One of the greatest Russian orthodox devotees of XIX century, sacred ravnoapostolnyj archbishop Japanese Nikolay (Kasatkin; 1836—1912) has brought Orthodoxy to Japan and by that has opened the new chapter(head) in history of orthodox spiritual culture. Римо-Catholicism got into Japan from the south, protestantizm — through its(her) central areas. Prelate Nikolay has begun the works in Hakodate, on the most northern island of Japan — Hokkaido, in June, 1861. Its(his) works and works of its(his) nearest pupils Orthodoxy has very quickly extended in Japan. pomestnaya the Church founded by prelate Nikolay on the Japanese islands, in 1970 has been recognized Independent and full in family of world(global) Orthodoxy.
The history of Japanese Orthodoxy can be divided(undressed) into three periods: the epoch of prelate Nikolay proceeded during all period "Mejdzi"; the period of metropolitan Sergiya covering the periods "Tajso" and the beginning "SHova" down to the end of the second world war; and, at last, the post-war period and a modern life of Independent Japanese Orthodox Church. Besides the basis of the Most Japanese Church prelate Nikolay has rendered the big influence on the Japanese society. Its(his) activity is an ornament of culture of the period "Mejdzi".
I
The reference(manipulation) of Japanese in Orthodoxy goes back to remote times. The first in Japan victims of ship-wreck were orthodox. Victims have appeared on Aleutian islands and on Kamchatka. The dealer from Osaka by name Senpej has not come back to Japan. After ship-wreck in 1695 it(he) proputeshestvoval from Kamchatka up to the European part of Russia, in 1702 has met Peter the Great and taught the Japanese language in Petersburg. In 1710, under Peter's recommendation, it(he) , was christened under Gabriel's name. Is more well-known there was cast-away Japanese Koditsu Dajkoku about whom are written detailed research the Cameo to short story YAsusi Inoue " Sober representation about Russia ".
The person who can be named the forerunner of Orthodoxy in Japan, was diplomat Joseph Antonovich Goshkevich (1814—1875). As the consul of Russia it(he) has arrived to Hakodate per 1858. Having ended(stopped) the Petersburg Spiritual Academy, it(he) conducted researches of China in connection with missionary work in Pekin. Later, moving ahead on service, Goshkevich accompanied with admiral Pushkin when that has been directed. To Japan for signing the русско-Japanese contract. Goshkevich has addressed to the Most holy Synod with the request to direct the priest in KHakodatskoe consulate. It(he) warmly welcomed there young missionary Nikolay Kasatkin. Willows. Vasilyevich Mokhov who has arrived with Goshkevichem as the first priest at consulate, was the predecessor of prelate Nikolay. During the stay in Japan it(he) has published " the Russian Abc-book for the Japanese children ".
We know about early years of a life of prelate Nikolay, that it(he) was the second son diakona Dmitry Ivanovicha Kasatkin and was born on August, 22nd, 1836 in village of the Birch of Belsky of district of Smolensk province. Having ended(stopped) an initial rate of seminary, in 1857 it(he) has acted(arrived) in the Petersburg Spiritual Academy with the governmental grant. Nikolay's first data on the Far East, possibly, have been received by it(him) from ieromonakha Isaji which served at the Chinese mission in Pekin and were the schoolmate of one of Nikolay's teachers in seminary. Acquaintance to work Gorvinina " the Diary of the Japanese prison ", obviously, also has predetermined its(his) determination when in Academies about purpose(assignment,destination) of the priest speech has come into Hakodate. In July, 1860 ieromonakh Nikolay has crossed Siberia on horses, has reached(achieved) Irkutsk in the end of August and Nikolaevsk in the end of September. It(he) has lead the remained part of year there together with the well-known Siberian missionary (later metropolitan Moscow) bishop Innokentiem and on July, 2nd, 1861 has arrived to Hakodate.
II
Arrival of prelate Nikolay in Japan has coincided with last days the period "Tokugava". Orthodox evangelizatsiya was then here it is inconceivable. That was the period of national isolation before a dawn of new Japan. Nikolay wrote subsequently in clause(article) " Japan in missionary prospect ":
" Having arrived to Japan as the priest at consulate and having worked here eight years, I studied(investigated) the Japanese history, religion and national character. I wished to define(determine), in what measure osushchestvimo education of Japan by light of the Gospel. Having deepened the knowledge of this country, I was gradually convinced, that soon words of the Gospel will clearly begin to sound here and is quickly got into all parts of this empire " (the Russian bulletin, 1869, №9).
It is quite probable, that this clause(article) was read through by F.Dostoevsky as it(she) is mentioned in its(his) letter from June, 3rd, 1869. Prelate Nikolay always excitedly read Dostoevsky's products that appears from its(his) letters and books of the writer with its(his) pencil marks. When it(he) per 1880 has arrived to Petersburg for episcopal khirotonii, on June, 11th the same year it(he) was visited(attended) by Dostoevsky.
As soon as prelate Nikolay has arrived to Hakodate, it(he) began to study(investigate) the Japanese language and a life of Japanese people, and also to teach Russian that has been officially approved(confirmed). Nikolay's many pupils have held subsequently high governmental posts (for example, Michitome KHigasikuse, 1833—1912). First pupil Nikolay who became orthodox, was Takuma Savabe, the Samurai and priest sinto. Believing, that the orthodox belief is threat to well-being of Japan, it(he) once has come to Russian consulate with intention to kill father Nikolay, but, having listened to its(his) lecture, has addressed. Among other pupils of prelate was and Dzho Niidzma (1843 — 1890) which subsequently has visited(attended) America and became there the Christian-Protestant. Having come back to Japan, it(he) has based(founded,established) university Dosisa known nowadays in Kyoto and " Hakodate Kronikl " as about the person " conceiving and really useful " responded about prelate Nikolay in the newspaper.
III
Believing, that with the beginning of the period "Mejdzi" favorable time for evangelizatsii Japan has come, father Nikolay in 1869 has left to Russia to found a missionary society, has been erected in a dignity of archimandrite and became the chapter(head) of mission. Having come back to Hakodate in 1871, it(he) has brought with itself(himself) the lithographic machine(car) and by means of students katekhizicheskoj schools printed the lectures, prayer books and other materials. It was the first Christian literature in Japan. Icons were made also by lithographic way, they can and be seen to this day above imperial vratami in temples of Kushiro, Takasaki and YAnajbara As for the lack of Nikolay it was necessary to use these materials for theological studying, the group of its(his) pupils — Takuma Savabe, Tokurej Sakaj and Daizo Urano — began to study(investigate) independently церковно-slavic language. From Hakodate Orthodoxy has extended up to northeast Sendai which became its(his) center. In 1872 prelate Nikolay has left(abandoned) Hakodate, having left there archimandrite Anatoly (Sneezing), and has directed to Tokyo where has stopped in hotel Tsukidzi. Temple Zodzodzi with which prior it(he) has got acquainted, became its(his) second house.
Soon after arrival in Tokyo Nikolay has received the offer of Minister for Foreign Affairs Soedzima to open school of Russian, but has refused this offer. Emperor Mejdzi which translator Nikolay was during visit to Japan tsar Alexander II in 1872, also has become interested in Nikolay. Nikolay trained in Russian of sons column KHidemaru and Minister for Foreign Affairs Soedzima. For katekhizicheskikh lectures it(he) has removed(has taken off) a premise(room) near hotels Tsukidzi. At this time many young men wished to study(investigate) Russian and when in 1872 the hotel has burned down, Nikolay has moved to district Irifune where also has opened school of Russian. The suitable place has been found in September of the same year in area Surugadaj for church. Nikolay has bought(purchased) former building Toda and has lodged in it(him). On this place costs(stands) now Voskresensky a temple (Nikolay-up to). Gradually the school of Russian with lectures on Orthodoxy has moved in Surugadaj. However a number(line) had been opened(open) competing school which has involved many students who are was interested(are interested) more by language, than by religion.
The school of prelate Nikolay became katekhizicheskim institute with theological researches in Russian. On the basis of this school there was a Tokyo Orthodox Seminary. Among students who studied at Nikolay during its(his) stay in TSukidzi, was a lot of such which have made the brilliant contribution to culture "Mejdzi". Among them was Josibumi Kurono which did not know in Japan, but it(he) became subsequently the known professor of the Petersburg university and trained the future rector of the Moscow university Nikolay Nevskogo, and also Yeliseyev and Ramminga which have put in pawn bases yaponologii in the Europe and in America. Kurono has published a popular русско-Japanese phrase book and other manuals for the students studying(investigating) the Japanese language.
Among pupils of prelate Nikolay were also the author of the best seller " Gangster history Tokaya " Goro Amada and Takusaburo Goro which named " the eternal selector ". It(he) was the author of the constitution of emperor Mejdzi. Has addressed in Orthodoxy and student Kentaro Oh, succeeded in due course in political career. Student Kensuse Ando taught one time at the Petersburg university, then became mayor Iokogamy. Nozomu Nakagava — the governor of Osaka, and KHichisaburo KHirao - minister of education. All these(it) and many other things students of prelate Nikolay were very active on the Japanese political arena during that epoch.
IV
Prelate Nikolay has been imposed in bishop in March, 1880. After returning to Japan in October of the same year it(he) has vigorously started realization svooej the new program of orthodox mission. Phases of this program assumed construction Voskresenskogo of a cathedral to Tokyo, expansion of publishing and development of seminar programs.
Construction Voskresenskogo of a cathedral has begun in March, 1884 and has come to the end with its(his) consecration on March, 8th, 1891. Seven years were prolonged civil work as a result of which in Tokyo there was a cathedral unprecedented in the East of beauty and greatness. Unfortunately, earthquake of 1923 has destroyed its(his) belltower and a dome, and the building has burned down. Since 1927 for 1929 metropolitan Sergy has restored a cathedral in its(his) present form. Today the cathedral is surrounded by multi-storey houses, and its(his) sizes not so are appreciable, how before. During "Mejdzi" it(he) suppressed surrounding buildings and, dominating over area Surugadaj, was visible in Tokyo from everywhere.
During "Mejdzi" a cathedral loved, about it(him) it was spoken in poems and songs, it(he) was a theme for art creativity. In imagination of people it(he) was a symbol of christianity, its(his) greater(big) belltower as if(as) would call Japan for a new era. Solemn fulfilment the liturgies painted by frescos of a wall, church chanting of chorus of men and women were known to all Tokyo. The chorus consisted of seminarists. Them antifonnoe singing created impressing musical effect. The liturgy in a cathedral involved fans(amateurs) of music. The professor of philosophy of Tokyo university Rafael Kele repeatedly drove the students on divine services. Students of Tokyo musical academy " Уэно " were present behind divine services almost kazh:: Sunday. Chorus Russian professors of choral music Jacob Chikhaj and Dimitry Lvov, and later Japanese musicians Kozaburo Okhira, Dzukuchi Tokajrin, Rokuro Nakadzima and Jokhinosin originally headed the Pussycat.
Jokhinosin the Pussycat, studied in the Petersburg conservatory on a class of a violin, it is known for introduction of this tool in musical culture of Japan. Since 1893 it(he) fifty years has worked regent of cathedral chorus. Without exaggeration it is possible to tell, that chorus Voskresenskogo of a cathedral has played the important role in development of music in Japan. And not only the cathedral, but the Tokyo Orthodox Seminary and katekhizicheskaya school also were appreciable during "Mejdzi". Their pupils have affected(influenced) all spheres of the Japanese culture.
V
Training in the Tokyo Orthodox Seminary has been calculated on seven years. The seminary accepted students who had an elementary education and were in the age of 15 — 16 years. The seminary has opened in 1874 and used the Japanese language for teaching the Japanese history, mathematics, the literature and classical researches across China. Russian texts were used for teaching Shabby and New Precepts, dogma, church history, the world geography and history, logic, liturgics, gomiletiki, physicists(physics), psychologies, apologetiki, regular divinity, the initial right, philosophy, church music and other disciplines. The first graduates (1882) were Tokudziro Avano and Tosiro Matsui. Because of tuberculosis Avano could not continue the formation(education) in Russia and has remained the teacher of the Tokyo Orthodox Seminary. Matsui has gone to Russia, on May, 21st, 1882 it(he) has arrived to the Petersburg Spiritual Academy, but soon was ill and has died. Its(His) book " True orthodox belief " has been published in 1889. The following have received formation(education) in Russia Michiro Mitsuo and KHejkichi Ivasava. Mitsuo became the priest and the known expert on Russian. It(he) was the person of deep belief and was reputable as inside, and outside the Japanese Church. Ivasava after returning to Japan became the professor of the Tokyo Orthodox Seminary, and also taught Russian at Army university and Officer school. In 1888 together with the priest at Russian consulate father Sergiem Glebov has created the Japanese Russian textbook known under the name " Glebov's Russian grammar ".
The third group of the seminarists who have gone Russia, consisted from TSuyanosuke KHiguchi, Kakusaburo Senuma and Sizuka Sajkajsi. KHiguchi subsequently has played the important role in negotiations about the Sakhalin border with Russia. Senuma all over again has been measured(going) to study(investigate) in Russia medicine, but then began to be engaged in divinity. Later it(he) became well-known as the expert on a life and L.Tolstogo's creativity and was the rector of the Tokyo Orthodox Seminary. Its(his) reference(manipulation) in Orthodoxy took place after hearing sermons of prelate Nikolay. Movable by its(his) words, Senuma and three its(his) friends have overcome resistance of relatives, have left(abandoned) the houses and have acted(arrived) in the Tokyo Orthodox Seminary. Senuma the first has translated into the Japanese language the novel "Anna Karenina". It(he) has written many books about Russian, and in 1895 even had an opportunity to meet archpriest John Sergeevym in Kronshtadskom a cathedral where heard to its(his) critic of spiritual arrogance Thick. Wife Senuma Kajo (nee YAmada) also became the known translator of the Russian literature. In 1908 there was its(her) book " Chekhov's Works ".
Per 1887 for training to Russia have gone Masutaro Konisi, Ichiro Isigame and Kejzo Minamoto, and year later — Sogoro Sodzi and Kimura YUkida.
Masutaro Konisi it was trained in the Kiev Theological seminary and once has got acquainted with L.Tolstym (under its(his) recommendations that in 1895 has translated(transferred) " Dao de Dzin " lao-цзы by comparison of English, German and French translations(transfers) of this book). In 1948 Konisi recollected the acquaintance to the writer in the book " Speaking with Thick ".
Among Japanese students trained in Russia it is necessary to mention and Iosikharro Sato. It(him) recollects M. Bitter in the book " My universities ". Sato, studied since 1884 in the Kazan Theological seminary, taught then in the Tokyo Orthodox Seminary, served as the military translator during the русско-Japanese war, was ill at the front and has died in 1904.
In the Tokyo Orthodox Seminary there was also one more student who did not study in Russia, but nevertheless has acquainted Japan with the Russian literature. To catfish Noboru, which present(true) name — Naotaka (1878 — 1957), it is known intelligency of the USSR and in the Japanese intellectual world. It(him) magisterskaya work " the Russian and Soviet literature " was a fruit of many years of researches, for it(her) it(he) was nagrazhden the premium of the Japanese Academy of Arts and premium Jomiuri for literary works. Noboru was born on island Namami, and has grown in a southern part of the city of Kagesima where it(he) visited(attended) an orthodox temple and it was christened. After seven years of training in the Tokyo Orthodox Seminary it(he) taught in it(her) psychology and logic, and then worked at Military school and in Officer academy, in newspapers "Asakhi" and "Majnichi", in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and in National research institute, at the Japanese university and university " Васеда ". In 1946 it(he) became the main instructor of school of Russian at Nikolay-up to. Owing to the biography of N.Gogol published in orthodox youth body " Commission " created by it(him), this great Russian writer became widely known in Japan.
Many last all curriculum, but the graduates who have not become(begun) by priests of the Tokyo Orthodox Seminary worked in local temples katekhizatorami and teachers of language. Among them was Sejchi Aoki, become subsequently a member of parliament and vice-Minister of Agriculture and wood ugody. It(he) has died of the wounds received during an air strike right at the end of the second world war.
Katekhizatory which worked during "Mejdzi" in different rural arrivals, very often appeared the most competent people in the cities, and their pupils became the most cultural people of the period "Mejdzi". Trade-union leader Bundzi of a Suzuka (1885—1946) has accepted a christening from katekhizatora Ilya Nakagava in the city of Kanari (northern prefecture Miyagi). Katekhizator Vissarion Takabasi (later — the priest in Kyoto) had many celebrated personalities of a country town of Kumamoto among the pupils. With development of studying of rural history of Japan achievements orthodox katekhizatorov became obvious, no less than in general influence of orthodox spiritual culture on a life in rural areas of Japan.
This influence can be noted and in social sphere. The first children's shelter in Japan was shelter Ikusejen in Tokyo. It(he) has been opened(open) in 1896 at participation of prelate Nikolay and developed owing to works Feodora Kitagava (1856—1938). The female seminary has given Japan such figures in social sphere, as Katagava and Kajo Senuma. It was, when the idea of formation(education) of women was represented by an innovation. Besides prelate Nikolay dreamed of the Japanese school of painting of icons. Has directed Rin YAmasitu and KHideko Oi from female seminary to study in painting of icons to Russia.
Rin YAmasita uses today kind memory. It(she) studied in a monastery in Petersburg, has come back to Japan and wrote icons for many temples. Interest recently has increased in the Japanese art to YAmasita, its(her) life and works became well-known. It(she) was born in prefecture Ibaragi in 1857 and in a youth drew traditional Japanese "ukijo-Ý". Having acted(arrived) in 1877 in the governmental art school, has got acquainted with technics(technical equipment) of the letter oil(butter) from Italian teacher Antonio Fontanezi. Having received a christening from Nikolay, has directed to Petersburg per 1880 accompanied by archimandrite Anatoly. Having studied three years in Russia, has come back to Japan to live the lonely life devoted exclusively ikonografii for temples and believers, down to death in 1939 in the age of 83 years. The number of the icons left by her(it) on all country is huge.
Approximately at the same time, when worked Rin YAmasita, has received popularity and Masako Okamura (1858—1936). It(she) was christened in 1875, has ended seminary, has opened lithographic studio together with husband Takesiro Okamura and became known litografom the period "Mejdzi". Among its(her) works there was also a registration orthodox Psaltiri.
VI
Prelate Nikolay gave great value to a printed word. Entered by it(him) litografirovanie bible researches and katekhizicheskikh materials it was already mentioned. After returning from Russia in 1880 it(he) has started to let out(release) magazine " Orthodox news ". It(he) left twice a month and has been devoted to religious preceptorship, divinity, news of Orthodoxy as a whole and a life of arrivals in Japan. In the first release of magazine prelate Nikolay, specifying its(his) purpose, has expressed in religious terms of aspiration of the period "Mejdzi" to education " through a statement of secret of Orthodoxy on the basis of the eternal law for the sake of correction and healing of the decadence caused korrupirovannymi by customs ". Later, during metropolitan Sergiya, the magazine began to refer to " the Orthodox bulletin " (" the Conformist the herald "). Since November, 1912, it(he) on a regular basis leaves under this name. It is the oldest orthodox magazine in Japan.
In 1893 under the initiative of group studentok female seminary the literary magazine "Uranisiki", existed till 1907 has started to leave. Till 1916 popular family magazine " Orthodox preceptorship " was published. But the most influential was magazine " Sea of Spirit " which for the first time has left in 1893. It(he) was published Saburo Sekitake which is known also on translation(transfer) of work of Vladimir Soloveva " the Essay about Bogochelovechestve ". The magazine has been devoted to theological and philosophical questions and has rendered the big influence on formation of outlook of the Japanese Christians. Its(his) authors were graduates of the Tokyo Orthodox Seminary: Kisaburo Isikava, Ichiro Isigame, Kejzo Minamoto, Tosikharu Sato, Enosuke KHichugi, Masutaro Komisi, Kakusaburo Senuma, Tojokhiku YAmada, Michiro Mitsui. Owing to original clauses(articles) and translations(transfers) the magazine effectively approved(confirmed) orthodox belief.
Except for all these magazines there was also a big number of books: bible comments, sermons, the Catechism, works on church history, lives sacred. Published under direction of prelate Nikolay, these books in due course have made huge theological library. Orthodox liturgical books were translated and published almost all. Prelate Nikolay was completely gave this work together with assistant Zukumaro Nakai (1855 — 1943) which has devoted to this hard business the most part of the life. Nakai was the expert on konfutsianskoj to classics. The descendant Putting Nakai, the well-known figure in history of Osaka, it(he) was christened in a temple of Osaka in 1878 and was there katekhizatorom until prelate Nikolay has not invited it(him) in Tokyo. Though orthodox translation(transfer) of the Bible also has left in Japan after the edition there books of the Scriptus representatives of other Churches, this translation(transfer) was considered as the greatest achievement of translational skill of that epoch. Already one only this translation(transfer) has provided to prelate Nikolay and Zukumaro Nakai immortality in the world of the Japanese literature. Owing to their this work of orthodox believers it is possible to find now in Japan everywhere. Many of them conducted(order) a remarkable spiritual life. The most holy Patriarch Sergy recollects in a diary of the second visit to Japan a meeting with the fisherman as if(as) with the sacred eremite. Spiritually freshens the reader its(his) message on simple belief of this Christian, and at the same time it proves, that the orthodox belief has given flowers of spirituality even in the most remote parts of the country.
It is necessary to note also the help voennoplennym the ÓÒß߬«-Japanese war of 1905 which was carried out with orthodox mission. Rendering assistance has extended up to a level of the national organization, has been movable and operated by orthodox priests. It(she) has appeared rather useful to strengthening moral spirit of Russian voennoplennykh. It(she) cannot be forgotten neither in Japan, nor in Russia.
On February, 16th, 1912 archbishop Nikolay has died. Among those who stayed then in mourning, there were noblemen, military, government officials, diplomats, foreign missionaries, journalists, students and commoners of all country. All Japan has grieved its(his) death. Together with its(his) death and death the same year emperor Mejdzi the period "Mejdzi" has ended.
On April, 10th, 1970 Moscow and vseya Russia Alex archbishop Nikolay has been canonized by the decree of the Most holy Patriarch with a title ravnoapostolnogo. It(he) — the first sacred Japanese Orthodox Church.
Works ravnoapostolnogo Nikolay were a pillar of spiritual culture of the period "Mejdzi". The culmination of these works — in its(his) ascetic self-sacrifice. This self-sacrifice has been aimed at rooting of Orthodoxy in Japan, on creation here Independent Orthodox Church. Its(his) pupils have reached(achieved) all steps of a society.
To Orthodoxy in Japan it is peculiar kosmologiya, expressed in architecture of church buildings. Center of a life of believers is the Divine liturgy. The church, a place of liturgical assembly, is the sacred world (mikrokosmom), reflecting makrokosm iskupitelnogo actions Bozhiya in the Universe. Icons reflect the Sacred Trinity, the Christ, the Mother of god in walls of our temples and sacred, and at times — the sun, the moon and stars. All sacred and all creation stay with believers during a liturgy when believers learn pleasure of life and inexpressible pleasure TSarstviya Bozhiya.
Prelate Nikolay wished, that Japanese created the inner world. It(he) wished to have the Japanese architects, the Japanese icon painters and the Japanese choruses. Were necessary Japanese katekhizatory and priests for evangelizatsii all country in obedience for requirements of the Gospel. Books of the Scriptus, the book were necessary for the help to them on dogma and spirituality. There should be magazines for maintenance of a daily spiritual life. And, at last, warm and close dialogue of believers was necessary. Without exaggeration it is possible to tell, that prelate Nikolay has reached(achieved) all it(this) at the basis of the Japanese orthodox culture of the period "Mejdzi". There Is no doubt that the general public around novouchrezhdennogo it(him) of orthodox presence was under influence of its(his) spirituality. This influence has not been limited by narrow sphere, but has extended in all Japanese society where it is kept and to this day. It is necessary to recognize, that owing to it(this) vliiyaniyu Orthodoxy has got real value in history of Japan.
Archpriest Prokl Yasuo Ushimaru,The professor of the Tokyo Orthodox Seminary, Japan, Independent Japanese Orthodox Church
The collection " the Millenium of the Christening of Russia ". The international церковно-historical conference. Kiev, on July, 21-28st, 1986, materials
P.S. Archpriest Prokl Yasuo Ushimaru has suddenly died from a heart attack of a myocardium on October, 2nd, 1986 in the state medical center of the city of Suita Dzyunkan of prefecture Osaka (Japan)