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§. IX. Intelligence concerning Yedzo, deliuered in the Citie of Edoo in Iapan, by a Iapanner, who had beene there twice.
THat Yedzo is an Island, and lyeth on the North-west side of Iapan, and distant from thence ten leagues:* 1.1 That the people are white, and of good condition, but very hairy all their bodies ouer like Munkeyes. Their weapons are bowes and arrowes poyso∣ned. The people in the Southermost part thereof doe vnderstand weight and measure: whereof within the Land thirtie dayes iourney they are ignorant. They haue much siluer and [ 10] sand-gold, whereof they make payment to the Iapanners for Rice, &c. Rice and Cotton cloath of Iapan, is heere well requested. Iron and Lead is brought to them from Iapan. Necessaries for the belly and backe are most vendible to them. Rice transported from Iapan to Yedzo, hath yeelded foure for one.
The Towne where the Iapanners haue their chiefe residence and Mart, is called Match∣ma,* 1.2 therein are fiue hundred housholds of Iapanners, who likewise haue a Fort there, the Gouernour whereof is called Matchmadonna. This Towne of Matchma, is the principall Mart Towne of all Yedzo, whither the N••tiues most resort to buy and sell, especially in September, for their prouision for winter. In March, they bring downe Salmon and dryed fish of sundrie sorts, and other wares, for which the Iapanners barter, which the Iapanners rather desire then [ 20] siluer.
* 1.3The Iapanners haue no setled being or Trade, in any other Towne then Matchma. That further to the Northward, vpon the same Land, are people of very low stature like Dwarfes. That the Yedzos are people of the stature of the Iapanners: and haue no apparrell, but what is brought them from Iapan. That there setteth a very violent current betweene Yedzo and Iapan, which commeth from Corea, and setteth to the East North-east. That the winds are for the most part, as vsually they are in Iapan, viz. That the Northerly winds beginne in September, and end in March, and then the Souther••y winds begin to blow.
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