William Adams (24 September 1564 – 16 May 1620), also known in Japanese as Anjin-sama and Miura Anjin, was an English navigator believed to be the first Briton ever to reach Japan. He helped establish several trading companies in and around Asia. He was the first European to become a naturalized Japanese citizen, and also the first European samurai.

Will Adams was captain of the Dutch ship Oom Karl. This ship landed in London, England shortly after Queen Elizabeth was restored to power late in 1598. Lope de Vega met with Captain Adams to purchase passage to Ostend, a port under Spanish control. Vega was surprised to find an Englishman captaining a Dutch ship, and was impressed by Adams' linguistic skills. Adams was a stickler with money, refusing to let Vega bargain down the ten shilling fare.[1]