João Rodrigues's account of sixteenth-century Japan / edited by Michael Cooper.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 401-416) and index.

Translation of books 1 and 2 of part 1 of Rodrigues' history.

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Cover; Contents; List of Illustrations; Introduction; Preface to the Reader; Book 1; 1 A general description of Asia and the islands of this oriental sea; 2 Description, position, and various names of the islands of Japan in general; 3 The antiquity of Japan, and the nation to which the Japanese may belong; 4 Whether Europeans knew about these islands in ancient times, and when they were first discovered by the Portuguese; 5 A specific description of some of the principal islands of Japan, and their division into regions.

6 The division of Japan into provinces, kingdoms, or states, and some of the more notable mountains, rivers, and lakes therein7 The quality and climate of Japan, and the fruits that the land produces; 8 The measurements of roads, and the method of measuring lands in respect to rent, and the various kinds of measurements of this kingdom; 9 Linear measurements; 10 The features, talents and dispositions of the Japanese; 11 There is no contradiction, although there may appear to be, in the many things written about the customs, government, noblity, and wealth of Japan: and the reasons thereof.

12 The method of Japanese building13 The city of Miyako in particular; 14 The ancient royal palace called Taidairi; 15 The customs and manner of the Japanese in general; 16 The dress and garments of the Japanese; 17 The Japanese manner of paying visits, and the regular times and occasions for this; 18 The ceremonies and entertainment provided for guests who visit the master of the house at New Year; 19 The other festivals held during the year when they also pay visits; 20 Other occasions on which they are accustomed to visiting certain persons.

21 The gifts that are given, and the manner in which they are offered and received22 The courtesies, bows, and obeisances in use among the Chinese, from which the Japanese have taken most of their etiquette; 23 The courtesies and ceremonies of the Japanese in general; 24 The courtesies paid by the Japanese when they meet on the road; 25 The manner of receiving a guest in the house, and the hospitality and banquet given him until he departs; 26 The manner of entertaining the guest with wine and Sakana, which is the first and principal courtesy paid to a guest on these visits.

27 The manner of giving and taking the Sakana for noble, common, and lowly people28 The warm and cold wine served on these visits, and how the Japanese make it; 29 The banquets held by the Japanese, and how they entertain their guests at them; 30 The banquets of the Japanese, and firstly the different kinds of banquets; 31 Their manner of inviting guests to banquets; 32 Their manner of entertaining with the drink of Cha, and a description of Cha and of this ceremony so highly esteemed by the Japanese; 33 The general way in which the Japanese entertain with Cha.

João Rodrigues sailed from Portugal to Japan in 1577, and there entered the Jesuit novitiate and was ordained priest. He met Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the virtual ruler of Japan, in 1591, and from that time became the missionaries' spokesman in dealings with Japanese authorities. He was also involved in negotiations concerning the bulk sale of Chinese silk in Japan, and commercial and political rivalries led to his eventual expulsion from the country in 1610. Rodrigues spent the rest of his life in Macao and the interior of China, dying in 1633. Renowned for his fluency in spoken Japanese, Rodrigues.

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