The Relationship between Japan and Europe

From the middle of 15th century, the age of discovery began and simultaneously many sailors left their home to discover the new continents. Japan was also influenced by the age of discovery and invited some missionaries from Spain and Portugal. Francisco de Xavier was the first missionary, who propagated Christianity in Japan, and so well-known that nobody does not know him.




However, Japanese lords, governing each region in those days, accepted Christianity actively, or rather, aimed rifles that they brought from Europe as gifts. To use rifles innovated in the way of war that people usually used bows, and introduced progressive tactics. So, the lords acquired a large quantity of rifles by inviting more missionaries.




Whereas, every lord did not always invite them for rifles. A few samurai were noted as christians and actually, there are still christians live in the region they ruled over. Yukinaga Konishi, ruling a part of western Japan, was one of them and had a Christian name, Augustine, as a symbol of his faith. In 1587, Japanese government announce the priests deportation order to stop the growth of Christians, but Konishi hid a lot of European against the order. 




Buddhism had been treated as the Japanese principal religion since Europeans came to Japan, because of military reason, Japan became uncommon nation having plural religions. the vestige still appear in holidays like Christmas and new year's day, Japanese government qualifies, and Japanese also accept them without hesitation. the mixed value of both religions may form Japanese unique national characteristics.

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