Vocabulary List: Hidden Christian World Heritage in the Gotō Interviews

The location where the Christians were interned (a prison).

In the context of this interview, the official elect of the Lord (daimyo) of Fukue Domain (Fukue Island is the neighboring island to Hisaka).

In sangizeme (measuring stick torture) the victim was forced to kneel on triangular wedges made from quarter logs. Stone slabs were placed on the victim’s lap one by one, increasing pressure on their shins. Finally, a small log was inserted between the person’s ankle and thighs and manipulated, inflicting further pain.

A water torture similar to waterboarding. Though not discussed in this interview, there was also a "fire torture" that involved pressing the palms of hands of victims against hot coals. Mizuzeme is briefly described by Miyamoto Fujie in her interview as follows: "The water was forced into their stomach, and then when there stomach was full, then they would press their stomachs until they spewed it out. And they did this over and over."

The term used collectively to refer to the bans on Christianity that were enacted during the Tokugawa and Meiji periods from roughly 1614 to 1873.

This term refers to home area/local area/local people. It is used to distinguish the previous inhabitants from the Kirishitan.

An alternative name given to the people who were on the Gotō previous to the Kirishitan’s arrival

A name given to the Kirishitan (literally: "settlers").

A phrase for use at a Kakure funeral.

The name used by scholars for Hidden Christians during the Christian ban (approx. 1613-1871).

The name used by scholars for Hidden Christians who did not become orthodox Catholics post-1871.

In the context of this interview umi no mono are presumed to be edible.

The word kuzure refers to literally "crushing."

The southern part of Nakadōri Island.

Per Nakamura's explanation, literally this means "witness."

This term was used frequently in the Meiji era in reference to the nation state project. See also the term, kokumin 国民 (people of the nation).

A Buddhist tablet written at time of death. The deceased's name, date of death, and Buddhist posthumous name are written on it.

Bernard Thaddée Petitjean (1829-1884). A priest stationed in Nagasaki at the time of the Hisaka Incident of 1868.

Saint Bastian (martyred in 1659, birthdate unclear; from Nagasaki, who reportedly escaped to Sotome)

Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556, Founder of the Jesuits)

A village leader and organizer of the calendar.

The three roles generally considered necessary for the continuation of the Hidden Christians secret societies in villages (as per above).

This term originates from the Portuguese for the act of contrition (contrição). The full konchirisan, the Konchirisan no ryaku, was published by the Jesuit Press in 1603. See Whelan, Christal. The Beginning of Heaven and Earth: The Sacred Book of Japan's Hidden Christians. University of Hawai’i Press, 1996, 79.

This term derives from the Latin oratio (prayers).

Literally "big night."

Literally: "lifting of the sadness."

In the old lunar calendar, the 23rd of the month would signal the moon viewing (otsukimi お月見). As discussed in the interview, this was sometimes associated with giving thanks for harvest.

This term derives from the Portuguese, paraíso.