Hidden Christianity faces extinction on remote Nagasaki islands

In the rural islands of Nagasaki, Japan, a rare version of Christianity known as Hidden Christianity is facing extinction as its practitioners age and younger generations move to cities. These believers, primarily elderly, have been maintaining their faith despite the challenges posed by modernization and loss of communal ties. This unique faith has deep historical roots, tracing back to a time when Christians faced severe persecution in Japan, especially after the ban on Christianity in 1614. With hundreds of thousands reportedly having embraced this form of Christianity during its peak, the remaining few, like Masatsugu Tanimoto, are desperate to preserve their practices and beliefs. They pray to the Closet God and chant in a historical Latin dialect, maintaining traditions that their ancestors have followed for over 400 years. The Hidden Christians possess a complex heritage that intertwines with Japan's feudal past, characterized by samurai rule and shoguns. Their way of worship includes hiding representations of their Christian faith, disguising them as Buddhist icons to evade detection during periods of violent persecution. Many artifacts, such as ceramic bottles of holy water and lacquer bowls adorned with crosses, serve as symbols of their clandestine practices. However, the community has dwindled significantly, reducing from nine families in the past to just two today, as younger members abandon the faith or migrate to urban areas for better opportunities. The rituals traditionally performed to honor the Closet God and ancestors are increasingly rare. Tanimoto has taken steps to preserve these rituals by learning Orasho, the prayer technique passed down through generations, but he fears that once he and the other practitioners are gone, the knowledge and practices will also vanish. This situation underscores the broader sociocultural shifts occurring in rural Japan, where individualism is replacing historical collectivism which was crucial to the survival of such religious practices. There is a concerted effort by some scholars and locals to archive the history and practices of Hidden Christianity before they are lost completely. Shigeo Nakazono, a local folklore museum's head, has been collecting artifacts and recording interviews with the remaining believers since the 1990s. As the remnants of Hidden Christianity fade, the implications extend beyond the spiritual realm, touching on issues of cultural identity, preservation of history, and the resilience of faith in the face of modernization. The narrative of Hidden Christianity is a testament to the indomitable human spirit that clings to belief despite overwhelming odds. The end of this unique tradition signals a significant loss for both local heritage and the broader tapestry of global religious diversity. The remaining Hidden Christians, while few in number, continue to hold tightly to their customs, striving to ensure that their legacy endures in some form, even in a society increasingly indifferent to their existence.