To learn the components of the property

(Ⅰ) Origin of the tradition of continuing the Christian faith

1. Remains of Hara Castle

   
   

   Minamishimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture

   The site of the main battlefield during the Shimabara-Amakusa Rebellion, after which the remaining Christians had to go into hiding and find ways out to continue their religious faith by themselves.

(Ⅱ) Formation of the tradition of continuing the Christian faith

1. Kasuga Village and Sacred Places in Hirado (Kasuga Village and Mt. Yasumandake)

   
   

   Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture

   Hidden Christians concealed their faith in this village by venerating the mountain that had been worshiped since before the introduction of Christianity to Japan and the island on which their ancestors had been martyred.

2. Kasuga Village and Sacred Places in Hirado (Nakaenoshima Island)

   
   

   Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture

   Hidden Christians concealed their faith in this village by venerating the mountain that had been worshiped since before the introduction of Christianity to Japan and the island on which their ancestors had been martyred.

3. Sakitsu Village in Amakusa

   
   

   Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture

   In Sakitsu, Hidden Christians were able to continue practising their faith over time by substituting everyday items used in daily life and work for Christian devotional objects.

4. Shitsu Village in Sotome

   
   

   Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture

   At this village, Hidden Christians were able to practise their faith by secretly revering sacred icons.

5. Ono Village in Sotome

   
   

   Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture

   In Ono Village, Hidden Christians practised their religious faith by venerating their own deities secretly enshrined in Shinto shrines.

(Ⅲ) Hidden Christians’ endeavours to continue and spread their religious faith

1. Villages on Kuroshima Island

   
   

   Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture

   Hidden Christians maintained their religious communities after they settled in former clan pasturelands on Kuroshima Island in need of redevelopment.

2. Remains of Villages on Nozaki Island

   
   

   Ojika Town, Kitamatsuura District, Nagasaki Prefecture

   Hidden Christians maintained their religious communities after they migrated to Nozaki Island, which was regarded as sacred by Shinto believers.

3. Villages on Kashiragashima Island

   
   

   Shinkamigoto Town, Minamimatsuura District, Nagasaki Prefecture

   Hidden Christians maintained their religious communities after they migrated to Kashiragashima Island, which once had been used for sick people.

4. Villages on Hisaka Island

   
   

   Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture

   Hidden Christians maintained their religious communities in these villages after migrating to undeveloped land on the island in accordance with a migration policy established by feudal lords.

5. Egami Village on Naru Island(Egami Church and its Surroundings)

   
   

   Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture

   Egami Church bears witness to the history of Hidden Christian migrants to Naru Island and visually marks the end of their hiding.

(Ⅳ)The transitional phase in the religious identity of Hidden Christians, leading to the transformation and the end of their tradition

1. Oura Cathedral

   
   

   Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture

   The site of the ‘Discovery of Hidden Christians’, an encounter with returned Catholic missionaries that triggered the end of Hidden Christians’ hiding.