AMAKUSA, Kumamoto Prefecture—The unlikely friendship of a Japanese cartoonist and an Italian Catholic archbishop has put a spotlight on Amakusa’s “hidden Christian” sites, leading 25 Italians to make a pilgrimage here this fall.

The endeavor began when Kan Takahama, 47, decided to create “Shishi to Botan” (The Lion and the Peony).

Set in Takahama's hometown, the manga features romance, adventure and buried treasure connected to the area’s Christian history.

Christianity had been introduced to the Amakusa region, a collection of islands facing the outer sea, by missionaries from Italy and other countries.

As missionary activities were banned in Japan and Christians faced persecution, many continued to practice their faith in secrecy—even after the failed Shimabara Rebellion (1637-1638) led by Amakusa Shiro (1621-1638).

Traces of this secret history can still be found throughout the area in places such as Sakitsu village.

Today, Sakitsu is one of the “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region,” designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2018.

THE ROAD TO ROME

After many years away, Takahama moved back to her hometown of Amakusa in 2019.

The following year, she won the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize’s Grand Prize for her manga “Nyx no Lantern,” which is set in Nagasaki and Paris during the Meiji Era (1868-1912).

After completing that series in 2022, Takahama began developing a new story inspired by the secret Christian history of her hometown and legends of Amakusa Shiro’s buried treasure. 

This eventually became “The Lion and the Peony,” now available in part on Leed Publishing Co.’s website (https://to-ti.in/product/shishitobotan).

Popular in Italy and France, Takahama gave a lecture in Rome in 2023 about her historical research for “The Lion and the Peony.”

Her lecture caught the attention of Paolo Giulietti, the archbishop of Lucca, a city in central Italy.

Giulietti had developed a keen interest in Japan’s Christian history after visiting the country and being deeply moved by perseverance of the hidden Christians. Since then, he has organized exhibitions of related artifacts.

Giulietti soon began corresponding with the Japanese cartoonist.

So did Giulietti’s associate, professor Olimpia Niglio, a specialist in the restoration of historic buildings, who helped evaluate Sakitsu and other sites for inclusion on the World Cultural Heritage list.

Takahama, Giulietti and Niglio hit it off right away, and their friendship continued to grow through email correspondence.

The manga artist was invited to Lucca in fall 2023 as a guest of the church’s booth at one of Europe’s largest manga and video game festivals. She was also invited to visit the archbishop’s residence.

THE ROAD TO AMAKUSA

After spending about a week with Giulietti, Takahama told him that she worried that the unique historical characteristics of Amakusa are “being lost” to time.

Takahama said the introduction of Christianity to Amakusa, its persecution and secret practice were not well understood in or outside Japan, and that research into this history had stagnated.

Takahama wanted to “establish and strengthen ties with Italy that would shed light on Amakusa.”

She then invited the archbishop to visit the area for himself. He replied immediately that he would—and would bring a pilgrimage group.

They eventually decided to bring 25 pilgrims from Italy to Amakusa in September, 440 years after Japan’s Christian warlords sent the Tensho Embassy to Europe to meet the pope.

This year also marks a “Holy Year,” which the Vatican celebrates every 25 years.

THE FRIENDSHIP PROJECT

Back in Amakusa, local entrepreneurs and business leaders are stepping forward, hoping to help make Takahama’s dream a reality.

In particular, three officials, including Keiji Sasaki, 47, a former junior high school classmate of Takahama, and Masataka Yoshinaga, 51, who is a fan of her work, founded the “Italy and Amakusa Renewed Friendship Project” last June.

A special panel exhibition will be held this summer at the city-run Amakusa Christian Museum, which is famed for its collection of materials about the Shimabara Rebellion.

The exhibition will combine showpieces related to Amakusa with artifacts about the martyred missionaries and hidden Christians that Giulietti had previously displayed in Italy.

The Friendship Project is currently coordinating with Amakusa city to prepare bathrooms, water stations, multilingual information signs and accommodations for the Italian pilgrims, who may be exploring the city on foot and by bicycle.

Takahama hopes the visitors from Italy will grow to love Amakusa and tell other travelers about its charms, helping the city attract a new following in Japan and abroad.

“The experience should not end after just seeing the church and village in Sakitsu,” she said.

The Friendship Project is exploring creative strategies to encourage overseas travelers to return again and again—to feel the intrigue and depth of Amakusa’s Christian history.

The organizers hope that interacting with Amakusa residents will help visitors fully appreciate the city’s appeal as a tourist destination.

The project is seeking sponsors, who can receive Amakusa Shiro T-shirts featuring an original design by Takahama, and other items. 

For inquiries, email (ianf.1585@gmail.com) or scan the QR code to reach the project’s official Instagram account.