The “Busho seal” is a mark of the military commanders associated with Shimabara Castle and the Shimabara Peninsula! The “Busho seal” is now on sale at Shimabara Castle!
At last! Shimabara Castle has also begun selling the “Busho seal”.
In addition to the four successive lords of the castle, Christian warlords, who are inseparable from the history of the Shimabara Peninsula, have also been picked up!
The stamps will be on sale at the Shimabara Castle keep from November 5 (Sat).
What’s a “Busho seal”?
The “Gojo-in” (seal of the castle) is currently popular at many castles. The “Busho seal” is a derivative product of the “castle seal” and is gradually spreading.
Shimabara Castle has not sold a Busho seal until now, but in response to customer demand for a Busho seal, we have finally decided to produce and sell a Busho seal.
Shimabara Castle will celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2024. Now that the 400th anniversary of Shimabara Castle has come to the forefront of the public’s attention, we are not only interested in Shimabara Castle, We started this project in the hope that it would spark interest not only in Shimabara Castle, but also in the military commanders and history associated with Shimabara Castle and the Shimabara Peninsula.
The Shimabara Castle Warlord Seal
There are a total of seven types of Shimabara Castle’s military leader seals.
There are seven different types of Shimabara Castle’s military leader seals. The first is the black warrior seal, which is based on the motif of the successive lords of Shimabara Castle. The other is a warrior’s seal with the motif of a Christian warlord (red warrior’s seal).
◎ Price
- 1 piece: 300 yen
- Set of seals of castle lords (set of 4 seals of successive castle lords): 800 yen
- Kirishitan seal set (set of 3 samurai seals of Christian generals): 600 yen
The set will be enclosed in a special flat bag. The flat bag contains an outline of each warlord.
Illustrations and design were created by ……
The illustrations and designs for the Busho seal were created by members of the “Shimabara Castle Shichimangoku Busho-tai”.
Based at Shimabara Castle, they entertain tourists and promote tourism.
In fact, these warriors were active on the Shimabara Peninsula 400 years ago. The figures revived today are a little (?!) different from those of those days. There are some differences.
Among these warriors, Shigemasa Matsukura did the illustration. Tadafusa Takariki, who was a member of the same unit, was in charge of the design.
They lived 400 years ago and talk about how they hope it will help people learn about the history of Shimabara, which is connected to the present.
Shigemasa Matsukura (left), in charge of illustration, and Tadafusa Takariki (right), in charge of design, holding the warrior’s seal.
The generals who served as motifs for the “Busho seal” are introduced.
Let us start with the successive lords of Shimabara Castle. The four generals picked up this time are the first four lords of Shimabara Castle, who served as the lords of Shimabara Castle.
● Shigemasa Matsukura, builder and first lord of Shimabara Castle
Shigemasa Matsukura was the first lord of Shimabara Castle. He moved to Shimabara from present-day Gojo City, Nara Prefecture.
He not only built Shimabara Castle, but also devoted himself to the development of the town of Shimabara, which remains to this day.
● Tadafusa Takanori, the third lord of Shimabara Castle
The third lord of Shimabara Castle. Moved to Shimabara from Hamamatsu City in present-day Shizuoka Prefecture.
He devoted himself to the reconstruction of Shimabara, which was devastated by the Shimabara Rebellion. It is said that it was his immigration policy that led to the production of Shimabara Somen.
● Matsudaira Tadafusa, 5th lord of Shimabara Castle
The fifth lord of Shimabara Castle. Moved to Shimabara from Fukuchiyama City in present-day Kyoto Prefecture.
The Matsudaira family ruled Shimabara the longest. He laid the foundation of the family. The Japanese books he collected still remain as “Matsudaira bunko”.
● Tadayoi Toda, the 10th lord of Shimabara Castle
Tadayoshi Toda was the 10th lord of Shimabara Castle. Moved from Utsunomiya City in present-day Tochigi Prefecture to Shimabara.
The reservoir called Rokuninmichi Tsutsumi, which remains in Ariake-cho, Shimabara City, was built during Toda’s reign. It is still used as water for farming.
● Harunobu Arima, the last Christian feudal lord in Japan
Harunobu Arima, the last Christian feudal lord in Japan. His baptismal name was Don Protagio.
He ruled the Shimabara Peninsula before Shimabara Castle was built, and helped spread Christianity. He was sentenced to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) after the Okamoto Daihachi Incident, He is said to have had his vassals cut off his head instead of committing seppuku for the sake of his faith.
● Miguel Chijiishi, an official envoy of the Tensho mission to Europe
Baptismal name: Miguel. He traveled around Europe as an official envoy of the Tensho mission to Europe.
After returning to Japan, he left the Jesuits to which he belonged. His tomb was recently excavated and a rosary was found there.
● Amakusa Shiro Tokisada, general of the revolters in the Shimabara Rebellion
Baptismal name: Francis (during the Shimabara Rebellion).
As the general of the Shimabara Rebellion, he led a revolt force of about 30,000 people. He is said to have performed various miracles, but he is still shrouded in mystery.
Sales Information
- Place of sale: Shimabara Castle Keep
- Price: 300 yen (1 piece) / Set of castle lord seal: 800 yen / Set of Kirishitan seal: 600 yen
【For inquiries from customers, please contact】
Shimabara Castle Keep Office, Shimabara Tourism Bureau Co.
TEL：0957-62-4766（9：00～17：30）