Azuchi-Momoyama period
© JAPAN-PHOTO-ARCHIV
Christianity in Japan
(1549-1638)



Christianity was introduced by Francis Xavier / Francisco de Xavier, a Jesuit missionary arriving in Japan in 1549. Oda Nobunaga favored the Europeans and tolerated the religion to be spread throughout the country by Catholic missionaries especially from Spain and Portugal. In 1612 the Tokugawa shogunate totally banned Christianity and ordered the foreigners to leave the country. Missionaries who continued their work undercover were later executed. In 1637 at Shimabara, Christian farmers who had been groaning under heavy taxation raised a large scale revolt. It was put a year later and the government prompted to sever contacts with the West - except for some Dutch merchants.


» Christians´ landing in Japan
» Christen und Schusswaffen
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» Christenaufstand
» Kirchen in Japan heute
Christian churches in Japan
Christianity in feudale Japan
Christians, persecution of
Christians, rebellion of

Francis Xavier (1506-1552)
J 250 118
Francis Xavier
memorial - arrival in August 1549
Kagoshima City
Azuchi-Momoyama period / history
J 206 233
Francis Xavier
Xavier bust in St. Mary's Cathedral
Tôkyô  City
Azuchi-Momoyama period / history
J 250 120
Francis Xavier
memorial - August 1549
Kagoshima  (2)
Azuchi-Momoyama period / history

J 217 173
Francis Xavier
Portuguese sailing ship (16th century) - world exhibition in Lissabon / Portugal
Azuchi-Momoyama period / history

monument of 26 Christian martyres (1596)
D 270 208
monument of 26 Christian Martyrs - crucified in 1596
memorial site - Nagasaki City
Azuchi-Momoyama period / history

J 205 500
monument of 26 Christian Martyrs
memorial site - Nagasaki  (2)
Azuchi-Momoyama period / history
J 205 381
monument of 26 Christian Martyrs
memorial site - Nagasaki  (3)
Azuchi-Momoyama period / history

Shimabara Rebellion (1637-38)
J 214 458
Shimabara Rebellion
Amakusa Shirô (?-1638)
leader of the rebellion
Azuchi-Momoyama period / history
J 224 347
Shimabara Rebellion
Shimabara-jô castle - Shimabara City
Azuchi-Momoyama period / history
J 214 460
Shimabara Rebellion
Amakusa Shirô
leader of the rebellion  (2)
Azuchi-Momoyama period / history