A Polish Adventurer Among the Samurai

Count Maurycy August Beniowski—a traveler, adventurer, spy, self-proclaimed king of Madagascar, and hero of romances and incredible adventures—seems more like a character taken from the pages of a novelist's vivid imagination than from the annals of history. A participant in the Bar Confederation, he threw himself into a whirlwind of wild journeys around the world after his Siberian exile, with his path leading all the way to Japan—a land that in the 18th century was a closed, mythical kingdom at the edge of the world for Europeans. What was a Pole doing in one of the most mysterious and isolated corners of the globe?

When his ship, St. Peter and Paul, sailed into Tonsu Bay on Shikoku in 1771, Beniowski was not an ordinary traveler simply looking to explore a new world. He planned to land on Japanese shores, take as much grain, cattle, and women as his crew required, and brazenly survive the dangers of hostile coasts. However, instead of violence, he encountered Japanese hospitality—he was mistaken for a Dutch merchant on a trading mission. The Japanese lord, unaware of the Pole’s true intentions, welcomed him with honors, received him in an audience, and even provided food and supplies. During the few days he spent on the islands, Beniowski experienced a fascinating contrast between feudal splendor and the simplicity of daily life in this mysterious country.

Although his stay in Japan was brief, it left an indelible mark on history. In Japanese documents, Beniowski was initially viewed as a potential Russian spy measuring the depths of ports, but soon, when his memoirs reached the archipelago, the nation that initially saw him as a threat began to perceive him as a friend. Beniowski, risk-taker and adventurer, crossed some of the most inaccessible borders in the world, leaving behind a legacy that Japan remembered. Let’s get to know him better!

Who Was Maurycy Beniowski?

Maurycy August Beniowski was born on September 20, 1746, in the village of Vrbové, in what is now Slovakia, then part of the Kingdom of Hungary. Essentially of Hungarian descent, he referred to himself as a Polish nobleman. He came from an aristocratic but relatively impoverished noble family, boasting both Hungarian and Polish roots. His father, Samuel Beniowski, was a cavalry captain, and his mother, Baroness Rozalia Révay, came from an influential Hungarian family. From an early age, young Beniowski displayed a curiosity about the world and remarkable intelligence, and his parents ensured he received a solid education. However, even as a child, he had a rebellious temperament, which quickly pushed him toward a more restless life.

In his youth, like many noblemen of his time, Beniowski dreamed of a military career and fame, but he was equally fascinated by travel and adventure. In 1760, after his father’s death, he decided to set off into the world and begin life on his own terms. For several years, he traveled throughout Central Europe, and in the 1760s, he moved to Poland, where he was drawn into politics and war. He joined the Polish Confederates fighting against Russian intervention, which significantly influenced his future.

Beniowski joined the Bar Confederation in 1768, during a period of immense political crisis in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Confederates sought to defend Poland’s sovereignty against Russian influence, and Beniowski quickly gained recognition as a capable and brave commander. He fought against Russian forces, but soon fate turned against him. In one of the battles, he was captured by the Russians and sentenced to exile in Siberia. This event marked the beginning of one of the most extraordinary chapters in his tumultuous life—a period during which he became famous not only as a Confederate but as a man who defied all norms and limitations. A self-proclaimed count (he did not officially hold the title), he ventured to places where no Pole had gone before.

Exile in Siberia proved to be a turning point in Beniowski’s life. It was there that he began to devise his plans for escape and seek opportunities to break free from Russian captivity. This is a story that leads to even more insane and unpredictable adventures, which brought Beniowski fame on the international stage.

The Russians Captured Maurycy

In 1770, Maurycy Beniowski, a restless nobleman in his late twenties with a spirit of adventure, was exiled to Siberia, to the impossibly remote and inhospitable Kamchatka Peninsula. After losing the fight in the Bar Confederation and being arrested by the Russians, it seemed that fate had dealt him a merciless hand. Exile to Russia's distant borders was almost equivalent to a death sentence. Kamchatka, cold, hostile, and cut off from the rest of the world, became a prison for thousands of souls who were slowly fading away. But Beniowski refused to give in—in his heart, not a flame of the fight for freedom flickered, but a wildfire of a finished wanderer and adventurer, and Kamchatka was just another stage in his grand performance.

He ended up in Bolsheretsk, one of the most remote and harsh settlements in Kamchatka. Conditions were downright inhumane. The exiles lived in primitive huts, ate rotten scraps brought by the unfriendly sea, and harsh winters often meant death from disease and exhaustion. Beniowski, who always stood out with his energy and charisma, quickly made contacts with other prisoners and locals. His organizational skills, cunning, and determination earned him the sympathy not only of fellow inmates but also of some of the guards.

After just a few months, instead of succumbing to daily hardships, Beniowski began planning something that seemed impossible—a great escape from this icy trap. He knew he had to act quickly and decisively because the fate of prisoners in Kamchatka was predictable: winters destroyed the body, and time the soul.

First, he gained several trusted allies—both among the prisoners and the locals. Their plan was risky, almost suicidal: to seize a ship and escape across the perilous waters of the Pacific. To do this, they not only had to acquire weapons and take control of the ship but also adequately prepare for the long journey ahead.

On the night of April 25, 1771, everything was ready. Beniowski, taking advantage of the chaos among the guards (having earlier staged a mock rebellion among the prisoners), gained access to the keys and organized the escape for himself and his comrades. Quietly, they made their way to the harbor, where the ship St. Peter and Paul was moored. This ship would become their salvation—and their hope for freedom. With reckless courage, Beniowski and his companions took over the ship, overpowering the crew.

Against all odds, they escaped—not only from Kamchatka but from all of Siberia and Russia. Under the cover of night, they sailed into the icy waters of the Pacific, ready to face whatever danger nature could throw at them.

The Ocean Voyage

After the daring escape from Kamchatka, Maurycy Beniowski and the crew of the captured ship St. Peter and Paul set off into the unknown, forced to quickly adapt to extreme conditions. At sea, they faced storms, hunger, and above all, uncertainty about what lay ahead.

Sailing along Alaska was a true test for the entire crew. The ship required repairs, which were carried out on the Aleutian Islands. It was there, in the harsh subarctic climate, that the escapees managed to acquire valuable furs, which would soon become their asset in Japan. Their route took them further south, through unknown waters toward the mysterious islands of a country that had been closed to (almost) all foreigners for years.

Beniowski Arrives in Japan

At the Shores of Izumi

In late July and early August 1771, after a long and dangerous voyage, Beniowski and his crew reached the shores of Japan. The first place where they anchored was a bay off the coast of Honshu, Japan's largest island. Although the country was then almost completely closed to outsiders, Beniowski managed to establish contact with the local feudal lord, Natsume Izumi-no-kami Nobumasa (though this name was likely inaccurately recorded by Beniowski), ruling the province of Izumi (southwest of present-day Osaka). This moment was extraordinary—foreign visitors from distant Europe (in reality, escaped prisoners), anchored off the mysterious shores of Japan, were treated not only with respect but also with curiosity.

Beniowski and his crew were received with dignity, as was fitting in Japanese tradition. The feudal lord, unaware of the guests' true identity, mistook them for Dutch merchants. Beniowski, always adept at manipulating situations, did not correct this mistake. On the contrary, he used it to his advantage, beginning trade negotiations. In exchange for furs obtained in the Aleutians, he received gold, porcelain, pearls, and other valuable goods that were invaluable in maintaining the morale and survival of his crew.

Although the interactions were polite, the language barrier posed a significant challenge. Both sides tried to communicate through gestures and basic words, but misunderstandings increased. Eventually, after a brief trade exchange, Beniowski and his crew were sent back to the ship with food supplies: rice, tea, tobacco, fruits, and wine. The Japan they saw was an exotic land, full of mysteries and fascinating customs, unlike anything they had ever encountered.

On Izu

However, Beniowski's adventures in Japan were only beginning. After leaving Izumi on August 2, they continued south, and two days later, on August 4, they arrived at the shores of the Izu Peninsula, also on Honshu. This place, known for its steep cliffs and wild landscapes, was another stop on their journey. Once again, Beniowski encountered Japanese hospitality, with the locals providing his crew with more supplies, including rice and fruits. This time, however, the trade exchange was more formal. Beniowski even wrote two letters addressed to the Dutch factory in Nagasaki, warning the Dutch of Russian expansion plans.

After a short stay, the crew set sail again, admiring not only the mysterious coastlines but also observing Japanese fishing boats appearing on the horizon. The sea was teeming with life. Their journey along the Japanese coast left the travelers both awestruck by the culture and order of this enigmatic country and filled with uncertainty, as at any moment, their adventure could end in deadly troubles.

Tosa Bay

After an uneasy voyage on the open sea, which tested the endurance of the St. Peter and Paul and its crew, Beniowski found respite on August 10, 1771, off the coast of Shikoku Island, in Tosa Bay. This island, then part of Japan, was little known to Europeans at the time, and its inhabitants rarely had contact with foreigners. Nevertheless, the Japanese fiefdom of Tosa, an autonomous region under the rule of a local daimyō, proved to be an oasis of hospitality for Beniowski and his crew.

The mere appearance of a foreign ship in Japanese waters drew great attention, and when the Japanese spotted the European vessel, they gathered on the shore to observe the visitors. Uncertainty about the foreigners' intentions mingled with the traditional Japanese politeness toward guests. Despite language barriers, the first contact was established. Beniowski, as a charismatic leader, used his diplomatic skills to convince the locals to engage in trade.

In Tosa Bay, Beniowski anchored and began his diplomatic efforts. Japan, which he knew only from stories and fragmented information, became increasingly tangible and real with each passing day. Japanese fishermen and farmers brought rice, sugar, tea, tobacco, and dried fruits aboard the ship, providing much-needed provisions for the weary crew. Although the local lord of Tosa was cautious of the foreigners, he appreciated the power of trade and the exchange of goods, which allowed for fruitful cooperation. This fragile contact became a means of survival for Beniowski's crew, who hastily replenished their supplies.

Further Journey to Tanegashima

After leaving Shikoku, fate once again pushed Beniowski toward unfamiliar shores. On August 12, 1771, his ship landed on the island of Tanegashima, a place of great historical significance in Japan. It was here, in 1543, that the Portuguese first introduced firearms to Japan, changing the face of Japanese warfare. Tanegashima, a seemingly peaceful island, held a fascinating history, though Beniowski was likely unaware of it.

The arrival at Tanegashima was not only an opportunity for the crew to replenish their supplies but also to establish contact with more formal representatives of Japanese aristocracy. The meeting with the local daimyō was much more ceremonial than the earlier interactions with the inhabitants of Tosa. The Japanese samurai, dressed in traditional armor, gazed solemnly at the foreign visitors who, despite their European exoticism, clumsily tried to show respect for Japanese etiquette. The trade exchange was as fruitful as it had been on Shikoku—Beniowski received rice, wine, and some exotic fruits for his crew. In return, he offered the furs he had brought from Siberia.

Tanegashima also proved crucial for his future plans. On the island, Beniowski made detailed sketches of the coastline, which he later included in his memoir. These were among the few European accounts of this part of Japan at the time. The Japanese, though cautious, saw in the foreigners an opportunity to expand trade contacts, which worked to Beniowski's advantage—he was received far more favorably than he had a right to expect.

The End of Beniowski's Visit to Japan and His Further Travels

After leaving Tanegashima, Beniowski continued his journey south, passing through the Ryukyu Archipelago. Finally, on August 15, 1771, his ship docked at one of the islands of this archipelago, where the crew stayed for several days, replenishing their supplies. The islanders of Ryukyu, though cautious, welcomed the escapees relatively warmly, offering provisions and some information about local customs. Beniowski, always on the move, sought to gather supplies for the next leg of his journey, which took him through Taiwan to China.

Upon reaching Macau, Beniowski began negotiations with the Portuguese, to whom he sold the valuable furs obtained during his escape. He managed to raise funds for further travels, though his adventures in the Far East were far from over. Nevertheless, he first returned to Europe.

In the following years, Beniowski traveled to France, where he sought support for his colonization projects on Madagascar. He gained the favor of King Louis XV, allowing him to set sail for the island with the intention of establishing a colony. On Madagascar, he gained the sympathy of local rulers and tried to implement his order while engaging in trade and politics. During this period, he declared himself king of Madagascar, adding even more adventurous allure to his character.

Ultimately, however, his colonization plans ended in failure. Beniowski died in 1786 during a skirmish with French soldiers on Madagascar. His life, filled with adventures from Siberia through Japan to Madagascar, became an inspiration for many stories, and the memoirs he left behind became a widely read entertainment, translated into many languages.

Beniowski as a Source of Information on Japan

Maurycy Beniowski's memoirs, though full of adventurous exploits, are one of the most valuable testimonies concerning 18th-century Japan, especially in the context of Japanese isolation. His accounts, although often controversial and questioned, contain many unique insights into the daily life of the Japanese and the infrastructure he encountered along the way.

Beniowski described, among other things, the functioning of the water supply system in Nagasaki, which surprised him with its modernity. At a time when water supply systems were rare in many parts of Europe, Japan's abundant water resources were efficiently distributed even to the most remote areas. In his recollections, he noted the absence of horses in Japan—a phenomenon that was unusual for him, given that in Europe they were the primary means of transportation. The Japanese, as Beniowski wrote, instead of horses, relied on human labor, transporting goods and people in litters and carts pulled by men.

However, Beniowski did not limit himself to describing infrastructure—he also noted the unique culture and daily life of the Japanese. He described their hospitality, discipline, and hierarchical social system, which was very exotic for a European. Beniowski's accounts reveal his fascination with how Japanese society functioned, with its etiquette, traditions, and way of life.

On the other hand, Japanese reports that were created about Beniowski's visit are also of great historical significance. Japanese officials carefully recorded the visits of foreign ships and documented details about the presence of Europeans. Beniowski was one of the few Europeans who not only visited Japan during this period but also left traces in Japanese documents, which today are valuable sources of knowledge about relations with foreigners at that time.

Conclusion

Maurycy Beniowski, although often rightly seen as an adventurer and risk-taker, played an absolutely unique role in the history of relations between Japan and the West. His accounts, though not devoid of controversies and embellishments, provide valuable information about Edo-period Japan in the 18th century, when the country was almost entirely closed to outsiders. His descriptions of the daily life of the Japanese, their infrastructure, and his journeys through these mysterious islands create a fascinating picture that has inspired many later researchers and travelers. His memoirs about Japan have stood the test of time, becoming one of the few testimonies of this unique encounter during Japan's era of isolation.

His travels and interactions with Japanese feudal lords remain an extraordinary episode in the history of intercultural relations. We can only speculate on how his fate might have unfolded had he been allowed to stay longer on the islands of Japan, but one thing is certain – his story will forever remain one of the most colorful chapters in the history of relations between Japan and the West.

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 A connoisseur of Asian culture with a deep-seated appreciation for various philosophies of the world. By education, psychologist and Korean philologist. By heart, an Android developer and an ardent tech aficionado. In tranquil moments, he champions a disciplined way of life, firmly believing that steadfastness, perpetual self-enhancement, and a dedication to one's passions is a sensible path for life.

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