Yamada Nagamasa

A leader of Japanese people living in Siam in the early modern period. Born in Suruga Province (Shizuoka Prefecture). Commonly known as Nizaemon. Traveled to Siam (Thailand) on a red seal ship around 1611 (Keicho 16). At the time, there was a Japantown on the outskirts of the country's capital, Ayutthaya, where many Japanese people lived (1,500-1,600 people). Some of them served as Siamese soldiers under the command of a powerful person (the chief), while others worked in the financial and trading industries.

When Nagamasa arrived in Siam, Kyuemon Kii was the head of the Japanese town and played an important role in the Siamese government. Nagamasa's talents were soon recognized, and he succeeded Kyuemon as head. In 1621 (7th year of the Genwa era), he was awarded the title of Kon and Sayayasun, and when Siamese envoys traveled to Japan, he sent subordinates and wrote letters to the senior councilors, requesting their assistance. After that, he continued to send letters and gifts to the Shogunate and other officials when Siamese envoys visited Japan, working to promote friendship between the two countries. He also dispatched merchant ships to trade, and played an active role in Siamese diplomacy and trade. In 26 (Kan'ei 3), he was promoted to Phraya Sirabimok, but Nagamasa led the Japanese in numerous civil wars and foreign campaigns, winning the trust of King Songtham. He was given the title of Oya Senaphimok, the highest official in the country, and played an important role in the Siamese royal family. In November 28 (Kan'ei 4), when a civil war broke out over the succession to the throne after King Songtham's death, he led 8,000 Japanese and 20,000 Siamese troops to suppress the rebellion and enthroned the prince, but Oya Karahom, a member of the royal family who had an eye on the throne, appointed him governor of the frontier region of Rigor (Rukkon) to keep Nagamasa at bay.

In 1629, Nagamasa led several thousand Japanese and Siamese soldiers to his post, but was wounded in battle against the invading Patani army. He died in the summer of 1630 from poison applied to his wound by a retainer who was connected to his political rival. Nagamasa's surviving son fled to Cambodia, joined the Cambodian army and fought against the Siamese army, but was killed in battle. With Nagamasa's downfall, the Japanese town in Ayutthaya was burned down, and for a time the power of the Japanese declined.

[Eiichi Kato]

"Murakami Naojiro, 'Yamada Nagamasa, King of the Six Kon' (1942, Asahi Shimbun Company)" ▽ "Iwao Seiichi, 'Study of the South Seas Japanese Town' (1966, Iwanami Shoten)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

近世初頭のシャム在住日本人の指導者。駿河(するが)国（静岡県）に生まれる。通称仁左衛門(にざえもん)。1611年（慶長16）ごろ朱印船に乗ってシャム（タイ国）に渡る。当時、国都アユタヤ郊外には日本町があり、多数の日本人が居住（1500～1600人）。彼らには一人の有力者（首長）の統率下にシャムの兵士として軍務に服する者、金融業・貿易業に従事する者などがあった。

　長政が渡来したころ、城井久右衛門(きゅうえもん)が日本人の首長として日本町を統率し、シャムの政府に重きをなしていた。やがて長政もその才幹を認められ、久右衛門の後を継いで首長となった。1621年（元和7）同国の官爵、坤(コン)・采耶惇(サヤヤスン)を授けられ、同国使節の日本渡航にあたって部下を差し遣わし、老中に書を送り、使節のため斡旋(あっせん)を依頼した。その後もシャム国使の来朝には書簡や進物(しんもつ)を幕閣らに贈り、両国の親善に努め、かたわら商船を派遣して貿易を行い、シャムの外交・貿易に活躍した。26年（寛永3）には浮哪(プラヤ)・司臘毘目(セナピモク)に累進したが、長政は日本人を率いて数々の内戦・外征に功をたて、国王ソンタムの信任を得た。そして同国最高の官爵オヤ・セナピモクOya Senaphimokを賜り、シャム王室に重きをなした。28年11月、ソンタム王の死後に起こった王位継承の内乱に、彼は日本人8000、シャム軍2万を率いて反乱を鎮圧し、王子を即位させたが、王族の一人で王位をねらうオヤ・カラホムは長政を遠ざけるため辺境リゴール（六崑）太守に任じた。

　1629年、長政は日本人・シャム人よりなる配下の兵数千を率いて任地に赴いたが、パタニの侵入軍と対戦して負傷した。彼の政敵に通ずる侍臣が傷口に塗った毒薬のため、30年夏、死亡した。長政の遺子はカンボジアに走り、同国の軍に合流してシャム軍と戦ったが、対戦中に戦死した。長政の没落によりアユタヤの日本町も焼討ちされ、一時、日本人の勢力は衰退した。

［加藤榮一］

『村上直次郎著『六崑王山田長政』（1942・朝日新聞社）』▽『岩生成一著『南洋日本町の研究』（1966・岩波書店）』

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