From Jesuit Baroque and French Gothic to Japanese Temple Style: The History of Catholic Church Architecture in Japan, 19th to Early 20th Century

Christianity was officially tolerated in Japan in 1873, following 250 years of prohibition and severe persecution. The construction of churches, which had resumed in the 1860s, grew steadily in the subsequent decades. However, the study of church architecture in Japan and across Asia has often been overlooked, as these buildings have been dismissed as “degraded copies” of their Western counterparts. This research seeks to challenge such perceptions by examining how Japanese Catholics, local carpenters, and missionaries collaboratively developed distinctive architectural styles. These styles, while inspired by Western traditions, evolved into unique forms that reflect profound historical, spiritual, and aesthetic values. Furthermore, this study traces the transformation of church architecture in Japan from the 1860s to 1941, revealing the dynamic interplay between global influences and local adaptations.