Wednesday, August 20, 2014

First Missionary and Fence;

(posted; Japanese culture page)   Please excuse me if I'm not using some words properly here.
 Linking this post to; "Good Fences", 

We stopped by Xavier Memorial Church on our way back when we went to our capital city to visit museum.  Francis X'avier is the first Jesuit missionary and also the first missionary who brought Christianity to Japan. He came to Japan in 1549. 
Original church was built in commemoration of his 400th year of his visit in 1952. But it was burned down about 11 years ago and was rebuilt 4 years ago. 

            The theme of the new church is 'tent sanctuary','light ', and 'water'.
Fence leading to the entrance.

In front of the little hillside of the church, there is his statue and the bell.
This bell is the sister product of "bell of the holly year 2,000", sent by John Paul II; prayed for the world peace. One of the five sent to the five continents.
Seems  Francis Xavier is standing between the fence with the bell :-)

It sure was great to rediscover about the history about him and how Christianity came to Japan. I never knew he had been to several places in the world. During 16th century, he was allowed to engage missionary work by the landlord of my area.
It was fun to read that there were eye glasses among the tributes to the landlord, and said to be the first ones to Japan.

                                                                    Thank you very much for stopping by;

ps: I thought this post can be included for Japanese culture as this is one of our history. 


19 comments:

  1. a neat piece of history and a unique church and lovely property. :)

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  2. Hi Miyako san. This is such a beautiful church. It's too bad the original one was burned down but glad it got rebuilt. The object on the top - with bells and cross - looks unique and beautiful!

    Have a lovely day, Miyako san!

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  3. That is an interesting piece of Japanese history. Thanks for sharing it.

    Diana

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  4. The church is lovely, and interesting to hear of this missionary and bringing Christianity to Japan. Loved the history lesson, girl friend. Hugs from Texas.

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  5. Dearest Miyako,
    That is quite an interesting piece of Japanese history and culture!
    Can you imagine what such a trip must have been like back in those days...? Months on the oceans I guess in rough conditions.
    Lovely memory and special Church with a great bell.
    Indeed, if we only could ring in Freedom and Peace to the five continents that are inhabited by humans...
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  6. Hello Miyako, what a pretty church and I love the bell. Nice story and piece of history on the Missionaries in Japan..Thanks for sharing, great fence shots! Have a happy day!

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  7. Thanks for sharing your wonderful history with us! I found the Christian relics and church very beautiful. So interesting!

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  8. What a modern church! I have never known such a beautiful church. The devoted Christian built it,I wonder.
    Have a nice day!

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  9. It's interesting the missionary work that was going on in your country around the same time Spaniards, English and the French were exploring our continent.

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  10. Beautiful church. I enjoyed reading the historic information and the bells are amazing. Have a wonderful day!

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  11. I like the architecture and enjoyed reading the history. I especially like the look of the bells.

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  12. What a beautiful post. Thanks so much for sharing.
    Your background on your blog is just beautiful....

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  13. Wonderful photos.
    The church is beautiful. I love its light, airy look. It was also interesting to read the historic information here.

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  14. It's interesting how the Jesuits did so much of the missionary work in East Asia - and still do. When I went to university in Taipei, Taiwan, in the early eighties it was a university founded by the Jesuit that I chose.
    Lovely photos - I like the statue and the bell.

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  15. Hi! That was very interesting. I love the bell- so pretty!

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  16. It's very nice to learn about your culture, thank you for sharing it with us. Your photos are all very exceptional. Quite beautiful, especially the church. What a lovely day as well.

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  17. Hello Miyako!:)
    The sleek architectural lines of this church are very beautiful,as is the statue of Saint Francis Xavier, and the engraved bell.He was not only of noble birth but of deed also.Very nice photos Miyako, and interesting post.
    Have a good weekend.
    Warm regards.

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  18. It is an interesting bit of history and the church is lovely.

    I have mixed feelings about missionaries now although I grew up in a culture that honored the work they did.

    But now (as an older person) I wonder why one religion thinks they should have the right to go to another (even to another country) and tell them they were wrong and should change. (Sometimes it seems like the older I get, the less I understand.)

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  19. Such an interesting and informative post on Good Fences. Thanks so for sharing.

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