The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-07
A CHAPTER OF MEDIAEVAL HISTORY.
Full Account Of the japanese Embassy to Pope
Gregory XIII. in the Sixteenth Century.

The Ceremony Of Recsption-Great but Transient
Success Of the Jesuit Mision-Letter Of
Homage from the Emperor Of Japan
and tho Pope's Reply.
the presence In Washington OF the Japanese En-
bassy may properly be considered among the I'M
portant events OF the century. 1t highly crafty
ing that It's members should first present their
credentials to The government OF the United States
before Offering themselves to the other friendly
Powers to whom they are accredited. The honor
and distinction with which these gentlemen will be
treated during their s0journ In TINS country Will be
all that Is properly due and suitably rendered. 1t Is
now nearly three hundred years ago that an en-
bassy was sent from Japan to Pope Gregory Kill
to offer homage to him the head OF the Christian
Church. Since that time Japan, having adopted the
principle OF Isolation. Its government has refrained
| from sending Ministers abroad. In the history of
the empire the present Embassy is the second that
has ever left the country. Some particulars OF the
vsiG OF the Jour young princes with their attendants
to Portugal, Spain and Rome In 1885 hardly fail
to possess degree OF interest ut the present mo-
ment, when the highest Japanese officials are in
| our midst as diplomatic representatives OF their
country.
| MISSIONARY LABORs.
The HERALD Of the LIST instant gave an elaborate
! and carefully prepared account Of The past and
present of Japan ana some particulars OF the per.
sonnet OF the Embassy. ST. Francis Xavier, the
apostle OF the Indies renewed in Japan the wonders
OF the apostolic age and exhibited in his own per.
son living proof Of Christianity. new world ap-
| peared to be converted bv his preaching, and from
| the time he landed In the empire H549l until his
death he laDored assiduousy and successfully among
the natives In 1857 all missionaries were banis he'd
and q terrible persecution OF Christians followed.
| About TWO millions OF the people had openly pro.
fessed Christianity. The followers OF the new doc
trine took no pains to pacify the government. but
defed and began to overthrow the idols. This led
to further and more crushing prosecutions. Tho
native Christians endured all with heroic courage
and refused all inducements to make recantation.
In 1887 an attempt was made to overthrow the gov
ernment, and at this juncture an edlct was issued
(glven below panshinS Europeans from the EN-.
pire and prohibiting Japanese vessels from leaving
the country.
EMBASSY TO ROME.
Before these events took place the number OF con-
verts was almost Uncomfortable. The Princes OF
Anima, Blngo ana Omura openly espoused the In
terests or Christianity and were baptized Father
Alexander Malignant. Visitor General OF the Jesuit
Missions established in Ghe East Indies, came In
that capacity to inspect the establishments of the
Order In that quarter OF the world. 1t was deter
mined soon after to send Embassy to the Pope,
Christendom. For this purpose four young noble
men oil royal blood were selected. This constituted
the first Embassy ever sent by Japan to o Western
Power. and was considered at the time an event of
the greatest consequence The second Embassy
now IN the United States Is more numerous, ana
perhaps charged with more important duties; but
In the sixteenth century, when trade with the East
Indies was regarded as the broadcast and easiest
road to fortune all that pertaned to that part of
n will baOr
The amDassa doris were attended by two councillors
OF mature years-men who had attained distinction
In learning and knowledge OF tue outside world.
ARRIVAL IN EUROPE.
They sailed from Nagasakl February 20. 1882, &C
cOmpanled by Father Malignant, on q Portuguese
s e o
sage they arrived at Macao but were Obliged to
taking passage for Maiacca nad passed. When at
length the Embassy renewed their Journey they en-
acca passing as they entered the harbor the wreck
Oh richly ireighted snip that had sailed In COM
they arrived at Goa, where the Viceroy OF the
Indies furnished the Embassy with good Ship in
which they had a favorable passage round the Cape
1854. It Is not unworthy 10. o. notice that
sas The e
way to Rome has also encountered storms and de-
tentions. The snow blockade on the Pacific Railroad
caused the Japanese TO halt several weeks at Salt
Lake, IN something like similar way as In 1882 the
young princes were compelled to remain OF Macao.
ingtOn, ana the objects OF special attention, II Will
not be entirely without advantage to observe how
the first Embassy was received IN Europe nearly
three hundred years ago.
ESCAPE FROM PIRATES.
Four years before their arrival Portugal had
passed under the rule Of Pnilip IL, who mad then
united on his head the crowns or both the East and
West indies, and to HIM these ambassadors were
charged with friendly messages. The Viceroy Of
Portugal received them at Lisbon with every o. ten
ton. At Madrid Philip IL. himself accorded them
hearty welcome, accompanied with every marx Of
distinction Having traversed Spain they embarked
at Alicante but were driven by storm Into the
island of MaOrca thereby escaping an Algerine fleet
and Turkish squadron, both OF which were crus-
ing In the neiehbornood. Sailing thence they
landed at Legnoru, and soon reached Rome, March
20. 1856.
RECEPTION AT ROME
Aquivva, General OF The Jesults Fourth successor
OF ST. Francis L0yola) was very pressing the
Pope for reception without display; but Gregory
M ne same ~no reiom e%a tae naa
Church and OF the Holy see required different
course. Tue ambassadors were met at .viterbo by
city by long cavacade OF Roman MOBILES They
were met az the gate by the Senate and the magis-
trates. The streets were crOwded with people, and
the strangers greeted with deafenlng shouts.
AS they aIigned from their carriages they were
Quoted TO the Gesu church, where q "Te Deum'
DRESS AND APPEARANCE OF THE PRINCES.
The next day a magnificent procession was
formed headed by the light horse and followed by
the Popes SWISS Guard, officers OF the Cardinals.
princes, the whole Roman nobility on horseback,
pages and officers or ambassadors, with trumpets
anu cymDalS, cHuNDcrIdIuS OF the rope ana
officers OF the palace in red robes. Then followed
The Japanese ambassadors on horseback, in ma.
uonal Dress consisting oil three siken gov ms Of q
light FABRIC, one over The other OF white ground,
spendidy embroidered with fruits, leaves and BIRDS
In tneir circles they wore two swords symbols OF
Japanese gentility. Their heads were shaver, ex.
cept hair around ears and neck whre the nair
was gathered into a cue bent upwards, but had no
covering. Their features were hardly less diverse
IRON the European standard than their dress; yet
the whole expression OF air and manners were
modest and am1able, but with a conscious sentl-
ment OF nobility The Prince OF Fiunga came first
between two arcnbishops; Prince Armira followed,
between two bishops. Inc commissioners, VINO also
rode on horseback were suitably attended. A great
number OF nchiy dressed c0urtiers closed the pro-
cession. As The ambassadors crossed the bridge OF
ST. AngeO all the cannon OF the castle were nred to
which those OF the Vatican responded. This was
the signal for all the bands 10 strike up. They
III A.< oao.I