East vs. West: Cultural Clash

The conflict between Japanese culture and Western Christianity.

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Language and Concepts

Language and Concepts The Dainichi Confusion Xavier's interpreter confused Deus with Dainichi, the Great Sun. The Japanese naturally assimilated the foreign God into their own worldview. Ferreira's Insight Ferreira argued that the Japanese had never understood the Christian God. They created a distorted version. Significance

The Interpreter's Argument

The Interpreter's Argument The Buddhist View The interpreter, a former seminarian, debated with Rodrigues. He argued that Buddhism had equally valid concepts. He accused the priests of forcing a foreign religion. Rodrigues' Defense Rodrigues insisted on the universality of truth. But the cultural gap was vast. Significance

From Xavier onwards

During Rodrigues' interrogation, 1638