, was a fan-shaped
artificial island in the bay of
Nagasaki that was a
Dutch trading post during
Japan's self-imposed isolation (''
sakoku'') of the
Edo period, from
1641 until
1853.

View of Dejima island in Nagasaki Bay (from Siebold's ''Nippon'', 1897)
History
The
island, constructed in
1634 on orders of shogun
Iemitsu, originally accommodated
Portuguese merchants. The
Shimabara uprising of 1637, in which Christian Japanese took an active part, was crushed with the help of the Dutch. After the Portuguese and other Catholic nations were expelled from Japan in
1638, the
shogunate ordered the
Dutch East India Company (''Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie'', VOC) to transfer its mercantile operations from the island port of
Hirado to Dejima in
1641.
At its maximum, the Hirado trading facility, or "factory," covered a large area.
[1]
In
1637 and in
1639, stone warehouses were constructed within the ambit of this Hirado trading post. Dutch builders incorporated these very dates into the stonework, but the Tokugawa shogunate disapproved of the use of any Christian era year dates and so ordered the immediate destruction of the structures.
[2]
This modest example of Dutch failure to comply with strict ''
sakoku'' practices was then used as one of the ''
bakufu's plausible rationales for forcing the Dutch traders to abandon Hirado for the more constricting confines of Dejima island in Nagasaki harbor.
[2] However, modern research has led scholars to argue that "This was actually an excuse for the shogonate to take the Dutch trade away from the Hirado clan."
[2] This strategic decision led to significant and unanticipated consequences for Hirado, for Nagasaki, and for Japan.
As an additional punitive measure, the ''bakufu'' ordered the annual replacement of the ''VOC'' ''Opperhoofd'' or ''Kapitan'' in Japan.
[2] This, too, would lead to unanticipated consequences.
Organization

Dejima and Nagasaki Bay, circa 1820. Two Dutch ships and numerous Chinese trading junks are depicted.
From then on, only the Chinese and the Dutch could trade with Japan. It is significant that Dejima was an artificial island, and hence not part of Japan proper. Thus, the foreigners were kept at arm's length from the sacred soil of Japan. Dejima was a small island, 120 by 75 meters
[6], linked to the mainland by a small bridge, guarded on both sides, and with a gate on the Dutch side. It contained houses for about twenty Dutchmen, warehouses, and accommodation for Japanese government officials. The Dutch were watched by a number of Japanese officials, gatekeepers, night watchmen, and a supervisor (''otona'') with about fifty subordinates. There were a number of merchants for supplies and catering and about 150 ''tsÅ«ji'' ("interpreters"). They all had to be paid by the ''VOC'' Dejima was under direct central supervision of Edo by a governor, called a ''bugyÅ'', who was responsible for all contact between the ''VOC'' and all contacts with anyone in the Japanese archipelago.
Every Dutch ship that arrived in Dejima was inspected by the ''bugyÅ,'' and sails were seized until that ship was set to leave. Religious books and weapons were sealed and confiscated. No religious services were allowed on the island.
Despite the financial burden of the isolated outpost on Dejima, the trade with Japan was very profitable for the ''VOC,'' initially yielding profits of 50% or more. Trade declined in the 18th century, as only two ships per year were allowed to dock at Dejima. After the bankruptcy of the ''VOC'' in 1795, the Dutch government took over the settlement. Times were especially hard when the Netherlands (then called the
Batavian Republic) was under French Napoleonic rule and all ties with the homeland were severed.
The chief ''VOC'' official in Japan was called the ''
Opperhoofd,'' or ''
Kapitan.'' This descriptive title did not change when the island's trading fell under Dutch state authority. Throughout these years, the plan was to have one incumbent per year--but sometimes plans needed to be flexible.

Scale model of Dutch trading post on display in Dejima (1995)
Trade
Originally, the Dutch mainly traded in
silk, but
sugar became more important later. Also
deer pelts and
shark skin were transported from Asia, as well as woolen cloth and glassware from Europe.
To this was added the personal trade of individual Dutch traders in charge of Dejima, called ''kanbang'' trade, which was an important source of income for the employees and allowed the Japanese to procure books or scientific instruments. More than 10,000 foreign books on various scientific subjects were thus sold to the Japanese from the end of the 18th to the early 19th century, thus becoming the central factor of the ''
Rangaku'' movement, or Dutch studies.
Ship arrivals
In all, 606 Dutch ships arrived at Dejima during two centuries of settlement, from 1641 to 1847.
★ The first period, from 1641 to 1671, was rather free, and saw an average of 7 Dutch ships every year (12 perished in this period).
★ From 1671 to 1715, about 5 Dutch ships were allowed to visit Dejima every year.
★ From 1715, only 2 ships were permitted every year, which was reduced to 1 ship in 1790, and again increased to 2 ships in 1799.
★ During the
Napoleonic wars, in which the Netherlands was an ally of France, Dutch ships could not safely reach Japan in the face of British opposition, so they instead relied on "neutral" American and Danish ships. (Interestingly, when the Netherlands became a province of France (1811-1814), and Britain conquered Dutch colonial possessions in Asia, Dejima remained for four years the only place in the world where the Dutch flag was still flying, under the leadership of
Hendrik Doeff.)
★ Regular traffic was reestablished in 1815.
Sakoku policy

Japanese painting of Dutch practicing astronomy at Dejima.
For two hundred years, Dutch merchants were generally not allowed to cross from Dejima to Nagasaki, and Japanese were likewise banned from entering Dejima, except for prostitutes. These ''yūjo'' were handpicked from 1642 by the Japanese, often against their will. From the 18th century there were some exceptions to this rule, especially following
Tokugawa Yoshimune's doctrine of promoting European practical sciences. A few ''Oranda-yuki'' (''those who stay with the Dutch'') were allowed to stay for longer periods, but they had to report regularly to the Japanese guard post. European scholars such as
Engelbert Kaempfer,
Carl Peter Thunberg,
Isaac Titsingh and
Philipp Franz von Siebold were allowed to enter the mainland with the shogunate's permission.
[7] Starting in the 1700s, Dejima became known throughout Japan as a center of medicine, military science, and astronomy, and many
samurai travelled there for "Dutch studies" (
Rangaku).
In addition, the ''Opperhoofd'', was treated like a Japanese
daimyo, which meant that he had to pay a visit of homage to the
Shogun in
Edo regularly (the so-called ''
sankin kotai''). In contrast to a daimyo, the Dutch delegation traveled to Edo yearly between 1660 and 1790 and once every four years thereafter. This prerogative was denied to the Chinese traders. This lengthy travel to the imperial court broke the boredom of their stay, but it was a costly affair to the Dutch. The shÅgun let them know in advance and in detail which (expensive) gifts he expected, such as
astrolabes, a pair of glasses, telescopes, globes, medical instruments, medical books, or exotic animals and tropical birds. In return, the Dutch delegation received some gifts from the shogun. On arrival in Edo the 'Opperhoofd'' and his retinue (usually his scribe and the factory doctor) had to wait in the ''Nagasakiya'', their mandatory residence until they were summoned at the court. After their official audience, they were expected, according to
Engelbert Kaempfer, to perform Dutch dances and songs etc. for the amusement of the shogunate. But they also used the opportunity of their stay of about two to three weeks in the capital to exchange knowledge with learned Japanese and, under escort, visit the town.
New introductions to Japan

Scene of badminton playing in Dejima.
★
Badminton, a sport that originated in India, was introduced by the Dutch during the 18th century and is mentioned in the "Sayings of the Dutch."
★
Billiards were introduced in Japan on Dejima in 1794 and are mentioned as "Ball throwing table" (玉çªã®å ´) in the paintings of Kawahara Keika (å·åŽŸæ…¶è³€).
★
Beer seems to have been introduced as imports during the period of isolation. The Dutch governor
Doeff made his own beer in Nagasaki, following the disruption of trade during the
Napoleonic wars. Local production of beer would start in Japan in 1880.
★
Clover was introduced in Japan by the Dutch as packing material for fragile cargo. The Japanese called it "White packing herb" (ã‚·ãƒãƒ„メクサ), in reference to its white flowers.

Dutch playing billards in Dejima.
★
Coffee was introduced in Japan by the Dutch under the name Moka.
Siebold refers to Japanese coffee amateurs in Nagasaki around 1823.
★
Piano. Japan's oldest piano was introduced by Siebolt in 1823 and later given to a tradesperson in the name of Kumatani (熊谷). The piano is today on display in the Kumatani Museum (è©å¸‚ã®ç†Šè°·ç¾Žè¡“館).
★
Painting, used for ships, was introduced by the Dutch. The original Dutch name (Pek) was also adopted in Japanese (Penki/ペンã‚).
★
Cabbage and
tomatoes were introduced in the 17th century by the Dutch.
★
Chocolate was introduced between 1789 and 1801 and is mentioned as a drink in the pleasure houses of Maruyama.
Nagasaki Naval Training Center

The Nagasaki Training Center, in
Nagasaki, next to Dejima (in the background).
Following the forcible opening of Japan by US Navy
Commodore Perry in
1854, the
Bakufu suddenly increased its interactions with Dejima in an effort to build up knowledge of Western shipping methods. The
Nagasaki Naval Training Center (Jp:é•·å´Žæµ·è»ä¼ç¿’所/Nagasaki Kaigun DenshÅ«sho), a naval training institute, was established in
1855 by the government of the
Shogun right at the entrance of Dejima, allowing maximum interaction with Dutch naval know-how. The center was also equipped with Japan's first steamship, the
KankÅ Maru, given by the government of the
Netherlands the same year. The future Admiral
Enomoto Takeaki was one of the students of the Training Center.
Reconstruction
The Dutch East India Company's trading post at Dejima was closed in
1857, once Dutch merchants were allowed to trade in Nagasaki City. Since then, the island has been surrounded by
reclaimed land and merged into Nagasaki. Extensive redesigning of Nagasaki Harbor in 1904 has obscured the location.
[8] The footprint of Dejima island's original location has been marked by rivets; but as restoration progresses, the ambit of the island will be easier to grasp at a glance.

Edo-era boundaries of Dejima island (outlined in red) within the modern city of Nagasaki.
Dejima today has plainly become a work in progress. The island was designated a national historical site in 1922, but further steps were slow to follow. Restoration work was started in 1953, but that project languished.
[8]
In 1996, restoration of Deshima began with plans for rebuilding 25 buildings to their early 19th century state. To better display Dejima's fan-shaped form, the project anticipated rebuilding only parts of the surrounding embankment wall that had once enclosed the island. Buildings that remained from the
Meiji Period were to be used.
In 2000, five buildings including the Deputy Factor's Quarters were completed and opened to the public.
In the spring of 2006, the finishing touches were put on the Chief Factor's Residence, the Japanese Officials' Office, the Head Clerk's Quarters, the No. 3 Warehouse, and the Sea Gate.
The long-term planning now anticipates that that Dejima should again be surrounded by water on all four sides, which means that Dejima’s characteristic fan-shaped form and all of its embankment walls will be fully restored. This long-term plan will involve a large-scale urban redevelopment in the area. If Dejima is to be an island again, the project will require rerouting the
Nakashima River and moving a part of Route 499. The project is ambitious, but the eventual completion of this restoration project will create a unique window through which Nagasaki's past can be glimpsed.
'Chronology of Dejima'

Scene in the modern reconstruction of Dejima

Monument erected in Dejima by
Siebold to honor Kaempfer and Thunberg
★ 1550: Portuguese ships visit
Hirado.
★ 1570:
Nagasaki Harbor is opened for trade and six town blocks are built.
★ 1571: The first Portuguese ships enter Nagasaki Harbor.
★ 1580:
Omura Sumitada cedes jurisdiction over Nagasaki and Mogi to the
Society of Jesus.
★ 1588:
Toyotomi Hideyoshi exerts direct control over Nagasaki, Mogi, and Urakami from the Jesuits.
★ 1609: The
Dutch East India Company opens a factory in
Hirado. It closes in 1623.
★ 1612: Japan's feudal government decrees that Christian proselytizing on Bakufu lands is forbidden.
★ 1616: All trade with foreigners except that with China is confined to Hirado and Nagasaki.
★ 1634: The construction of Dejima begins.
★ 1636: Dejima is completed; the Portuguese are interned on Dejima (Fourth National Isolation Edict).
★ 1639: Portuguese ships are prohibited from entering Japan. Consequently, the Portuguese are banished from Dejima.
★ 1641: The Dutch East India Company on Hirado is moved to Nagasaki.
★ 1649: Dutch
surgeon Caspar Schambergen comes to Japan.
★ 1662: A shop is opened on Dejima to sell
Imari porcelain.
★ 1673: The English ship "Return" enters Nagasaki, but the Shogunate refuses its request for trade.
★ 1678: A bridge connecting Dejima with the shore is replaced with a stone bridge.
★ 1690: The German
physician Engelbert Kaempfer comes to Dejima.
★ 1696: Warehouses for secondary cargo reach completion on Dejima.
★ 1698: The Nagasaki Kaisho (trade association) is founded.
★ 1699: The Sea Gate is built at Dejima.
★ 1707: Water pipes are installed on Dejima.
★ 1775:
Carl Thunberg starts his term as physician on Dejima.
★ 1779: Surgeon
Isaac Titsingh arrives for his first tour of duty as ''"
Opperhoofd."''
★ 1798: Many buildings, including the Chief Factor's Residence, are destroyed by the
Great ''Kansei'' Fire of Dejima.
★ 1804: Russian Ambassador
N.P. Rezanov visits Nagasaki to request an exchange of trade between Japan and Imperial Russia.
★ 1808: The
Phaeton Incident occurs.
List of Dutch ''Opperhoofden'' or ''Kapitans''
At Hirado
.jpg)
View of VOC compound at Hirado island -- west coast of Kyushu (c1669).
★ Jacques Specx: 20.9.1609 - 28.8.1612
★ Hendrick Brouwer: 28.8.1612 - 6.8.1614
★ Jacques Specx: 6.8.1614 - 29.10.1621
★ Leonardt Camps: 29.10.1621 - 21.11.1623
★ Corneliszoon van Neijenroode: 21.11.1623 - _._.1631
★ Pieter Stamper: 1631
★ Corneliszoon van Neijenroode: _._.1631 - 31.1.1633
★ Pieter van Sante[n]: 31.1.1633 - 6.9.1633
★ Nicolaes Couckebacker: 6.9.1633 - _._.1635
★ Maerten Wesselingh: _._.1635-_._.1637
★ Nicolaes Couckebacker: _._.1637 - 3.2.1639
★
François Caron: 3.2.1639 - 13.2.1641 [''Caron was last ''Opperhoofd'' at
Hirado.'']
At Dejima
★
François Caron: 3.2.1639 - 13.2.1641 [''Caron was the first ''Opperhoofd'' in Dejima following the forced move from
Hirado.'']
★
Maximiliaen Le Maire: 14.2.1641 - 30.10.1641
★
Jan van Elseracq: 1.11.1641 - 29.10.1642
★
Pieter Anthonijszoon Overtwater: 29.10.1642 - 1.8.1643
★
Jan van Elserac: 1.8.1643 - 24.11.1644
★
Pieter Anthonijszoon Overtwater: 24.11.1644 - 30.11.1645
★
Reijnjer van't Zum: 30.11.1645 - 27.10.1646
★
Willem Verstegen [Versteijen]: 28.10.164 - 10.10.1647
★
Frederick Coijet: 3.11.1647 - 9.12.1648
★
Dircq Snoecq: 9.12.1648 - 5.11.1649
★
Anthonio van Brouckhorst: 5.11.1649 - 25.10.1650
★
Pieter Sterthemius: 25.10.1650 - 3.11.1651
★
Adriaen van der Burgh: 1.11.1651 - 3.11.1652
★
Frederick Coijet: 4.11.1652 - 10.11.1653
★
Gabriel Happart: 4.11.1653 - 31.10.1654
★
Leonard Winninx: 31.10.1654 - 23.10.1655
★
Joan Boucheljon: 23.10.1655 - 1.11.1656
★
Zacharias Wagenaer [Wagener]: 1.11.1656 - 27.10.1657
★
Joan Boucheljon: 27.10.1657 - 23.10.1658
★
Zacharias Wagenaer [Wagener]: 22.10.1658 - 4.11.1659
★
Joan Boucheljon: 4.11.1659 - 26.10.1660
★
Hendrick Indijck: 26.10.1660 - 21.11.1661
★
Dirck van Lier: 11.11.1661 - 6.11.1662
★
Hendrick Indijck: 6.11.1662 - 20.10.1663
★
Willem Volger: 20.10.1663 - 7.11.1664
★
Jacob Gruijs: 7.11.1664 - 27.10.1665
★
Willem Volger: 28.10.1665: - 27.10.1666
★
Daniel Six [Sicx]: 18.10.1666 - 6.11.1667
★
Constantin Ranst: 6.11.1667 - 25.10.1668
★
Daniel Six [Sicx]: 25.10.1668 - 14.10.1669
★
Francois de Haas: 14.10.1669 - 2.11.1670
★
Martinus Caesar: 2.11.1670 - 12.11.1671
★
Johannes Camphuijs: 22.10.1671 - 12.11.1672
★
Martinus Caesar: 13.11.1672 - 29.10.1673
★
Johannes Camphuijs: 29.10.1673 - 19.10.1674
★
Martinus Caesar: 20.10.1674 - 7.11.1675
★
Johannes Camphuijs: 7.11.1675 - 27.10.1676
★
Dirck de Haas: 27.10.1676 - 16.10.1677
★
Albert Brevincq: 16.10.1677 - 4.11.1678
★
Dirck de Haas: 4.11.1678 - 24.10.1679
★
Albert Brevincq: 24.10.1679 - 11.11.1680
★
Isaac van Schinne: 11.11.1680 - 31.10.1681
★
Hendrick Canzius: 31.10.1681 - 20.10.1682
★
Andreas Cleyer [Andries]: 20.10.1682 - 8.11.1683
★
Constantin Ranst de Jonge: 8.11.1683 - 28.10.1684
★
Hendrick van Buijtenhem: 25.10.1684 - 7.10.1685
★
Andreas Cleyer: 17.10.1685 - 5.11.1686
★
Constantin Ranst de Jonge: 5.11.1686 - 25.10.1687
★
Hendrick van Buijtenhem: 25.10.1687 - 13.10.1688
★
Cornelisz.van Outhoorn: 13.10.1688 - 1.11.1689
★
Balthasar Sweers: 1.11.1689 - 21.10.1690
★
Hendrick van Buijtenhem: 21.10.1690 - 09.11.1691
★
Cornelis van Outhoorn: 9.11.1691 - 29.10.1692
★
Hendrick van Buijtenhem: 29.10.1692 - 19.10.1693
★
Gerrit de Heere: 19.10.1693: - 7.11.1694
★
Hendrik Dijkman: 7.11.1694 - 27.10.1695
★
Cornelis van Outhoorn: 27.10.1695 - 15.10.1696
★
Hendrik Dijkman]: 15.10.1696 - 3.11.1697
★
Pieter de Vos: 3.11.1697 - 23.10.1698
★
Hendrik Dijkman: 23.10.1698 - 12.10.1699
★
Pieter de Vos: 21.10.1699 - 31.10.1700
★
Hendrik Dijkman: 31.10.1700 - 21.10.1701
★
Abraham Douglas: 21.10.1701 - 30.10.1702
★
Ferdinand de Groot: 9.11.1702 - 30.10.1703
★
Gideon Tant: 30.10.1703 - 18.10.1704
★
Ferdinand de Groot: 18.10.1704 - 6.11.1705
★
Ferdinand de Groot: 26.10.1706 - 15.10.1707
★ 15.10.1707 - 2.11.1708
★
Jasper van Mansdale: 2.11.1708 - 22.10.1709
★
Hermanus Menssingh: 22.10.1709 - 10.11.1710
★
Nicolaas Joan van Hoorn: 10.11.1710 - 31.10.1711
★
Cornelis Lardijn: 31.10.1711 - 7.11.1713
★
Cornelis Jardijn: 7.11.1713 - 27.10.1714
★
Nicolaas Joan van Hoorn: 27.10.1714 -19.10.1715
★
Gideon Boudaen: 19.10.1715 - 3.11.1716
★
Joan Aouwer: 3.11.1716 - 24.10.1717
★
Christiaen van Vrijbergh[e]: 24.10.1717 - 13.10.1718
★
Joan Aouwer: 13.10.1718 - 21.10.1720
★
Roeloff Diodati: 21.10.1720 - 9.11.1721
★
Hendrik Durven: 9.11.1721 - 18.10.1723
★
Johannes Thedens: 18.10.1723 - 25.10.1725
★
Joan de Hartogh: 25.10.1725 - 15.10.1726
★
Pieter Boockestijn: 15.10.1726 - 3.11.1727
★
Abraham Minnedonk: 3.11.1727 - 20.10.1728
★
Pieter Boockestijn: 22.10.1728 - 12.10.1729
★
Abraham Minnedonk: 12.10.1729 - 31.10.1730
★
Pieter Boockestijn: 31.10.1730 - 7.11.1732
★
Hendrik van de Bel: 7.11.1732 - 27.10.1733
★
Rogier de Laver: 27.10.1733 - 16.10.1734
★
David Drinckman: 16.10.1734 - 4.11.1735
★
Bernardus Coop [Coopa] Ã Groen: 4.11.1735 - 24.10.1736
★
Jan van der Cruijsse: 24.10.1736 - 13.10.1737
★
Gerardus Bernardus Visscher: 13.10.1737 - 21.10.1739
★
Thomas van Rhee: 22.10.1739 - 8.11.1740
★
Jacob van der Waeijen: 9.11.1740 - 28.10.1741
★
Thomas van Rhee: 29.10.1741 - 17.10.1742
★
Jacob van der Waeijen: 17.10.1742 - 9.11.1743
★
David Brouwer: 5.11.1743 - 1.11.1744
★
Jacob van der Waeijen: 2.11.1744 - 28.12.1745
★
Jan Louis de Win: 30.12.1745 - 2.11.1746
★
Jacob Balde: 3.11.1746 - 25.10.1747
★
Jan Louis de Win: 28.10.1747 - 11.11.1748
★
Jacob Balde: 12.11.1748 - 8.12.1749
★
Hendrik van Homoed: 8.12.1749 - 24.12.1750
★
Abraham van Suchtelen: 25.12.1750 - 18.11.1751
★
Hendrik van Homoed: 19.11.1751 - 5.12.1752
★
David Boelen: 6.12.1752 - 15.10.1753
★
Hendrik van Homoed: 16.10.1753 - 3.11.1754
★
David Boelen: 4.11.1754 - 25.10.1755
★
Herbert Vermeulen: 25.10.1755 - 12.10.1756
★
David Boelen: 13.10.1756 - 31.10.1757
★
Herbert Vermeulen: 1.11.1757 - 11.11.1758
★
Johannes Reijnouts: 12.11.1758 - 11.11.1760
★
Marten Huijshoorn: 12.11.1760 - 30.10.1761
★
Johannes Reijnouts: 31.10.1761 - 2.12.1762
★
Fredrik Willem Wineke: 3.12.1762 - 6.11.1763
★
Jan Crans: 7.11.1763 - 24.10.1764
★
Fredrik Willem Wineke: 25.10.1764 - 7.11.1765
★
Jan Crans: 8.11.1765 - 31.10.1766
★
Herman Christiaan Kastens: 1.11.1766 - 20.10.1767
★
Jan Crans: 21.10.1767 - 8.11.1769
★
Olphert Elias: 9.11.1769 - 16.11.1770
★
Daniel Armenault: 17.11.1770 - 9.11.1771
★
Arend Willem Feith: 10.11.1771 - 3.11.1772
★
Daniel Armenault [Almenaault]: 4.11.1772 - 22.11.1773
★
Arend Willem Feith: 23.11.1773 - 10.11.1774
★
Daniel Armenault [Almenaault]: 11.11.1774 - 28.10.1775
★
Arend Willem Feith: 28.10.1775 - 22.11.1776
★
Hendrik Godfried Duurkoop: 23.11.1776 - 11.11.1777
★
Arend Willem Feith: 12.11.1777 - 28.11.1779
★
Isaac Titsingh: 29.11.1779 - 5.11.1780
★
Arend Willem Feith: 6.11.1780 - 23.11.1781
★
Isaac Titsingh: 24.11.1781 - 26.10.1783
★
Hendrik Casper Romberg: 27.10.1783 - _.8.1874
★
Isaac Titsingh: _.8.1784 - 30.11.1784

Hendrik Doeff and a Balinese servant in Dejima, Japanese painting.
★
Hendrik Casper Romberg: 0.11.84 - 21.11.1785
★
Johan Fredrik van Rheede tot de Parkeler: 22.11.1785 - 20.11.1786
★
Hendrik Casper Romberg: 21.11.1786 - 30.11.1787
★
Johan Frederik van Rheede tot de Parkeler: 1.12.1787 - 1.8.1789
★
Hendrik Casper Romberg: 1.8.1789 - 13.11.1790
★
Petrus Theodorus Chassé: 13.11.1790 - 13.11.1792
★
Gijsbert Hemmij: 13.11.1792 - 8.7.1798
★
Leopold Willem Ras: 8.7.1798 - 17.7.1800
★
Willem Wardenaar: 16.7.1800 - 14.11.1803
★
Hendrik Doeff: 14.11.1803 - 6.12.1817
★
Jan Cock Blomhoff: 6.12.1817 - 20.11.1823
★
Johan Willem de Sturler: 20.11.1823 - 5.8.1826
★
Germain Felix Meijlan: 4.8.1826 - 1.11.1830
★
Jan Willem Fredrik van Citters: 1.11.1830 - 30.11.1834
★
Johannes Erdewin Niemann: 1.12.1834 - 17.11.1838
★
Eduard Grandisson: 18.11.1838 - _.11.1842
★
Pieter Albert Bik: _.11.1842 - 31.10.1845
★
Joseph Henrij Levijssohn: 1.11.1845 - 31.10.1850
★
Frederick Colnelis Rose: 1.11.1850 - 31.10.1852

The last of the Dejima-based Opperhoofden handled the 1855 delivery of the
KankŠMaru (観光丸), Japan's first modern steam warship -- a gift from the Dutch King Willem III to the Tokugawa Shogunate.
★
Janus Henricus Donker Curtius: 2.11.1852 - 28.2.1860 [''Donker Curtius became the last in a long list of hardy Dutch Opperhoofden who were stationed at Dejima; and fortuitously, Curtius also became the first of many Dutch diplomatic and trade representatives in Japan during the burgeoning pre-Meiji years.'']
References
Notes
1. Edo-Tokyo Museum exhibition catalog. (2000). ''A Very Unique Collection of Historical Significance: The Kapitan (the Dutch Chief) Collection from the Edo Period -- The Dutch Fascination with Japan,'' p.206.
2. Edo-Tokyo Museum exhibition catalog, p. 207.
3. Edo-Tokyo Museum exhibition catalog, p. 207.
4. Edo-Tokyo Museum exhibition catalog, p. 207.
5. Edo-Tokyo Museum exhibition catalog, p. 207.
6. Ken Vos - The article "Dejima als venster en doorgeefluik" in the catalog (Brussels, 5 October 1989 - 16 December 1989) of the exhibition Europalia 1989 : "Oranda : De Nederlanden in Japan (1600-1868)
7. ''In the context of Commodore Perry's "opening" of Japan in 1853, American naval expedition planners did have the reasonable forethought to incorporate reference material written by men whose published accounts of Japan were based on first-hand experience. J.W. Spaulding brought with him books by Japanologists Engelbert Kaempfer, Carl Peter Thunberg, and Isaac Titsingh.'' Screech, T. (2006). ''Secret Memoirs of the Shoguns: Isaac Titsingh and Japan, 1779-1822,'' p.73.
8. Edo-Tokyo Museum exhibition catalog, p. 47.
9. Edo-Tokyo Museum exhibition catalog, p. 47.
Further reading
★ Blomhoff, J.C. (2000). ''The Court Journey to the Shogun of Japan: From a Private Account by Jan Cock Blomhoff.'' Amsterdam
★ Blussé, L. ''et al.,'' eds. (1995-2001) ''The Deshima [sic] Dagregisters: Their Original Tables of Content.'' Leiden.
★ Blussé, L. ''et al.,'' eds. (2004). ''The Deshima Diaries Marginalia 1740-1800.'' Tokyo.
★ Boxer. C.R. (1950). ''Jan Compagnie in Japan, 1600-1850: An Essay on the Cultural, Aristic, and Scientific Influence Exercised by the Hollanders in Japan from the Seventeenth to the Nineteenth Centuries.'' Den Haag.
★ Caron, F. (1671). ''A True Description of the Mighty Kingdoms of Japan and Siam.'' London.
★ Doeff, H. (1633). ''Herinneringen uit Japan.'' Amsterdam. [Doeff, H. "Recollections of Japan" (ISBN: 1-55395-849-7)]
★ Edo-Tokyo Museum exhibition catalog. (2000). ''A Very Unique Collection of Historical Significance: The Kapitan (the Dutch Chief) Collection from the Edo Period--The Dutch Fascination with Japan.'' Catalog of "400th Anniversary Exhibition Regarding Relations between Japan and the Netherlands," a joint project of the Edo-Tokyo Museum, the City of Nagasaki, the National Museum of Ethnology, the National Natuurhistorisch Museum" and the National Herbarium of the Netherlands in Leiden, the Netherlands. Tokyo.
★ Leguin, F. (2002). ''Isaac Titsingh (1745-1812): Een passie voor Japan, leven en werk van de grondlegger van de Europese Japanologie.'' Leiden.
★ ''Nederland's Patriciaat,'' Vol. 13 (1923). Den Haag.
★ Screech, Timon. (2006). ''Secret Memoirs of the Shoguns: Isaac Titsingh and Japan, 1779-1822.'' London.
★ Siebold, P.F.v. (1897). ''Nippon.'' Würzburg e Leipzig.
★ Titsingh, I. (1820). ''Mémoires et Anecdotes sur la Dynastie régnante des Djogouns, Souverains du Japon.'' Paris.
★ Titsingh, I. (1822). ''Illustrations of Japan; consisting of Private Memoirs and Anecdotes of the reigning dynasty of The Djogouns, or Sovereigns of Japan.'' London.
See also
★
Rangaku - Dutch studies
★
Sakoku - "chained country"
Sources and external links
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Dejima: The Island Comes Back to Life
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A map of Deshima
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At the bottom you will also find an image of Deshima
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WorldStatesmen - Japan