In 1598 English shipwright Will Adams left Holland in one of five ships bound for the Pacific coast of South America. Almost two years later, one battered ship limped into Japan, where Adams was immediately accused of piracy by the Portuguese. However, when the Emperor discovered Adams could design ships, he dismissed the charges and employed him instead.

Adams built several ships, teaching Japanese shipwrights European techniques, and the grateful Emperor created him a samurai named Miura Anjin, binding him to live in Japan and take a wife. Some sneered that he had gone native (England’s first trading post there failed after his advice was scorned) but at Ito Adams is still honoured every year with a festival.

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