World History II
East Asia – Age of Discovery Docs
Name:
CLOSED COUNTRY EDICT OF 1635
Background: Issued by Tokugawa Iemitsu (grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu) in 1635 and addressed issues
relation to trade, foreign relations, and the status of Christianity, which had been introduced by the
Portuguese in the 1500s and claimed approximately 500,000 converts by early 1600s.
1. Japanese ships are strictly forbidden to leave for foreign countries.
2. No Japanese is permitted to go abroad. If there is anyone who attempts to do so secretly, he must be
executed. The ship so involved must be impounded and its owner arrested, and the matter must be
reported to the higher authority.
3. If any Japanese returns from overseas after residing there, he must be put to death.
4. If there is any place where the teachings of padres is practiced, the two of you must order a thorough
investigation.
5. Any informer revealing the whereabouts of the followers of padres must be rewarded accordingly. If
anyone reveals the whereabouts of a high ranking padre, he must be given one hundred pieces of silver.
For those of lower ranks, depending on the deed, the reward must be set accordingly.
6. If a foreign ship has an objection [to the measures adopted] and it becomes necessary to report the
matter to Edo, you may ask the Omura domain to provide ships to guard the foreign ship. . . .
7. If there are any Southern Barbarians who propagate the teachings of padres, or otherwise commit
crimes, they may be incarcerated in the prison. . . .
8. All incoming ships must be carefully searched for the followers of padres.
9. No single trading city shall be permitted to purchase all the merchandise brought by foreign ships.
10. Samurai are not permitted to purchase any goods originating from foreign ships directly from Chinese
merchants in Nagasaki.
11. After a list of merchandise brought by foreign ships is sent to Edo, as before you may order that
commercial dealings may take place without waiting for a reply from Edo.
12. After settling the price, all white yarns brought by foreign ships shall be allocated to the five trading
cities and other quarters as stipulated.
13. After settling the price of white yarns, other merchandise [brought by foreign ships] may be traded freely
between the [licensed] dealers. However, in view of the fact that Chinese ships are small and cannot
bring large consignments, you may issue orders of sale at your discretion. Additionally, payment for
goods purchased must be made within twenty days after the price is set.
14. The date of departure homeward of foreign ships shall not be later than the twentieth day of the ninth
month. Any ships arriving in Japan later than usual shall depart within fifty days of their arrival. As to the
departure of Chinese ships, you may use your discretion to order their departure after the departure of
the Portuguese galeota.
15. The goods brought by foreign ships which remained unsold may not be deposited or accepted for
deposit.
16. The arrival in Nagasaki of representatives of the five trading cities shall not be later than the fifth day of
the seventh month. Anyone arriving later than that date shall lose the quota assigned to his city.
17. Ships arriving in Hirado must sell their raw silk at the price set in Nagasaki, and are not permitted to
engage in business transactions until after the price is established in Nagasaki.
You are hereby required to act in accordance with the provisions set above. It is so ordered.
World History II
East Asia – Age of Discovery Docs
Name:
Glossary
Edo - Old name for what today is Tokyo, before
Galeota - Portuguese ship
Meiji Reform of 1868
Hirado - A small island southwest of Nagasaki
Five Trading Cities - The Tokugawa government
Omura - The area around Nagasaki
designated five major cities in which foreigners
Padres - Priests in the Catholic Church
could trade: Kyoto, Edo/Tokyo, Osaka, Sakai, and
Southern Barbarians - Westerners
Nagasaki
1. What are some of the restrictions put on ships entering ports in Japan? ______________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
2. According to the Closed Country Edict, what is the greater threat to Japan: Christianity or trade
with foreigners? ___________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. Did the Closed Country Edict really close Japan? Explain.___________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Chinese Emperor Qianlong: Letter to King George III (Britain), 1793
Background: Emperor Qian Long [Ch'ien Lung], (ruled 1735-1795) ruled China for much of the 18th
century, the last period in which China was strong enough to resist, or better, disdain external
influence. Here is letter he sent in response to a request from George III of Britain (r. 1760-1820) for
trade privileges. In 1793, while Britain was in the midst of the French Revolutionary situation in
Europe, China retained its freedom to act as it wished. But within 50 years, all was to change. By the
1840s the British were able to sail into China's rivers and destroy its fleets.
“As to your entreaty to send one of your nations…to my Celestial Court, this request is contrary to
all usage of my dynasty and cannot possibly be entertained…
I have but one aim in view, namely, to maintain a perfect governance and to fulfill the duties of the
State: strange and costly objects do not interest me…Our dynasty’s majestic virtue has penetrated
unto every country under Heaven, and Kings of all nations have offered their costly tribute by land
and sea. As your Ambassador can see for himself, we possess all things. I set no value on objects
ingenious, and have no use for your country’s manufactures.”
1. How does Emperor Qianlong’s language express his view that China is superior to Britain? _______
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________