Letters from DAIBA TOKYO - フジテレビ

Amakusa and Christianity

Feb 9, 2010

Dear friends,

For me, the sea

and onsen (hot springs) are the most important factors when deciding where to travel. This weekend, I made a short trip to Amakusa, a chain of islands off the west coast of Kumamoto Prefecture in Kyushu. Here are some photos taken from my hotel. It made me feel relaxed

Amakusa is known for the historical, “Amakusa-Shimabara Rebellion”

between the shogunate troops and the rebel troops of Christians and peasants, which began in 1637.

It was Shiro Amakusa
who led the rebel army.
You can see that his statue has a cross in his hand.

The Tokugawa shogunate banned Christianity in 1612 suspecting that the Jesuits may have territorial ambitions and that Christian teachings would harm the establishment of feudalism.

I didn’t know a lot about this battle until I visited the Amakusa Christian Museum this time. Photography was forbidden there, so I can’t share with you all the historical evidences that amazed me

, but I will show you two things that are worth introducing, using the photos in the museum pamphlet.

This is Amakusa Shiro's Holy Banner. There’s a Holy Grail at the center with two praying angels. There are blood spots remaining and traces of flechettes, which prove how blistering the battle was. It is designated as a national important cultural asset.

Another one I would like to show you
is how the Christians continued to believe the religion underground.
This is the Kakushi Jujibotoke(hidden-cross Buddha image).
It looks like a seated Buddha but if you detach the upper part and lift up the axle, a small cross appears. 　　　It was only in 1873 when the Anti-Christian Edicts were abandoned.

Oe Catholic Church

, constructed on a hill, played a central role in the reemergence of the religion. A statue of Virgin Mary stands there like the holy spring at Lourdes.