RT Article
T1 Journey to the West
JF Japanese journal of religious studies
VO 34
IS 1
SP 27
OP 66
A1 Elisonas, Jurgis S. A. 1937-
LA English
PB Nanzan Institute
YR 2007
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1698754248
AB What is often called the first Japanese embassy to Europe was actually a publicity stunt conceived in 1582 by Alexandro Valignano, the inspector of the Portuguese-sponsored Asian missions of the Society of Jesus. Four teenagers from Kyushu were paraded through Portugal, Spain, and Italy-performers and audience at the same time in a theatrical production designed to display the capabilities of the Japanese before influential circles of Catholic Europe while imbuing the Japanese with the idea of the superiority of European civilization under the aegis of the Catholic Church. After returning to their native country in 1590, all four joined the Jesuit order. Three served the cause of Christianity faithfully. The fourth, Miguel Chijiwa, apostatized and derided all that he had been taught to hold sacred. He is the narrator of the scurrilous piece of anti-Christian fiction Kirishitan kanagaki, a fantasy novel avant-la-lettre that deserves much greater attention than it has received. Its multifaceted deployment of European legendary materials makes it a challenge to students of comparative culture.
K1 Catholicism
K1 Christian History
K1 Embassies
K1 Emperors
K1 Kings
K1 Priests
K1 Princes
K1 Religious Studies
K1 Society of Jesus