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A History of Japan During the Century of Early Foreign Intercourse, 1542-1651
A History of Japan During the Century of Early Foreign Intercourse 15421651 Author:James Murdoch General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1903 Original Publisher: Published at the Office of the "Chronicle" Subjects: Japan Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free tri... more »al access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. Excerpt: 51 CHAPTER IV. XAVIER IN JAPAN. TTTHILE at Malacca Xavier was gladdened by the news that a Japanese " King" had dispatched a request to the Viceroy of the Indies at Goa for " priests of his nation" to serve in the " King's" dominions. Who this " King" was is unfortunately not stated, and, indeed, there are several other points of obscurity in the story. Most probably the " King" in question was the Prince of Bungo. His Highness is said to have been induced to prefer his request on grounds that this irreverent and incredulous age cannot fail to regard as amusing. Some Portuguese traders arriving in one of his harbours, had asked to be allowed to lodge ashore, and all unknown to themselves had, by the orders of the Prince, been installed in a house reputed to be haunted by demons of a most malignant type. For the first night or two the Portuguese had very unpleasant experiences, the demons making them the victims of very rough horse-play. However, the pious traders invoked the Saints, and had recourse to the use of the Cross, and thereupon they were left undisturbed, and the reputation of the house was redeemed. Asked about the matter by the officials, they told what had happened and what they had done, and the marvel their story excited ultimately led the " King " to endeavour to obtain the services of some of the priests of this new religion, so potent to cope with the spirits of mischief and of darkness. The story at all events would serve to show that Portuguese traders had not been slow to make their way to the new El D...« less