The Urakami kirishitan as Ancestors and the Church of Nagasaki

Abstract Through commemorations, ceremonies, and theatrical productions held to represent significant events, the Church of Nagasaki recounts the story of Christianity within the diocese. This narrative intertwines with the broader history of Christianity in Japan, which has significantly shaped Nagasaki’s cultural identity. However, the liturgical narrative also highlights local aspects of Christianity in Nagasaki, focusing on the Urakami kirishitan , the Hidden Christians of Nagasaki, who are descendants of early Japanese martyrs and ancestors of today’s Nagasaki believers. The liturgical narrative of the Nagasaki diocese thus connects contemporary believers to their past and their land. This article studies motifs, mythology, and protagonists within this narrative, exploring the tension between the history of Christian missions in Japan and the localized story of Nagasaki’s Christians. I argue that the diocese fosters a sense of continuity and shared heritage among today’s believers through these narratives, distinguishing Nagasaki’s Christian history within the broader context of Japanese Christianity.