The Shoguns.

I was weaned into Christianity on statements like Tertullian’s, “The death of the martyrs is the seed of the church”, but not in Japan! The brutality of the shoguns and the extermination of Christianity in Japan are significant historical events that took place during Japan’s feudal period, particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries. These events shaped the socio-political landscape of Japan and had lasting impacts on its culture and society.

The term “shogun” refers to the military rulers who held de facto power in feudal Japan. They maintained their power through a strict hierarchical structure and the enforcement of law and order. The samurai, the warrior class of feudal Japan, were bound by a strict code of conduct known as Bushido, which emphasized loyalty, honour, and duty. This code also allowed for severe punishment and even death for those who disobeyed. Punishments could range from execution to ritual suicide depending on the offense committed.

Christianity was introduced to Japan by Portuguese and Spanish traders in the 16th century. Jesuit missionaries, such as Francis Xavier, gained converts and established a significant Christian presence in Japan. However, as Christianity spread, it also began to challenge the authority of the shogunate and the traditional Buddhist and Shinto beliefs.

This led to a series of conflicts and tensions between the converts and the ruling class. The shoguns grew increasingly concerned about foreign influence and the potential for the Christian faith to destabilize their rule. As a result, a series of persecutions against Christians began.

The Tokugawa shogunate issued a series of edicts banning Christianity and expelling missionaries. The most notable of these was the Shimabara Rebellion in 1637-1638, a Christian-led uprising that was brutally suppressed by the shogunate. These events marked the beginning of a period of persecution during which Christians were systematically hunted down, tortured, and killed. Christians were forced to renounce their faith or face severe consequences like being roasted upside down over a fire pit.

The persecution of Christians and the suppression of Christianity marked a turning point in Japanese history. It solidified Japan’s isolationist policies, leading to a long period of seclusion from the rest of the world. It wasn’t until the mid-19th century that Japan began to open up to foreign influence again. Christianity has never recovered in Japan, it today represents an extreme minority. Just 1 percent of Japan’s population of 127 million are Christian, and of those only 15,270 are members of the Adventist Church. The country is largely Buddhist.

The brutality of the shoguns and the extermination of Christianity in Japan are interconnected historical events that highlight the complex dynamics of power, religion, and cultural influence during the country’s feudal period. These events had far-reaching consequences that shaped Japan’s trajectory even to this day.