Many irregular-shaped crosses made of lead have been discovered during archaeological excavations at Hara. It seems that the rebels made these crosses from gun bullets after barricading themselves in Hara castle. Medals and rosary beads have also been found, as well as other Christian artefacts.
Regarding the cause of the rebellion, we cannot simply say that it happened because they were Christian. After the battle, the feudal lords who had fought on behalf of the shogunate had various ways of interpreting what had happened. For the shogunate, this was a Christian rebellion. However, others thought that the Matsukura clan, which had cruelly imposed such severe annual land taxes, had invited resistance and was the true cause of the rebellion.
Article
The cause of the rebellion
A great number of Christian artefacts have been uncovered during archaeological excavations at Hara castle.
一揆軍が籠城中に製作したとみられる鉛の十字架。鉄砲の弾と同じ重さである
本丸の玄関部分である大手門付近も人骨や破壊された石垣の石などで埋め尽くされていた（写真は埋め尽くされていた大手門付近を再現したレプリカより）
（文章：大浦由美子）
Registered asset related to the article
Main registered asset
- World Cultural Heritage
-
Site of Hara Castle
Other related assets
Other articles in the category
-
A Christian feudal lord
During the Warring States period, feudal lords in Japan were competing against one another and were therefore eager to attract Portuguese trade. This provided an opportunity for Christianity to be spread within their domains.
-
The wealth of the Arima clan
Ceramics from places like China and Southeast Asia have been excavated from the remains of Hinoe castle. These items help to show how much the Arima clan prospered from trade.
-
"Love your neighbour as yourself"
Love is central in Christianity. Within the Arima domain, the missionaries’ emphasis on this core aspect of the Christian Gospel made a profound impression on people
-
Gold-leaf roof tiles
The gold-leaf roof tiles which have been discovered in the ruins of Hinoe castle suggest that the Arima clan was deeply connected with the centre of political power
-
The Tenshō embassy to Europe
Towards the end of the 16th century, four Japanese boys (who had been equipped with a good education) began a trip to Europe. They were deeply moved by their experiences.
-
Arima’s flourishing Christian culture
The Jesuits put a lot of effort into training young men who could engage in missionary work. One after another, young boys were educated in subjects such as fine arts, music, Japanese and Latin.
-
Tensions with Buddhism
If you wish for peaceful coexistence, many barriers must first be overcome.
-
Stone-walled castles
Through the ruins of Hara castle, we can witness the early days of the stone wall fortification technique which was in fashion around the time of Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Castle construction was in a period of transition between medieval and early modern times.
-
The Amakusa-Shimabara rebellion
Many Christians fought in the Amakusa-Shimabara rebellion. At Hara castle, an estimated 27,000 men, women and children lost their lives.
-
Abandoned castles
The Arima clan, which had governed the Shimabara peninsular for generations, left and moved to another domain.
-
Hara castle, completely destroyed
Hara was destroyed out of fear that the dead might rise. People from a different religion later came here to mourn the dead.
-
The martyrs of Unzen
Many Christians were tortured and killed at Unzen, a place of numerous burning hot springs
-
Hara’s revival
Although Hara castle was completely destroyed by the army of the shogunate, the area subsequently underwent a revival.
-
Preserving Minami-Shimabara’s history
After the Amakusa-Shimabara rebellion, there was group migration into Arima, with many people coming and settling there.
-
A tombstone in which two cultures meet
An early Japanese Christian tombstone which looks like a semi-cylindrical column that has been laid down. An epitaph has been engraved using the Roman alphabet, with the Christian era date and the name of the Japanese era written alongside one another.
-
Christian burial methods
Christian burial methods sometimes help to manifest beliefs which lie at the very heart of the Christian faith
-
陣中旗は鍋島藩が奪った！
天草四郎が率いた一揆軍の象徴ともいえる陣中旗。
血痕や刀、槍の跡に戦いの歴史が垣間見える。 -
天正遣欧少年使節の4人、それぞれの最期
天正遣欧少年使節としてローマに渡り、大歓迎を受けて帰ってきた4人を待ち受けていたのは辛い現実であった
-
謎に包まれた千々石ミゲルの墓！？
天正遣欧少年使節の4人のうち、ただ1人棄教した千々石ミゲルの墓が発見された!？
-
甦ったセビリアの聖母
16世紀末に有馬セミナリヨの画学生によって描かれたとされる銅版画「セビリアの聖母」復刻までのドラマ
-
Center of Nagasaki Prefecture/Western Nagasaki Prefecture
大村純忠の受洗
日本初のキリシタン大名として知られる大村純忠。戦に明け暮れる中で、キリスト教に心動かされていった!?
