Japan and the Japanese

164 JAPAN. A. D. 1611 1G13.
very well manned, which towed the vessel into the harbor of which
the entrance was narrow and dangerous. Here they anchored in five
fathoms, so close to the shore that they could talk with the peopk
in the houses, saluting the town with nine pieces
of ordnance
compliment which the inhabitants were unable to return, having no
cannon, only pieces for small shot. The ship was speedily surrounded
with boats lull of people, who seemed much to admire her head and
stern, and the decks were so crowded with men, women and chil-
dren, that it. was impossible to move about. The captain took sev-
eral of the better sort of women into his cabin, where a picture of
Venus and Cupid " did hang somewhat wantonly, set out in a large
frame, which, mistaking it for the Virgin and her Son, some of those
women kneeled to and worshipped with great devotion," at the same
time whispering in a low tone, that they might not be overheard by
their companions, that they were Christianas ; by which it was
understood that they were converts of the Portuguese Jesuits.
Soon after, king Foyne came again on board, and brought with
him four women of his family. They were barelegged, except that
a pair of half-buskins were bound by a silk ribbon about their insteps,
and were clad in a number of silk gowns, one skirt over another,
bound about their waists by a girdle, their hair very black and long,
and tied in a comely knot on the crown of the head, no part of which
was shaven, like the men's. They had good faces, hands and feet,
clear-skinned and white, but wanting color ; which, however, they sup-
plied by art. They were low in stature and very fat, courteous in
behavior, of which they well understood the ceremonials according
to the Japanese fashion. At first they seemed a little bashful ; but
the king " willing them to be frolic," and all other company being
excluded except Captain Saris and the interpreter, they sang sev-
eral songs, playing on an instrument much like a guitar, but with
four strings only, which they fingered very nimbly with the left
hand, holding in the other a piece of ivory, with which they touched
the strings, playing and singing by book, the tunes being noted on
lines and spaces, much the same as European music.
Not long after, desirous to be" frolic," the king brought :n board
a company of female actors such as were common in Japan, little
better it would seem, than slaves and courtesans, being
under the
wntrol of a master, who carried them from place to place, selling