This fan-shaped artificial island in Nagasaki, at the very west end of Japan, was the only place Dutch traders were allowed to remain in the Edo Period. It was built in the bay of Nagasaki in 1634 by digging a canal through a small peninsula. This island was originally constructed to house Portuguese traders, and was used by the Chinese and Dutch as a trading post from 1641 to 1853. Things such as badminton, beer, coffee and billiards were introduced to Japan through Dejima.
Currently, the island is full of reconstructions of important buildings, museums, etc. The full-fledged project to create authentic replicas of the former structres was launched in 1996.
This is one of the most important historical sites in Japan in regard to its interaction with other nations and its ongoing restorations makes it a very intriguing site to visit.
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| An imagined bird's-eye view of Dejima's layout and structues, 1824-1825. Note the island's fan-shape. |
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| View of Dejima island in Nagasaki Bay (from Siebold's Nippon, 1897) |
For an illustrated, interactive exploration of the history of Dejima and interesting facts, check out this website constructed by the city of Nagsaki. This website also features a tour of buildings and historic sites, here.
The Dejima Fort is a great site to visit for Grade 8 students as they have reconstructed buildings of the Edo era fort, interactive displays, and people who work there in costumes.
For teachers the Grade 8 Social Studies outcomes covered by this site are:
"Values and Attitudes
Knowledge and Understanding
The Dejima Fort is a great site to visit for Grade 8 students as they have reconstructed buildings of the Edo era fort, interactive displays, and people who work there in costumes.
For teachers the Grade 8 Social Studies outcomes covered by this site are:
"Values and Attitudes
8.1.2
appreciate how a society’s worldview can foster the choice to remain an
isolated society
8.1.3
appreciate how models of governance and decision making reflect a society’s
worldview
8.1.4
appreciate how a society’s worldview shapes individual citizenship and identity
Knowledge and Understanding
8.1.5
analyze the effects of cultural isolation during the Edo period by exploring
and reflecting
upon
the following questions and issues:
• In
what ways did Japan isolate itself from the rest of the world?
• How
did isolation during the Edo period lead to changes in Japan?
• How
did the changes resulting from isolation affect Japan economically, politically
and
socially
during the Edo period?
• How
did the shogun use the feudal system and the hierarchical social classes to
maintain
control
of Japan?
8.1.6
analyze the effects that rapid adaptation had on traditionally isolated Japan
during the
Meiji
period by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:
• What
challenges emerged for the Japanese in maintaining traditional cultural aspects
of their
society while undergoing rapid change? "(From the Grade 8 Social Studies Program of Studies)
Websites: http://www1.city.nagasaki.nagasaki.jp/dejima/en/index.html, http://www1.city.nagasaki.nagasaki.jp/dejima/en/glass/index.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dejima, http://www.eva.sg/2011/01/kyushu-7-dejima.html
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