Volume 8 — Letter from Dasmarinas to the Ruler of Japan
Reading edition
[Endorsed: “Copy of the letter, from the king of Japon—I mean, to the king.”] Page 252
The place from which the letter was written was probably the town of Shiuri, the chief port of the Riu Kiu (or Loo Choo) Islands, known to the Spaniards as Lequios. See Basil Hall's “Bibliography of Luchu,” in Transactions of Asiatic Society of Japan, xxiv, pp. 1–11.
Notes in this chapter
Note 1 · The conquest of Korea was not accomplished until 1592, although the preceding year had been spent in vigorous preparations for the campaign.Note 2 · The device of Hideyoshi was a bundle of gourds.Note 3 · As explained in the letter of Gomez Perez Dasmariñas, of June 11, 1592. (q.v. p. 256, ante), two copies of the translation of this letter inNote 4 · “A corruption of Kuwambaku, the Japanese designation of a regent appointed by the Mikado. The holder of this office at the time here referreNote 5 · The Japanese calendar was based upon the lunar year; and the years were divided into cycles of sixty years each. Besides this division, therNote 6 · A different version of this letter is given by Santa Inés, ii, pp. 547–549.Note 7 · La Concepcion states (Historia, ii, pp. 217, 218) that Faranda had come to Manila in 1591, and, having carefully observed the condition and Note 8 · Juan Cobo was a prominent member of the Dominican order in Manila. He accomplished his errand as envoy to Japan, but on the return voyage waNote 9 · Span., yo beso vr̃as Reales manos, “I kiss your royal hands.”