Japan and the Japanese

THE DUTCH AT DESIMA. 225
" Our ships, which put into this harbor once a year, after they
have been thoroughly visited by the Japanese, and proper lists
taken of all the goods on board, have leave to put their men on
shore on this island to refresh them, and to keep them there so long
as they lie in the harbor, commonly two or three months. After
they have left, the director of our trade remains in the island, with
a small number of people, about seven, or more if he thinks proper.
" Thus we live all the year round little better than prisoners,
confined within the compass of a small island, under the perpetual
and narrow inspection of our keepers. 'T is true, indeed, we are
now and then allowed a small escape, an indulgence which, without
flattering ourselves, we can by no means suppose to be an effect of
their love and friendship, for as much as it is never granted to us,
unless it be to pay our respects to some great men, or for some
other business, necessary on our side and advantageous
for the
natives. Nor doth the coming out, even upon these occasions, give
us any greater liberty than we enjoy on our island, as will appear,
first, by the great expenses of our journeys and visits, great or
small, and by the number of guards and inspectors who constantly
attend us, as if we were traitors and professed enemies of the
empire.
"After the departure of our ships, the director of our trade, or
resident of the Dutch East India Company, sets out with a
numerous retinue on his journey to court, to pay his respects to
the emperor, and to make the usual yearly presents.
This journey
must be made once a year, not only by the Dutch, but, also, by all
the lords and princes of the empire, as being the emperor's vassals ;
and our own embassy is looked upon at court as an homage paid
by the Dutch nation to the emperor of Japan, as their sovereign
lord. Upon the journey we are not allowed any more liberty than
even close prisoners could reasonably claim. We are not suffered
to speak to anybody, not even (except by special leave) to the
aomestics and servants of the inns we lodge at. As soon as we
come to an inn, we are without delay carried up stairs, if possible,
or into the back apartments, which have no other view but into
the yard, which, for a still greater security, and to prevent any
thoughts of escape, is immediately shut and nailed up. Our reti-
nue, which, by special command from the governors of Nagasaki,