A Jesuit in the Forbidden City: Matteo Ricci 1552–1610 (review)

Abstract

Far Eastern A Jesuit in Forbidden City: Matteo Ricci 1552-1610. By R. Po-chia Hsia. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2010. Pp. xiv, 359. $57.50. ISBN 9780-199-59225-8.) Among abundance of publications and events in 2010, to honor 400th anniversary of death of Matteo Ricci, R. Po-chia Hsia' s book is surely among most remarkable both for academic and lay readers. Ricci was be st-known Jesuit in late-Ming China. In past 400 years, his fame and story have continuously been interpreted, circulated, and debated. Given such extensive research on this legendary figure, to write about Ricci is definitely not easy. The summary on back cover of this book calls it the first critical biography of Hsia 's narrative starts with triumphal ending to Ricci' s glorious burial in Beijing in 1611, then ventures into his life - from his birthplace in Macerata, Italy; to Rome; his journey on Portuguese seas as well as to India and Macao; and finally his arrival in mainland China - in subsequent twelve chapters. It reveals a vivid missionary tour in changing world from Europe to China. Guided by author, this historical account lasts into Ricci 's posthumous periods: in epilogue, undulating fate of Ricci' s documents and China mission, as well as public interest and academic research surrounding him up to present, are all critically reviewed. Hsia occasionally reminds readers of his position as a reader of Ricci 's life - by means of fine photos he had taken of Macerata, Guangdong, Nanijng, and other places - simultaneously showing a historical distance and personal connection between narrator and narration. This historical journey can be read with much greater interactive interest. Moreover, as a well-reputed scholar in field of early-modern Europe, Hsia has contributed his insights on use of Ricci's sources in following three ways. First, Ricci wrote his own version of journey two years before his death. This work much resembles a life memoir of Ricci himself. The best-selling book on China in seventeenth-century Europe (first published in 1615) was an appropriated text based on Ricci's memoir and edited by another Jesuit, Nicolas Trigault (1577-1628). For a long time, Ricci's account in manuscript and Trigault' s text in print have been considered most important and most often cited works for an understanding of Ricci. …