For a time, Christianity was officially outlawed, but many still worshipped. However, this all changed with the Shimabara Rebellion. In 1637, Christian samurai and peasants rose up against Shigemasa Matsukura, the daimyo of Shimabara. He had forced them to build him a new castle over seven years. He subjected them to extreme taxes, persecution, and torture. The rebels held the new castle for four months against government troops.
But, they lost……..
All the rebels were executed.
17,000 men.
20,000 women and children.
The Shimabara Rebellion forced the remainder of Japan’s Christians to go underground.
There are three different styles of Japanese Christian artwork.
1) Pre-Shimabara
2) Post-Shimabara
3) Post-Bakumatsu
There are no major stylistic differences between pre- and post-Shimabara artwork. Both contained Christian iconography. The difference is that Pre-Shimabara artwork synthesized Japanese and Christian artwork. Post-Shimabara artwork was designed to replicate Japanese art in order to trick others from thinking that it was Christian.
Pre-Shimabara Pottery
Post-Shimabara Maria Kannons
These figurines of the Virgin Mary were constructed to impersonate statues of the Buddha Kannon
Post Bakumatsu
After Christianity was allowed to be practiced in Japan, the Kakure Kirishitans were able to come out publicly as Christians. Their art seems to try and preserve their Japanese heritage while using iconography that is recognizable to Westerners.
Now, these are only a few of the images and topics that I will brush upon in my presentation, but these represent a general overview of my subject.
