Cases of Conscience in the Kirishitan Era: Traces of "Ethics" in India, Japan, and China

2023/02/14

Immediately after publication, I frequently received comments from people who picked up my book, saying, "It's a magnificent book." I believe these compliments were not due to my own ability as an author, but rather to the cover design itself.

The cover features the "Nanban Byobu" (Southern Barbarian Folding Screen) from the collection of the Nanban Bunkakan (Museum of Nanban Art). The Nanban Bunkakan opened in Nakatsu, Osaka, in 1968, based on the Nanban art collection that the late Yoshiro Kitamura devoted his life to gathering. Although it is a small museum, it houses many masterpieces of Nanban art. This "Nanban Byobu" is presumed to have been painted by an artist of the Kano school and is currently designated as an Important Cultural Property.

While the fact that this "Nanban Byobu" is a masterpiece was one reason for using it on the cover, the primary reason was the depiction of the Sacrament of Penance located to the left of the words "Cases of Conscience" in the title on the front cover. It shows a Kirishitan samurai confessing to a European priest through a shoji screen. According to President Rumiko Kataoka of Nagasaki Junshin University, this is the only folding screen that depicts the Sacrament of Penance.

The "Cases of Conscience" in the title is related to the Sacrament of Penance. The Sacrament of Penance is now called the "Sacrament of Reconciliation." A believer confesses their sins to a priest. In return, the priest grants the believer forgiveness. "Forgiveness" can be interpreted as both "pardon" and "absolution." In this context, the priest is also called a "confessor." The content of the believer's confession involves specific ethical issues in society. It would clearly be inconvenient if different priests gave different answers to a believer's confession. Therefore, manuals for confessors were created. Furthermore, in mission lands, unexpected problems not covered by the manuals arose. So, what did believers confess to priests during the Kirishitan era, and how did the priests respond? Jesuit missions progressed through India, Japan, and China, and regional and chronological changes can be seen accordingly. This book traces those transitions.

By the way, as the author, I am very happy that the splendid cover is being appreciated. I would like to thank Director Takako Yano of the Nanban Bunkakan for granting permission to use the image. The Nanban Bunkakan is usually open in May and November. I recommend seeing the actual screen if you have the opportunity.

Cases of Conscience in the Kirishitan Era: Traces of "Ethics" in India, Japan, and China

Masakazu Asami

Keio University Press

324 pages, 5,500 yen (tax included)

*Affiliations and titles are as of the time of publication.