The continuity of the european medieval mentality in the mission of Japan –notes on the policy of evangelization–

Abstract

From the analysis of the documents of the Jesuits who worked in Japan between the XVI and XVII centuries, we can note the methods of evangelization put into practice by Francisco Javier and the Jesuits who followed his mission. Firstly, the Jesuits aimed at baptizing the feudal lord as a way that eased the path to the conversion of their respective vassals. Secondly, the Jesuits tried to extend the Christianism among monks and intellectuals and thereafter among the common people. It can be questioned if the methods used showed any similarity with the evangelization in the Medieval Time in Europe, if the Europeans applied such Medieval methods in the Japanese society. The purpose of this article is to analyse these questions.