Introduction

The European printing press, brought to Japan in 1590 by the Jesuits, and the subsequent publishing activities over the next quarter-century exemplify the Global Renaissance: the worldwide effects of the European Renaissance.

The Jesuit mission press in Japan has already been extensively studied in fields including bibliography, linguistics, and Japanese literature since the early 20th century. In particular, a notable body of work has focused on the history of printing technology. For example, from around the early 21st century, computer technology has been used to examine the influence of Jesuit mission publications, Korean letterpress printing technology brought to Japan during the Japanese invasions of Korea of 1592-1598, and the letterpress technology that emerged around the same period in Japan, especially in Kyoto. Additionally, textual comparisons between publications by the Jesuit press in Japan and their original sources (i.e. European dictionaries/ grammar books or religious/catechetical books) are increasing in number.

These recent studies, mainly pursued by Japanese scholars, form part of the foundation of recent global history research and illustrate the missionary work conducted by Europeans and Japanese converts, including Japanese laypeople who were accepted into religious orders or received titles like dōjuku (or dojico, auxiliary of missionary that lived in the same residence without taking monastic vows) and kanbō (or kambo, sacristan and lay deputy of missionary).