Course: Seeking 'Japan' in a Westernizing World: Revolution, Romance, and Imperialism, 1868 - 1945 (2013-

2014)[SV1-SEM2] (PGHC113762013-4SV1SEM2)

Exam No: B04663

Article Review

T. Screech, Trade and Culture in the Eighteenth Century, in The Lens Within the Heart (London, 2002),
Chapter 1

A popular conception of this period relates to the idea of sakoku, a country completely closed to
outside influence, something traditionally taken for granted by scholars in English
1
. Take for example
these works
2

3

4
, which reference sakoku. In this piece, the author sets about establishing that the
situation was in fact substantially different. This seems to fit the general modern historiographical
position, that this was an isolated and highly controlled country, but not one lacking completely in
outside influence. This is something that is supported by later examples in Edo Japan, first the Dutch
factory at Dejima then events in the capital of Edo and concluding with a look at Dutch influence on
Japanese culture.

The activities at Dejima are given as an example of how isolated Japan was
5
in earlier works, yet
here, this is turned this on its head by explaining that the Dutch had much influence on Japanese society
at the time. Yes, the Dutch settlement was very small and traditionally seen as relatively unimportant.
Yet it is explained that this is precisely what makes it interesting. The key point is comparison of records
of what the Dutch declared to their masters in the Dutch East India Company with records of foreign
items found across Japan. The huge discrepancies suggest that both the Dutch officials and the local
hierarchy were able to use the distance from their own respective governments to their collective
advantage. This work directly contradicts earlier statements
6
that Nagasaki was under direct Tokugawa
rule. We should be careful to note, however, that despite the large numbers of items that may
potentially have arrived via this route, there were only two ships per year arriving. Much is made of the
opportunities for smuggling and that when the seamens personal chests were disembarked, it rose a
full metre in the water, but given the size of vessels of this period, could so many goods truly have
entered this way? We are also told something of the type of goods that entered Japan and fascinated
the locals.

It is suggested that this tiny gateway actually allowed a very significant number of western
artefacts into this closed society, leading to a fascination with all things from Holland (Ran) a term
used as shorthand for all things western among the higher echelons of society not only in Nagasaki
and Edo, but also spread wider to the cities of Kyoto and Osaka. We also learn a little more about
relations with other locations from this chapter, again suggesting that the tightly controlled world of Edo
Japan may have been more cosmopolitan than it appears at first glance. Only two Dutch ships would
arrive each year, yet at any time there could be up to fifty Chinese vessels in port at Nagasaki.



1
Laver, Michael S, The Sakoku Edicts and the Politics of Tokugawa Hegemony, (Cambria Press, 2011), pp. ix
2
Sansom, Sir George Bailey , A History of Japan: 1615-1867 (Stanford University Press, 1963), pp.

3
Cullen, L. M, A History of Japan, 1582-1941: Internal and External Worlds (Cambridge University Press, 2003) pp. 1-10
4
Jansen, Marius B (ed), Cambridge History of Japan, Vol 5 pp. 259
5
Sansom, Sir George Bailey , A History of Japan: 1615-1867 (Stanford University Press, 1963), pp. 38
6
Sansom, Sir George Bailey , A History of Japan: 1615-1867 (Stanford University Press, 1963), pp.
We are told that the Tokugawa were not against trade, they simply wanted control over it The
article goes on to explain that there was a great deal of cross-cultural communication, again at odds
with the notion of sakoku. It is clear that relations between the Japanese and the outside world (in
Nagasaki at least) were far more complicated than simple toleration on the part of the Japanese.

Edo was one of the most important and largest cities of the age and Dutch representatives
travelled there once a year to meet with the key figures, including the Shogun himself. They were
figures of great interest when they arrived there and we are provided with examples of contemporary
art detailing the extraordinary Red-furred people in both Edo and Kyoto. During their time in Edo, the
Dutch were housed in the Nagasaki-ya, or Official Travel Lodge of the Red-furred People. The article
recounts crowds around the building and the residents feeling marooned indoors with one Dutch
visitor describing it as dilapidated and depressing. This does make one wonder whether the Dutch
were received at court on sufferance rather than being feted. The claim that the shogunal court was
made aware of significant European events pretty much as the occurred also seems a little far-fetched,
given that the Dutch were only in Edo for a fixed two week period in any year, having spent three
months getting there.

The first half of the article deals with technical matters how Western artefacts got to
seventeenth century Japan. It acquits itself well, with the caveat of possibly overestimating the spread
and influence of these items. The second part of the piece deals with something far more difficult to
quantify, the effect on beliefs, learning and Japanese society as a whole. We are introduced to the
concept of ukiyo the floating world that allowed Edo society to function without breaking down. The
article suggests that Ran (Dutch) culture played an important role in this period. Yet, there is a slight
contradiction when it is stated that those engaged in Rangaku or Dutch studies were all amateurs and
the article begins with a quote from the mid-nineteenth century bemoaning the lack of scholarly interest
in the subject.

As the article reaches its conclusion, there are more signs of a weakness in the central conceit of
the importance of Ran in the culture of the time. We are told tales of the Japanese seeing the Roman
alphabet as looking like cow flob and of the similarity of the word Oranda with that of Oiran for a top
class prostitute. The latter example provided an unending source of laughs suggesting that there was
little respect for the Red-furred people. As we are guided through the complexities of contemporary
Japanese poetry, a startling phrase leaps out Europeans hopeless attempts to knock at the door of
Japanese language . . . which is at odds with the earlier examples of communication in Nagasaki.

On first reading, this piece seems to shed light on an untold story of Western influence in
seventeenth century Japan. Repeated analysis, however, seems to throw up many questions, the most
important being whether this was true influence, or a passing fad among a small number of well off
Japanese, a cultural phenomenon which is common to many eras. In fact it seems that the Dutch were in
fact treated as much as figures of ridicule as they were admired. Furthermore, it is also suggested that
the Japanese, despite enjoying the items from overseas, did not truly understand their purpose. For
these reasons, the central tenet of important Dutch influence on Japanese society at the time does not
seem to have been clearly proven.






Bibliograpy

Cullen, L. M, A History of Japan, 1582-1941: Internal and External Worlds (Cambridge University Press,
2003)
Sansom, Sir George Bailey , A History of Japan: 1615-1867 (Stanford University Press, 1963)
Lave, Michael S, The Sakoku Edicts and the Politics of Tokugawa Hegemony, (Cambria Press, 2011)
Gordon, A, A Modern History of Japan, (Oxford University Press, 2014)
Jansen, Marius B (ed), Cambridge History of Japan, Vol 5 pp. 259-307