Introduction

THE story of the introduction of Christianity into Japan inthe sixteenth century is a fascinating study. From 1549, when St. Francis Xavier, named the Apostle of the East, landed at Kagoshima in Satsuma, until 1640 Roman Catholic missionaries made ceaseless and heroic efforts to convert the Japanese nation. The ruling classes were at first inclined to tolerate, if not welcome, the new religion. In 1552 Otomo Hachiro (>fe ¿ít A eft), later known as Ouchi Yoshinaga ( ^ Pî H Ü ) Lord of Yamaguchi, presented the missionaries with a Temple and lands. A facsimile of this grant was found by the late Sir Ernest Satow in a book published at Cologne in 1574 and was translated by him as follows :—

" With respect to Daidoji {i.e. monastery of the great way) in Yamaguchi, Province of Suwo. This deed witnesses that I have given permission to the priests who have come to this country from western regions, in accordance with their request and desire that they may found and erect a monastery and house in order to develop the law of Buddha.