Red Seal Ship Japanese and Portuguese Sailors Early 17th Century

"Red-seal" Ship (Shuinsen), early 17th century. From 1604 until 1635, the Japanese government granted "red-seal" licenses to oceangoing merchant ships to trade with regions south of Japan, including Indochina, the Philippines, Macao, and Taiwan. On this screen, Japanese and Portuguese sailors (the earliest Europeans to come to Japan) drink, smoke, and play go on deck as musicians and a dancer entertain a group on the stern of the ship. Medium: Ink, color, and gold on paper; mounted as one of a pair of six-fold screens. Dimensions: 67 inches × 12 feet 4 1/2 inches (170.2 × 377.2 cm).
日本語: 朱印船（しゅいんせん）、17世紀初頭。日本とポルトガルの船員。