The Dutch arrive at Hirado, 1609 (litho)

The Dutch arrive at Hirado, 1609. In 1609 the Dutch established a factory at Hirado, their object being to supplant their hereditary enemies, the Spanish, as traders. Though this enterprise was straightforward, they took the perfidious course on one occasion of sending forged letters to the highest authorities in Japan, which revealed a plot to murder the Shogun. The persons mentioned in the letters were Japanese Christians, who had business dealings with the Spaniards and Portuguese, and by means of false accusations they were cruelly tortured and put to death. Illustration for Hutchinson's History of the Nations (Hutchinson, c.1920). Note: Image has been digitally enhanced to facilitate repro.