Treatise containing in very succinct and abbreviated form some contrasts and differences in the customs of the people of Europe and this province of Japan. Although in the region of Ximo1 there are some things that appear to coincide between us and the Japanese, this is not because they are common and universal, but because they were acquired [by the Japanese] from the Portuguese who come here in their ships to trade. Many of their customs are so distant, foreign, and far removed from our own that it is difficult to believe that one can find such stark contrasts in customs among [us and] people who are so civilized, have such lively genius, and are as naturally intelligent as these [Japanese]. In order to avoid confusing certain matters with others, we divide this work into chapters. Completed with the grace of Our Lord in Canzusa [Kazusa], June 14, 1585.
Chapter 1 Men, their persons and clothing
Chapter 2 Women, their persons and dress
Chapter 3 Children, their upbringing and customs
Chapter 4 Bonses, who are their religious
Chapter 5 Temples and things related to worship and religion
Chapter 6 Japanese eating and drinking habits
Chapter 7 Weapons and war
Chapter 8 Physicians, medicines and modes of healing
Chapter 9 Japanese books and writing
Chapter 10 Construction of houses, roads and gardens
Chapter 11 Horses and related Dogus2
Chapter 12 Ships, Seafaring and related Dogus
Chapter 13 Drama, Farces, Dancing, Singing, and Musical Instruments
Chapter 14 Miscellanea
1 “Ximo” here refers to the west coast region of Kyushu. See Cartas que os Padres e Irmãos da Companhia de Iesus Escreuerão dos Reynos de Iapão & China aos da Mesma Companhia da India & Europa, des do Anno de 1549 Até o de 1580. 2 Vols. Facsimile edition by José Manuel Garcia (Maia: Castoliva Editora, 1997), I, 460v. By 1585, the Japanese of Nagasaki (a major port of call for Portuguese ships), in particular, had begun emulating the Portuguese in fashion and other customs. Yoshitomo Okamoto, The Namban Art of Japan (New York: Weatherhill, 1972), 68–78.
2 Dogus = tool, equipment, implement, apparatus. Frois may have used this Japanese term in these two chapter titles because he was particularly struck by the distinctiveness of Japanese equestrian and sailing “gear” (e.g. saddles, reins, anchors, ropes, sails).