・This museum serves as a guidance facility introducing the history of the Hinoe Castle Ruins and the Hara Castle Ruins, both of which are components of the World Heritage Site (candidate) of Minamishimabara City.
・These two historic sites are “witnesses” of the light and shadow of the history of Christianity. Hinoe Castle saw the introduction of Christianity to Japan, the prosperity of Arima Harunobu, a Christian feudal lord of the Warring States period and the owner of Hinoe Castle, and the sending of the Tensho embassy to Europe. However, those glory days came to a close with the downfall of the feudal lord Arima and the crackdown on Christians, which led to the Shimabara-Amakusa Rebellion with Hara Castle serving as the final battleground.
・The museum’s exhibits include valuable Chinese porcelain called “Hoka,” which was discovered in the remains of Hinoe Castle, and a cross made of firearm bullets, which was unearthed from the remains of Hara Castle, and other artifacts related to Christianity. The museum will help visitors have a more interesting and educative experience in the remains of the two castles.
Registered asset
Minamishimabara City Arima Christian Heritage Museum
Articles related to this asset
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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
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ヴァチカンに残る連判状
1613年、棄教を迫られた口之津の42名のキリシタンが残した連判状が、ヴァチカン図書館に保管されている
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一揆軍が放った矢文の真実
島原・天草一揆で原城に立て籠もった一揆軍が幕府側に放った矢文が現存
一揆に至った心情などが綴られている -
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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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The cause of the rebellion
A great number of Christian artefacts have been uncovered during archaeological excavations at Hara castle.
