The interwar period, which saw an increase in European imperialism, also saw intense missionary activity in Asia. Paul Claudel, who had previously been ambassador to China, served as French ambassador to Japan from 1921 to 1927. He kept up an abundant professional and personal correspondence with persons from the realms of politics, literature, and religion. It was during his time in Japan that Claudel met and began a correspondence with two French Carmelite sisters on mission in Asia. Thus, Claudel’s notable legacy in Japan has often included having a part in the foundation of the Carmelite monastery in Tokyo that was created by the monastery headed by these two sisters in Cholet, France. These sisters represent some of the lesser known, but nevertheless very active women with whom Claudel was in contact. Surprisingly, the correspondence with the sisters shows a passive Claudel in dialogue with active women.
This very passivity on Claudel’s part may perhaps have saved him on this and other occasions from a hard orientalist stance.