A Christian Samurai

William J. Farge, SJ is associate professor of languages at Loyola University, New Orleans, USA.

" an impressive and well-reasoned study that could profoundly affect the religious and literary historiography of Tokugawa Japan. It is recommended for academic libraries collecting in East Asian history."--Hans Rasmussen, Catholic Library World "William J. Farge, SJ, aims to overthrow this near-universal consensus in one daring ronin charge with his splendid new book, A Christian Samurai: The Trials of Baba Bunko no one, in my estimation, as succeeded half as brilliantly as Farge in understanding the fullness of life under Tokugawa rule... he has marshalled all of his facts into a very accessible volume.... is the best book on Japan that has been published last year, by far. It is, in my estimation, one of the best books on Japan, period. I recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone interested in Christian history, in Tokugawa history more narrowly, or to those who simply enjoy good scholarship for its own sake. It is hoped that this will be merely the first in a long line of works on the Christian samurai who has been defying conventional wisdom for nearly three hundred years."--Jason Morgan, The University Bookman "This book therefore addresses a much-needed but hitherto overlooked topic in English-language scholarship the translations and the spotlight they place on the role of the kodanshi are welcome contributions to scholarship on the topic."--Jan Leuchtenberger, University of Puget Sound, Journal of Jesuit Studies "It is clear this is a ground-breaking work, whose arguments, even if only in there moderate form, should be heeded by those working in the field."--James Fujitani, Azusa Pacific University, Journal of Ecclesiastical History "This is a major contribution to our understanding of the Tokugawa Period. Farge has crafted an insightful and meticulously researched study of Baba Bunko, an individual largely ignored by English-language scholarship on Japanese history. More than a mere biography, Farge contextualizes Bunko's life and writings within the politics and culture of eighteenth-century Japan, convincingly arguing that Bunko was an adherent of Catholicism and offering a fascinating picture of the state of Christianity. Farge's most striking assertion is that Christianity did not die in Japan as a result of bans instituted in the sixteenth century, but continued to have real spiritual, cultural, and intellectual influence. This is a must-read for historians of early modern Japan and Asia! -"--Terrence Jackson, author of Network of Knowledge: Western Science and the Tokugawa Information Revolution "A Christian Samurai is a well-researched, well-crafted exploration of an area that has been largely neglected--the existence of Christians in the Tokugawa period when they were assumed to have virtually disappeared from Japan. Farge's discoveries about the samurai, Baba Bunko, and his interpretations of Bunko's writings pose a real challenge to the existing scholarship on the period and open the door to a reinterpretation of our historical understanding. This book is an excellent resource and fascinating read for anyone interested in Japanese history, Asian studies, or the history of Christianity. -"--J. Colleen Berry, University of Colorado, Boulder