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[[Image:WilliamAdams.jpg|thumb|150px|Picture of William Adams]]'''William Adams''' (''c.'' 1564-1620) was an [[England|English]] navigator.  He was born in Gillingham, [[Kent]] and became the first Englishman to visit [[Japan]]<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9003678/William-Adams Britannica Online: William Adams]</ref>

[[Image:WilliamAdams.jpg|thumb|150px|Picture of William Adams]]'''William Adams''' (''c.'' 1564-1620) was an [[England|English]] navigator.  He was born in Gillingham, [[Kent]] and became the first Englishman to visit [[Japan]]<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9003678/William-Adams Britannica Online: William Adams]</ref>

Adams was apprenticed in the merchant marine at the age of 12 where he learned shipbuilding, [[astronomy]], and [[navigation]]. At the age of 24 he joined the [[Royal Navy]] and served under [[Sir Francis Drake]] including action against the [[Spanish Armada]] as master of the Richarde Dyffylde, a resupply ship, in 1588.

Adams was apprenticed in the merchant [[marine]] at the age of 12 where he learned shipbuilding, [[astronomy]], and [[navigation]]. At the age of 24 he joined the [[Royal Navy]] and served under [[Sir Francis Drake]] including action against the [[Spanish Armada]] as master of the Richarde Dyffylde, a resupply ship, in 1588.

In 1598, when he was 34-years old, William served as chief pilot on the flagship ''De Hoop'' (Hope) of a five ship fleet dispatched from Holland to the East Indies via the [[Strait of Magellan]]. The names of the other ships in the fleet were<ref>[http://www.medway.gov.uk/index/leisure/localhistory/timeline/17900/26373.htm Will Adams - Gillingham's famous blue-eyed Samurai]</ref>:

In 1598, when he was 34-years old, William served as chief pilot on the flagship ''De Hoop'' (Hope) of a five ship fleet dispatched from [[Holland]] to the East Indies via the [[Strait of Magellan]]. The names of the other ships in the fleet were<ref>[http://www.medway.gov.uk/index/leisure/localhistory/timeline/17900/26373.htm Will Adams - Gillingham's famous blue-eyed Samurai]</ref>:

[[Image:LiefdeShip.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Woodcut of the five Dutch ships which sailed to Japan in 1598]]De Liefde (Charity)<br>

[[Image:LiefdeShip.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Woodcut of the five Dutch ships which sailed to Japan in 1598]]De Liefde (Charity)<br>

Het Geloof (Faith)<br>

Het Geloof (Faith)<br>

With the assistance of Adams, in 1609 the Dutch East India Company were permitted to set up a factory in Hirado as were merchants from the English East India Company. However, Japanese xenophobia and fear of Christian missionaries meant that these trading posts had a limited lifespan.

With the assistance of Adams, in 1609 the Dutch East India Company were permitted to set up a factory in Hirado as were merchants from the English East India Company. However, Japanese xenophobia and fear of Christian missionaries meant that these trading posts had a limited lifespan.

[[Image:MiuraAnjinNoHaka.jpg|thumb|150px|left|William Adams' grave in Hikado]]Adams was given the name Miura Anjin ("the pilot of Miura") by the Japanese, and when he diied in 1620 at the age of 55 was buried in Hikado.<ref>[http://www.wardsbookofdays.com/16may.htm Wards Book of Days]</ref>.

[[Image:MiuraAnjinNoHaka.jpg|thumb|150px|left|William Adams' grave in Hikado]]Adams was given the name Miura Anjin ("the pilot of Miura") by the [[Japanese]], and when he diied in 1620 at the age of 55 was buried in Hikado.<ref>[http://www.wardsbookofdays.com/16may.htm Wards Book of Days]</ref>.

The character  John Blackthorne in James Clavell's novel ''Shogun'', is loosely based upon his life.

The character  John Blackthorne in James Clavell's novel ''Shogun'', is loosely based upon his life.