Bernardo the Japanese
Bernardo the Japanese (鹿児島のベルナルド, Kagoshima no Berunarudo; lit. 'Bernardo of Kagoshima,' died February 1557) was an early Japanese Christian convert of the 16th century, born in Kagoshima, and the first Japanese person to set foot in Europe.[1] Bernardo was one of the first converts of Saint Francis Xavier, and one of his two disciples.[1][2] Bernardo was baptized in 1549.[2] He followed Xavier in Japan and India.[2]
Biography
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Bernardo left Japan for Portuguese India with Xavier in 1551, together with another Japanese person, Mathias, born in Yamaguchi. They arrived in India in February 1552.[1] Mathias died in Goa, however.[3] Bernardo, with Brother Andreas Fernandes,[1] then left for Portugal, where he arrived in 1553, with a letter written by Francis Xavier in Goa, dated April 8, 1552.[2] The objective was for Bernardo "to see the Christian religion in all its majesty", so that he could share his experience back in Japan.[1] In his letter, Xavier also commented that "Japanese intellect [was] as sharp and sensible as any in the world".[1]
Bernardo is thought to have been the first Japanese person to set foot on European soil.[1] In Portugal, Bernardo applied to and entered the Society of Jesus.[2][3] He also studied at the College of Coimbra.[3]
After two years, Bernardo left to visit Rome on July 17, 1554, going through Spain to Barcelona, to take a ship to Naples.[1] He was present in Rome during a period of 10 months. He met with Loyola and probably attended the election of Pope Marcellus II.[1] Bernardo was highly valued, and gave great hope to the Papacy about the prospects of Catholicism in Japan.[1]
Bernardo left Rome on October 23, 1555, and took a ship in Genoa.[1] Bernardo died, however, upon his return to Portugal in February 1557.[2][3]
See also
[edit]- Tenshō embassy (1582)
- William Adams, first Englishman who traveled to Japan (1600)
- Hasekura Tsunenaga, who visited Europe from 1613 to 1620
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Asia in the making of Europe: volume I, the century of discovery Donald Frederick Lach p.672ff
- ^ a b c d e f Remembering Iñigo: Glimpses of the Life of Saint Ignatius of Loyola by A. Eaglestone p.20
- ^ a b c d Goa and Portugal: their cultural links Charles J. Borges, Helmut Feldmann p.103