The Relationship between the Jesuits and Portuguese Merchants during 'The Christian Century' in Japan
- Format:
- Journal Article
- Year:
- 2013
- Journal Title:
- Journal of the Macao Polytechnic Institute
- Volume:
- 16
- Issue:
- 3
- Language:
- Abstract:
The Europeans arrived in Japan in the 1540s and conducted Christian missionary activities and trade in the country for about a century, which was called "The Christian Century" of Japan by historians. The Jesuit missionaries kept a special relationship with the Portuguese merchants in Japan: at first it was characterized by reciprocity and cooperation, and gradually became conflictory as the merchants began to prosper and overtake the missionaries in social influence in Japan. After Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu banned Christianity in Japan, the Portuguese merchants were forced to renounce their Christian faith on surface. However, in reality these merchants never abandoned their religion and kept secret connection with the missionaries. The ambiguous relationship between the Jesuits and Portuguese traders always bothered the shogun of Japan, which led to the expulsion of all Catholics in Japan. The study on the special relationship between God (Jesuit) and the Mammon (Merchant) during this historical period in Japan is of great significance as it has special implications for the understanding of the characteristics of the Christian Century in Japan as well as the relationship between Japan and the West in 16th-17th century.
- What (Subjects):
- Where (Locations):
- When (Centuries):
- Page Range:
- 84–91
- ISSN:
- 1995-4468