r year; and the years
were divided into cycles of sixty years each. Besides this division,
there is another and more arbitrary one, into periods between important
historical events, which divisions are named from a list of Chinese
words specially set aside for this purpose. The name used in this
document, Tienchen, is that of one of these historical periods; it is
written "Tensho" by Griffis, and its dates given as 1573-92. See Rein's
_Japan_, pp. 434-437; and Griffis's _Mikado's Empire_, pp. 623-626.

The place from which the letter was written was probably the town of
Shiuri, the chief port of the Riu Kiu (or Loo Choo) Islands, known to
the Spaniards as Lequios. See Basil Hall's "Bibliography of Luchu,"
in _Transactions_ of Asiatic Society of Japan, xxiv, pp. 1-11.

[44] A different version of this letter is given by Santa Ines, ii,
pp. 547-549.

[45] La Concepcion states (_Historia_, ii, pp. 217, 218) that Faranda
had come to Manila in 1591, and, having carefully observed the
condition and defenses of that city, returned to Japan and informed
Faxevedono (Hideyoshi) that he could easily conquer the Spanish colony
in the Philippines.

[46] Juan Cobo was a prominent member of the Dominican order in
Manila. He accomplished his errand as envoy to Japan, but on the
return voyage was shipwrecked, presumably on the coast of Formosa;
it is supposed that any who might survive the wreck were slain by
the natives. See La Conception's _Historia_, ii, pp. 223-229.

[47] Span., _yo beso vras Reales manos_, "I kiss your royal hands."

[48] Salazar embarked for Spain in this year of 1592, and after his
arrival there obtained from the king various favors, and a considerable
gratuity for the adornment of the Manila cathedral. The king determined
to relieve Salazar's burdens by erecting new dioceses in the islands,
and creating him archbishop. While preparations for this were being
made, the aged bishop died at Madrid, Dec 4, 1594. See La Concepcion's
_Hist. de Philipinas_, ii, pp. 192-194; also biographical sketch in
_Cartas de Indias_, pp. 837, 838, where are mentioned his writings
(one of which was printed).

[49] A court of canon and civil laws, in opposition to the inner court,
or tribunal of conscience. (See vol. vi, p. 260, note 51.)

[50] A synopsis by a government clerk is written on the back of
this letter.

[51] The writer apparently confuses the Dutch with Germans.

[52] The reply here mentioned is not preserved