Luís Fróis

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Luís Fróis (1532 – 1597) was a Portuguese Catholic priest and missionary who was the Jesuits' historian during their mission in Japan. During the mission, Fróis sent lengthy reports about the country detailing the Jesuits' actions, Japan's internal politics, and the situation of local Christian communities.

Biography

Early expedition to Japan

Though his superiors considered his writing too extensive, he continued sending annual reports of over 100 pages. Fróis, like fellow Jesuit Gaspar Vilela, adopted many Japanese customs to better integrate himself in the society he attempted to convert to Christianity. This effort was not seen kindly by the appointed heads of the Japan sector, Francisco Cabral and Gaspar Coelho, who were in favor of maintaining their European habits. Being open to a new culture, Fróis managed to ingratiate himself to Oda Nobunaga, who once invited him to visit Gifu Castle.

Seeking passage from Nobunaga

On 8 March 1581, Fróis was part of an envoy led by Alessandro Valignano in Kyoto to meet with Nobunaga and seek free movement for the priests in Japan. Accompanied by their bodyguard Diogo, the envoy met with Nobunaga's general Akechi Mitsuhide and followed him to the meeting place at Honnō-ji, where they met Lady Nene and Mori Ranmaru, Nobunaga's wife and retainer respectively.

Fróis, Alessandro, and Diogo meeting with Oda Nobunaga

During the meeting with Nobunaga, Fróis remained silent while Valignano did most of the talking. He then bore witness to Nobunaga taking interest in Diogo due to his skin color, stature, and intelligence. Fróis, Valignano, and the rest of the retainers were then asked to leave the room so that Nobunaga could speak to Diogo alone. The Jesuits would remain a short while later, and were asked by Nobunaga to relinquish Diogo from their service and into his own.

Reuniting with Yasuke

By September 1581, Diogo had spent over six months in Oda Nobunaga's service, during which time he became known as Yasuke. Fróis briefly passed Yasuke on horseback while leaving the Oda castle and gave him a nod, acknowledging him as a samurai, before continuing on his way.

By mid-1582, Fróis had relocated to the Jesuit Residences in Kyoto. It was here that he was again approached by Yasuke, who needed help translating a letter he could not fully understand. Fróis read the letter's contents and revealed that it was an oath to the Templar Order. At Yasuke's shock that Fróis knew of the Order, the priest revealed that he had heard much about them during his time in Italy before working for Valignano. The Pope and three great houses, including the House of Borgia, had been part of this conspiracy and nearly ruined Rome in their pursuit of power, until they were mysteriously eradicated by a secret organization.

Continuing on with the letter, Fróis told Yasuke that it was addressed to Duarte de Melo, a name Yasuke knew all too well. Fróis then led Yasuke to the name Kimura Kei, a samurai gathering warriors in Kii on the orders of Nuno Caro. When questioned about Caro and the reveal that Yasuke had used to work for him before his association with the Jesuits, Fróis recalled how they had rescued him at sea holding onto a piece of driftwood. Fróis then tried to probe Yasuke for answers about his past though he was hardly forthcoming with his answers. With that, Fróis gave Yasuke a final surmising that de Melo and Caro were part of the Templar Order. Yasuke announced his plan to track them down by finding Kimura Kei first, and left after bidding Fróis farewell.

Compiling his treatise

Sometime later, Fróis was met again by Yasuke this time in Ōmi, and introduced his ally Fujibayashi Naoe, who respectfully asked Fróis his mission. After giving a satisfying answer that he was there to provide medicine and teaching, Fróis revealed to the duo that in his time there he had also been working on a treatise about the land for other foreigners, although his notes had gone missing. After having his notes recovered and quoting an entry for Naoe, Fróis bade Naoe to meet him in Ōtsu to witness a baptism.

The two then met with Fróis in Ōtsu as the Jesuit prepared for the baptism of Lady Satoko. Though threats against Lady Satoko's life posed a risk to the baptism, Fróis asked that her safety be assured. After an investigation it was found that the baptism party was to be ambushed after the ceremony. However, the baptism party left Ōtsu before either Yasuke or Naoe could catch up to them. A rōnin attack was repelled along the route with Fróis visibly shaken in the aftermath, though resolute in his faith. Once calm, he invited Yasuke for tea at Azuchi mission.

Meeting Yasuke in the Merchants' Quarters of Ōmi, he relished in being able to talk about his writings. He retold sections he'd written on dancing, child rearing, and poetry. He later gave Yasuke a solemn thought of his notes on Japan being used for misdeeds, and then a prayer for good fortune.

Gallery

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  Fróis, Alessandro Valignano, and Diogo meeting Akechi Mitsuhide

Appearances

• Echoes of History – Shadows (first mentioned)
• Assassin's Creed: Shadows (first appearance)