Cooper (S.J., Michael). RODRIGUES the Interpreter. New York. 1974.

Cooper (S.J., Michael). RODRIGUES the Interpreter. New York. 1974.
Cooper (S.J., Michael)
RODRIGUES the Interpreter. An Early Jesuit in Japan and China. New York: Weatherhill, 1974.

416 pp.: il.; 240 mm.

Study around the life and work of João Rodrigues, the Portuguese Jesuit priest. Few men have lived a life as adventurous as João Rodrigues. During the 56 years that he remained between Japan and China, he gained the friendship of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu - two of the three Japanese leaders designated as 'Unifiers of Japan' - he played an active role in the silk trade between China and Japan and for some years he became the most influential European in the city of Nagasaki and, in a way, in all of Japan. He wrote several works, notably a study of Japanese grammar called 'Arte da Lingoa de Iapam', published in 1604, which includes a vast literary record dedicated to Japanese culture. Rodrigues traveled throughout China, was involved in the rite controversy, conducted official business on behalf of Macao, and took part in the conflict between the Ming and the Manchu invaders. Interesting.