Christian historical materials
At the corner of this trade and propagation times, gorgeous Christian culture and civilization of the early European countries are exhibited. At the end of the age of civil strife, Portuguese came one after another by ship and conveyed new European culture. European medieval culture including Christianity, prospered in the Shimabara district

Then feudal lord, Arima Harunobu, positively pushed forward Western trade and became a Christian daimyo by himself and protected Christianity. Thus the Shimabara district seemed to be a Christian kingdom. Churches were built in various places in the territory, Seminariyo (<P. seminaries=primary theological schools) were opened in Arima, and Colegieo (<P. colleges=advanced theological school) were opened later in Kazusa

In this place four boys including Chijiwa Miguel accomplished a heroic deed that started on a journey to Rome all the way to be honored with an interview with the Pope. A brilliant page 1 in the history of East-West negotiations began from Shimabara. At the corner of the suppression age, many proofs which shows continued faith even in intense suppression are collected and displayed

Although Christianity was prosperous, the situation changed completely by the anti-Christian edicts and the Isolation proclamation of the Edo Shogunate which began from Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s missionary deportation order. Intense Christian suppression started and the citizens of the territory were demanded the severe choice whether to apostatizes or to be robbed of their life

There were people who never abandoned their freedom of faith even in such a severe period. These people were called ‘Hidden Christians’, and they continued their faith, worshipping the Jesus or Mary’s figure in other images so that others might not find them out as Christians. This castle is famous for its extensive and valuable collection of documents nationwide

At the Shimabara Uprising corner in the building, histrical data which tell the situation of the riot that shook the whole country are collected. To replace Lord Arima, Matsukura Shigemasa came to this province as a new feudal lord for the castle. The new lord built Shimabara Castle and promoted the reign of the Shimabara district powerfully. However, in the next reign of Katsuie (Shigetsugu), Shigemasa’s son, atrocity to the citizens of territory continued and Shimabara Uprising broke out

The picture of Amakusa Shiro who led the riot with 30,000 farmers, the picture depicting intense fighting over four months, a handmade spear, a handmade artillery shell that were used in those days, etc. Although the farmers who held the castle were annihilated, the crosses made from gold for which they might have probably continued praying are witnesses of the tragedy.

After the revolt, the whole southern part of Shimabara territory became like a desert, but gradually it revived. However, severe Christianity control was performed afterwards. An allegiance test and a forbidden notice board, the record of people’s sects and denominations show this.

Local documents and treasures
The lords of the castle changed quickly: from Lord Arima, Matsukura and Koriki. But after Lord Matsudaira Tadafusa came to this province, the stable rule continued nearly 200 years. The hearts of the people of a citizen of territory were stable, too, and culture and economy developed

Every Shimabara feudal lord was a lover of learning, and this made it possible to prosper the culture and studying in his domain. The culture related to the feudal lord and Shimabara castle has been exhibited in this hometown-document section

The swords ‘Shinki’, ‘Shinsoku’ were heirlooms in the Matsudaira family, and they were also the defense gods in the castle. The armor, the helmet, and furnishing goods with the family crest of the double fans are the ones used in the palace. Moreover, the license and the book of secrets, etc. including the vassal’s armor and helmet were donated, consigned, and have been exhibited. These can be only some reminiscences of the rich culture of our hometown

Castle tower / observatory

You can fully enjoy the historic cityscape of Shimabara 360 degrees.
You can see the mountains of Kumamoto over Shimabara city, Bizan, and the sea.