Image: Deshima - KONB11-388A6-NA-P-052-GRAV

Description: Deshima is an artificial island in the bay of Nagasaki; its fan shape is easily recognizable. Originally, it was built by the Portuguese. After the Portuguese were banned from Japan, the Japanese authorities forced the Dutch to settle on Deshima. The Deshima trading post consisted mainly of warehouses and dwelling houses. The island was under close surveillance and the Dutch left only for the annual journey to the Shogun’s court and in exceptional cases. Only people having the right pass could go to the island. Generally, some 15 to 20 Dutch people lived on Deshima. Most VOC officials considered Deshima an easy post, where they could quietly earn their pay.
Title: Deshima
Credit: This digital media file - and/or the physical objects depicted on it - originates from the digital and/or physical collections of the Koninklijke Bibliotheek, national library of the Netherlands.
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No