EpisodeManvale ad Sacramenta Ecclesiae MinistrandaFrom the Kirishitan Bunko Library Collection8Left: The center of the rst page bears the abbreviation IHS, standing for “Iesus Hominum Salvator,” Jesus Savior of Mankind.Right: The quality of the penmanship attests to the remarkable skill of Japanese scribes of the time.For Congregations in Japan:Sacraments in JapaneseThis book was published under the supervision of Bishop Luís de Cerqueira around 1605, as a liturgical text totaling 418 pages. Around 10 copies of the book are said to exist around the world today, but of these the whereabouts are known of only five: Sophia Uni-versity, the Oriental Library, and the British Library have a copy each, while the National Library of China in Beijing holds two.The precious tome is printed in two colors, red and black. The most important parts for conducting cer-emonies are in red. Evenly spaced, straight musical staff notation throughout the book, as well as the so-phisticated etching in red on the inside cover, evince remarkable Japanese thoroughness and skill. It is also surprising that Gregorian chants were notated so early and so far to the East in Japan, given that such quality and style of musical notation only became mainstream in Europe in the 17th century.Moreover, the paper used in the printing of the book is handmade torinoko (hen’s egg) washi of the most il-lustrious grade, which was used only for special, high-value purposes such as in the Imperial Court. This means the color remains vivid to this day.There are 19 Gregorian chants annotated in the volume, with almost all of the music associated with funerals and burial. At the time Christianity arrived in Japan, there was a general abhorrence of the sick and the dead. However, Christian priests, the Kirishitan daimyo Takayama Ukon, and other believers would visit the in-firm and bury the dead, breaching contemporary social norms and thereby making Japanese people aware of the existence of eternal life and heaven. Contributed by Fr. Shinzo Kawamura, S.J. / Fr. Kawamura is a Professor in the Department of History, Faculty of Humanities at Sophia University. He received his doctorate in History from Georgetown University. His research focuses on the history of cultural exchange between Japan and Europe, Kirishitan history, and European Christian history.27Catholic Heritage
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