Two manuscript letters, carefully mounted on a hanging vertical scroll (1350 x 650 mm.), with fabric & decorated paper borders, inner wooden core roller, cord at top for hanging. Dutch manuscript: 5 pp. & one blank (each page: 245 x 178 mm.) & Japanese translation: 3 pp. (each page: 248 x 183 mm.)

[Dejima]: 2 October 1806.


Dejima (or Deshima, lit. “island sticking out [into Nagasaki Bay]” was a small artificial island built a short distance into the harbor of Nagasaki in order to provide warehouse and living facilities for the Portuguese and, later, the Dutch traders. Connected to the mainland by a small bridge, it enabled Japanese authorities to limit the foreigners’ access to the rest of the country, maintaining the Japan’s isolationist policies while facilitating the lucrative trade with the West.


In 1798, the building containing the office and living quarters of the director of Dejima burned down. A temporary (truncated) building was constructed but soon judged to be inadequate and increasingly fragile. In November 1803, Hendrik Doeff (1777-1835) was appointed director and became one of the most outstanding directors (“opperhoofd”) of the trading post. He remained in that position until 1817, an unusually long time. Doeff, who had plenty of time on his hands as there was no trading during much of the Napoleonic Wars, learned Japanese and compiled an important Japanese-Dutch dictionary. He is the first Westerner known to have written haiku, two of which have been found in contemporary Japanese publications. Upon returning to the Netherlands, he wrote a memoir of his years in Japan.


Tired of living in the draughty temporary quarters, Doeff decided to write to “His Lordship,” presumably the lord of the Satsuma domain, asking for permission to rebuild the director’s house and requesting supplies. The present letters are contemporary copies of Doeff’s request, both in Dutch and in Japanese translation. We learn from the letter that permission to construct a proper building had been sought in 1800 but was denied. Meanwhile, the temporary building had become increasingly dangerous because of rotting wood. Construction supplies from Batavia could not be received due to the Napoleonic Wars (and even if accessible, the cost would have been excessive). Doeff described the desired new building as having a proper kitchen, a meeting room, quarters for the director, and rooms for servants and slaves, all with windows, solid matted flooring, and sturdy walls. The Dutch and Japanese letters are signed “Doepff,” with the Japanese transliterated using kanji.


In fine condition, preserved in a new wooden box. Small portion of Japanese translation is no longer present. Minor staining. (Inventory #: 10901)