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Christian Daimyo (Feudal Lord) |
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| In the middle of
the 16th century, the Otomo Family ruled over the international
city of Oita (called Funai at that time), which actively
traded and held exchanges with foreign countries, and
it enjoyed its most prosperous times during the days of
the 20th Lord Yoshiaki , 21st Sorin (Yoshishige), and
22nd Yoshimune. In particular, Sorin (1530- 1587) invited
the Christian missionary Francisco Xavier to Oita, and
protected and encouraged Christianity. He also embraced
Western culture enthusiastically. After being baptized,
he called himself "Don Francisco", and dreamt
of establishing a Christian kingdom, however, he died
in Tsukumi without fulfilling his dream. Another person
who endorsed the development of Christianity in Oita was
Father Petoro Kasui Kibe (1587-1639). Though he had traveled
to Rome via the Holy Land of Jerusalem and was appointed
as a Bishop, he came back to Japan while there was a serious
ban on Christianity. He was finally caught and executed.
His birthplace, Kunimi Town holds an annual Petoro Kibe
Festival. |
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Three Wisemen of Bungo*: Baien, Banri, and
Tanso |
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Oita is proud of
having three wisemen represent modern Oita ; MIURA Baien
(1723-1789), HOASHI Banri (1778- 1852), and HIROSE Tanso
(1782-1856). "Baien" was really named "Susumu"
and "Baien" was actually the name of his private
school.
After he had studied under AYABE Keisai in Kitsuki and
FUJITA Keisho in Nakatsu for a short period of time, he
taught and established his own science of "jori",
and also worked at a hospital in his birthplace of Tominaga
Village (Aki Town). He left many works such as "Gengo
(Deep Words)", "Zeigo (Redundant Words)"
and "Kango (Bold Words)" which were known as
Baien's Three "Go (words)". He also had goodknowledge
of astronomy and his hand-made astronomical globe was
passed down the generations. Keisai's son, who was 11
years younger than Baien, and an astronomer and anatomist
called ASADA Goryu, was also one of the Baien's disciples
in astronomy.
HOASHI Banri learned under WAKI Ranshitsu (1764-1811)
who was a disciple of Baien. Banri brought his ability
into full play in natural science and medical science,
not to mention Confucianism, and was appointed as a Minister
for the Feudal Lord in 1832 to revive the financial situation
of the Hiji clan. He learned Dutch by himself and wrote
Japan's first books of natural science, "Kyuritsu"(a
set of 8 volumes). Later in life, he opened the private
school "Seienshoja" and produced many talented
disciples such as MORI Kuso (1797-1884), MERA Tokyo (1811-1871),
and OKAMATSU Okoku (1820- 1895 ) .
A Confucian scholar and Chinese poet HIROSE Tanso was
born as the first son of a banker in Hita. Since he was
sickly, he handed over the family business to his younger
brother Kyube (1790-1871) and devoted himself to study.
He established the private school Keirinen in 1807, but
lately it was moved and renamed as Kangien. His unique
educational principles were found in "Sandatsu-no
Ho" and "Gettan Hyo". "Sandatsu-no
Ho" was the principle of Kangien-that is to dissociate
the 3 major personal backgrounds of the disciples with
the disciples themselves; that is, age, educational background,
and status. Furthermore, their monthly school results
were announced in the form of "Getten Hyo" to
encourage them. Gradually, disciples started to gather
from all over Japan to reach to more than 3,000 from 62
domains by the end of Edo period. Though his youngest
brother Kyokuso (1807-1863) had been also a Confucian
scholar and Chinese poet and was once in charge of the
administration of Kangien, he moved to the Kinai area
for his own work.
*Bungo : Oita Prefecture's ancient name |
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OTOMO Sorin
Petoro Kasui Kibe
MIURA Baien
MIURA Baien's Old Residence (Aki Town)
HIROSE Tanso
HOASHI Banri
Kangien School (Hita City)
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