日野江城跡｜「Orasho―kokorotabi」（Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region）

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Hinoe castle is one of the castles to appear in Christian missionary records from Japan, where it is referred to as “Finoye”.
It was located in the southern part of the Shimabara peninsular in Nagasaki prefecture.
The region had been governed by the Arima clan since medieval times.
This area was quick to embrace Christianity. In Japan, the feudal lords and other high ranking statesmen who converted to Christianity had various motivations for doing so, while many of the peasants who converted felt drawn to a religion which valued life highly and placed love at its centre.
Arima’s “seminario”, where the four members of the Tenshō embassy to Europe were all educated, had a flourishing artistic culture. It was founded on the site of Hinoe castle.

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Arima Harunobu

［Arima Harunobu］ Arima Harunobu, the feudal lord of the Hizen Arima clan, succeeded to head of the family in 1571 and resided at Hinoe Castle. In 1580, he was baptized by Valignano and became a Kirishitan Daimyo (Christian feudal lord.) In 1582, he sent his cousin Chijiwa Miguel as a member of the first Japanese embassy to Europe, known as the Tensho embassy. In 1587, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi proclaimed the expulsion of Christian priests, Harunobu protected missionaries in his territory.

Baptism

［Baptism］ Baptism is a Christian rite of admission and adoption into Christianity, and receiving a baptismal name (Christian name) such as "Mary" or "Francis."

Luís Fróis

［Luís Fróis］ Luís Fróis was a missionary of the Society of Jesus who came to Japan in 1563 and lived there until he died in Nagasaki in 1597. He left detailed records of Japan at that time, including his History of Japan.

Biography & Glossary >>

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Articles related to this asset

Shimabara/Amakusa

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.
Shimabara/Amakusa

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.
Shimabara/Amakusa

"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
Shimabara/Amakusa

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
Shimabara/Amakusa

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.
Shimabara/Amakusa

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.
Shimabara/Amakusa

Tensions with Buddhism

If you wish for peaceful coexistence, many barriers must first be overcome.
Shimabara/Amakusa

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
Shimabara/Amakusa

ローマに行ったもう一人の少年

天正遣欧少年使節に随行したメンバーの中にドラードという15歳の混血児がいた。彼の使命は･･･
Shimabara/Amakusa

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!？