The Journal of Olof Eriksson Willman: From His Voyage to the Dutch East Indies and Japan, 1648-1654

The travel journal of Olof Eriksson Willman, a Swedish employee of the VOC, provides a highly personal account of his sea voyages to and from Asia. His observations during a year in Japan include glimpses of daily life at Deshima and a detailed description of the Hofreis to Edo, and his encounters with Tokugawa Bakufu officials there. Willman, who had served in the Swedish army, seems to have found favour with the notorious Inoue Masashige, who summoned him on more than one occasion to demonstrate and discuss European firearms. Willman observed religious celebrations, saw yamabushi and pilgrims along the Tokaido and visited several temples, including the Hokoji. He also witnessed a family of Christians being taken to the execution ground.