The many-sided story of Japanese Christianity.--One hundred years of intercourse between Japan and Europe.--State of Japan at the introduction of Portuguese Christianity.--Xavier and Anjiro.--Xavier at Kiōto and in Bungo.--Nobunaga and the Buddhists.--High-water mark of Christianity.--Hideyoshi and the invasion of Korea.--Kato and Konishi.--Persecutions.--Arrival of the Spanish friars.--Their violation of good faith.--Spirit of the Jesuits and Franciscans.--Crucifixion on the bamboo cross.--Hidéyori.--Kato Kiyomasa.--The Dutch in the Eastern seas.--Will Adams.--Iyéyasŭ suspects designs against the sovereignty of Japan.--The Christian religion outlawed.--Hidétada follows up the policy of Iyéyasŭ, excludes aliens, and shuts up the country.--The uprising of the Christians at Shimabara in 1637.--Christianity buried from sight.--Character of the missionaries and the form of the faith introduced by them.--Noble lives and ideals.--The spirit of the Inquisition in Japan.--Political animus and complexion. CHAPTER XII TWO CENTURIES OF SILENCE, PAGE 351 Policy of the Japanese government after the suppression of Christianity.--Insulation of Japan.--The Hollanders at Déshima.--Withdrawal of the English.--Relations with Korea.--Policy of inclusion.--"A society impervious to foreign ideas."--Life within stunted limits.--Canons of art and literature.--Philosophy made an engine of government.--Esoteric law.--Social waste of humanity.--Attempts to break down the wall--External and internal.--Seekers after God.--The goal of the pilgrims.--The Déshima Dutchman as pictured by enemies and rivals, _versus_ reality and truth.--Eager spirits groping after God.--Morning stars of the Japanese reformation.--Yokoi Héishiro.--The anti-Christian edicts.--The Buddhist Inquisitors.--The Shin-gaku or New Learning movement.--The story of nineteenth century Christianity, subterranean and interior before being phenomenal.--Sabbath-day service on the U.S.S. Mississippi.--The first missionaries.--Dr. J.C. Hepburn--Healing and the Bible.--Yedo becomes Tōkiō.--Despatch of the Embassy round the world.--Eyes opened.--The Acts of the Apostles in Japan. NOTES, AUTHORITIES AND ILLUSTRATIONS, PAGE 375 INDEX, PAGE 451 CHAPTER I - PRIMITIVE FAITH: RELIGION BEFORE BOOKS "The investigation of the beginnings of a religion is never the work of infidels, but of the most reverent and conscientious minds." "We, the forty million souls of Japan, standing firmly and persistently upon the basis of international justice, await still further manifestations as to the morality of Christianity,"--Hiraii, of Japan. "When the Creator [through intermediaries that were apparently animals] had finished treating this world of men, the good and the bad Gods were all mixed together promiscuously, and began disputing for the possession of this world."--The Aino Story of the Creation.