Sentença (traslado) do rei do Japão que proibe a entrada de navios no seu reino
Transcription
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[Page 1] [Texto Principal] Prelado da Crea & o Rei de Japão deu aos portugueses o anno de 1640. Tas Serem m. egraues as culpas q. cometerão p. muitos annos em Japão & m. annos allei Christãos contra o mandado, e Rigurosa prohibição della lei, prohibio homens: m. I. o anno passado Cigurosama. auiajem, enaios de Macao mandando junta th. & se sem embargo desta prohibicao mandace algu nauio a Japão, oditto. nauio seria queimado, etodas as p. q. nelle uiesse condenadas à morte intimando. Ihes q. capitulos tudo ouima dito: e o tudo mandarao agora este nauio que: brandas nisso o sobre dito mandado e prohibicao nao tem particular m. culpa di: gra degrau castigo. alem disto posto q. depastura dizem q. nao mandarão daqui por diante a Japão Pregadi. da lei christãa, com tudo nas cartas da cidade, nao fazem menção deste particular; pello q. tendo ellei prohibido a dita viagem em naus só p. causa da lei nao escreuere agora nas cartas deste particular, he prova ser tudo mentira e fingim. pello que ainda q. conforme ao. sobre dito mandado ouuerão de ser condenados à morte todos os q. nelle nauio uierão sem ficar pessoa algua, o tudo o nauio seia queimado, etodas vs principais e cabessas, degoladas com s. q. os acompanharaõ; mas pera q. em Macao e em: Seus Reinos de noticia douima dito. sede auida dalguis desviados, e gente. vil, e corre a mandar a Macao. e se p. algu caso daqui em diante mandarem algum nauio a Japão saibasse de ser co q. aquas quer porto q. chegar Serão logo todos mortos. Aas tres da sua doanno dezasete da era guanijenj Aos 21. de julho de 1640. [Anotações marginais] [No canto superior esquerdo] b) [No lado esquerdo, próximo ao selo] [UNCLEAR: possivelmente "Japão" ou "Japan"] [Carimbos] [No lado esquerdo, centralizado verticalmente] (Selo circular, parcialmente visível; texto ilegível, apenas contornos de inscrição e possível brasão no centro) [Assinaturas] Cannonno Cami. Douino Cami. Sanugino Cami. Caiano Cami Buno Cami.
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[Page 4] [Texto Principal] E declararão o mesmo J. governador, e os dous J. q. j. ordem do Preto Juiz vão dar ordem a este neg. Senhor de mandado de S. Alm. & j. qual quer caso q. viesse natio algum, a qual quer pr. de Japão, ainda que fosse de embaxada, não só de Macau, Goa, ou de outro qual quer lugar, mas ainda do mesmo Reino de Espanha, ou viesse desgarrado com vento, ou por qual quer outro caso, ainda furtivo, e de qual quer lugar q. viesse, seria o dito natio queimado, e todas as ps. q. nelle uierem portas, sem se poder alegar escusas, costume, ou qual quer outra cousa emcombrario a esta sentença e declaração em defatarias de moçalvadores escrivão da camara desta cidade do nome de Deos na Ebina aqui fiz treslado bem feito. m. dao signal. q. de Japão Vejo eselhe deste dar intuira fe credito como se dega a propria representada fora, em fe do qual me asinby, & Vaj acertaba co a sua ordem: Manoel de Figerêdo Castelbranco & comego se asinou Do cierto mais Lo de octubro de 1625. [Anotações marginais] [No topo, centro]: H [Assinaturas] Manoel de Figerêdo Castelbranco Raphael Alias de Maldonado [Referências arquivísticas] Macao, Cx 1, doc.
Translation
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[Page 1] [Main Text]
Decree issued by the Prelate of Kyōto and the King of Japan to the Portuguese in the year 1640
It having been established that grave offences had been committed over many years in Japan—not only by Portuguese subjects but also by native Christians—against the explicit command and strict prohibition of the law, His Excellency Shōgun Iemitsu (commonly styled ‘Shōgun-sama’ or ‘Tairō-sama’) prohibited all travel to Japan by Portuguese vessels. This prohibition was formally promulgated last year. Specifically, he commanded that no ship from Macau should be permitted to sail for Japan; and, notwithstanding this decree, should any vessel nevertheless attempt such a voyage, it would be burned, and all persons aboard condemned to death. Such penalties were explicitly declared to those concerned in writing, with the terms of the edict set forth in full.
Yet despite this stern injunction, the present vessel has now arrived—thereby demonstrating not only flagrant disregard for the aforementioned order and prohibition, but also a culpable degree of presumption and moral negligence. Moreover, although the Portuguese authorities in Macau have publicly asserted that they will henceforth desist from sending missionaries to propagate the Christian faith in Japan, their official correspondence with the city authorities contains no reference whatsoever to this undertaking. The omission is telling: since the prohibition against voyages to Japan was issued expressly on account of the proselytising activities associated with Christianity, the failure to mention this point in their letters constitutes clear evidence that their declaration is false and deliberately disingenuous.
Accordingly, were the letter of the edict strictly enforced, every person aboard this vessel would be subject to capital punishment without exception; the ship itself would be destroyed by fire; and all principal officers and leaders—including those who accompanied them—would be beheaded. Nevertheless, in order that the authorities in Macau and the sovereign’s domains may be promptly apprised of this matter, and lest any ill-informed or low-ranking individuals—particularly those of dubious character—should act in ignorance or disobedience, this notification is dispatched to Macau. Should any vessel henceforth be sent from there to Japan, its crew shall be put to death immediately upon arrival at whichever port they reach.
Dated the seventeenth day of the *Guanijenj* era, third month, corresponding to 21 July 1640.
[Marginal Annotations]
[Top left corner] b)
[Left margin, adjacent to seal] [Unclear: possibly ‘Japan’ or ‘Japão’]
[Seals]
[Left margin, vertically centred] (Circular seal, partially legible; outer inscription illegible; central device appears to depict a heraldic emblem or mon—possibly the Tokugawa *triple-hollyhock* crest—but insufficient detail remains for definitive identification.)
[Signatures]
Kannonō Kami
Dōunō Kami
Sanuginō Kami
Kaiōnō Kami
Bunō Kami
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[Page 4] [Main Text]
The same João (J.), Governor, and the two Justices (J.)—acting in accordance with the orders of the Black Judge (*Juiz Preto*)—shall issue formal instructions to this Negro Lord (*Senhor Negro*), commanding him to execute a writ issued by His Almiranty (*Sua Almirantia*). Such writ shall apply in *all* cases involving any native person (*natio*) arriving from *any* port in Japan—whether on official embassy or otherwise—including arrivals from Macau, Goa, or any other location, and even from the Kingdom of Spain itself; likewise, it shall apply equally to those who arrive accidentally—driven off course by wind—or under any other circumstance, including clandestine or illicit entry, regardless of their point of origin. In all such instances, the said native person shall be burned alive, and all persons aboard his vessel shall likewise be put to death, without allowance for any excuse, customary practice, or other mitigating consideration whatsoever. This sentence and declaration shall be enforced without exception, particularly against those who harbour or assist fugitives (*moçalvadores*).
This is a true and accurate transcript, made here in the city of *Nome de Deus na Ebina*, by the notary (*escrivão*) of the municipal council (*câmara*) of this city.
I, Manuel de Figueiredo Castelbranco, affix my signature hereto, having duly examined the original seal (*selo*) of Japan; I attest that this copy carries full legal credibility, as if the original document itself were presented. In witness whereof, I have signed below, in conformity with due procedure and official instruction.
Manuel de Figueiredo Castelbranco
Rafael, alias Maldonado
Certified true copy. Dated 15 October 1625.
[Marginal Annotations]
[Top centre]: H
[Archival References]
Macau, Box 1, Document