Bernard Jean Bettelheim

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bernard Jean Bettelheim (1811, Pressburg - d. February 9, 1870) was a Christian missionary to Japan. He is best known as the first Protestant missionary to Okinawa.

Dr. Bernard Jean Bettelheim arrived in Okinawa from Hong Kong on April 30, 1846, accompanied by his wife, Elizabeth M., their infant daughter, Rose (born 1844), their infant son, Bernard James (born Nov, 1845), "Miss Jane", a tutor and schoolmistress, and Liu Yu-Kan, a Cantonese translator. While on Okinawa, a second daughter was born on December 8, 1848. She was named Lucy Fanny Loochoo and carries the distinction of being the first European to be born on Okinawa. Liu Yu-Kan, Bettelheim's interpreter, left Okinawa in March of 1849 after conflict developed between him and the family and began working with Okinawa authorities against Bettelheim's interests.

When Commodore Matthew Perry came to Japan in 1854, Bettelheim went aboard his ship to meet him. Through his understanding of the language and culture, Bettelheim was uniquely qualified to present the Ryukyuan position on various matters to the Americans. Despite being disfavored by the local government, Perry was determined to use Dr. Bettelheim to serve interests the interests of the United States of America. Bettelheim was helpful to Perry as an advisor, representative and commercial agent.

Much to the relief of the Okinawa government, Mrs. Bettelheim and children departed the island in February of 1854; Bernard followed them in July of 1854. Dr. Bettelheim intended to return to England but eventually ended up in New York. After a few years he relocated his family to a farm in Illinois. From August to December, 1863, he served as a surgeon in the 106th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. After the American Civil War he relocated to Odell, Illinois and operated a drugstore, occasionally giving lectures about Okinawa and Japan. Later, the Bettelheims moved to Brookfield, Missouri. Dr. Bettelheim died February 9, 1870 at age 59 and is buried with his wife in Brookfield, Missouri.

In May of 1926 a memorial to honor Dr. Bettelheim was unveiled on the grounds of his former residence on Okinawa at the Gokoku-ji Buddhist Temple.