The Catholic Reformation and Japanese Hidden Christians: Books as Historical Ties

The Jesuit Mission Press and its products in early modern Japan have contributed much to our understanding of how the Jesuits tried to introduce Christianity. How did Japanese novices and believers use the printed materials? One can get a good idea by analyzing the variety of adaptations of manuscripts produced by local believers from books rediscovered after being hidden for centuries by clandestine believers. Without the guidance of clergymen, some transcribed or summarized the full originals, others added and changed some words and phrases, combining important parts of more than one original, etc. They were unique adaptations of Jesuit publications for local believers to maintain their Christian practice without the guidance of clergymen that was considered indispensable among Tridentines.