Amakusa

Lore & Background

The Amakusa islands, with Shimoshima as the largest, are characterized by rugged hills and a terrace system of cultivation to compensate for limited flat land. Historically, Amakusa and the neighboring Shimabara Peninsula were the stage for the Shimabara rebellion in the 17th century, a revolt led by Christians. After the rebellion, surviving Christians, known as Kakure Kirishitan, continued to practice their faith in secret under severe persecution. Economically, Amakusa produces a little coal and pottery stone, the latter used by potters of Hirado ware and Satsuma ware. Many kilns remain on the islands, and pottery and pottery stone are still exported. Amakusa pottery has been recognized by the government, and the retail company Muji produced a line of Hakuji home ware using ground translucent Amakusa stones kneaded into clay with traditional techniques. Notable people from the islands include Hidenoshin Koyama, who built Thomas Blake Glover's House in Glover Garden, and Kenta and Ko-shin, two of the three members of Wanima. The islands are served by Amakusa Airfield on the north end of Shimoshima and are connected to the mainland by the Five Bridges of Amakusa and by ferry from Hondo and Matsushima. Ferries also connect to neighboring prefectures of Kagoshima and Nagasaki.

Reader's Guide

Amakusa holds significance as the location of the Shimabara rebellion, a pivotal 17th-century uprising led by Christians that resulted in severe persecution and the emergence of the Kakure Kirishitan, who secretly maintained their faith. This history marks the islands as a key site in Japan's Christian heritage and resistance. Economically, Amakusa's contribution to Japanese ceramics is notable: its pottery stone has been used for centuries in Hirado and Satsuma ware, and modern recognition by the government and companies like Muji underscores its enduring craft legacy. The islands' rugged terrain necessitated innovative terrace farming, reflecting adaptation to environmental constraints. Today, Amakusa is administratively organized under Kumamoto Prefecture, with transport links via airfield, bridges, and ferries connecting it to the mainland and neighboring prefectures, facilitating both local life and tourism. The legacy of the rebellion and the survival of hidden Christian practices continue to shape the cultural identity of the islands.

Did You Know?

• The largest island of Amakusa is Shimoshima, measuring 26.5 miles long and 13.5 miles at its widest.
• Amakusa was the site of the Shimabara rebellion in the 17th century, led by Christians.
• Amakusa produces pottery stone used by potters of Hirado ware and Satsuma ware.
• The retail company Muji produced a line of Hakuji home ware using Amakusa stones.