Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
南蛮宗 (なんばんしゅう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
護ご
さ
れ
た
。
During the Warring States period, Christianity was protected by some feudal lords.
Kanji 宗 religion, sect, denomination Similar words 南なん 蛮ばん 南蛮 originally referred to southern barbarians or Southeast Asia, and by extension to Europeans arriving from the south. 南蛮宗 specifically means the religion (宗) associated with them, i.e., Christianity.
キリスト 教きょう Modern standard term for Christianity. 南蛮宗 is an archaic, historically loaded synonym.
Etymology Compound of 南蛮 (nanban, 'southern barbarians', referring to early European traders and missionaries) and 宗 (shū, 'religion' or 'sect'). The term reflects the early modern Japanese view of Christianity as the religion of the Nanban.
