Pens, Paper, Compasses, Maps, and Sails (4)Ayutthaya-Japan

September 5, 2025
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From the Land of the Rising Sun to the Chao Phraya River. The Historical Ties Between Ayutthaya and Japan.

Travel Like The Wind : Suchart Choolee

Like the ever-flowing river of time, the Chao Phraya River has continued its journey through the centuries — nourishing all life that dwells beneath its surface and along its changing banks. Though eras have come and gone, a quiet memory lingers on the riverbank in the ancient capital: the deep-rooted relationship between the Kingdom of Ayutthaya and the Land of the Rising Sun — Japan.

Beneath the shade of meticulously arranged trees, in a Japanese-style garden in Ayutthaya, stands a shrine, wooden pillars, and a monument dedicated to a Japanese nobleman who once played a significant role in the Siamese royal court. Though these structures were reconstructed in later times, they reflect the grandeur of a once-thriving Japanese community that laid its roots in this very land.

With pens, parchment, compasses, and maps in hand, Japanese merchants, sailors, and adventurers set their course toward the Chao Phraya River — forging ties between two civilizations that, while culturally distinct, learned from and supported one another in meaningful ways.

During the late 16th to early 17th centuries, Ayutthaya shone like a jewel of Southeast Asia, while Japan, under the Tokugawa Shogunate, was beginning to open its doors to foreign trade. This convergence of prosperity led to the emergence of a maritime trade route full of potential and mutual gain.

Japanese ships, officially licensed by the Shogunate and known as “Shuinsen” (朱印船 or “red-seal ships”), sailed across vast oceans with sails driven by winds of hope and faith. They brought with them samurai swords, silver, and exquisite ceramics — trading these for fragrant woods, deer hides, and spices from Ayutthaya. Such scenes of commerce and cultural exchange became a common sight of the era.

As trade flourished, so did the movement of people. Many Japanese chose to settle in Ayutthaya, forming the well-known “Japanese Village” on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River — opposite the Portuguese enclave and near the Dutch and English settlements. The village became not only a commercial hub but also a melting pot of culture, religion, craftsmanship, and daily life between the two nations.

Among these visitors, one name continues to echo through time: Yamada Nagamasa. Once a humble palanquin bearer from Sunshū province in Japan, he rose to become “Okya Senaphimuk,” a highly influential general and nobleman in the Siamese court. Brave in battle, seasoned in trade, and shrewd in politics, he earned the deep trust of King Songtham and commanded a force of up to 800 soldiers.

However, following the king’s passing, political tides shifted. Yamada supported Prince Chettha, the king’s son, to ascend the throne according to traditional succession. This, however, brought him into conflict with the military minister (Okya Kalahaom), who would later seize power and become King Prasat Thong. Under the guise of a royal mission to suppress rebellion, Yamada was sent to Nakhon Si Thammarat, only to be poisoned and tragically lose his life in 1630.

With his passing, the Japanese community in Ayutthaya entered a period of decline. The village was destroyed; many fled to Cambodia, while others assimilated into Siamese society. In 1633, Japan enacted its “Sakoku” (closed country) policy under the Tokugawa Shogunate, marking the end of official trade and diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Yet, the legacy of this connection has never truly faded. Remnants of the Japanese Village still remain in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, now preserved in the Japanese Village Museum. Historical records, chronicles, and folklore — from both Thailand and Japan — continue to recount this extraordinary chapter in history. It is a story of cultural bridges, of lessons learned and shared prosperity, and of a friendship that has transcended time, borders, and language.

Even today, Yamada Nagamasa remains a figure of remembrance — honored in Japanese textbooks, historical journals, and local legends. He stands not only as a bridge between two nations but also as a symbol of mutual respect and timeless friendship.

In 1887, over two centuries later, Thailand and Japan rekindled their official relations through the Declaration of Amity and Commerce — laying the foundation for the long-standing and profound partnership that endures to this day.