History of Christians and churches in Nagasaki Prefecture: Dec. 28-29

It is not possible to talk about the history of Christianity in Japan without referring to the stories in Nagasaki Prefecture.

Many people in the area accepted Christianity in the 16^th century; Nagasaki became a center of Christianity in Japan.

Then, the period of repression came. The Edo shogunate government banned the religion in the middle of the 17^th century. Foreign priests were forced to leave the country and Japanese Christians were compelled to abandon their believes.

Some people did not follow the order and kept their believes secretly.

The existence of the hidden Christians was found when the European and American priests returned to Japan in the Meiji era, about 250 years after the religious ban.

There were many underground Christians in Urakami district in the Edo era. The place was later destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945. (Visit “Memoriesof atomic bomb disasters in Nagasaki”)

Reconstructed Urakami Cathderal is now a center of religious activities.

Oura Church locates in the southern part of Nagasaki City. It was first built in 1865 by French priests. The discovery of the hidden Christians took place here. (See also the 2nd photo from the top)

Many hidden Christians lived in small villages in the mountainous areas in the Edo period. Priests were sent to these villages in the Meiji era. These areas included Shitsu, Ono and Kurosaki. 

They locate in the coastal area about 15 km from central Nagasaki City. The left photo is a scene of Shitsu settlement.

The Shitsu Church was built by a French priest Marc Marie de Rotz in 1882.

He also opened social-welfare facilities to improve people’s lives in the village.

The Ono Church was also built by priest de Rotz. (see also the top photo)

The 3rd photo from the top shows the scene of the sea from Ono.

The settlements of Shitsu and Ono are registered as the World Heritage sites.

Japanese novelist Endo Shusaku wrote a story titled “the Silence,” which focused on the repression on Christianity and hidden Christians. The monument is places in Shitsu.

Hidden Christians made prays using various camouflage measures. This Karematsu shrine in Kurosaki is used to make gatherings of the Christians.

The Kurosaki Church was planned by priest de Rotz and completes after his death.

Total 26 Christians were executed by crucifixion in 1597 in Nishizaka district in the central Nagasaki City. They are called the 26 Martyrs of Japan. A memorial and a museum were built in 1962.

Pope Francisco visited Nagasaki on Nov. 24, 2019. He visited several places including Urakami Cathedral, Oura Church and the Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum. Former Pope John Paul II as well as Saint Teresa of Calcutta also visited the museum.