Objects Related to Early Christian Faith - Images of the Virgin Mary
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The Virgin and Child, Seized in 1867 from kirishitan of Uragami, French, 19th century (Important Cultural Property)
July 5, 2005 (Tue) - September 25, 2005 (Sun)Christianity was first introduced in Kyushu, Japan in 1549. Small paintings and statues of Virgin Mary played an important role. From 1587 until the early 1870s, warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his successors tried to eliminate Christianity's influence. In one example, a brass medallion depicting Saint Dominic and the Virgin Mary was seized, encased in wood and used against Christians. However, the items are a strong symbol of faith.