In a tale that resonates with cultural intricacies and diplomatic nuance, the Japanese governor of Saipan found himself embarking on a singular journey to secure a new spouse following the loss of his wife. His quest led him to a chance encounter with a young woman in the confines of an American Protestant church’s orphanage during a visit to Japan. Enamored by her, the governor wasted no time in formalizing their union through marriage vows, with plans to return to Saipan with his newfound companion.
Anticipating their arrival, the governor preemptively notified the islanders that he would be accompanied by his Christian bride, a strategic move aimed at dissuading any inclination towards a Buddhist ceremony upon their return, given the religious orientation of his new partner.
Word of the impending arrival of the governor and his assumed Catholic wife spread rapidly across the predominantly Catholic island, sparking a flurry of preparations and goodwill gestures from its residents, who eagerly anticipated the governor’s favor and benevolence. However, their expectations were soon met with disappointment upon discovering that the governor’s wife belonged to the Protestant faith, not Catholicism.
Hans Hornbostel, chronicler of this intriguing narrative in a prewar magazine, found himself in the company of the newlyweds, where he overheard the governor’s inquiries about the distinctions between Catholicism and Protestantism. After a series of discussions, the governor concluded that the differences were negligible.
During a candid moment, the governor urged his wife to consider converting to Catholicism, citing the favorable disposition of the islanders towards Catholics and the perceived similarities between the two faiths. Hornbostel, initially unsure if the governor was joking, discerned from the wife’s reaction that he was serious in his suggestion.
The following day, as Hornbostel attended to his duties in the Talofofo area, he encountered the Catholic priest, who greeted him with enthusiasm, interpreting the governor’s wife’s potential conversion as a triumph. This revelation shed light on the governor’s motive, suggesting that his wife’s conversion was motivated by a desire to maintain the islanders’ goodwill and secure their approval.
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