Introduction to
Christian History of Japan
Christianity was introduced into Japan in the middle of the 16th century. The religion was generally tolerated until the beginning of the 17th century, but the Tokugawa shogunate(1603-1867) eventually proscribed it and persecuted its adherants. When relations with the west were restored in the middle of the 19th century, Christianity was reintroduced and has continued to exist in Japan with varying fortunes.
Portuguese traders first reached Japan in 1543, to be followed by the Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier, who arrived in 1549 with two companions Xavier's preaching met with some success, although his efforts were hampered by the language barrier. Reinforcements arrived to continue his work and were in general well received by local rulers, who often associated them with the lucrative Portuguese trade. Activity was concentrated in Kyushu especially Nagasaki, although Christian communities were established on Honshu. In 1563 Omura Sumitada, became the first Daimyo to receive baptism, and by 1579 no fewer than six daimyo had been converted. By that time the number of Christian was estimated at 100,000 but this figure includes those converts who embraced the faith of the Lord at the behest of their Christian Lords. In 1579 the Jesuit Alessandro Valignano arrived to conduct the first of three inspection tours of the mission. When he left he was accompanied by four boys who formed an embassy to Rome on behalf of the Christian Daimyo of Kyushu.
By this time Christianity had attracted the attention of National figures. The national unifier Oda Nobunaga favoured the missionaries and granted them generous concessions. His successor Toyotomi Hideyoshi continued this policy until 1587, when on realizing the extent of the Christian influence in Kyushu, he abruptly ordered missionaries to leave the country. His edicts was neither obeyed nor enforced, but it marked the end of favorable reception. The Jesuits were eventually joined by Spanish friars while the new influx added impetus to evangelization, national rivalries gave rise to seemly quarrels between religious orders.