In preparation for my and Father Garrpe’s arrival in Japan we have decided to research information that may be useful to understanding the culture there. As a way of helping myself remember this information, I have decided to write it here in this journal.
The first thing to learn is the recent history of Japan. One event in particular that has led to the current hostilities toward Christians is the Shimabara rebellion. Apparently, Japanese peasants in the Shimabara peninsula had staged a revolt. These poor peasants had been relentlessly taxed by the Shogun. In response to the taxes, they had killed 30 noblemen in the Shimabara region during the autumn of 1637. The rebels then fought their to the Hara Castle where they took up residence.
The first thing to learn is the recent history of Japan. One event in particular that has led to the current hostilities toward Christians is the Shimabara rebellion. Apparently, Japanese peasants in the Shimabara peninsula had staged a revolt. These poor peasants had been relentlessly taxed by the Shogun. In response to the taxes, they had killed 30 noblemen in the Shimabara region during the autumn of 1637. The rebels then fought their to the Hara Castle where they took up residence.