Towards the construction of a “history of kirishitan acceptance": New perspectives on the evangelization of Japan

Abstract

The evangelization history of early modern Japan has traditionally emphasized “rapid conversion” based on the number of mass baptisms as noted in historical documents of missionaries. However, starting in the 1990s, cultural relativism was proposed instead of the generalization of the phenomenon. From this perspective, different degrees of understanding of Christian doctrines are indicated according to social strata. Furthermore, it is about interpreting history from the point of view of ordinary people, contrasting with conventional history told from the side of missionaries and native elites. Thus, the survival of different religious traditions has been identified close links between Japanese Christianity and the True Pure Land school both in the organizational structure and preaching format as well as in doctrinal concepts and devotional images. The theory of inculturation is reflected today in the very definition of the concept “kirishitan”, which refers to the world of beliefs typical of Japan, characterized by the intersections of elements derived from different religions. This opens a new debate about “indigenization” within Catholic globalization.