Jesso

Sources from old books

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome.

The Isle or Land of JESSO.

• 1.13AFter the Isles of Japan, let us speak a word of the Isle or Land of Jesso, Yedzo or Jesso, for divers Authors write its name differently, some calling it the Isle, some the Land abovesaid, and to the East of Japan, in the manner that the English, Portugals and Hollanders deseribe it, this Land must extend from Asia to America: They say that from Tessoy, which is the most Western point of it, opposite to Coray, and near Tartary, advancing towards the East, it is 60 days journey to the Province of Matzumay; and that from Matzumay unto the most Easterly point, and neerest America, it is likewise 90 days journey, so that it is 150 days journey from one end to the other, which after only 8 Leagues a day will be 1200 of our Leagues. Its breadth is not spoke of.

• 1.14The Streight of TESSOY, which separates this Isle from Tartary, hath great currents, caused by the discharging of several Rivers which come rom the Northern parts, and from Tartary and Jesso. The other streight which separates it from America, may in all likely-hood be that Anian; and those two streights, limit the two extremities of Jesso, towards the midst, must be the Province of Matzumay and apparently beyond the Streight, which separates the Isle of Japan, from the Land of Jesso; and this streight may be called the streight of Sangaar, which is the utmost East-Land of Japan.

The traverse, or traject of this streight is not above 10 or 12 Leagues; others say not above so many miles; others there are affirm it no streight, but an Isthmus which fixes Japan to Jesso; and that both the one and the other together are but one Isle; so difficult it is to find the truth of a thing so far distant.

This Isle or Land of JESSO is so great and vast, that the Inhabitants cannot but have different manners; those which are nearest Japan, resembling the Japanois, those which are near Tartary, the Tartars; and those near America, their neighbouring Americans; and in all likelihood they are more barbarous then all their neighbours.

• 1.15They are all Idolaters, covering themselves with the skins of Beasts, which they take in Hunting; having their bodies all hairy, and wearing their Beard and Mustachoes very long: they are Warlike, Cruel, and Formidable to the Japanois; In War they have no other remedy for their wounds, but washing them in salt water.

• 1.16The Land is little inhabited; it would be rich if it were well tilled; it hath many Mines of Silver, and quantity of excellent Skins and Furs, which make it appear that the Earth stretches to the Northward. They have some Trade with Aquita, which is on the East of Japan; but those of Aquita go seldom into Jesso, because they cannot with security reside with, or trust those Barbarians.