Titia Bergsma

Titia Bergsma (Leeuwarden, 13 February 1786 – The Hague, 2 April 1821) was a Dutch woman who visited Dejima Island, Japan, in August 1817 with her husband, Jan Cock Blomhoff.

[1] Under the Tokugawa shogunate's sakoku policy Japan was extremely secluded.

The Dutch and Chinese were allowed to visit the country, but only for trade, and no women were permitted.

Five weeks later when the shōgun Tokugawa Ienari became aware of her presence, he ordered that Titia and the wetnurse Petronella Muns had to leave.

[citation needed] Nagasaki-e genre of art about foreign women during Tokugawa era Media related to Titia Bergsma at Wikimedia Commons

Jan Cock Blomhoff and his red-haired wife Titia Bergsma (seated), their infant son Jantje, the wetnurse Petronella Muns (standing), the Indonesian maid Marathy, and a Javanese servant boy (behind sofa). Japanese print drawn by Kawahara Keiga , circa 1817.
Scroll painting with Titia Cock Blomhoff, the servant Marateij, the son Johannes Blomhoff and the nurse Petronella Muns
Japanese print featuring Jan Cock Blomhoff, Titia Bergsma, their small son Johannes and nurse Petronella Munts.
Titia Bergsma and family depicted on a Japanese vase