Representing Catholic Europe: Alessandro Valignano and De Missione (1590)

Abstract

The following article examines the information that De Missione (Macau, 1590) means to convey to Japan about Catholic Europe. This work narrates the journey West of four boys from the Arima seminary to pay homage to Gregory XIII and Philip II. De Missione contributes to the phenomenon of mutual knowledge and cultural interaction between Europe and Japan, envisioned by Alessandro Valignano. Indeed, this volume aimed to introduce the Western world to the Japanese people by showing them the magnificence and authority of Catholic Europe with its history, society, culture and religion. The appendix contains the unpublished Letters Patent written by Superior General Claudio Acquaviva for the ambassadors, so that they would be welcomed in the residences and colleges of the Society of Jesus on the Italian Peninsula.

Keywords

• jesuits in japan
• alessandro valignano
• tenshō embassy