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A ''seminario'', or Jesuit school for Japanese youths, was established at some point, and from the 1580s until [[1614]] a painting workshop operated on the grounds, training Japanese in European painting techniques, and producing artworks for the Christian churches and missions in Japan. In addition, a chapel was built in [[Kyoto]] in [[1561]], and came to be called by the Japanese [[Nanban-ji]] (lit. "Southern Barbarians Temple"). Missionaries continued their efforts even while suffering persecution, and with the protection of [[Oda Nobunaga]], the number of their followers grew. In [[1576]], several hundred followers, with the support of the ''[[Kyoto shoshidai]]'' [[Murai Sadakatsu]], had the old worship hall rebuilt, and on 7/16 held a mass to celebrate the completion of the new chapel. Nanban-ji was then renamed to also be known as St. Mary's Temple (珊太満利亜上人). However, in [[1587]]/6, after completing his [[Invasion of Kyushu]], [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] issued the first of his Christian Expulsion Edicts, and the oppression of Christians saw a big turn. Nanban-ji was destroyed, and never rebuilt.<ref>Plaques on-site at the former site of Nanban-ji, in Kyoto.</ref>

A ''seminario'', or Jesuit school for Japanese youths, was established at some point, and from the 1580s until [[1614]] a painting workshop operated on the grounds, training Japanese in European painting techniques, and producing artworks for the Christian churches and missions in Japan. In addition, a chapel was built in [[Kyoto]] in [[1561]], and came to be called by the Japanese [[Nanban-ji]] (lit. "Southern Barbarians Temple"). Missionaries continued their efforts even while suffering persecution, and with the protection of [[Oda Nobunaga]], the number of their followers grew. In [[1576]], several hundred followers, with the support of the ''[[Kyoto shoshidai]]'' [[Murai Sadakatsu]], had the old worship hall rebuilt, and on 7/16 held a mass to celebrate the completion of the new chapel. Nanban-ji was then renamed to also be known as St. Mary's Temple (珊太満利亜上人). However, in [[1587]]/6, after completing his [[Invasion of Kyushu]], [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] issued the first of his Christian Expulsion Edicts, and the oppression of Christians saw a big turn. Nanban-ji was destroyed, and never rebuilt.<ref>Plaques on-site at the former site of Nanban-ji, in Kyoto.</ref>

Though the missionaries were expelled in the 1630s, and Christianity banned, many Japanese converts remained as so-called "[[hidden Christians]]" (''kakure Kirishitan''). In addition, a very small number of Jesuit priests did manage to enter Japan; [[Giovanni Battista Sidotti]], for example, met with shogunate advisor & Confucian scholar [[Arai Hakuseki]] in [[1708]].

Though the missionaries were expelled in the 1630s, and Christianity banned, many Japanese converts remained as so-called "[[hidden Christians]]" (''kakure Kirishitan''). At least one Jesuit is known to have snuck into Japan during this period of [[kaikin|maritime restrictions]]: [[Giovanni Battista Sidotti]] entered Japan in [[1708]], was interrogated by Confucian scholar & chief shogunal advisor [[Arai Hakuseki]], and was imprisoned, dying in his cell in [[1714]].

Once the ban on Christianity was lifted, in the [[Bakumatsu Period]], the Jesuit order re-entered Japan, and retains a significant presence today; [[Sophia University]] in Tokyo, a Jesuit institution founded in 1913, is generally regarded as among the top three private universities in the city.

Once the ban on Christianity was lifted, in the [[Bakumatsu Period]], the Jesuit order re-entered Japan, and retains a degree of presence today; [[Sophia University]] in Tokyo, founded in 1913 at the request of the Pope as the first Jesuit university in Japan, is generally regarded as among the top three private universities in the city.

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==Jesuits active in Japan==

==Jesuits active in Japan==

*[[Luis Almeida]]

*[[Francis Xavier]] (1549-1551)<ref>Dates given here are not birth/death dates, but dates of activity in Japan (or China).</ref>

*[[Gaspar Coelho]]

*[[Juan Fernandez|Juan Fernández]] (1549-1567)

*[[Cosme de Torres]]

*[[Cosme de Torres]] (1549-1570)

*[[Juan Fernandez|Juan Fernández]]

*[[Luis Almeida]] (1550s-1560s)

*[[Luis Frois]]

*[[Gaspar Vilela]] (1557-1570)

*[[Giovanni Niccolo]]

*[[Luis Frois]] (1563-1597)

*[[Gnecchi-Soldo Organtino]]

*[[Gnecchi-Soldo Organtino]] (1570-1609)

*[[Giovanni Battista Sidotti]]

*[[Alessandro Valignano]] (1579-?)

*[[Alessandro Valignano]]

*[[Gaspar Coelho]] (c. 1580s)

*[[Gaspar Vilela]]

*[[Giovanni Niccolo]] (1583-?)

*[[Francis Xavier]]

*[[Giovanni Battista Sidotti]] (1708-1714)

===Jesuits active in China===

===Jesuits active in China===

*[[Matteo Ricci]] (1582-1610)

*[[Matteo Ricci]]

*[[Johann Adam Schall von Bell]] (1619-1666)

*[[Johann Adam Schall von Bell]]

==Notable Converts==

==Notable Converts==