Abraham van Suchtelen 25.12.1750-18.11.1751
• Hendrik van Homoed 19.11.1751-5.12.1752
• David Boelen 6.12.1752-15.10.1753
• Hendrik van Homoed 16.10.1753-3.11.1754
• David Boelen 4.11.1754-25.10.1755
• Herbert Vermeulen 25.10.1755-12.10.1756
• David Boelen 13.10.1756-31.10.1757
• Herbert Vermeulen 1.11.1757-11.11.1758
• Johannes Reijnouts 12.11.1758-11.11.1760
• Marten Huijshoorn 12.11.1760-30.10.1761
• Johannes Reijnouts 31.10.1761-2.12.1762
• Fredrik Willem Wineke 3.12.1762-6.11.1763
• Jan Crans 7.11.1763-24.10.1764
• Fredrik Willem Wineke 25.10.1764-7.11.1765
• Jan Crans 8.11.1765-31.10.1766
• Herman Christiaan Kastens 1.11.1766-20.10.1767
• Jan Crans 21.10.1767-8.11.1769
• Olphert Elias 9.11.1769-16.11.1770
• Daniel Armenault 17.11.1770-9.11.1771
• Arend Willem Feith 10.11.1771-3.11.1772
• Daniel Armenault (Almenaault) 4.11.1772-22.11.1773
• Arend Willem Feith 23.11.1773-10.11.1774
• Daniel Armenault 11.11.1774-28.10.1775
• Arend Willem Feith 28.10.1775-22.11.1776
• Hendrik Godfried Duurkoop 23.11.1776-11.11.1777
• Arend Willem Feith 12.11.1777-28.11.1779
• Isaac Titsingh 29.11.1779-5.11.1780
• Arend Willem Feith 6.11.1780-23.11.1781
• Isaac Titsingh 24.11.1781-26.10.1783
• Hendrik Casper Romberg 27.10.1783-21.11.1785
• Johan Fredrik Baron van Rheede tot de Parkeler 22.11.1785-20.11.1786
• Hendrik Casper Romberg 21.11.1786-30.11.1787
• J. F. B. van Rheede tot de Parkeler 1.12.1787-1.8.1789
• Hendrik Casper Romberg 1.8.1789-13.11.1790
• Petrus Theodorus Chassé 13.11.1790-13.11.1792
• Gijsbert Hemmij 13.11.1792-8.7.1798
• Leopold Willem Ras 8.7.1798-17.7.1800
• Willem Wardenaar 16.7.1800-14.11.1803
• Hendrik Doeff 14.11.1803-6.12.1817
• Jan Cock Blomhoff 6.12.1817-20.11.1823
• Johan Willem de Sturler 20.11.1823-5.8.1826
• Germain Felix Meijlan 4.8.1826-1.11.1830
• Jan Willem Fredrik van Citters 1.11.1830-30.11.1834
• Johannes Erdewin Niemann 1.12.1834-17.11.1838
• Eduard Grandisson 18.11.1838-?.11.1842
• Pieter Albert Bik ?.11.1842-31.10.1845
• Joseph Henrij Levijssohn 1.11.1845-31.10.1850
• Frederick Colnelis Rose 1.11.1850-31.10.1852
• Janus Henricus Donker Curtius 2.11.1852-28.2.1860 Last Dutch commissioner, who then became the first Dutch diplomatic representative in Japan. Handled the delivery of the Kankō Maru, Japan's first modern Western steam warship.

References

• "Recollections of Japan", Hendrik Doeff, ISBN 1-55395-849-7

See also

• Rangaku - Dutch studies
• Sakoku - "chained country"

Sources and External links

• Dejima: The Island Comes Back to Life
• A map of Deshima
• At the bottom you will also find an image of Deshima
• WorldStatesmen- Japan

• Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 32.743525° 129.873022°
  • Satellite image from WikiMapia, Google Maps or Windows Live Local
  • Street map from MapQuest or Google Maps
  • Topographic map from TopoZone
  • Aerial image from TerraServer-USA

de:Dejima es:Dejima fr:Dejima ko:데지마 la:Insula Desima nl:Dejima ja:出島

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