おらしょ こころ旅

Registered asset

Center of Nagasaki Prefecture/Western Nagasaki Prefecture

Site of Omura Sumitada’s retreat in his final years

・The house was also called the “Residence in Sakaguchi,” which is said to have once been the residence of Sho Yorisuke, a senior vassal of the Omura Clan.
・After being ousted from the position of lord by Ryuzoji Takanobu, Omura Sumitada spent his final years at this retreat.
・Sumitada was Japan’s first Christian feudal lord, who was given the Christian name “Don Bartolomeo.”
・As a devout Christian, Sumitada lived his religion while fighting his disease at Sakaguchi-kan, but he ended his life at the age of 55 in 1587 without seeing the return of the Tensho embassy from the West to Japan.
・He lived a stormy life, from opening the ports of Yokoseura and Nagasaki, to becoming a Christian and engaging in Christian missions, sending a mission to Europe, and battling with neighboring provinces.
・At the Residence in Sakaguchi, there was a clear stream called “Tachi-no-kawa.” From its spring in the garden, pure water continued to spring out even in times of drought.
・Although the surrounding landscape has totally changed, a clean stream and mossy stonework still exist today, showing traces of how they looked back in those days.
・At present, the site of Sumitada’s residence has been turned into Omura Sumitada Historical Park, which features the remains of the garden.

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Omura Sumitada

[Omura Sumitada] Omura Sumitada, the feudal lord of the Omura clan in the Hizen province, was adopted from the Arima family and succeeded to head of the Omura family in 1550. In 1561, he opened Yokoseura port in his territory to Portuguese ships. He was baptized and became the first Kirishitan Daimyo (Christian feudal lord) in Japan.

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."

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