I did a little thrilling and exciting things over the years. However, it is
difficult to compete with the real William Adams (1564-1620), the British
explorer who sailed almost everyone has become a samurai in Japan, and
which served as inspiration for various cultural products in modern times.
In this piece, I explore the fate of Adams and how it was described in
Western popular culture. Also, I briefly discussed some lessons can be
drawn from his trip to the fascinating life. I mainly used Giles Milton's
monograph Samurai William (2002) and the present academic paper as
reference points.
The perilous road in Japan
William Adams was born in Gillingham, Kent, England and aims to become a
sailor. Specifically, he studied shipbuilding, navigation and astronomy
before joining the Royal Navy. It was a learning under Nicholas Diggens, a
leading shipbuilder who later obtained a profitable contract for the East
India Company.
He later took a job at the Barbary Company, as a pilot and captain, before
joining Dutch voorcompagnie (Pre-Dutch East India Company) travels to the
East Indies. Remained Rotterdam June 27, 1598 under the command of Jacques
Mahu.
The goal was to reach the East Indies, via Cape Horn, to acquire spices and
other local products, but things did not proceed as planned. After a series
of severe setbacks in the South Atlantic, only three of the cruise s five
ships made by the Strait of Magellan. These ships depart course across the
Pacific to Japan. However, only the Liefde all the way Bungo in Kyushu,
Japan, and arrived 19 April 1600. Fortunately for Adams, he was transferred
to the Liefde and survived.
Before the progressively decimated crew had reached the Cape Verde Islands,
Cape Lopez and Annabon in Africa, South America Mocha (where many of the
crew were massacred), Hawaii, and the Galapagos Orient & # 8221; the
subtropical Bonin islands, located south-east of Japan.
The trip was fascinating indeed, if not more than Adams experiences in
Japan. About one and half a dozen crew members survived, which is only a
little over 5% of the original crew of five ships dispatched to the island
of Texel, Netherlands, in 1598. many died of dysentery, scurvy or were
killed by members of the local tribe (William's brother Thomas was one of
them). Some stole food and were hanged or fled on exotic islands. The trip
would be a great adventure film.
The rise of the first Samurai Western
In subsequent letters, Adams claimed that he intended to return to England
where his wife Mary and their two children lived, but he and the other
survivors, whose maritime expertise was invaluable for Japanese were
forbidden to leave Japan.
This may have been a little later, but without hesitation Adams was well in
the land of the rising sun. After a first meeting with the mighty warrior
Tokugawa Ieyasu, the shogun be later, he and his crew were detained. Adams
found Ieyasu accounts untrustworthy. However, after realizing that he had
no obvious reason to keep them locked up, he released them, and those who
were faithful to Adams benefited indirectly from its shipbuilding skills
(he built a miniature replica of the Liefde liked Ieyasu). These skills and
additional knowledge in trade relations (the fact that he spoke English,
Dutch, Portuguese and Japanese certainly helped) were Adams ticket for the
local relative success.
Later he married a Japanese woman, had children, and integrated in the
exotic and cultured society. The Japanese considered too crude Europeans,
and consequently Adams and other survivors had to be taught the customs and
the local label. In contemporary Japan, Adams is often called Miura Anjin
(Miura Pilot), which manifests itself how it was considered. A statue was
raised in Izumiōtsu (Osaka Prefecture) to rent its commemoration.
The creation of the modern myth Adams can be precisely dated to 1872. In
that year an English expatriate James Walters & # 8221 discovered; tumuli,
two markers and two lanterns on a hill near Hemi. Walters said that these
were the graves of Adams and his Japanese wife. In addition a significant
proportion of Brits noted nationalized and Adams, who made him their own
symbol for English proficiency. However, for most Westerners, it took a
century to know this man, at least indirectly, by James Clavell's book
Shōgun (1975) and the subsequent TV adaptation.
The question is whether Adams is worthy to stand in so high? More critical
academic sources stressed that his involvement in trade between the
Netherlands and Japan has been exaggerated, and Samurai was first and
foremost a way that some segments of the upper classes held in these times.
It was not a master of the sword. Moreover his naval skills are not as
unique as one might think (although the skills of shipbuilding have been
since the Japanese were largely in the absence of them during this period) .
Moreover, its relations with the monks hostile Portuguese Jesuits who
already resided, and are not too keen to allow Protestants to say the
least, were apparently not as crucial as some would think. He did not die
as a rich man be, much richer than most English and Japanese, but he left
after himself a cultural heritage to death from malaria.
As for his wealth and properties, divided almost equally between his two
wives. Although Adams's fate is partly built more than real, it had a
cultural impact and influence in the West and the East. His is also a
manifesto of how constructive intercultural exchange can occur.
William Adams in popular culture
As for Japanese pop culture, I do not know much I do not read Japanese.
However, the above novel Shōgun (1975) and the television miniseries nine
hours with the same name are useful and interesting effect. Although these
may be historically incorrect part and / or mixed with the myth more
CONSTRUED Adams, on the whole, they portray his life and relatively
accurate based on the facts.
The novel in particular provides a good overview of Japan in the early 17th
century before being isolated (Sakoku) other Western influences until 1853.
In 2016, a video game called Nioh was released, the main character is
partly based on Adams, but with supernatural samurai skills rather than
more modest knowledge and skills as the main ingredient.
Although I only play five hours a month with a friend who has a unit PS4, I
would try some time, as it is in the same spirit as Dark Souls and
Castlevania. Concerning the Youtube clips and generally favorable reviews
go, it seems useful (in smaller portions as with all video games).
Lessons learned
In addition, we can learn some lessons from the history and almost mythical
Adams. First, never give up, although difficulties could expect in certain
circumstances. An athletic physique and stamina could also be of a great
service. On the other hand, more risk may come with greater rewards
(sometimes). If one does in life, one can reap.
This is also linked to the fact that Adams took the opportunity that came
on him and used his skills to survive and thrive in a very different
environment. It is also a lesson for male migrants: if you have skills to
offer a host country, they will often use, be it Japan, Australia, Brazil
or Poland we has in mind.
Finally, we must realize that leaving the house and roots permanently,
whether voluntarily or not, also comes with a situation on both sides.
First, we gain something new and reap the fruits, hopefully from a cool
environment. It may be the case for employment opportunities and women, and
for the knowledge of the current culture.
On the other hand, it will leave a s family, friends and home country back
and can not, for obvious reasons, to maintain these relationships and
cultural roots. Therefore travel and circular migration are often better
options in the era of globalization. Move quickly between places like
Hermes a hyper-modern, but do not cut the roots off.
Conclusion
William Adams is certainly a fascinating historical character that is
interesting to learn, whether by Milton's book, academic sources, and pop
cultural content. It also means somehow the essence of European and Western
mentality, for example to gain valuable skills and to risk to find a s path
in life, or even becoming legendary.
More: 5 things I learned after my first trip to Japan
No comments:
Post a Comment