EINOSHIN MOTOKI was an interpreter of Dutch at Nagasaki in the middle Edo period.
Background
EINOSHIN MOTOKI was born in 1735. He was the grandson of Motoki Shodayii, who held the post of daitsüji, or chief interpreter. His personal name was Yoshinaga and he also went by the common names Jindayü and Einoshin; his go (literary name) was Ranko.
Career
In 1748 he became a keiko tsüji, or apprentice interpreter, and in 1788 was made a chief interpreter. Earlier, in 1744, he and his fellow officials Yosliio Kdzaemon, Nishi Zcnzaburd, and others requested permission to study some of the Dutch books in their possession. When permission was granted by the government authorities, Motoki devoted full time to the work of translation.
In addition to Dutch, he also had a knowledge of Lathi and French and was well informed in matters pertaining to astronomy, geography, medicine, botany, the calendar, and production methods. He was highly respected both by the shogunate and the lords of the various domains for his ability as a translator.
In 1794 he requested permission to retire from his duties, and was officially rewarded as a recognition for his diligent service.