Introduction
The Oura Church (Ōura Tenshudō), also known as Oura Cathedral, is a Catholic minor basilica and co-cathedral located in Nagasaki, Japan. Officially called the Basilica of the Twenty-Six Holy Martyrs of Japan (Nihon Nijūroku Seijin), the church holds significant historical and religious importance in the history of Christianity in Japan. It was built shortly after the end of Japan’s Seclusion Policy in 1853, a period during which the country had largely closed itself off from foreign influence. The church’s construction was part of the broader renewal of Catholicism in Japan after the country reopened to the outside world. The church is named in honor of the 26 Japanese Martyrs, a group of Catholics who were executed by crucifixion in Nagasaki on February 5, 1597. This event marked a dark chapter in the history of Christianity in Japan, as it occurred during a period of intense persecution of Christians by the Tokugawa Shogunate. These martyrs, including 6 foreigners and 20 Japanese Christians, are remembered for their unwavering faith in the face of brutal oppression. For many years, Oura Church was the only Western-style structure in Japan designated as a national treasure. It is often referred to as the oldest Christian church in Japan, standing as a symbol of the enduring presence of Christianity in a country that sought to eliminate foreign influences. Its unique architectural style reflects both European and Japanese influences, showcasing the blend of cultures that emerged after Japan’s period of isolation ended.
The history of Christianity in Japan, especially in the late 16th century, began with great promise. By the end of the century, it is believed that as many as 300,000 Japanese had converted to Catholicism, largely due to the efforts of Jesuit missionaries, especially St. Francis Xavier. However, political tensions between the missionary countries—Portugal and Spain—and factions within the Japanese government led to the suppression of Christianity. By 1630, the Tokugawa Shogunate had succeeded in driving Catholicism underground, leading to the forced cessation of open worship. Despite this, a significant number of Japanese Catholics, known as the “hidden Christians,” continued to practice their faith in secret for over 250 years. When Christian missionaries finally returned to Japan in the 19th century, they discovered that this hidden community had maintained their beliefs and practices, often in secrecy, passing down their faith from generation to generation. The return of Christianity to Japan, and the recognition of sites like Oura Church, marked the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s religious history, one where Catholicism could once again flourish openly.
The Arrival of French Priests and the Construction of Ōura Cathedral
In December 1862, two French priests from the Société des Missions Étrangères (Society of Foreign Missions), Fathers Louis Furet and Bernard Petitjean, were dispatched from Yokohama to Nagasaki with the mission of building a church dedicated to the Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan. These martyrs, including eight European priests, one Mexican priest, and seventeen Japanese Christians, were executed in 1597 under the orders of the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The group was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1862, the same year the priests were assigned the task of constructing a church to honor their sacrifice.
The priests arrived in Nagasaki in 1863, and the church’s construction was completed in 1864. The original structure, designed by master carpenter Koyama Hidenoshin (who had also worked on the Glover Residence), was a modest wooden building featuring three aisles and three octagonal towers. However, the building was later expanded and renovated into a much larger Gothic basilica, a transformation that began in 1875 and was largely completed by 1878. The new structure was constructed using white stuccoed brick and featured five aisles, vaulted ceilings, and a single octagonal tower. This design was most likely inspired by a Belgian plan used for earlier Catholic churches in Osaka. The church’s stained glass windows, imported from France, also reflected European architectural influences. At the time of its construction, Christianity was still banned in Japan under the Tokugawa shogunate. The church was primarily intended to serve as a chapel for the French foreign community in Japan, in accordance with the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between France and Japan. The church’s dedication ceremony, held on March 17, 1865, was attended by foreign residents, including the captains of several foreign ships, such as those from France, Russia, Britain, and the Netherlands.
The Miraculous Discovery of Hidden Christians
Shortly after the completion of the church, an extraordinary event occurred that would become a pivotal moment in the history of Christianity in Japan. On March 17, 1865, Father Petitjean encountered a group of people outside the cathedral, who revealed themselves to be descendants of Kakure Kirishitans, or “Hidden Christians.” These Christians were part of a clandestine community that had practiced Catholicism in secret for over two centuries, after Christianity was banned by the Tokugawa shogunate in the early 1600s. The group approached Father Petitjean and, upon seeing him kneel at the altar, asked where the statue of the Virgin Mary was. This was the first encounter between the hidden Christians and missionaries since Christianity was outlawed. In response to their faith, a white marble statue of the Virgin Mary was imported from France and placed inside the church to commemorate this momentous event. A bronze relief, now located in the courtyard of the church, depicts the scene of the Hidden Christians’ first encounter with Father Petitjean. This discovery led to the revelation of tens of thousands of Hidden Christians in the Nagasaki region, marking a miraculous turning point in the history of Christianity in Japan. News of the event reached Pope Pius IX, who famously referred to it as “the miracle of the Orient.”
Expansion and Renovations of the Church
Between 1875 and 1891, the church underwent significant expansion and renovations. The original wooden structure was replaced with a larger and more enduring brick building, giving the church its characteristic Gothic style. The expanded church, consecrated on May 22, 1879, was the first church in the Kyushu region to be built with brick, a major milestone in the development of Christian architecture in Japan. In 1891, the church was officially designated as the cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Nagasaki (now the Catholic Archdiocese of Nagasaki). This marked the church’s formal recognition as the spiritual heart of the Catholic community in the region.
Recognition as a National Treasure and Survival of World War II
Ōura Cathedral was designated as a National Treasure of Japan in 1933, the first Western-style building in the country to receive this honor. This recognition underscored the church’s cultural and historical significance in Japan. Despite being damaged by the atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, the cathedral survived due to its distance from the hypocenter. Some of the artifacts damaged during the bombing are now displayed in the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum.
The National Treasure designation was reaffirmed in 1953 under the 1951 Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties. Ōura Cathedral remained the only Western-style building in Japan with this designation until 2009 when the neo-Baroque Akasaka Palace was also recognized as a National Treasure. In 2012, the precincts of the cathedral were designated a National Historic Site, further emphasizing its importance.
Recognition as a Minor Basilica and UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 2016, the Vatican granted Ōura Cathedral the status of a minor basilica, recognizing its religious and historical significance. This designation further solidified the cathedral’s role as a symbol of the resilience of Christianity in Japan. In 2018, Ōura Cathedral was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, alongside eleven other sites connected to the history of Catholic persecution in Japan. This acknowledgment highlighted the cathedral’s role in the long history of Christian martyrdom and persecution in the country.
Early Christianity in Japan
The Arrival of Jesuit Missionaries
Christianity first arrived in Japan in 1549 with the arrival of Jesuit missionaries led by St. Francis Xavier. Xavier, along with fellow missionaries Cosme de Torres and Juan Fernández, landed in Kagoshima with the goal of spreading Catholicism in Japan. The missionaries were initially met with a warm reception, and they were granted permission by the local daimyō (lord), Shimazu Takahisa, to establish the first Catholic mission in Japan. The goal was to create a trade relationship with European powers such as Portugal and Spain. For a time, the Japanese government, including the shogunate, supported the Catholic mission. The missionaries were seen as a means to weaken the power of the Buddhist monks and to promote trade with Europe. However, by the late 1500s, the government began to grow suspicious of foreign influence, particularly the potential for European colonialism. This led to the suppression of Christianity and the eventual expulsion of foreign missionaries.
Persecution and Martyrdom
In 1587, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the ruler of Japan, issued an edict expelling all Christian missionaries. This was followed by increased persecution of Christians throughout the country. In 1597, a group of 26 Catholics, including both foreign missionaries and Japanese converts, were arrested and martyred in Nagasaki. These 26 Martyrs, who included Spanish, Mexican, Portuguese, and Japanese individuals, were tortured and crucified in one of the most infamous episodes of Christian persecution in Japan. The persecution of Christians continued throughout the early 1600s. Despite this, a hidden community of Christians, known as Kakure Kirishitans, persisted in secrecy, continuing to practice their faith underground for over 250 years. The Kakure Kirishitans preserved their religious beliefs and practices, passing them down through generations, often without formal clergy or theological guidance.
Canonization of the Martyrs
In 1862, Pope Pius IX canonized the 26 Martyrs of Japan, including St. Paul Miki and his companions. These martyrs are remembered for their unwavering faith and sacrifice in the face of persecution. Their canonization was a momentous event in the history of Christianity in Japan, and their feast day, February 6, is observed by Catholics around the world. Their story continues to inspire and serve as a testament to the strength and resilience of the Christian faith, even in the most adverse of circumstances.
Legacy of the Martyrs
The legacy of the 26 Martyrs of Japan is deeply embedded in the history of the Catholic Church. Numerous churches, including the Church of the Holy Japanese Martyrs in Civitavecchia, Italy, have been dedicated to their memory. The story of their martyrdom serves as a symbol of the enduring power of faith in the face of adversity. In Japan, the martyrs are particularly revered, and their story is commemorated annually, both in liturgical services and through memorials. The 26 Martyrs continue to be honored by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, and other Christian denominations, who celebrate their feast day and honor their memory with prayers and liturgical services.
Architecture of The 26 Holy Martyrs of Japan (Oura Cathedral) Nagasaki, Japan
Architects: Bernard Petitjean, Louis Furet
Architectural styles: Gothic architecture, Gothic Revival Architecture
Exterior Design
The architectural style of Ōura Cathedral is a notable example of Gothic Revival, which is rare in Japan. The exterior of the cathedral is constructed from white stuccoed brick, giving it an elegant and enduring appearance. The design of the cathedral was inspired by European Gothic architecture, likely based on plans used for earlier Catholic churches in Osaka. The church features pointed arches, which are a hallmark of Gothic design, and its five-aisle layout reflects the traditional basilica form.
Stained Glass Windows
The cathedral is adorned with beautiful stained glass windows imported from France. These windows depict scenes from the Bible, as well as the lives of saints and martyrs, including the Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan. The intricate designs and vibrant colors of the windows create a spiritual atmosphere within the church, especially as light filters through them, enhancing the sense of reverence inside the building.
Interior Design
Inside, the cathedral boasts a spacious nave with high vaulted ceilings, supported by slender columns. The nave stretches towards a grand altar, which serves as the focal point of the interior. The altar features intricate carvings and reflects both Western and Japanese design influences. A large painting of the Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus hangs above the altar, symbolizing the connection between the European Catholic faith and the Japanese Christian community.
Cultural Significance and Religious Role
Ōura Cathedral continues to play an important role as a center of Catholic worship in Nagasaki. As a minor basilica, it serves as a site of pilgrimage for Catholics around the world. It is also a popular destination for tourists, particularly those interested in the history of Christianity in Japan and the legacy of the Christian martyrs. Through its remarkable architecture and rich history, Ōura Cathedral stands as a symbol of faith, resilience, and the enduring legacy of Christianity in Japan.
Feast Day
Feast Day : 06 February
The feast day of the Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan is celebrated on February 6 each year. This date commemorates their martyrdom on February 5, 1597, when they were executed by crucifixion under the orders of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The feast is observed in the Catholic Church, as well as by some Anglican and Lutheran communities.
Church Mass Timing
Yet to Update
Church Opening Time:
Monday : 8:30 am – 5:30 pm.
Tuesday : 8:30 am – 5:30 pm.
Wednesday : 8:30 am – 5:30 pm.
Thursday : 8:30 am – 5:30 pm.
Friday : 8:30 am – 5:30 pm.
Saturday : 8:30 am – 5:30 pm.
Sunday : 8:30 am – 5:30 pm.
Contact Info
Address :
5-3 Minamiyamatemachi, Nagasaki, 850-0931, Japan.
Phone : +81 95-823-2628
Accommodations
Connectivities
Airway
The 26 Holy Martyrs of Japan (Oura Cathedral) Nagasaki, Japan, to Nagasaki Airport (NGS), distance between 37 min ( 39.2 km )via Kyushu Expressway / Nagasaki-Oita Line / Nagasaki Expressway.
Railway
The 26 Holy Martyrs of Japan (Oura Cathedral) Nagasaki, Japan, to Nagasaki Station 1 Onouemachi, Nagasaki, Japan, distance between 8 min ( 2.9 km )via National Highway 499 and National Highway 202.
