William Adams's Audience with Tokugawa Ieyasu

Timeline

1. 1600Osaka Castle town · KansaiWilliam Adams, escorted from Bungo to Osaka, was presented to Tokugawa Ieyasu; through interpreters Ieyasu questioned him about his nationality, seafaring experience, Western firearms, and the situation of various countries, showing strong interest in Western sea power and shipbuilding technology.
2. 1600Osaka · KansaiIgnoring the Toyotomi regime's practice of executing foreigners, Ieyasu pardoned Adams's death sentence and summoned him repeatedly; he commissioned him to build Western-style sailing ships and provide Western military and trade intelligence, and Adams became a trusted foreign advisor at Ieyasu's side.
3. 1600Edo · KantoAfter the Battle of Sekigahara established Ieyasu's power, Adams was permitted to remain in Japan and forbidden to return home; he was later granted the title Miura Anjin and given a residence at Edo. He subsequently helped the shogunate receive Dutch merchant ships and promote Dutch-Japanese trade, becoming an important bridge between Japan and the Western world.