Jesuit missions in Japan (1549–1640)

1. Francis Xavier begins Jesuit mission in Japan

   Aug 15, 1549Labels: Francis Xavier, Kagoshima, Jesuit mission

   • CBCJ History
   • Britannica Kirishitan

2. Xavier leaves; Torres continues the Japan mission

   Nov 15, 1551Labels: Cosme de, Jesuit mission, Japan mission

   • CBCJ History
   • Torres Bio

3. Ōmura Sumitada becomes the first Christian daimyō

   May 20, 1563Labels: mura Sumitada, Christian daimy, Ky sh

   • CBCJ History
   • Britannica Kirishitan

4. Nagasaki opens as a major Portuguese-linked port

   Jan 1, 1571Labels: Nagasaki, Portuguese trade, port city

   • Peace Nagasaki
   • Dejima Chronology

5. Valignano arrives to reform and expand the mission

   Jul 1, 1579Labels: Alessandro Valignano, Jesuit visitor, mission reform

   • Britannica Valignano
   • Japan Tourism Agency

6. Ōmura cedes Nagasaki to Jesuit administration

   Jun 9, 1580Labels: mura Sumitada, Nagasaki, Jesuit administration

   • Donation Charter
   • Britannica Valignano

7. Tenshō embassy departs Japan for Europe

   Feb 20, 1582Labels: Tensh embassy, Japanese youths, Rome visit

   • Tensh Embassy
   • Britannica Valignano

8. Hideyoshi issues the 1587 expulsion edict

   Jul 24, 1587Labels: Toyotomi Hideyoshi, 1587 edict, anti-mission

   • Britannica Kirishitan
   • Bateren Edict

9. Hideyoshi takes Nagasaki from Jesuit control

   Jan 1, 1588Labels: Hideyoshi, Nagasaki, centralized control

   • Japan Tourism Agency
   • Dejima Chronology

10. Twenty-six Christians executed in Nagasaki

    Feb 5, 1597Labels: Nagasaki executions, martyrs, Hideyoshi

    • 26 Martyrs
    • Britannica Kirishitan

11. Tokugawa government bans Christianity and expels missionaries

    Jan 27, 1614Labels: Tokugawa shogunate, anti-Christian edict, missionaries expelled

    • Britannica Kirishitan
    • Wikisource Edict

12. Great Martyrdom of Nagasaki intensifies persecution

    Sep 10, 1622Labels: Great Martyrdom, Nagasaki, executions

    • Britannica Kirishitan
    • Portuguese Expansion

13. Shimabara Rebellion prompts harsher anti-Christian measures

    Dec 1, 1637Labels: Shimabara Rebellion, Amakusa, peasant uprising

    • Britannica Shimabara
    • Britannica Sakoku

14. Portugal is expelled; 1640 embassy is executed

    Aug 4, 1640Labels: Portuguese expulsion, Macau embassy, Nagasaki executions

    • Britannica Sakoku
    • Macau Embassy