Jan Joosten van Lodensteijn

January Joosten van Lodensteijn (* around 1560 in Holland; † 1623 drowned in the South China Sea, shortly January Joosten ) was second mate and one of the shipmates of the better-known William Adams on his trip to Japan on the Dutch ship Liefde.

Early time in Japan

Like William Adams January Joosten became a confidant of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. He was a counselor for external and military be matters and contributed to the development of relations with Holland and England, that he weakened the influence of Portugal and Spain.

His Japanese name was Yayosu (Japanese耶 杨子) derived from the first syllables of his name in Japanese Yan Yōsuten. For his services he received a house in Edo (today's Tokyo ) in a part of town. This was later named after him and is called in today's debate Yaesu.

Trade between Japan and Southeast Asia

Jan Joosten said to have made a fortune in trade between Japan and Southeast Asia. He operated several Red seal ships under license from Ieyasu. At a time after January 1621 Joosten said to have had ten Rotsiegelschiffe. It is used by Dutch traders in Ayutthaya in Siam (now Thailand ) reports that he was spotted in 1613 on board rich -laden junks.

It is also reported that he has been on one of his ships in India, together with the Japanese adventurer and writer Tenjiku Tokubei. January Joosten to have had a choleric temperament and have drunk, so that he eventually was no longer welcome at court.

Joosten drowned in the South China Sea, 1623 as the ship sank on which he was returning from a trading voyage to Batavia in Indonesia to Japan.

• Edo period
• Netherlander
• Born in the 16th century
• Died 1623
• Man