Essay on Christianity to Japan - 3497 Words

Christianity In Japan Japan has been a home for Shinto and Buddhist religions for centuries. The Christian missionaries during the 16th, 19th and 20th centuries worked hard to evangelize the Japanese nation but could not get desired success. There efforts in past failed partly due to sanctions imposed by the local rulers. The Jesuits missionaries traveled with Spanish and Portuguese traders to many areas of America and Asia-Pacific and established their churches and religious missions. They were funded, sponsored and trained by their respective governments in order to spread Christianity. At several places they preached the Christian faith by force but the aboriginal population did not accept it wholeheartedly. Initially the Jesuits†¦show more content†¦As a missionary, Xavier went to Asia and carried out his missionary activities in India and Malacca. In Malacca he met a Japanese rebel, Anjiro who urged him to visit Japan. Xavier went to Japan with two other missionaries and started his mission. He confronted some problems because of the language barrier. The Kodanshas Encyclopedia of Japan describes Xavier’s arrival in Japan as, â€Å"In 1547 he met in Malacca a Japanese fugitive named Anjiro, whose glowing account of his naive country fired Xavier with enthusiasm to evangelize Japan. Xavier reached Kagoshima with two Jesuit companions on 15 August 1549, and with Anjiro as his less than adequate interpreter, he preached Christianity and compiled a simple catechism, with the result that about 100 people accepted baptism. A year after his arrival Xavier visited Hirado and Yamaguchi, but wishing to obtain permission to preach throughout Japan, he made his way to Kyoto in an unsuccessful bid to meet Emperor Gonara. He left Japan for India at the end of 1551†. The activities of missionaries were generally supported by the local landlords and rulers who wanted to get monetary benefits from the foreigners. The main centers where the missionaries were settled include Kyushu, Nagasaki and Honshu. The religion of Jesus was initially taught to ordinary masses however, by 1563 Omura Sumitada, a daimyo (regional military lord) was converted to the new faith. It was followed by the conversion of six moreShow MoreRelatedSilence By Shusako Endo : Cultural Clash Between Christianity And Japan1927 Words   |  8 Pages Throughout the Novel Silence, Shusako Endo depicts the cultural clash between Christianity and Japan. We feel the frustrations that this brings, and are provoked to ask questions such as, why is God silent in the midst of his people’s suffering? But the greater question it begs is what cultural implications have we placed on Christ? Do we expect him to act as a hero in our culture would? He transcends time and culture, but do our expectations and experiences cast a shadow on our impression ofRead More Victimization of Minor Characters in Laura Esquivels Like Water for Chocolate and Shusaku Endos Silence1168 Words   |  5 Pagesthe Japanese concept of Christianity is not the same concept as Father Rodrigues?s. Another impact Monica had on Father Rodrigues was also during their first meeting. As soon he joins Monica and her band of captured Christian peasants, he was welcomed. Monica offered Father Rodrigues a cucumber, showing her respect for him by giving him what little food she had to offer. From this small yet generous offer made by Monica, Father Rodrigues reflected on his mission to Japan. Since coming to thisRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Silence, Sh Ã… ª Saku End Ä€ By The Hell Of Boiling Water 1818 Words   |  8 PagesWithin the first few pages of the novel, Silence, ShÃ… «saku EndÃ… Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s throws his readers head on to the cruelty and darkness that the Christians had faced in 17th century feudal Japan. Father Rodrigues, a Jesuit priest sent to covert the Japanese to the Christian faith, he described the â€Å"immersion in the hell of boiling water at Unzen.† the five of priests and two women went through to give up their faith. However, with all the tortures methods used and being immersed in the boil water and being in prisonRead More China and Japan Essay1013 Words   |  5 Pages Throughout the dynasties in China and Japan, religion, economy and politics have been affected by each other in various ways. In the book â€Å"Religion and Making of Modern East Asia†, Thomas Dubois brings to light the impact religion made on both p olitics and economy in China and Japan throughout the historical period up till date. In his words, he describes â€Å"religion as an extremely political force† (Dubois, 2011, pp. 7-16). As various religions were introduced, it shaped the politics ofRead More Comparing Buddhism and Christianity Essay1410 Words   |  6 PagesComparing Buddhism and Christianity In the early sixth century Christianity was evolving at a rapid pace. The spread of Christianity was not only moving westward through Europe, but it was also moving eastward down the Silk Road. The eastward spread of Christianity was primarily a form of Christianity known as Nestorianism, after the teachings of Nestorius, a fifth century patriarch. By 635 Nestorian Christianity had reached the heart of China spreading through all of Persia and India. DuringRead MoreBuddhism and Christianity1411 Words   |  6 PagesIn the early sixth century Christianity was evolving at a rapid pace. The spread of Christianity was not only moving westward through Europe, but it was also moving eastward down the Silk Road. The eastward spread of Christianity was primarily a form of Christianity known as Nestorianism, after the teachings of Nestorius, a fifth century patriarch. By 635 Nestorian Christianity had reached the heart of China spreading through all of Persia and India. During the middl e of the seventh century NestorianRead MoreThe Isolation Policy And Its Effect On Japanese Society1565 Words   |  7 Pagespolicy, as the name suggests, meant that Japan was isolated from the most of the world. The bakufu (military government), accomplished this state of isolation by closing the borders, though contact with China and the Netherlands was still maintained through a single port in Nagasaki. The policy also meant that Japanese citizens could not leave the country. This isolation was to last until 1854, during which time the shoguns (military leaders) managed to keep Japan relatively peaceful. The growing westernRead MoreEast Asian Reaction to European Presence Essay548 Words   |  3 Pagescentury, Europeans started to seek â€Å"treasures† in Asia. Their goals were to search resources and markets and spread Christianity. They found spice and sugar in South Asia. At that time, South Asian countries were not strong enough to restrict European’s activities on their own land. However, when Europeans tried to enter East Asian, the East Asian countries such as China and Japan set strict rules to prevent their countries from European powers. Chinese emperors strictly limited European merchants’Read MoreInfluence Of The Jesuits During The Sengoku Period1011 Words   |  5 Pagesthe Sengoku Period During the mid-15th century, Japan entered one of its bloodiest civil wars in its history. It was a time of social upheaval combined with political uprising due to constant military conquest. This drastic phase in Japan’s history is known as the Sengoku Period or Japan’s Warring State era. During the Sengoku Period, Japan also entered the international stage through European countries. Nations such as Portugal and Spain came to Japan in the 1540sbrought their merchants with EuropeanRead MoreThe Most Convincing Approach Of Japan And China1649 Words   |  7 Pages21 October 2015 The Most Convincing Approach For many years Western nations in Europe and North America had wanted to expand their trade with Japan and China; however, the people of the two Asian countries believed that the Westerners were barbarians with useless goods and religious beliefs that would challenge their traditions. Up until the 1800s, Japan and China had successfully restricted the influence of Western nations within their countries. Their ability to remain isolated from Westerners