First Missionary and Fence;

(posted; Japanese culture page)   Please excuse me if I'm not using some words properly here. 

We stopped by Xavier Memorial Church on our way back when we went to our capital city to visit museum.  Francis X'avier is the first Jesuit missionary and also the first missionary who brought Christianity to Japan. He came to Japan in 1549. 

Original church was built in commemoration of his 400th year of his visit in 1952. But it burned about 11 years ago and was rebuilt 4 years ago. 

           The theme of the new church is 'tent sanctuary','light ', and 'water'.

Fence leading to the entrance.

In front of the little hillside of the church, there is his statue and the bell.

This bell is the sister product of "bell of the holly year 2,000", placed by John Paul II; prayed for the world peace. One of the five sent to the five continents.

Seems  Francis Xavier is standing between the fence with the bell :-)

It sure was great to rediscover about the history about him and how Christianity came to Japan. I never knew he had been to several places in the world. During 16th century, he was allowed to engage missionary work by the landlord of my area.

It was fun to read that there were eye glasses among the tributes to the landlord, and said to be the first ones to Japan.

                                                          Thank you very much for stopping by;

ps: I thought this post can be included for Japanese culture as this is one of our history.