ABSTRACT
In a recent article, James Bartholomew raised a fundamental question regarding research and writing the history of Japan’s scientists with Christian affiliations. 1 The irony of an article on Catholic scientists starting with “a confession” by the author can hardly be lost on readers, yet it reveals the intellectual integrity of the scholar whose work this volume honors. “It is with some trepidation that I write … on Japan’s Christian scientists,” writes Bartholomew. “I have had misgivings … because the topic poses serious intellectual challenges of definition and explanation… .” 2 This article has been an encouragement and a challenge because I share Bartholomew’s misgivings about writing on Japan’s Christian scientists.
