・This site is related to the 1657 Christian persecution incident known as “Kori Kuzure” (large-scale arrests of Christians in Kori), in which 603 Christians hiding in Kori Village of the Omura Domain were found and arrested.
・In the following year after they were arrested, 131 people were hauled off from Omura Jail to a place for execution by beheading, under heavy guard by 200 samurais.
・This is believed to be a place where those Hidden Christians said farewell to their families and drank water together with them (in an exchange of mizu-sakazuki, a traditional custom for final parting).
・Some stones became wet with their tears; they are often called “tear stones,” and are said to never become covered in moss.
・There were seven tear stones before World War II, but only three remain today.
Website of the Churches and Christian Historical and Cultural Heritage of Nagasaki
Registered asset
Center of Nagasaki Prefecture/Western Nagasaki Prefecture
