There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)

HIRADO

TABIRA CATHEDRAL

 

Tabira Hiradoguchi Station is less than an hour and a half from Sasebo Station by Matsuura Railway. After getting off at Tabira Hiradoguchi Station, it takes about 15 minutes by rental bicycle. Tabira Cathedral is a red brick cathedral standing on a hill overlooking Hirado Seto Sea. After 1886, Christians in Kuroshima and Shizu moved to the area and built a church in 1918. It is said to be the compilation of Yosuke Tetsukawa's brick cathedrals. The style with an octagonal dome-shaped bell tower at the top is said to be unique to Japan and preferred by Tetsukawa. It is a representative example of church architecture designed and constructed by Japanese carpenters in the background of technology exchange, from the design and construction of Western missionaries until then.

HIRADO XAVIER MEMORIAL CHURCH

Francisco Xavier, who first introduced Christianity to Japan, visited Hirado for the mission three times. After that, many people inherited their religion as hidden Christians even under the ban on Christianity in the Edo era. The current church on a hill in Hirado city was built in 1931.

 

KUROSHIMA CATHEDRAL

【WORLD HERTAGE SITE】Aiura Station is about 30 minutes from Sasebo Station by Matsuura Railway. After getting off at Aiura Station, it takes about 50 minutes by ferry from Aiura Pier to Kuroshima Island. When I visited Kuroshima Cathedral on a marbling winter morning, an elderly man kindly guided me inside the Cathedral. Kuroshima is the largest island in Kujukushima Islands of scenic beauty, floating on 10 km west of Sasebo mainland. Many of the hidden Christians who had escaped from persecution lived there since the Edo era, and the current cathedral was built under the guidance of Father Marman and completed in 1902.