Ferdinand Verbiest

A Jesuit priest active in China from the end of the Ming Dynasty to the beginning of the Qing Dynasty. Born in Belgium. His Chinese name was Nan Huai Ren. He joined the Jesuits in 1641 and was sent to China to preach, arriving in 1659. He preached in Shaanxi, but was soon called to Beijing, where he assisted Adam Schaal (Tang Ruowang) at the Qintianjian (observatory). He was briefly removed from his post but was reinstated. He continued to work on calendar revision after Adam Schaal's death, and was appointed chief Qintianjian in 1673. He was active in a wide range of fields, including the production of various Western-style astronomical observation instruments, the publication of a guidebook called "Lingtai Yixiangzhi," the world maps "Konyo Zenzu" (1674) and "Konyo Tu Shuo" (1672), and also instructing the casting of cannons. He also served as the head of the Chinese diocese in the area of ​​missionary work.

[Kazuhiko Miyajima February 16, 2018]

"Chin Shunshin (ed.), "People of Chinese History 8: The Great Empire in Decline" (1982, Shueisha)" ▽ "Tartar" by Toshio Eto (Chuko Bunko)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

中国の明(みん)朝末から清(しん)朝初めに活躍したイエズス会士。ベルギー生まれ。漢名は南懐仁(なんかいじん)という。1641年イエズス会に入り、中国での布教のため派遣されて1659年中国に到着。陝西(せんせい)での布教にあたったが、まもなく北京(ペキン)によばれ、アダム・シャール（湯若望(とうじゃくぼう)）を助けて欽天監(きんてんかん)（天文台）で活躍、一時、その任を追われたが復職した。アダム・シャール没後も修暦に従事、1673年欽天監監正に任ぜられた。西洋式の各種天文観測機械の製作と解説書『霊台儀象志』や、世界地図『坤輿全図(こんよぜんず)』（1674）と『坤輿図説』（1672）を著したほか、大砲の鋳造も指導するなど幅広く活躍した。宣教面でも中国教区長を務めた。

［宮島一彦　2018年2月16日］

『陳舜臣編『人物中国の歴史8　落日の大帝国』（1982・集英社）』▽『衛藤利夫著『韃靼』（中公文庫）』

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