The Life and Work of the Dejima Elders
This room recreates the life and work of the Nagasaki residents assigned to Dejima.
The Dejima otona (town elders) were Nagasaki residents assigned to Dejima and entrusted with a variety of duties.
These included 1) responding to requests for work on the lanes and buildings of Dejima, 2) issuing passes to the island,
3) management of fire-prevention equipment and other public facilities, 4) allotment of servants to each Dutchman, and
5) supervision over the activities of Dutch residents.
The first Dejima elders were selected from among the 25 merchants who invested in the construction of Dejima in 1634-
36. At first there was only one elder, but the number was increased to two in 1696. When trade was underway on the island, the elders stayed in this building and engaged in various tasks related to trade and the coming and going of Dutch employees. At other times of year, they saw over the maintenance of buildings on the island.