Exploratory Mission to the Island by Tokugawa Shogunate

The Tokugawa Shogunate, a feudal regime in Japan, initiated an exploratory mission to Taiwan as part of its broader interest in expanding trade and influence in the region. This mission was motivated by Japan's ongoing trade with Chinese products, which had been established prior to the arrival of the Dutch in Taiwan. The exploratory mission aimed to assess the potential for establishing trade routes and possibly exerting control over the island. In a subsequent attempt to conquer Taiwan, Murayama Tōan led a fleet of 13 vessels, although this effort was thwarted by a typhoon that dispersed the ships. The geopolitical landscape of the time was complex, with the Dutch, who had established a presence in Taiwan, actively working to limit Japanese trade activities. In response to Japanese interests, the governor of Taiwan was ordered to prevent Japanese traders from accessing the island, highlighting the competitive nature of regional trade dynamics. This exploratory mission and its aftermath reflect the Tokugawa Shogunate's strategic considerations in the context of regional power struggles and trade opportunities.