This week we discussed Hendrick Hamel and his experiences as a prisoner in Korea. Hamel and the Dutch East India Company (DEITC) were sailing to Japan from Taiwan, they were stranded on an island after a storm moved them off course. After being stranded on the island they were taken to court in Korea, however, they were not guests. I thought it was interesting how they went into detail about the treatment of him and his crew while in Korea. He mentioned that some people treated him well, and others not so well.
I think one of the most interesting things about Hamel’s text was the view of Chinese, Koreans, and the Japanese. There was clear disdain for the Japanese, and a lot of confusion/ mistaking the Chinese and Koreans.
