Earthquake and Eruption of Mount Asama

Between 1639 and 1853, Japan pursued a policy of trade isolationism: sakoku (literally, ‘closing the country’). The term ‘sakoku’ actually originated as the perspective of European merchants faced with this trade policy, which was primarily directed against them. During this period, trade with Western powers was extremely limited, though it was permitted on the artificial island of Dejima in Nagasaki Bay. From 1779, the Dutch diplomat Isaac Titsingh (1745–1812) represented the Dutch East India Company (VOC) on Dejima. By virtue of the privileges afforded by his position, he had the opportunity to develop close ties with Japanese officials, something his predecessors, who had been primarily interested in commercial matters, had neglected.
He remained there until 1784, returning occasionally to Batavia. Towards the end of his life, he wrote a book on Japanese culture entitled Illustrations of Japan, which was eventually published posthumously. He recounts the observations he made during his time on Dejima, enriching the text with sections on the history of Japan, essays on Japanese poetry, and details of Japanese customs and festivals.