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Registered asset

Nagasaki

Former Latin Seminary

  • Although it is popularly known as the Former Latin Seminary, the school’s official name is actually Nagasaki Catholic Divinity School. It was established by Father Petitjean in 1875 (soon after the ban on Christianity in Japan was lifted) in order to train theology students and Japanese priests. It functioned simultaneously as both a divinity school and a lodging house.
  • It was designed by another French missionary priest, Father de Rotz. It has a wooden frame and brick walls.
  • A range of subjects were taught including theology, philosophy, physics and natural science. All of the lessons were taught in Latin.
  • Young men who wished to be priests came from across Japan to study here, and over the years the school produced a great number of native priests.
  • The first floor now exhibits various objects relating to the history of Christianity in Japan, including woodblock prints produced by Father de Rotz.

Related persons and terms（By hovering your mouse pointer over an item, explanation of the item are displayed.）

Priest

［Priest］ A priest is one of the offices of the Catholic clergy; referred to as "Father." A parish priest is entrusted with the parish by the bishop. Depending on the size of the parish, the priest may be assisted by a curate.

Discovery of Hidden Christians

［Discovery of Hidden Christians］ The Discovery of Hidden Christians is an event in which several Senpuku Kirishitans (hidden Christians) in Urakami confessed their faith to a priest for the first time in about 250 years, in 1865, even when the ban on Christianity had not yet been lifted. This historical event happened at the Oura Cathedral built in the foreign settlement of Nagasaki.

Marc Marie de Rotz

［Marc Marie de Rotz］ Marc Marie de Rotz, a missionary of the Paris Foreign Missions Society, landed at Nagasaki as a diocesan bishop in 1868. After printing doctrinal books using lithography at Oura Cathedral, he was assigned as the parish priest of the Sotome area in 1879 and engaged in various welfare activities, including establishing an aid center. He also had a profound knowledge of architecture and was involved in the construction of Shitsu Church and Ono Church.

Biography & Glossary >>

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Articles related to this asset

  • Nagasaki

    Father de Rotz's numerous activities

    When Father de Rotz was appointed to Sotome, he was shocked by how poor its inhabitants were. He gave the whole of the fortune which he acquired through inheriting his parent's house to Sotome.

  • Nagasaki

    A unique church

    Ono church’s structure resembles that of an ordinary house. Other notable architectural features include its "de Rotz walls" and its brick window frames, as well as the windbreak in front of the entrance.

  • Nagasaki

    あのバラ窓はどこへ？

    創建当時、大浦天主堂正面にあったバラ窓を
    意外なところで発見！

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