Changes

During this brief but vibrant period, Japanese communities (''Nihonmachi'') existed in many of the major ports and political centers of the region, including Batavia in the Dutch East Indies, Hoi An in Nguyễn-controlled southern Viet Nam, Manila in the Spanish-controlled Philippines, and Phnom Penh in Cambodia. The largest<ref name=Ishii>Ishii. p1.</ref>, and perhaps most famous, ''Nihonmachi'' of the period was that in the Siamese port city and royal capital of Ayutthaya, whose head, [[Yamada Nagamasa]], bore prominent posts and titles in the royal court. Yamada led an army of 700 Japanese, and took part in suppressing rebellions, civil wars, and succession disputes; he was also allowed to control monopolies over particular goods, such as deerskin, and was given at least nominal governorship of a few provinces at various points<ref>Wray. p10.</ref>.

During this brief but vibrant period, Japanese communities (''Nihonmachi'') existed in many of the major ports and political centers of the region, including Batavia in the Dutch East Indies, Hoi An in Nguyễn-controlled southern Viet Nam, Manila in the Spanish-controlled Philippines, and Phnom Penh in Cambodia. The largest<ref name=Ishii>Ishii. p1.</ref>, and perhaps most famous, ''Nihonmachi'' of the period was that in the Siamese port city and royal capital of Ayutthaya, whose head, [[Yamada Nagamasa]], bore prominent posts and titles in the royal court. Yamada led an army of 700 Japanese, and took part in suppressing rebellions, civil wars, and succession disputes; he was also allowed to control monopolies over particular goods, such as deerskin, and was given at least nominal governorship of a few provinces at various points<ref>Wray. p10.</ref>.

On the other end of the spectrum, though the port of Tonkin in northern Vietnam played an important role in the region's silk trade, the local Trinh authorities actively discouraged the formation of a ''Nihonmachi''' there. This is believed to have largely been the result of concerns over the martial nature of the Japanese in the region (many were samurai serving as pirates and mercenaries), and over the shipments of weapons and munitions from Japan to Siam and southern Vietnam. In order to avoid potential violence within their chief port, the Trinh lords sought to avoid any significant permanent Japanese presence, though many notable and prominent Japanese merchants did frequently make port there.

On the other end of the spectrum, though the port of Tonkin in northern Vietnam played an important role in the region's silk trade, the local Trinh authorities actively discouraged the formation of a ''Nihonmachi'' there. This is believed to have largely been the result of concerns over the martial nature of the Japanese in the region (many were samurai serving as pirates and mercenaries), and over the shipments of weapons and munitions from Japan to Siam and southern Vietnam. In order to avoid potential violence within their chief port, the Trinh lords sought to avoid any significant permanent Japanese presence, though many notable and prominent Japanese merchants did frequently make port there. Indeed, while many of the Japanese active in these ports were peaceful merchants, many others were more violent and opportunistic, leading uprisings and rebellions, and/or lending out their services to whomever could pay. While Yamada Nagamasa led a band of Japanese royal guard loyal to the Siamese king, other ''rônin'' fought for the king of Cambodia, against Siam.<ref>Gunn, 224.</ref>

=====Ayutthaya=====

=====Ayutthaya=====