Dejima was a man made island in the port of Nagasaki, constructed in 1636 to segregate Portuguese residents from the Japanese population and control their missionary activities.
A few years later, the Portuguese were expelled from Japan, and a Dutch trading factory, formerly located in Hirado, was moved to Dejima. The Dutch workers, the only remaining Westerners allowed in the country, were restricted to Dejima during Japan's two centuries of isolation.
Today, Dejima is not an island anymore, as the surrounding area has been reclaimed during the 20th century. However, a number of Dejima's historical structures remain, have been or are being reconstructed in the area, including various residences, warehouses, walls and gates.
Works to restore Dejima to its original appearance were started in 1996 and are currently ongoing. The ultimate goal is to convert Dejima back into an island by digging canals around all its four sides.
Miniature Model of Dejima
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On Dejima
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