Christian Daimyo
Feudal lords during the Warring States period who protected Christian missionaries and themselves converted to Christianity during this period of war from the late 16th century through the early 17th century
Christian daimyo were feudal lords who converted to the Christian faith between the end of the 16th century and the beginning of the 17th century. The most well-known of these daimyo were Sorin Otomo, Sumitada Omura, and Harunobu Arima in Kyushu and Ukon Takayama and Yukinaga Konishi in the Kyoto area. Unable to obtain permission from the Shogunate to do missionary work in Japan, Francis Xavier sought refuge with the powerful daimyo in regional areas, and missionaries of the Society of Jesus who later arrived in Japan sought out these daimyo, as well. While allowing the construction of churches within their territories and providing the missionaries with protection, the daimyo also wished to acquire gold, valuables, and weapons from the Portuguese ships calling at their ports. The first daimyo to convert to Christianity was Sumitada Omura. He was baptized in 1563 and took the Christian name Don Bartolomeo. Influenced by early converts, Daimyo Ujisato Gamo and Daimyo Yoshitaka Kuroda, as well as Gracia Hosokawa (the wife of Daimyo Tadaoki Hosokawa), also became Christian. The three Christian daimyo Harunobu Arima, Sorin Otomo, and Sumitada Omura sent the Tensho embassy to Rome. With his Bateren Tsuiho Rei (Chriatianity Purge Directive) in 1587, Hideyoshi Toyotomi attempted to force his vassals Ukon Takayama and Yukinaga Konishi to abandon Christianity. Takayama, however, refused to renounce his faith even when his territory was confiscated. He was later exiled to Manila by the Tokugawa Shogunate. Although Konishi publicly renounced Christianity, he continued to hide missionaries and uphold his faith in other ways until he was put to death.
Related People, Things and Events
Books
Books about Sorin Otomo
Books about Sumitada Oomura
Books about Ukon Takayama
Books about Yukinaga Konishi
Books about Harunobu Arima
Related Works
国宝・重要文化財を探す
Videos
Institutions Holding Related Materials
キリスト教伝来やキリシタン弾圧、有馬氏の拠点日野江城と原城などをテーマとし、キリシタン遺物も展示する。
1987年大阪府茨木市千提寺地区に開館。この地区は「隠れキリシタンの里」として知られ、キリシタン大名高山右近の領地であった。
Kyushu National Museum explores how Japan’s history of cultural exchange with the rest of Asia has impacted the formation of its culture. To that end, we engage in the collection, preservation, exhibition, and research of cultural properties, in addition to providing educational outreach to the local community.
大分市によるサイト。
高槻市観光協会公式サイト。大名の地位を捨ててまでもキリスト教の信仰を貫いたことで知られる高山右近。彼の生涯と高槻に点在する関連スポット(城跡、教会など)を紹介する。
キリシタン大名大村純忠と、キリシタン弾圧の歴史を物語る史跡を紹介する。長崎県大村市観光情報サイト。