The sadly ironic truth that repression often causes a religion to thrive, while tolerance in the midst of prosperity can be problematic for those of faith, is well—illustrated by a touching Christmas day article in the New York Times. At the same time that Christianity is a dynamic force in China, in the midst of great official hostility, Japan's 'Hidden Christians,' the heirs of people who practiced their religion in secret for around three centuries, are in danger of dying out.

The story of Christianity's first century in Japan is an epic tale, a tragedy to be sure, but one redeemed by countless acts of faith and heroism. Christianity was brought to Japan by no less a figure than St. Francis Xavier, and under the guidance of the Jesuits, Christianity caught on in a big way. A number of feudal lords (Daimyo) converted, and with them, their entire domains. As many as ten percent of all Japanese may have been Christians, at the peak of Christian influence.

But the Sixteenth Century was a turbulent period in Japan, with powerful lords eventually unifying a political system which, for a long period, had been fragmented into warring feudal principalities.  Eventually, the centralizers Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu found Christianity troublesome, and repressed it severely.

Many Japanese Christians suffered terrible fates, for refusing to renounce their faith. Around ten thousand were crucified, while many more suffered lesser punishments. All were required to renounce their faith, and demonstrate that rejection by stepping on a cross, a picture of Jesus or Mary, or some other symbol, on penalty of death.

Nevertheless, many continued to practice their faith in secret. These became the Hidden Christians, masking their Christian rituals in Buddhist garb, frequently. Throughout the Edo Period (1602 — 1868), in Southwest Japan, on the Island of Kyushu and in offshore smaller island communities, the Christians practiced a Sixteenth Century faith, using Japanese intonations of Latin phrases.

Today, as in other parts of rural Japan, the young (who are few due to Japan's very low birthrate) are leaving for the cities, and have no time to maintain their ancient family traditions. In Fukuoka, Osaka, or Tokyo, there is a lot to do on Sundays, and the pull of worship services is negligible.

Ironically, in Japan's closest neighbor, Korea, Christianity is thriving to the extent that South Korea may eventually become a Christian—majority nation. Like China today, in Korea's recent past, Christianity stood in opposition to a repressive state. While openly tolerated now, Christianity has a definite association with modernity, human rights, and a favorable view of the possibility of life getting better.

Japan, however, modernized without Christianity becoming a significant factor. Nationalism, and a revived Shintoism provided the spiritual groundwork for Japan's Nineteenth and early Twentieth Century reforms. Even occupation by American forces failed to provide much impetus. Today, having attained wealth beyond the dreams of their ancestors, modern Japanese exist in a bit of a spiritual vacuum, if not malaise. The old nationalism fails to excite, while merely acquiring more wealth has not ignited much of the passion of youth.

Posted by Thomas 12 25 03