Tensho youth mission to Europe

 

In 1582, four youth boarded a ship bound for Europe at Nagasaki Port.

They were dispatched as representatives of Japanese Christian federal lords,

and departed with Alessandro Valignano who was Jesuit missionary who

planned the Youth mission.  

Four youth were Ito Mansho Ito, Chijiwa Miguel, Hara Martino, Nakaura Julian

who were around 13 years old.

 

The purpose of the mission is to show the four people who studied at Arima

Seminario about Europe and to convey the greatness of Europe to the

Japanese people.

By introducing the boy raised by the Jesuits to Europe, the mission was to

highlight the achievements of Japan’s missionary work and gain support from

the Pope and the King of Portugal.

 

Two years and six months after leaving Nagasaki, they finally arrived in Europe.

He first had an audience with Philip II at Rispon, and was subsequently welcomed

in various places.

On March 23, 1585, Japan had an audience with the Pope and made its grand d

ebut on the world stage. After that, they also visited various parts of Italy.

 

When they returned to Nagasaki in 1590, Christianity was being prohibited.

Therefore, their achievements were suppressed due to the ban on Christianity.

It was not until 1858, when religious freedom was recognized, that their activities

were evaluated.

 

Dec. 29, 2023

 

Opening the port created Christian town Nagasaki

 

Nagasaki Port was opened in 1570 by Sumitada Omura, who was the first feudal lord

in Japan to be baptized as a Christian.

At that time, there was a Christian family who immigrated with Figueiredo.

Many of them were people fleeing persecution, coming from Shimabara, Iki, Goto,

Hirado, and Yamaguchi. This was the beginning of the Christian town Nagasaki.

 

Sumitada Omura donated the territories of Nagasaki and Mogi to the Jesuits in order

to fend off attacks from nearby enemies.

In 1580, Japan Society of Jesus established its headquarters in Nagasaki.

 

Dec. 28, 2023

 

Christian missionary work in Nagasaki

 

Christian missionary activities in Japan began after Francis Xavier came to

Hirado in 1550.

The Jesuit missionaries who accompanied Francis Xavier carried out missionary

activities in Hirado, Omura, Nagasaki, Goto, Kuchinotsu, Shimabara, Iki,

Amakusa, Bungo, etc. And then many people converted to Christianity.

 

main missionaries;

Cosme de Torres (Spanish), Juan Fernandes (Spanish), Luis de Almeida (Portuguese),

Gaspar Vilela (Portuguese), Luis Frois (Portuguese), Melechor de Figueiredo

(Portuguese), Alessandro Valignano (Italian)

 

Dec. 27, 2023

 

The beginning of Japanese Christianity in 1550

 

Christianity in Japan began when Francis Xavier came to Hirado in 1550.

So why did Francis Xavier come to Hirado?

Hirado was the Japan’s first trade route between Portugal and China.

Takanobu Matsuura, the lord of Hirado, welcomed the arrival of Portuguese

ships and gave permission for Francisco Xavier spreading Christianity in Japan,

whom the Portuguese revered.

This is the history of the beginning of Christianity in Japan.