Iglesias kirishitan

Book Description

In the hidden chapters of Japan's spiritual history lies a remarkable century of faith, cultural exchange, and architectural innovation that was nearly erased from memory. Historian Rie Arimura unveils the fascinating story of Christianity's first encounter with Japanese culture, spanning from Saint Francis Xavier's arrival in 1549 through the nation's dramatic shift toward isolation in 1639.

This meticulously researched work explores how foreign missionaries and Japanese converts navigated the complex terrain of religious transformation during what became known as the "Kirishitan century." Arimura examines the innovative methods of evangelization that emerged as Christianity took root in Japanese soil, revealing how two vastly different spiritual traditions began to merge and influence each other.

The book delves into the artistic and architectural achievements of this era, reconstructing the lost world of Catholic churches that once dotted the Japanese landscape. Since anti-Christian policies led to the destruction of these sacred spaces, Arimura's scholarship becomes an act of historical recovery, piecing together evidence of how Japanese craftsmen and foreign missionaries collaborated to create unique expressions of faith.

Through careful analysis of cultural exchanges and missionary strategies, this work illuminates how spiritual movements adapt and transform when they cross cultural boundaries. For readers interested in the intersection of faith, culture, and history, this study offers profound insights into how religious traditions evolve through cross-cultural encounter.