Christian Japan

Hidden for centuries. Open to pilgrims today.

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Urakami Cathedral

NagasakiRediscovery (1865–1873)verified

History

Built by the Urakami Catholic community after the 'fourth Urakami persecution' (Yonban Kuzure, 1867–73) exiles returned; completed 1925. Destroyed by the atomic bomb on 9 August 1945; rebuilt 1959, re-faced 1980. Bombed statues and the 'Bombed Mary' are preserved.

Getting there

Tram to Matsuyama-machi or Ōhashi, ~10 min walk.

Sources

From the library

  • Hesselink, The Dream of Christian Nagasaki — full text read; mentioned on PDF pp. 17, 44, 52, 60, 71, 73…
  • 'Facing a Form of Formed God': Japan's Hidden Christians — full text read; mentioned on PDF pp. 1, 24, 25, 26, 38, 41
  • Saint Magdalena of Nagasaki — full text read; mentioned on PDF pp. 26, 29
  • Religiosity and Underground Life — full text read; mentioned on PDF pp. 14, 18
  • Martyrs of the Meiji Era — full text read; mentioned on PDF pp. 2, 6, 7
  • Yūki Diego (Ryōgo), yukidiego01 — full text read; mentioned on PDF pp. 2, 4

Coordinates 32.77619, 129.86839