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Nothern Nagasaki Prefecture
On Kuroshima, there is a special adjective meaning “pious” or “devout”. All of the islands Christians possess a picture of the Virgin Mary, a crucifix, a rosary and such like.
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Nothern Nagasaki Prefecture
A rosary hidden within a “kamidana”, an old man’s mysterious way of praying…
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Nagasaki
Father de Rotz, who gave himself wholeheartedly to relief work in Sotome, is still referred to affectionately by the local people as "Doro-sama".
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Nagasaki
n Sotome today, there still remain "Hidden Christians" (known in Japanese as Kakure Kirishitan) whose ancestors chose not to rejoin the Catholic Church once the ban on Christianity had been lifted.
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Nothern Nagasaki Prefecture
Tabira church was at the very heart of peoples’ lives. Some would walk for hours in order to attend Mass.
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Nothern Nagasaki Prefecture
The Christians who lived in Houki during the Meiji era were very devout, and they played their part in the church’s construction.
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Goto Islands
In 1985, a new church was constructed in Gorin, and Former Gorin church became disused.
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Goto Islands
It seems that St. Joseph’s earnest and sincere life resonated with local Christians
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Goto Islands
Although Naru island is gradually becoming depopulated, Christians who live there are still managing to keep the flame of faith alive
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Goto Islands
Many fishermen on Naru keep holy objects within their boats
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Shimabara/Amakusa
Although Hara castle was completely destroyed by the army of the shogunate, the area subsequently underwent a revival.
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Shimabara/Amakusa
After the Amakusa-Shimabara rebellion, there was group migration into Arima, with many people coming and settling there.
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Nothern Nagasaki Prefecture
It is said that one of the ancestors of Taguchi Tomisaburou (a minshuku owner on Ojika island) assisted the first family who settled in Funamori village.
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Nothern Nagasaki Prefecture
The remains of Nokubi and Funamori villages are linked by a rugged trail, which the island’s Christians walked for over 100 years.
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Nothern Nagasaki Prefecture
The last remaining residents in Funamori left the island as a group 5 years earlier than those living in Nokubi village did. These are the reflections of the only person living on Ojika island who is originally from Funamori.
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Nothern Nagasaki Prefecture
The cultural landscape of the Ojika island group has been designated as an Important Cultural Landscape by the Japanese national government. Much of the landscape remains as it has done for centuries, and so does the warmth and the kindness of the people who live there.
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Nothern Nagasaki Prefecture
During the Edo period, many Christians migrated to Nozaki island in search of a new life. Today, many of those who live on Ojika island have also arrived there from elsewhere, and these settlers have brought fresh energy to the island.
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Goto Islands
In the joy of presenting one’s lovingly grown flowers to God, one can see the important regard in which Kashiragashima church is held.
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Goto Islands
A man named Maeda Gidayu was responsible for the migration of Tainoura’s Christians to Kashiragashima, as well as for the founding Kashiragashima village
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Goto Islands
From Buddhist believer to follower of Christ. A family who sticks to love and offers prayers together.
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Goto Islands
Oso church welcomes the centennial from its consecration in the summer of 2014. This occasion lends a special air to relooking at its history.
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Shimabara/Amakusa
Sakitsu church is the pride and joy of the village’s Christians
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Shimabara/Amakusa
The watercress which grows by Imatomi river is good for making both goma-ae and tempura
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Shimabara/Amakusa
"I want to untie the knots of this buried history..."
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Shimabara/Amakusa
天草の今富集落では明治になってからもカトリックに復帰せず、先祖から伝わる儀式を行った
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Nagasaki
ド・ロさま畑で採れた野菜やお茶を味わえる「ヴォスロール」。ド・ロさま小麦で作るパンも美味しい!
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Nothern Nagasaki Prefecture
禁教制度が解除され、宣教活動が本格化すると、海に面した地域の宣教師は小さな船で教会を巡回した