A world of crisis and progress

by Jon Thares Davidann

This book provides a fascinating account of the cultural relations between American YMCA missionaries and native Christians in Japan at the turn of the century. In addition to demonstrating clear evidence that this cross-cultural interaction produced changes on both sides of the Pacific, the author also analyzes the implications of late-nineteenth-century nationalism and imperialism for all participants. This work also contributes to an international perspective in historical understanding. The American YMCA inaugurated its first foreign mission to Japan in 1889. Upon their arrival, YMCA missionaries considered Japan to be the most promising mission field in East Asia. Many Japanese, including important members of the former samurai class, had converted to Christianity. In addition, the segment of the population that the YMCA served - youth - were taking up leadership positions in Japan and throughout East Asia. Thus, the YMCA mission brought to Japan hope for Christian conversion. It