1.
missionary
A person sent to propagate a religion, especially Christianity, in a foreign country or region. Historically significant in the context of European contact with Japan.
宣教師が来日した。
A missionary came to Japan.
フランシスコ・ザビエルは日本に初めて来た宣教師の一人だ。
Francisco Xavier was one of the first missionaries to come to Japan.
江戸時代にはキリスト教が禁止され、宣教師は国外に追放された。
During the Edo period, Christianity was banned and missionaries were expelled from the country.
STRUCTURE:
宣教 (proselytization, missionary work) + 師 (master, teacher, practitioner).
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
宣教師 is closely associated with the history of Christianity in Japan. The first European missionaries arrived in the 16th century during the 戦国時代 (Warring States period). The subsequent 禁教令 (ban on Christianity) during the 江戸時代 is a major historical topic.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- キリスト教の宣教師: Christian missionary
- 宣教師を派遣する: to send missionaries
- 宣教師活動: missionary activities