This five-volume edition represents the first complete publication of the huge diary, which was kept throughout his life by the founder of the Russian Orthodox mission in Japan, Archbishop Nicholas of Japan (1836–1912). Arriving in Japan at the age of 24, Fr. Nicholas was engaged in missionary work for fifty years. He founded a seminary, schools of theology, and an icon-painting workshop. Having studied the Japanese language perfectly, he translated the Holy Scriptures for his Japanese parishioners. When he died, the Japanese Orthodox community numbered 34,000 people, and this is his direct merit. In addition to missionary activities, Fr. Nicholas also proved himself to be an outstanding scientist, leaving in his diaries unique ethnographic materials about Japan, which he recorded during his numerous travels around the country - from village to village where his flock lived. In Japan, Father Nikolai enjoyed and continues to enjoy extraordinary fame, and his merits received national recognition. Interest in him also arose in Russia, especially after his canonization by the Russian Orthodox Church (April 10, 1970). The first volume of diaries covers the period from 1870 to 1880. Edited by Kennosuke Nakamura < p>Original pdf -