The Trading Post at Dejima

anonymous, c. 1840

In 1641 the Dutch merchants in Japan were housed on a small fan-shaped island in Nagasaki Bay called Dejima. This handscroll affords a glimpse of the foreigners’ daily life at the post. They engage in a game of badminton, and the Japanese painter emphasized exotic aspects, including imported animals and the European custom of tipping one’s hat as a gesture of greeting.

  • Artwork typehanging scroll
  • Object numberNG-1977-4
  • Dimensionswidth 113 cm x height 15 cm x depth 60.5 cm, height 34 cm x width 640 cm
  • Physical characteristicsbrush and ink on silk

Identification

  • Title(s)

    The Trading Post at Dejima

  • Object type

  • Object number

    NG-1977-4

  • Description

    Rolschildering; van rechts naar links: vijf schepen op zee voor de haven van Nagasaki, waarvan één Hollands, één Siamees en drie Chinees. Vervolgens de kaart van Nagasaki met het eiland Deshima en de Chinese nederzetting. Hierna komen enige taferelen uit het leven van de Chinezen in hun nederzetting, gevolgd door scènes uit het leven van de Hollanders op Deshima. Het geheel is geschilderd in vogelvlucht perspectief.

Creation

  • Creation

    maker: anonymous, Deshima

  • Dating

    c. 1840

  • Search further with

Material and technique

  • Physical description

    brush and ink on silk

  • Dimensions

    • width 113 cm x height 15 cm x depth 60.5 cm
    • height 34 cm x width 640 cm

This work is about

  • Person

  • Subject

  • Place

Acquisition and rights

Documentation

Persistent URL

Questions?

Do you spot a mistake? Or do you have information about the object? Let us know!