Okawachiyama porcelain district, in Imari

 

Imari is most notable because of Imari porcelain which has 400 years history.

The city borders Arita to the south and embraces the natural port of Imari Bay.

The porcelain was exported from the port of Imari specifically for the European

export trade.

Okawachiyama porcelain district

Originally, an owner of the Imari porcelain was Nabeshima clan, in order to develop 

and protect its outstanding technique, he gathered skilled artisans and painters in 

Okawachiyama district. Now. about 30 potteries are manufacturing Imari porcelain.

Shimabara Peninsula Martyrs Memorial Cathedral

 

This Cathedral is house of prayer for tens of thousands Christians who were martyred

between 1612 and 1658 throughout the Shimabara Peninsula.

It was built in 1997 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the martyrdom of 26

Japanese Saints and the 360th anniversary of the Shimabara Rebellion.

The Cathedral is a beautiful octagonal building with a large octagonal dome.

Starbucks at Dazaifu Shrine approach path

 

Coffee break under the traditional atmosphere. The restaurant was designed by renown

architecture designer Kengo Kuma in 2011. The concept of the design is Harmony of

Modern and traditional by natural material; 2000 cedar timber is assembled in a traditional

wood structure without using nails. Enjoy the luxurious time in the warmth of wood and the

scent of coffee.

26 Saints Pilgrimage route on January 28 in 1597

 

The route of this day was from Kokura in Kitakyushu to Akama in Munakata via Koyanose ,

the distance was 34.5 km.

Started at Kokura accommodation around Kokura Castle, and walked to Tobata port

along the Kanmon Strait.

Transfered to Wakamatsu from Tobata by a boat.

Walked to Akama through Ashiya and Koyanose, and  then stayed at Akama.

26 Saints Pilgrimage route on January 30 in 1597

 

The route of this day was from Wajiro to Shikano-shima Island, the distance

was 18 km walk.

Started at Wajiro accommodation and walked through Gannosu to Saitozaki.

When the tide was low, they walked across to Shikano-shima Island, where

the boat port was located.

Stayed on the boat.

26 Saints Pilgrimage route on January 27 in 1597

 

There were 24 martyrs when they started Kyoto, but two more martyrs were added in

Shimonoseki, then became 26 martyrs in total.

 

The route of this day was from Karato in Shimonoseki to Kokura in Kitakyushu.

Rode on the boat at Karato, and transfer to Dairi in Kitakyushu

Karato

Kanmon Strait

Dairi

They landed at Dairi and walked 6 km along the coastline of Kanmon Strait to Kokura,

where was the place to stay.

It is said that they stayed around Kokura Castle.

Akizuki, in Asakura

 

Akizuki is a former Castle town located in northern part of Asakura.  It is a famous spot for

cherry blossom in spring and fall foliage in autumn.

 

You can enjoy the harmony of countryside landscape and former castle town scenery that

makes the atmosphere like a time of 400 years ago.

Japan’s first Seminary

 

In 1579, Priest Alessandro Valignano of Jesus from Portugal came to Japan to inspect

the situatin of missionary work in Japan.

Valignano believed that training Japanese priests and monks was the key to the success

of missionary work in Japan.

And then, he made the Japan’s first Seminary in Shimabara peninsula in 1580, where was

the Hinoe Castle town of Arima Harunobu. 

 

Among the first students, included member of Tensho youth mission to Europe who were

Ito Mansho Ito, Chijiwa Miguel, Hara Martino and Nakaura Julian.

Note : Seminary is an educational institution established in Japan by the Society of Jesus

between 1580 and 1614 to train Jesuit priests and monks.

 

Hidden Christian site, Kasuga Village

 

Kasuga Village and Mount Yasugatake is a Christian Pilgrimage site and is registered on

the World Heritage as Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region.

 

This idyllic, remote village was refuge to a small community of Hidden Christians who

practiced here for centuries, far from the prying eyes of the government. After the ban on

Christianity was lifted, the local villagers decided to continue practicing their own unique

brand of the religion rather than rejoin the Catholic Church. As a result, churches were not

erected in the village, and the religion remains outwardly invisible.

Hidden Christians

 

Oppression against Christians began with the Tokugawa shogunate’s ban

on Christianity. The missionaries were expelled to oversea countries, and

those who remained secretly in Japan were also captured and martyred.

Konishi Mansho who was the last Priest during the ban on Christianity,

was also martyred in 1644.

In the absence of priests, believers pretended to be Shinto or Buddhist

ostensibly in order to protect their faith.

The Christian organizations were created in each village to continue the

Christian faith and the faith was passed down from parents to children and

from children to grandchildren.

 

Hidden Christian

Even after lifted ban on Christianity, people who continue to practice their

faith in the same way as before are called “Hidden Christians”.

Hidden Christians in Nagasaki have been passed down since the ban on

Christianity in Hirado, Ikitsuki, the Goto Islands, Sotome, and around Nagasaki.