Vinck

 Johann Vinck was a minor hero from the novel Shōgun by James Clavell as well as the NBC miniseries based on the book.

Vinck was a crew member on the Dutch ship Erasmus out of Rotterdam, serving under Pilot-Major John Blackthorne. Originally part of a five ship fleet, only the Erasmus made it to Japan. Initially taken prisoner by the Japanese, Vinck and the other members of the crew were held at various places in Japan under the protection of Lord Yoshi Toranaga while Blackthorne became a trusted adviser to Toranaga.

After an attack on Osaka castle left Blackthorne seriously injured, Vinck accompanied Blackthorne back to Anjiro. Blackthorne had been told by Vasco Rodrigues that the Erasmus had burned in a fire, and he was hoping that was another lie. Arriving in Anjiro both men learned to their horror that Rodrigues was telling the truth, the Erasmus had been burned.

Upon landing Vinck escorted Blackthorne up to the wreck of the Erasmus. Vinck was convinced that they would never be able to leave Japan, Blackthorne attempted to reassure him that sooner or later another Dutch ship would come to take them home. Vinck lost his grip on his sanity at that point and began a mad dance across the beach. After a few minutes Vinck suffered an attack of some sort, collapsed, and died. A healed Blackthorne grieved for the loss of his friend.

Trivia
The character of Johann Vinck was loosely based upon Jan Joosten van Lodensteijn (c. 1560 – 1623), a Dutch sailor who accompanied William Adams to Japan.