5. First Missionaries in Japan and the Samurai
When Jesuit missionaries arrived in 16th-century Japan, they observed the samurai’s discipline and rituals and likened them to familiar concepts of Christian chivalry. However, this interpretation ignored the uniquely Japanese roots of bushido, the code shaping samurai life.
By oversimplifying bushido, missionaries sparked cultural friction and misunderstandings that complicated their efforts. This episode, as explored in Britannica’s insight on bushido, highlights how projecting foreign values can distort rich local traditions.
