Travel back in time to the Edo period! Dejima's history and modern ways to enjoy it

<The beginning of Dejima ~Portuguese internment~>
In the 16th century, when guns and Christianity were introduced to Japan, feudal lords from around the country began requesting portage for Portuguese ships for trade and religious purposes, and Nagasaki Port was opened. After that, Nagasaki rapidly developed as a base for Portuguese trade.
However, Christianity gradually became a target of crackdown, and the Edo Shogunate finally issued an order banning Christianity. The persecution of Christians became more and more severe, and in 1636, the Shogunate built Dejima and interned the Portuguese in order to prevent the Portuguese from proselytizing Christianity and monitor trade.

<Prosperity of Dejima ~Dutch trade~>
The Portuguese decided to live in Dejima, but their relationship with the shogunate deteriorated due to the uprising between Christian farmers in Shimabara and Amakusa the following year. Portuguese people were prohibited from traveling to Japan, and Dejima became an uninhabited island in just three years.
On the other hand, the Dutch gained trust by showing their loyalty to the shogunate by bombarding Hara Castle during the Shimabara Rebellion. In 1641, the Dutch trading post in Hirado was relocated to Dejima, and for 1859 years until 218, trade was conducted through Dejima as Japan's only window to Western Europe, and Nagasaki experienced great prosperity. Masu. In the 17th century, trade between Japan and the Netherlands was at its most active and played a major role in Japan's modernization.

〈The end of Dejima ~ Closure of Dutch trading post and opening of the country ~〉
In 1858, the Shogunate signed the Japan-US Treaty of Amity and Commerce, effectively opening the country. In the same year, the Japan-Netherlands Treaty of Amity and Commerce was concluded, allowing Japanese people to enter and exit Dejima, and the Dutch trading post began to double as a consulate. The following year, when the Netherlands Trading Company (now the Netherlands) began trading, the Dutch trading post was finally closed.
In addition, Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, Hakodate, and Niigata opened ports under the Japan-US Treaty of Amity and Commerce. Trade expanded to all parts of Japan. The center of Nagasaki's trade moved to the Minami-Yamate area, which became a foreign settlement, and Nagasaki developed as an international trading city. With the end of Japan's isolation period, Dejima also ended its role.

<What kind of things did Dejima trade with? 〉
In Dutch trade, mainly raw silk, cotton products from India and woolen fabrics of European origin, such as rasha, were imported. From the mid-Edo period onward, sugar became the main imported product, along with glass products called vidro and giyaman, pottery fired in Europe, medicines, soboku used as dyes, sharkskin, and tin. ), lead, and many other things were imported.
Silver was the main export item from Japan in the early Edo period, but the shogunate saw the large amount of silver going overseas as a problem, and after that it began exporting gold. From the latter half of the 17th century, Japan began exporting copper, and from then on, copper became the main export item until the end of the Edo period. In addition, camphor, ceramics, lacquer products, and barrel products such as soy sauce and sake were also exported.

<The introduction of sugar changed Japan's food culture! 〉
Sugar was first introduced to Japan during the Nara period, but the amount imported at that time was very small. It was very valuable and was used for medicine. When sugar imports suddenly increased due to Dutch trade, the people of Nagasaki began using sugar for food. Sweets using sugar such as castella, konpeito, and marubolo were born in Nagasaki, and had a great influence on the development of Japanese sweets.
Dishes sweetened with sugar were very expensive even back then. Nagasaki's traditional cuisine is a little sweet because it was served as a hospitality dish to guests!

<A rare animal has arrived! 〉
Dejima was the only window open to Western Europe, and various animals such as camels, elephants, and tigers were brought there from overseas. Many of them are rare animals that did not exist in Japan at the time. Animals migrate from Dejima to various places, and Japanese people get really excited when they see them for the first time! It is said that in Edo, ukiyo-e prints, goroku, toys, etc. depicting it spread throughout the town.
In addition, many foreign birds were imported during the mid-Edo period, and brightly colored parrots and parakeets, as well as speaking myna birds, became especially popular.

<What kind of people were there? 〉
At the Dutch trading post in Dejima, there were about 15 Dutch people at most, including the chief trading post (kapitan), the deputy trading manager (hetle), cargo handlers, accountants, clerks, doctors, and cooks. It was inhabited by laborers, craftsmen, and Southeast Asians who took care of the Dutch people.
In addition, many Japanese people worked on Dejima, which was under the control of the Nagasaki Magistrate. It seems that more than 100 Japanese people worked in various positions, including a person in charge called ``Otona'', an Aranda interpreter who worked as an interpreter, a fellow compiler who did the shopping for him, and a cook.
Aranda Interpreter, who had the closest relationship with the Dutch, was said to have had some valuable foreign experiences, such as sharing the coffee that the trading staff enjoyed and being invited to the New Year's banquet!

〈What are some of the few pleasures of the Dutch who were not able to freely go outside Dejima? 〉
Their best change of pace will be visiting Edo. The trip to Edo to pay homage to the shogun was one of the few opportunities to see Japan outside of Dejima up close. It seems that they also visited the ``Kunchi'' at Suwa Shrine, which is a Nagasaki tradition.
He also often played billiards and badminton for recreation. It was customary for Japanese people visiting Dejima to receive Dutch food and then show them a game of billiards.
He also seemed to enjoy drinking alcohol. Beer was brought in from the Netherlands by ship, but when the ships stopped coming, there is a record that beer was brewed on Dejima. In addition to beer, it seems that large amounts of gin called genevar were brought in, and fragments of gin bottles were found during excavations at Dejima.
These entertainments and drinks were transmitted from Dejima to all over the country and spread.

<What kind of food did you eat on Dejima? 〉
The Dutch people had a Western diet, but it was difficult to procure beef in Japan at the time. Therefore, in order to have beef for the feast, it is said that cows transported from Batavia (present-day Jakarta) were raised on Dejima.
They also grew vegetables such as potatoes, and used them to enjoy luxurious meals during the Dutch New Year. The menu included ``soup with chicken kamaboko, roasted duck, sausage, vegetables simmered in butter, and round castella cake for dessert.'' Wine, brandy, and other Japanese sake were also available, and coffee was also served after the meal. is.

After completing its role, Dejima disappears as the surrounding area is reclaimed. After that, starting around 1951, Nagasaki City carried out a restoration project, and the buildings and scenery were brought back to modern times as the "Dejima Waran Trading Post Ruins."
Today's Dejima has rooms and materials that recreate life at that time on display, making you feel as if you have traveled back in time to Dejima in the Edo period.
Nagasaki City's restoration work is still ongoing, with the aim of completely restoring Dejima as it was in the early 19th century.

Dejima Omotemon Bridge, which spans the ruins of the Dejima Waran Trading Post. This bridge, which was built in the center of Dejima for the first time in about 130 years, is a symbol of Dejima and served as a bridge between Edomachi and Dejima.
During the period of national isolation, the stone bridge ``Old Dejima Bridge'' was built at this location and was an important bridge for Dutch and Japanese people, as well as elephants and camels to come and go, but it was removed in 1888 during the Nakashima River diversion work. It's gone.
Over time, plans to restore the bridge were advanced in the Dejima restoration and maintenance project led by Nagasaki City, and in 2017, the "Dejima Omotemon Bridge", which allows you to enter and exit Dejima from the front of Dejima by crossing the water surface, was completed in XNUMX. It was completed.
At this spot, you can really feel that Dejima, which was reclaimed and connected to land, was once an "island." The scenery reminiscent of the old Dejima is spectacular! As you cross this bridge, think back to those days and enjoy the view of Dejima that spreads out beyond the front gate.