William Adams, also known as Will Adams, was an English navigator and the first Englishman to reach Japan. He was born in 1564 in Gillingham, England, and became a skilled sailor. In 1600, he sailed to Japan with the Dutch East India Company and eventually settled there, becoming an important figure in Japanese history. Adams was granted the title of samurai by the Tokugawa shogunate, which marked a significant achievement for a foreigner. He played a crucial role in establishing trade relations between Japan and Europe, and his life inspired various works of literature, including the novel "Shogun" by James Clavell.