[Saiyu Ryotan / Shiba Kokan] (12) Nagasaki Inasa Goshin-ji Temple (Graves of Chinese and Dutch people)
"Saiyu Ryotan" (Travels to the West) is a travelogue of Nagasaki written in the late Edo period by the Rangaku scholar and painter Shiba Kokan. It is a very enjoyable read, featuring many illustrations of the historical sites, local customs, and sights he encountered in Nagasaki, such as Chinese ships, Dutch ships, Dejima, tuna fishing, and whaling. He departed from Shiba Gate on April 23, 1788 (Tenmei 8). It consists of five volumes.
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On October 12, seven ri southwest of Nagasaki, there is a place called Wakitsu. Passing through places like Tomachi and Fukahori, the road winds through mountains and over rocks for more than two and a half ri; there are no houses on the mountain tops. To the right, one can see Goto in the distance (forty-eight ri from here). To the left, the Amakusa Islands, as well as Shimabara and Higo Province, are visible; there is no land beyond this in that direction, making it the edge of Japan.
Wakitsu has over a hundred houses, and in this area, they eat Okinawan sweet potatoes. The climate is warm, and snow does not fall. I see pomelos, bitter oranges, and other strange plants.
Seeing Goto in the distance. Goto castle town.
Eijitsu-do. This area is all brushwood mountains, and there are no houses for over two and a half ri.
Matsushima, Omura domain.
Source: National Diet Library Digital Collections, "Saiyu Ryotan, Vol. 5 [3]"
On the 28th, from 5:00 AM, over seventy Chinese people traveled by boat from the Ohato wharf to Inasa Goshin-ji Temple to pay their respects. Waiting for the boat to approach the shore, they played drums and flutes (charumera) to escort them to the temple. Among them, eight captains wore clothes made of satin and silk, black in color, while the others, the subordinates, wore gray cotton.
Chief Interpreter Kiyokawa Eizaemon and Junior Interpreter Yoshijima Sajuro were present. The Chinese said, "We came to pay respects to the Buddha, but the temple is in great disrepair. Therefore, we shall donate three bales of sugar. However, since the resident monk's conduct is poor, we will not do so." The interpreters called the resident monk and conveyed this message.
The old monk hung his head in shame. The captains were people like Cheng Chicheng, Fei Jinghu, Zhou Renlu, and Cheng [illegible]lun. They set up tables for four people each. I sat with them and ate. Also, when I drew a picture, they asked for my name. When I told them I was from the capital, they called me "Kinjin Kinjin."
* "Sendou" (夥長) refers to a helmsman. The reading "sendou" (船頭) is used.
* "Chief Interpreter Kiyokawa Eizaemon" Reference: "Shiryo Tsushin Sosshi 14" (Shiryo Tsushin Sosshi 14) (National Diet Library Digital Collections)
* "Cheng Chicheng" was a shipowner at the end of the Ming Dynasty. He traveled to and from Japan for a long time, was fluent in Japanese, and was well-versed in calligraphy, painting, and waka poetry. When asked why he continued to cross the sea even in his old age, he reportedly replied that it was because he liked Japanese sake and cuisine. Reference: "Dai Nihon Jinmei Jisho, Vol. 2, Revised 2nd Edition (Teisekijo)", "Yuishin-do Wa" (Yuishin-do Wa) (National Diet Library Digital Collections)
* "Fei Jinghu" is thought to be Fei Qinghu. A Qing Dynasty shipowner and painter. Reference: "Saiyu Nikki" (Saiyu Nikki) (National Diet Library Digital Collections)
* "Zhou Renlu" is a shipowner. Reference: "Shokusan-jin Zenshu, Vol. 5" (Shokusan-jin Zenshu, Vol. 5), "Saiyu Nikki" (Saiyu Nikki) (National Diet Library Digital Collections)
There is a Misaki Kannon here. Many people from Nagasaki come to worship.
Lookout post. It is a brushwood mountain with no trees.
Wakitsu, Kabashima, Higo.
Source: National Diet Library Digital Collections, "Saiyu Ryotan, Vol. 5 [3]"
Drawing clothes and treasures on paper and burning them.
Chinese people practice supine burial, burying them while lying down.
Source: National Diet Library Digital Collections, "Saiyu Ryotan, Vol. 5 [3]"
The graves of the Dutch are at Goshin-ji Temple. It is the tomb of a captain called Zuulkop. According to the laws of their country, they are also buried while lying down. Characters are carved into the monument, filled with gold, and a clock is carved at the top. The meaning is that it is a metaphor for a water clock having stopped. In their country, they often use metaphors for teaching. They call paintings "metaphors." Also, in their paintings, there are figures with two wings or strange shapes. These are all paintings of metaphors. It is not that there were ever people with wings.
* "Fushitaru mama" means lying down. "卧" is a variant character for "臥".
* "Rokoku" (water clock) is a type of ancient water clock. It also refers to time.
* "Hiyu" (metaphor) means an analogy.
Inasa Benten, towards Urakami.
On November 14, I departed from Nagasaki, traveled three ri, crossed from Togitsu towards Hirado Island, and saw a whale. I drew a picture of the whale and talked about the unusual things I saw.
* "Benten" is Benzaiten.
* "Hasshite" means to depart.
Chinese New Year greeting cards are written on red paper.
Cheng Chicheng, Ding Xingsai, Respectfully
Happy New Year, 8 sun 5 bu long, 4 sun 3 bu wide
Reference: "Saiyu Nikki" (Saiyu Nikki) (National Diet Library Digital Collections)
● indicates characters that could not be deciphered. I will update this as I decipher new characters or notice typos or misreadings. For details, please read the "Self-introduction/Disclaimer" section. 📖