Zheng Shungong’s Return to China

 

     Zheng Shungong left Japan in December, 1556.  Otomo Yoshishige sent Priest Seiju, who had studied in Daitoku-ji Temple in Kyoto, with Zheng.  It took about 40 days to sail back to Guangzhou.  Zheng and Seiju were arrested and sent to Zhejinag.  Zheng was sentenced to 7 years in jail.  Seiju was prisoned in Hangzhou for 4 years and then exiled to Sichuan for life in August, 1561.  Zheng started writing and compiling a book of 3 volumes, “Riben Yijian” (A Look at Japan), in jail.  He finished it presumably by the end of 1560’s or by the beginning of 1570’s.  It is unknown whether he was in jail or out of jail when he finished it, which was never published in either case.