Foreign missionaries

Definition

Foreign missionaries are individuals sent by religious organizations to promote their faith and convert people in different countries. In the context of Japan, they played a significant role in introducing Western religions, particularly Christianity, during the 16th and 17th centuries, which ultimately influenced the cultural and religious landscape of Japan before the implementation of the Sakoku policy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Foreign missionaries, particularly Jesuits and Franciscans, arrived in Japan in the mid-16th century and made significant inroads, converting thousands to Christianity.
2. The influence of foreign missionaries led to the establishment of churches and schools, which promoted education and Western knowledge alongside religious teachings.
3. The Tokugawa Shogunate viewed foreign missionaries as a threat to their authority and social order, leading to increased persecution of Christians and the eventual banning of Christianity in Japan.
4. In response to the persecution, many Christians practiced their faith in secret, leading to the emergence of 'Kakure Kirishitan,' or Hidden Christians, who preserved their beliefs despite severe restrictions.
5. The arrival of foreign missionaries marked a significant cultural exchange between Japan and the West, but this exchange was curtailed by the Sakoku policy, which isolated Japan from most foreign influences for over 200 years.

Review Questions

• How did foreign missionaries influence Japanese society before the Sakoku policy was implemented?
  • Foreign missionaries significantly influenced Japanese society by introducing Christianity and Western education. They established churches and schools, leading to the conversion of many Japanese people. Their presence also facilitated cultural exchanges that introduced Western ideas and technologies, ultimately reshaping various aspects of Japanese life before the restrictive Sakoku policy was enforced.
• Discuss the response of the Tokugawa Shogunate to the activities of foreign missionaries and how this shaped Japan's isolationist policies.
  • The Tokugawa Shogunate perceived foreign missionaries as a threat to its authority and social stability. In response, they implemented strict measures to suppress Christianity, including persecution and execution of converts. This led to a broader isolationist stance known as Sakoku, where Japan closed itself off from most foreign influences to maintain control over its society and protect its traditional values.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of foreign missionary activity on Japan's transition into modernization after the Sakoku period.
  • While foreign missionary activity was largely suppressed during the Sakoku period, its long-term impacts became evident after Japan reopened to the world in the mid-19th century. The foundation laid by these missionaries contributed to Japan's modernization efforts as Western ideas about governance, education, and technology permeated Japanese society. The prior exposure to Christianity also played a role in shaping Japan's interactions with Western nations during this transformative period, influencing both cultural exchanges and diplomatic relations.

Related terms

Christianity:

A monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, which became a significant influence in Japan during the time of foreign missionaries.

Sakoku:

The isolationist foreign policy of Japan from the early 17th century to the mid-19th century, which restricted trade and contact with most foreign nations.

Tokugawa Shogunate:

The last feudal Japanese military government that ruled from 1603 to 1868, responsible for enforcing the Sakoku policy and suppressing foreign missionary activities.