Dirck Gerritszoon Pomp

Dirck Gerritszoon Pomp, also known as Dirck China, was a 17th century Dutch merchant and sailor known as the first Dutchman to visit China and Japan.

Born in Enkhuizen, Netherland Dirch was sent to Lisbon in 1555 to learn the language and trade. In 1568 he established himself as a merchant on the isle of Goa from where he visited China and Japan aboard Portuguese ships. As far as Japan he described it as the "isle where there is a lot of silver and where Portuguese ships arrive every year with silk, which is sold for silver".

Dirck returned back to Enkhuizend in 1590, and after eight years he joined a five ship Dutch expedition led by the admiral Jacques. The aim of expedition was to obtain spices by way of the southern tip of South-America and the Pacific. Among the crew was William Adams, the first known Englishman to reach Japan. However, Dirck’s ship was captured by the Spanish in 1599 and he spent the following five years in captivity in Lima, Peru. In 1604 he was finally released on freedom and returned back to home town where he continued to pursue mercantile career.