Sacred historiography and its rhetoric in sixteenth-century Japan : an intertextual study and partial critical edition of Principio y progresso de la religioÌn christiana en JappoÌn (--) (1601-1603) by Alessando Valignano
This thesis investigates the polemical and deliberative functions that 'sacred history' came to serve among European Jesuits in late sixteenth-century Japan, and the way in which this new genre of âmission historiesâ reflected developments in European historiography. Focus is provided by the work of the Italian Jesuit missionary, Alessandro Valignano (1539-1606), who was one of the most influential foreigners in Japan in his day. In 1601-03 he produced his last major work, 'Del principio y progresso de la religion christiana en JappoÌn' [...], whose purpose was to vindicate the Jesuit enterprise by offering an authoritative interpretation of the missionâs history. This came in response to the criticisms of the Spanish Franciscan Friars, who challenged the Jesuit and Portuguese monopoly over the mission. In his 'Principio', Valignano set out to persuade his European audience as to the ârightâ interpretation of the present turmoil in the East by calling the past to the witness-stand. This strategy, taken from forensic rhetoric, is the most original feature of his work. The present thesis provides for the first time a 'ritical edition',of a substantial part of his history (ca. 60% or 65000 words),
UÌcÌ§erler, M. Antoni
Japan--Church history--16th century ; Jesuits--Japan--History--16th century
Sacred historiography and its rhetoric in sixteenth-century Japan : an intertextual study and partial critical edition of Principio y progresso de la religioÌn christiana en JappoÌn (--) (1601-1603) by Alessando Valignano. This thesis investigates the polemical and deliberative functions that 'sacred history' came to serve among European Jesuits in late sixteenth-century Japan, and the way in which this new genre of âmission historiesâ reflected developments in European historiography. Focus is provided by the work of the Italian Jesuit missionary, Alessandro Valignano (1539-1606), who was one of the most influential foreigners in Japan in his day. In 1601-03 he produced his last major work, 'Del principio y progresso de la religion christiana en JappoÌn' [...], whose purpose was to vindicate the Jesuit enterprise by offering an authoritative interpretation of the missionâs history. This came in response to the criticisms of the Spanish Franciscan Friars, who challenged the Jesuit and Portuguese monopoly over the mission. In his 'Principio', Valignano set out to persuade his European audience as to the ârightâ interpretation of the present turmoil in the East by calling the past to the witness-stand. This strategy, taken from forensic rhetoric, is the most original feature of his work. The present thesis provides for the first time a 'ritical edition',of a substantial part of his history (ca. 60% or 65000 words),
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