The Explorers Podcast Samurai William Adams - Part 1
Mar 4, 2025
In 1598, a fleet from the Dutch East India Company embarked on a perilous journey to Japan, led by the Englishman William Adams. His transformation from a mariner to the first European samurai is a captivating tale of survival and cultural exchange. The difficulties faced by the crew, including starvation and disease, set a dramatic backdrop for their adventures. Adams’ legacy has inspired works like the novel 'Shogun,' illuminating the complexities of early trade relations between Europe and Japan.
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Adams’ Historical Importance
- William Adams was the first English navigator to reach Japan and later became a samurai, influencing 17th-century Japanese-European relations.
- His life inspired the fictional John Blackthorne in Shogun but the real story differs in many details.
Portuguese Dominance In Asia
- Portugal dominated 16th-century Asian trade with bases across the Indian Ocean and East Asia.
- Control of intra-Asian routes mattered as much as Europe-Asia trade for commodities like silk and timber.
Humble Beginnings And Training
- William Adams grew up in Gillingham, apprenticed in shipbuilding, and learned navigation, astronomy, and mathematics.
- These skills later proved crucial to his survival and rise in the Far East.
