Despite repeated protests and an expressed desire to return to Japan, Dembei was taken to Moscow by Vladimir Atlasov in December 1701 or January 1702 and ordered by Peter the Great to teach Japanese to a small group of young Russian men.
Despite multiple requests to return to Japan and an expressed wish for teaching Japanese, Dembei was transported to Moscow by Vladimir Atlasov in December 1701 or January 1702 at the order of Peter the Great. He was assigned to instruct a small group of young Russian men.