On this day, 400 years ago, an Englishman finally met with Tokugawa Ieyasu… “I was carried in my Pallankin to the Castell of Surungo (where the Emperour keepth his Court) and … ledd mee into a faier roome, matted, where … Continued
by Michael Booth. Four centuries ago, the East India Company began trading in Japan. Michael Booth retraces the footsteps of the first English samurai. Ravaged by scurvy, dysentery and hungry cannibals encountered during their traumatic two-year journey, the surviving crew … Continued
Japan400 has commissioned a brand new telescope by the renowned British maker Ian Poyser to commemorate the 400th anniversary of King James I’s similar gift to the First Shogun in 1613. It will be offered as a gift to the … Continued
The Japan400 organising committee announces a series of special, landmark events in Japan400 Week to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the first contacts between King James I and the Shogun following the arrival in 1613 of an East India Company … Continued
They arrive in Suruga/Surunga [modern-day Shuzuoka City]… “This Cittie of Surunga is full bigge as London with all the Subvrbes… Assoone as wee setled in our lodginge in Surunga, I sent Mr Adams to the courte to left the Secretarie … Continued
Contemporary music to stir the emotions The second International Composers’ Festival is fast approaching and renowned Japanese composer, Nobuya Monta, has been officially appointed the Festival’s new Composer in Residence. Maestro Monta will be composing a new orchestral work especially created … Continued
Timothy Clark, Head of the Japanese Section, British Museum and curator of Shunga: sex and pleasure in Japanese art Commodore Perry received them as a diplomatic gift, Beardsley hung them in his bedroom, Zola hung them on his stairs, Picasso … Continued
…a very short stay… “Wee weare furnished with 19 horse at the Emperour’s [Ieyasu’s] charge, to carrie vpp our kings presents…I had a Pallankin appointed for me, and a spare horse ledd by, to ride when I pleased, verie well … Continued
…and soon they arrived in Kyoto… “wee founde heere a garrison of 3000 souldiers, maynteyned by the Emperour [Ieyasu] to keep Miaco [Kyoto] and Osaca in sunieccion”
Leaving Osaka, the onward journey north… “At night having left musters and prizes of our commodities with our Oaste, wee parted from Osaca, by Barck towards Fushimi, where wee arived.” (p.178) Follow their journey here japan400.com/the-british-tour-japan-in-1613/
