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.

 

Kurose no Tsuji, martyrdom site of Gaspar Nishi Genka

 

The site where Christian Gaspar Nishi Genka was martyred in 1609, located on

Kurose Hill overlooking Nakae no shima between Hirado and Ikitsuki.

The tomb facing the sea is called Gaspar-sama and is a revered place for Ikitsuki’s

Hidden Christians.

The cross-shaped “Kurose no Tsuji Martyrdom Monument” was erected by Catholics

in 1991, and Mass is held every year around November 14th.

 

Gaspar Nishi Genka was the first martyr of Ikitsuki and the father of Thomas Rokuzaemon

Nishi who was one of the 16 Saint of Nagasaki, dedicated in Nakamachi Church in Nagasaki.

 

Saint Filippo de Jesus Church ( Japan 26 Saints Memorial Church )

 

This is a church with Gaudi-style twin tower designed by Kenjiro Imai,

built next to the Nishizaka Martyrdom site

 

When there was a plan to build a memorial hall for the 26 Japanese Saints

next to Nishizaka Martyrdon site, a large donation was made from Mexico,

and the Church was built in 1962.

This church is dedicated to Mexican Filippo de Jesus, who is one of the 26 Saints.

Filippo de Jesus was a Franciscan Catholic missionary who became one of the

26 Martyrs of Japan, the first Mexican Saint.

 

Oyster Barbecue Hut in Itoshima

 

Itoshima oyster growing up in the rich nature of mountain and sea Itoshima oyster features

mellow and sweet taste.  There are many Oyster Barbecue Huts at five fishing harbours.

The huts only open during the season, from end of October to March or April.

 

The huts are simple in construction; just big vinyl tents filled with a few dozen tables, each with

their own grill. You can get oysters, sazae (sea snails), prawns, fish and other seafood, fresh as

fresh can be, by the crate. The hut provides the grill, tongs, cotton gloves, and other tools for you

try your hand at grilling your own seafood.

Cooking them right can be tricky, but learning is part of the fun. For oysters, try putting the flat side

down first, flip after awhile, and wait for them to open from the heat.  Take them off the grill—gloves

on of course—and open them the rest of the way with the provided knife. Add a touch of shoyu

(soy sauce), ponzu (a tangy citrus-based sauce), lemon juice, or mayonnaise if you like and they’re

ready to eat. If you’re unsure how to cook things, just look around at what the other tables are doing

or wave over the helpful kakigoya staff.

Saint Kolbe Memorial Museum, at Hongouchi Church

 

Father Maximilian Kolbe was born in Poland in 1894 and was a priest of the Conventual

Order of St. Francis.

He had been active in promoting the veneration of the Immaculate Virgin Mary.

He came to Japan in 1930 and began educating seminarians and publishing a monthly

magazine ” the veneration of the Immaculate Virgin Mary.”

After that, the number of Japanese people who understood God’s teachings increased,

and Hongouchi Church was established in 1931.

 

After six years in Japan, he returned to Poland for health reasons.

And then, he volunteered to die in place of a man named Franciszek Gajowniczek in the

German death camp of Auschwitz, located in German-occupied Poland.

 

Saint Kolbe Memorial Museum was built to commemorate his canonization in 1986.

 

Nakamachi Church

 

Nakamachi Church is located near JR Nagasaki Station which was constructed

for Japanese Christians in 1986.

The church was dedicated to the 16 Saints of Nagasaki (St. Thomas and the 15 Martyrs)

in 1988, and the monument honoring them was erected in the premise.

The 16 Saints were martyred in Nagasaki from 1633 to 1637.

 

The 16 martyrs became Saints in 1987, since 26 Saint.

 

Dominic Ibáñez de Erquicia Pérez de Lete, Spanish, 1633, Dominican Priest

Antonio Gonzalez, Spanish, 1637, Dominican Priest

Jordan Ansalone, Italian, 1634, Dominican Priest

Luke of the Holy Spirit Alonso Gorda, Spanish, 1633, Dominican Priest

Michael de Aozaraza, Spanish, 1637, Dominican Priest

Guillaume Courtet, French, 1637, Dominican Priest

Jacobo Kyushei Gorōbyōe Tomonaga de Santa María, Japanese, 1633, Dominican Priest

Thomas Rokuzayemon Nishi, Japanese, 1634, Dominican Priest

 Vincent Shiwozuka, Japanese, 1637, Dominican Priest

Francis Shōyemon, Japanese, 1633

Matthew Kohioye, Japanese, 1633

Lorenzo Ruiz, Filipino, 1637

Marina of Omura, Japanese, 1634

Magdalene of Nagasaki, Japanese, 1634

Michael Kurobioye, Japanese, 1633

Lazarus of Kyoto, Japanese, 1637

 

Yoshii, Shirakabe-dori Avenue

 

Shirakabe-dori Avenue is located in Yoshii, Ukiha-city

Time-honored scenery, back to 100 years ago. The Avenue is located in Yoshii-machi, 

Ukiha-city.  Shirakabe, literary meaning is white wall. The avenue of houses with white

wall were constructed about 100 years ago.  About 250 houses in the area has been

designated as National important traditional buildings preservation district.

 

Featured Restaurant, Shirakabe

The restaurant Shirakabe is in the former merchant’s building constructed in 1928. Japanese

cuisines using best local ingredients that vary by season can be enjoyed. The chef who makes

that cuisines also experienced the imperial family’s cook.

Yakiniku, 焼肉

 

Yakiniku is grilled meat and a popular cuisine in Japan.

 

Grill beef, pork, seafood, and vegetables over an open flame in front of

you and eat them with sauce.

 

Cherry blossom in Japan

 

Japanese people have loved cherry blossoms since ancient times.

The blooming of cherry blossoms signals the arrival of beautiful spring.

 

In 2024, cherry blossoms in Kyushu will bloom from the end of March to the

beginning of April.

During that period, you can enjoy cherry blossoms in most places where

you will visit in Kyushu.