日本人キリスト者三浦襄の「南方関与」 : 信徒のキリスト教受容に関する一考察 (<特集>近代日本の南方関与)

Abstract

Christianity in Japan was accepted not only by some intellectuals but by a large number of ordinary people, who played a significant role in the life of the church. An analysis of the acceptance of the Christian faith by these people is very important in the study of the history of the Japanese church. In this thesis the author attempts such an analysis. It is a case study of Jo Miura, who, during the time of the modernization and military aggression of Japan, lived most of his life in Indonesia after moving Southward (Nanshin), cooperating with the Japanese military occupation in the Second World War, recognizing the validity of the independence movement in Indonesia and finally taking his own life immediately after the war. Miura was born the son of a Christian pastor. After dropping out of Meiji Gakuin, he joined Nanyo Shokai, an export firm, and traveled to the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia. He eventually settled on the island of Bali, winning the trust of the local people. During the war he cooperated with the Japanese military occupation as a civilian but at the same time strongly identified himself with the independence movement in Indonesia. The day of his death, September 7, 1945, was the day scheduled for independence. The thesis follows the story of his life, focusing on his philosophy of life and the meaning of Christianity for him.