Jesuit Debates on Japanese ‘Reason of State’

Abstract

Chapter 8 turns to the debates among the Jesuits in Japan on how to handle the political situation in which they found themselves. Valignano’s acceptance of the civil administration of Nagasaki in 1580 from Ōmura Sumitada posed great risks to the Society, both from within the Church and from without. As canon law did not permit priests to engage directly in criminal justice, Valignano had to draw up rules for samurai officials (<italic>yakunin</italic>) to act on their behalf. For foreigners to be in charge of a Japanese city invited the hostility of local warlords. They faced the dilemma whether missionaries could become advisors in matters of war, and whether they should have a fortress to take refuge in. Some argued it was more appropriate to die as martyrs. Supported by Sánchez, Gaspar Coelho opted instead for engagement. This aroused suspicion in Hideyoshi, who issued a decree expelling the Jesuits in 1587.

Matched Nanban terms

• people Omura Sumitada
• people Ōmura Sumitada

Provenance

• core (10.1093/oso/9780195335439.003.0009)
  2026-04-30T20:25:31.764584+00:00
• openalex (W4283313315)
  2026-04-30T19:58:27.299348+00:00

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