Tenjiku Tokubei

He traveled to Southeast and South Asia, hence his "Tenjiku" (Japanese: 天竺, East Asian name of "India") nickname.

In 1627, Tokubei visited China, Vietnam, and Siam (modern Thailand) on board a Japanese Red Seal ship.

He would stay for some time in Siam and again visit the country on board one of the ships of the Dutch adventurer Jan Joosten van Lodensteijn.

[1] He also sailed to India, to the source of the Ganges,[2] and the country of Magadha,[3] and returned with great wealth and numerous stories to tell.

Tenjiku Tokubei became a popular character of Kabuki and Joruri puppet dramas, where he was given the role of a magician.

Tenjiku Tokubei , 17th-century painting.
A 1634 Japanese red seal ship . Tokyo Naval Science Museum.
Tenjiku Tokubei in Kabuki, 18th century woodcut.