historic siteIkebukuro/Akabane

Ruins of Kirishitan residence (Myogadani, Tokyo)（Christian’s Mansion Ruins)

early Japanese Christianity (from the later Muromachi period)ChristianityPortuguese Jesuits (in Japan in the 16th century)

In 1646, a prison and guard house were built in the compound of Inoue Masashige, a Sometsuke and Somon Kaiyaku, and was called Kirishitan Yashiki (Kirishitan house) because it housed some Christians captured by the Shogunate. After the mansion was destroyed by fire in 1724, it was closed in 1792. Over time, in 2014 (Heisei 26), when excavations were conducted for the construction of the condominium, three graves and remains presumed to be those of Italian inmates were discovered at this site. Today, a monument stands at the site, as well as the “Yonakiishi (stone without night)” where a believer named Hachibei, who was tortured, is said to have been buried alive and a stone placed on his grave.

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