Dejima

Definition

Dejima was a small, fan-shaped island located in Nagasaki Bay, Japan, that served as the sole trading post for the Dutch East India Company from the 17th to the 19th century. It was the only place where Europeans were allowed to trade with Japan during its period of sakoku, or self-isolation, and played a crucial role in facilitating limited cultural and economic exchange between Japan and the West.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dejima was originally created in 1634 to facilitate trade while keeping foreign influence limited and contained.
2. The Dutch were the only Europeans permitted to trade at Dejima due to their refusal to impose Christianity on Japan, unlike other European powers.
3. Trade at Dejima primarily involved commodities such as silk, sugar, and spices, which were highly valued in Japan.
4. The structure of Dejima was tightly controlled, with the Dutch living under strict regulations that restricted their movements outside the island.
5. Despite its isolation, Dejima became a vital point of contact that allowed Japan to acquire Western knowledge in fields like medicine, science, and technology.

Review Questions

• How did Dejima's establishment reflect Japan's foreign policy during the sakoku period?
  • Dejima's establishment exemplified Japan's foreign policy of sakoku by creating a controlled environment for limited trade with foreigners. By allowing only the Dutch to trade at Dejima, Japan could maintain strict oversight over foreign interactions while minimizing potential cultural or religious influences that could disrupt Japanese society. This arrangement enabled Japan to benefit economically from foreign goods while still preserving its sovereignty and cultural integrity.
• Evaluate the impact of Dejima on Japanese society and its interactions with Western cultures during its operation.
  • Dejima had a significant impact on Japanese society by serving as a conduit for Western ideas and products during a time of isolation. The presence of Dutch traders introduced new technologies and knowledge in medicine, science, and navigation to Japan. This interaction not only enriched Japanese understanding of the world but also laid groundwork for later modernization efforts when Japan would eventually open up to more extensive international relations in the mid-19th century.
• Analyze how Dejima contributed to the broader context of global trade networks in the 17th and 18th centuries.
  • Dejima played a crucial role in global trade networks by serving as the only gateway for Western trade with Japan during a time when many European nations were vying for access to Asian markets. Its strategic position allowed the Dutch East India Company to control and funnel goods like silk and spices from Asia to Europe while maintaining a monopoly over trade with Japan. This not only boosted the profitability of Dutch trade but also positioned Dejima as an essential hub within the expanding global commerce that characterized this era.

Related terms

Dutch East India Company:

A powerful trading company established by the Dutch in 1602, tasked with conducting trade in Asia and acting as a government body in its territories.

Sakoku: The isolationist foreign policy of Japan from the early 17th century until the mid-19th century, which restricted foreign relations and trade.

Nagasaki:

A city in Japan that became the primary port for foreign trade during sakoku, where Dejima was located.