A Brief Analysis Of Tensho Shonen Delegation To Europe

Crisis coexisted with vitality in the 16th century in Europe. With the further development of the Reformation the force of Anti-Reformation treated spreading Christianityaround the world as a measure against the Reformation. The Age of Discovery, led by Portugal and Spain, not only injected into the vigor for the European economy, but also provided the objective conditions for spreading Christianity around the world to missionaries. Japan was disrupted in The Sengoku period but gradually moving toward unification. So that provided the possibility for missionaries spreading Christianity. Francois Xavier and others came to Japan in 1549, and started to spread Christianity.Cosme de Torres and Francisco Cabraltook charge of the spreading Christianity successively in Japan after Francois Xavier. Alessandro Valignano came to Japan for inspection in 1579, and had adopted a series of rectification measures. That made The Society of Jesus of Japan showing a good momentum of development. At the end of the inspection, He planned on behalf of three Christian daimyo of Kyushu to sentShonen Delegation to Europe.This article is intended to study the background of the Shonen Delegation, the process of planning, the activities in Europe and the experiencesin Japan.The author will based on reception events that the Duke of Braganca, Felipe ? and the Pope held for the Shonen Delegation, analyzeif Alessandro Valignano had achieved thepurpose thatused the Shonen Delegationfor economic assistanceand effect.At the time of The ShonenDelegation return to Japan, Alessandro Valignanoalso plannedThe ShonenDelegationon behalf of ambassadors of theIndia Governor visiting Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Under the surrounding of Japan, the author will have a briefanalysis of the result. At last, the author will through the events of The ShonenDelegation in Japan examine the practical effect in the activities of the Society of Jesus in Japan, and clarify the nature of the The ShonenDelegation.