FOUR CENTURIES AGO King James I gave Japan its very first telescope; at the time this was a cutting-edge piece of technology. Sadly, the original telescope has been lost, but as part of the 2013 Japan400 celebrations to mark four centuries since the first official encounter, a new telescope was constructed using traditional methods and materials. The idea of restoring a lost symbolic artefact has deep cultural roots in English mythology and literature stretching back to the Arthurian legends.

The story of the original telescope begins in April 1611, when the East India Company ship the Clove, under the command of Captain John Saris, left England and set sail for Japan. The mission was made up of three ships, of which only the Clove went all the way to Japan. Saris’ commission was to go to Yemen and the Spice Islands first, primarily to seek trade, and then to Japan, if possible. Because his first two ports of call were not especially successful, Saris had every incentive to go on to Japan. After a dangerous sea voyage lasting more than two years, the Clove arrived in Japanese waters in June 1613.

This was a daring mission to what was then the edge of the known world. It is believed that the Earl of Salisbury, a close adviser and Chief Minister to King James, supervised the complex task of sending the Clove, the first British vessel, to Japan and organizing the dispatch of the telescope, which was the most advanced scientific instrument on the planet at the time.

After an arduous sea voyage, Saris eventually landed at Hirado, located in modern day Nagasaki Prefecture. Here he was warmly greeted by the local ruler, Matsura Hōin, the daimyo of Hirado. Matsura helped ensure the telescope's safe passage to Japan's ruler, Tokugawa Ieyasu. With the aid of William Adams, who had arrived in Japan in April 1600 as pilot on a Dutch ship, Saris was able to initiate the first official contacts.

On 8 September 1613, Saris had an audience with Tokugawa Ieyasu, the influential retired Shogun. He handed over a letter from King James and several gifts, including Japan's first ever telescope, a device, which had just been invented in Europe.