Alessandro Valignano was a Jesuit missionary born in Chieti, back then part of the Kingdom of Naples, who helped supervise the introduction of Catholicism to the Far East, and especially to Japan. Valignano founded the St. Paul's Jesuit college in Macau. He travelled from Goa and visited Japan three times: in 1579 when he stayed three years; in 1590; and in 1598.

Valignano paved the way for a closer relationship between Asian and European peoples by advocating equal treatment of all human beings. He was a great admirer of the Japanese people and envisioned a future when Japan would be one of the leading Christian countries in the world. He famously wrote that the Japanese "excel not only all the other Oriental peoples, they surpass the Europeans as well" (Alessandro Valignano, 1584, "Historia del Principo y Progresso de la Compania de Jesus en las Indias Orientales (1542-64)").

He sent to Europe four Japanese noblemen, led by Mancio Ito. This was the first official envoy from Japan to Europe.... More • http://en.wikipedia. ... _Valignano View • Books • Images • Videos • Search Related • Christians • Founders • China • Enlightenment • Italy • Japan • Jesuits • Macau • Missionaries • Religion • Renaissance • 16th Century • 17th Century • People