a.d. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1565. 



decide controversies betwixt princes and to end their 

 warres, whereof they were wont to make very great 

 gaine. It is now two yeres since or there about, that 

 one of them came to Bungo, to intreate of peace betwixt 

 the king thereof and the king of Amanguzzo. This 

 Agent favouring the king of Bungo his cause more then 

 the other, brought to passe that the foresayd king of 

 Bungo should keepe two kingdomes, the which he had 

 taken in warres from the king of Amanguzzo. Where- 

 fore he had for his reward of the king of Bungo above 

 30000 ducats. And thus farre hereof. 



I come now to other superstitions and ceremonies, that 

 you may see, deare brethren, that which I said in the 

 beginning, how subtilly the devill hath deceived the 

 Japonish nation, and how diligent and readie they be to 

 obey & worship him. And first, al remembrance and 

 knowledge not onely of Christ our Redeemer, but also of 

 that one God the maker of all things is cleane extin- 

 guished and utterly abolished out of the Japans hearts. 

 Moreover their superstitious sects are many, whereas it 

 is lawfull for each one to follow that which liketh him 

 best : but the principall sects are two, namely the 

 Amidans and Xacaians. Wherefore in this countrey 

 shall you see many monasteries, not onely of Bonzii 

 men, but also of Bonziae women diversly attired, for 

 some doe weare white under, and blacke upper garments, 

 other goe apparelled in ash colour, and their Idole hath 

 to name Denichi : from these the Amidanes differ very 

 much. Againe the men Bonzii for the most part dwell 

 in sumptuous houses, and have great revenues. These 

 fellowes are chaste by commaundement, marry they may 

 not upon paine of death. In the midst of their Temple 

 is erected an altar, whereon standeth a woodden Idole 

 of Amida, naked from the girdle upward, with holes in 

 his eares after the manner of Italian gentlewomen, sitting 

 on a woodden rose goodly to behold. They have great 

 libraries, and halles for them all to dine and sup together, 

 and bels wherwith they are at certaine houres called to 



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