Hidden Christians and Sacred Landscape in the South of Japan
摘要
The chapter opens an intercultural reflection on the international recognition of the Hidden Christians in southern Japan; this heritage has united the West with the Far East since the sixteenth century. Retracing the fundamental steps of this heritage, in the first part, some of the significant historical events that led to the meeting between the Japanese community and Western missionaries are analysed; in the second part, the keynote continues with a more detailed review aimed at illustrating the sacred heritage and investigating the cultural landscape of religious interest, demonstrating the importance of enhancing those intangible aspects that have made this cultural heritage truly unique and extraordinary, a symbol of a fruitful dialogue between East and West. The places of cultural interest and sacred objects are illustrated, especially the main villages and islands still holding this important and unique heritage that 2018 entered the World Heritage List.