Matteo Ricci and Giulio Aleni in Late Ming China. The Life of Master Ricci, Xitai of the Great West (1630, 2010)

Author:

Criveller, Gianni

Format:

Journal Article

Year:

2016

Journal Title:

Bulletin of Portuguese - Japanese Studies

Volume:

II, 2

Language:

English

Abstract:

Giulio Aleni wrote the biography of Matteo Ricci in Chinese in Fuzhou in 1630, twenty years after the death of the founder of the Jesuit mission in China. Aleni’s work is a fundamental document for studying Ricci and Jesuit mission from a Chinese viewpoint. Aleni named 55 Chinese officials and scholars who met Ricci. Aleni informs that Ricci kept a diary containing his spiritual musings, and many other precious information that are not found in other sources. The 1630’s edition includes other important documents, such as an after‑word by Li Jubiao, a short biography of Ricci by Zhang Weishu, high official Wu Daoan’s supplication for a piece of land to bury Ricci, and a tomb inscription in honour of Ricci by Wang Yinglin.

Who (Jesuits):

Aleni, Giulio, 1582–1649

Ricci, Matteo, 1552–1610

What (Subjects):

Biography -- Apostolate

Where (Locations):

Asia -- China

When (Centuries):

17th century

Page Range:

27-40

ISSN:

2183-7414