Nagasaki Japan Voc Engraving, 1736

Dejima (Desima) Dutch Trading Post, Nagasaki Japan – VOC Engraving This fascinating and historically important engraving depicts Dejima (Desima), the small artificial island in Nagasaki Bay that served as the sole gateway between Japan and the Western world during much of the Edo period. The view presents a detailed plan of the Dutch trading settlement operated by the Dutch East India Company (VOC), showing the carefully regulated enclave where Dutch merchants were permitted to reside and conduct trade from 1641 until the opening of Japan in the mid-19th century. This German engraving was made in 1736. It was produced as an illustration for a German translation of Thomas Salmon's multi-volume work, Modern History: Or, The Present State of All Nations. The engraving is based on a bird's-eye drawing created around 1713 by Gerrits Voogt, who served as second-in-command on Dejima. The engraving offers a rare visual record of one of the most remarkable trading outposts in world history. Isolated from both Japan and Europe, Dejima became the center of cultural, scientific, and commercial exchange between East and West during Japan’s long period of national seclusion (sakoku). Through this tiny island, European knowledge, books, medicines, maps, and technologies entered Japan, while Japanese goods such as porcelain, lacquerware, silk, and copper reached international markets. The view is accompanied by an extensive numbered key identifying the island’s principal buildings and facilities. These include the residence of the Opperhoofd (Chief Factor), quarters for officials and interpreters, warehouses for storing merchandise, guard houses, a hospital (Lazareth), private residences, company gardens, and even recreational facilities including a bowling alley. The bridge connecting Dejima with the city of Nagasaki is prominently shown, emphasizing the strict control exercised by Japanese authorities over all movement to and from the island. The title, translated from German, reads: “The small island of Dejima, upon which the Dutch remain in Japan.” The engraving reflects the strong European fascination with Japan during the eighteenth century and provided readers with one of the few available visual impressions of this otherwise inaccessible country. Today, images of Dejima are highly sought after by collectors of Japanese history, VOC material, Dutch East India Company memorabilia, and early travel and exploration prints. The engraving represents a significant chapter in the history of global trade and cross-cultural exchange between Europe and Asia. This is an original antique copperplate engraving, printed at the time. It is not a modern reproduction. Any images showing the print framed are for presentation purposes only. The print is supplied unframed.