午夜剧场

Immediately after publication, I frequently received comments from people who picked up my book saying, "It's a magnificent book." Receiving such praise so soon after publication is not due to the author's skill, but undoubtedly thanks to the front cover.

The cover features the "Nanban Byobu" (Southern Barbarian folding screen) from the collection of the Nanban Bunkakan. The Nanban Bunkakan opened in Nakatsu, Osaka, in 1968, based on the collection of Nanban art that the late Yoshiro Kitamura devoted his life to gathering. Although it is a small museum, it houses many masterpieces of Nanban art. This "Nanban Byobu" is presumed to have been painted by an artist of the Kano school and is currently designated as an Important Cultural Property.

While the fact that this "Nanban Byobu" is a masterpiece was one reason for using it on the cover, the primary reason is that a depiction of the Sacrament of Penance appears to the left of the words "Problems of Conscience" in the title on the front cover. It depicts a Kirishitan samurai confessing to a European priest through a shoji screen. According to President Rumiko Kataoka of Nagasaki Junshin Catholic University, this is the only folding screen that depicts the Sacrament of Penance.

The "Problems of Conscience" in the title is related to the Sacrament of Penance. The Sacrament of Penance is currently referred to as the "Sacrament of Reconciliation." A believer confesses their sins to a priest, and in return, the priest grants them absolution. In this context, the priest is also called a "confessor." The content of the believer's confession involves specific issues regarding ethics in society. It would be clearly inconvenient if different priests gave different answers to a believer's confession. From this need, manuals for confessors were created. Furthermore, in mission territories, problems arose that were not anticipated in the manuals. So, what did believers confess to priests during the Kirishitan era, and how did the priests respond? As the Jesuit mission progressed through India, Japan, and China, changes can be seen according to region and period. This book traces those transitions.

By the way, as an author, I am very happy that the splendid cover is being appreciated. I would like to thank Director Takako Yano of the Nanban Bunkakan for granting permission to use the image. The Nanban Bunkakan is typically open in May and November. If you have the opportunity, I recommend seeing the actual piece.

Masakazu Asami

午夜剧场 Press

324 pages, 5,500 yen (tax included)

*Affiliations and titles are those at the time of publication.