Japanese at Manila

In October 1600 Olivier van Noort arrived in the Philippines with two ships, the Mauritius and the Eendracht. The expedition sailed to the southeast side of the island Luzon and went into a bay now called Albay Bay. After obtaining some provisions there, the ships continued slowly towards Manilla. On the way there they pillaged several villages and captured a Chinese sampan, which later managed to escape. After arriving at Manila in November, the fleet remained in front of Manila’s bay to attempt to capture incoming vessels. In early December they captured a Japanese sampan, from which they obtained some supplies and and a wooden achor. They paid for the goods and let the ship pass. On the 14th of December the ships of Van Noort were confronted by a Spanish fleet.

The image shows a Japanese “noble man or captain”, dressed in silk garments that are decorated with flowers. He carries bow and a sword which, according to the description of Van Noort, could cut a man in half. Next to him are Japanese commoners, which Van Noort likens to Poles for their long robes. They are bald-headed except for long hair in their necks. Van Noort describes them as brown-skinned, tall in stature, and skilled in war, for which they use bows, pikes and sabers, while they are learning to use firearms, which are supplied by the Portuguese.