Footprints of Jurian Nakaura@No.9
Jurian and other members of the embassy went for Madrid, the capital, and
had an audience
with King Philip 2 there. He owned the vast territory: Itary, Netherland and the continent
of America besides Spain and Portugal. He was the one who built up the
golden years of
Spain, which was called "the empire on which the sun never sets."
He also established a
reputation as a protector of Christianity because he defeated Ottoman Turks
of Muslim
country at the Battle of Lepanto. Jurian and others who were allowed to
have an audience
with the King showed up in front of the King with strained looks, dressed
up in kimono
with flowers and birds print and hakama pleated skirts, wearing two Japanese swords,
putting on Japanese white socks and sandals.The King welcomed them holding
them in his
arms gently.
Then Mansho gave souvenirs from Japan such as Japanese gold-lucquered works
and
dedicated letters of greeting Sumitada Omura, Harunobu Arima and Sorin
Otomo
commended. The king was very interested in them, for they were the first
Japanese whom
the king saw. In addition, the king was interested in souvenirs from Japan, kimono and
Japanese words and asked about these things. In a pleasant atmosphere to such an extent
that someone said "It was very unusual to see the king so cheerful
and cozy like that for the
king was difficult." Thus Jurian and others finished the audience
with no problems.
Two days later, the king invited them to El Escorial Palace which had just been
accomplished. Before the magnificent buildings consisting of three buildings - Palace,
sacred building and monastery (there were 1500 rooms!,) Jurian and others
were just left
speechless.
After staying Madrid for 36 days, Jurian and others left for Itary at last.
On this occasion,
the king provided them many gifts, future traveling expence and even horses
and carriages.
In addition, he promised to support Japanese church in the future. "His
Majesty did all
he could do for the noble boys from Japan." Such a rumor got around the whole city of
Madrid. Not only that, the king even ordered to give them a warm welcome
wherever they
stopped around in his territory.
Over borders, over races, over words, and over positions, the king and
Jurian and others
became one at heart just as the ones who had faith in Jesus Christ.
Despite the worry of Valignano who handed a cautionary statement to Mezquita;
"Refuse politely royal and official welcome," Jurian and others would be accorede a
tremendous welcome from then on.
(The Kyoto Glory Church Translation Committee is
responsible for the wording of this article.)
(Philip 2)