Petro Kasui Kibe

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Petro Kasui Kibe

Role / Field:

Pioneering Jesuit missionary who traveled extensively, becoming one of the first Japanese in Rome and Jerusalem.

Born:

1587

Died:

1639-07-04

Century / Era:

1587s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Peter Kasui Kibe, SJ (Japanese: ペトロ・カスイ岐部, romanized: Petoro Kasui Kibe; born Kibe Shigekatsu, 岐部 茂勝; 1587 – 4 July 1639) was a Jesuit who was one of the first Japanese people to visit major cities west of his native Japan, such as Rome and Jerusalem. He was killed in 1639 and beatified as a martyr in 2008. Peter was born in 1587, in Bungo Province, to Christian parents. In 1614, he was exiled to Portuguese Macau, after the emperor ordered a deportation order of Christians. He learned Latin and theology at a theological school in Macau.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

However, he and other Japanese knew it would be hard to be priests because of nationality discrimination, so they left the school to go to Rome. He went to Portuguese Malacca and Goa in Portuguese India by ship, and then left for Europe on foot via Persia, the Strait of Hormuz and Baghdad, finally becoming the first Japanese Christian to arrive in Jerusalem. After a difficult journey that lasted three years he arrived in Rome after sailing through the Mediterranean Sea. From Macau, a letter telling "Japanese who left Macau would go to Rome, but don't talk to them." was sent to Rome. However, in Rome, Jesuits examined Kibe and found out he had enough knowledge and was suited for a priest.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

On 15 November 1620, he became a Jesuit priest at age of 32 at the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Afterward, he was trained for two years at a Jesuit training school in Rome, and took his vows as a Jesuit priest in Lisbon. In 1623, he departed for India with twenty Jesuits. Next year, he arrived at Goa via Cape of Good Hope. Kibe made the decision to return to Japan; a dangerous undertaking due to the decision of Tokugawa Ieyasu to ban Christianity and the entry of Christian missionaries, owing to the perceived poor behaviour of the Jesuits.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1587: Birth of Petro Kasui Kibe — Pioneering Jesuit missionary who traveled extensively, becoming one of the first Japanese in Rome and Jerusalem.
2. 1614: 1614 Milestone — In 1614, he was exiled to Portuguese Macau, after the emperor ordered a deportation order of Christians.
3. 1620: 1620 Milestone — On 15 November 1620, he became a Jesuit priest at age of 32 at the Basilica of St.
4. 1623: 1623 Milestone — In 1623, he departed for India with twenty Jesuits.
5. 1639 (1639-07-04): Passing & Historical Legacy — Petro Kasui Kibe passed away on 1639-07-04, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Petro Kasui Kibe

True or False: “Peter Kasui Kibe was executed by being speared after refusing to convert during his arrest in Edo.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The text confirms that after severe torture, the guards pulled him out of hiding and executed him via spearing.

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