Ibaraki Municipal Christian Relics Depository, History and religious museum in Sendaiji district, Ibaraki, Japan
The Ibaraki Municipal Christian Relics Depository is a museum in the Sendaiji district housing collections related to Christianity in Japan, including statues, portraits, and religious artifacts from regional excavations. The objects on display come from local discoveries and document the religious life that took place in this area.
The museum was established in 1987 and preserves objects from Sendaiji and Simootowa, where Christian communities maintained their faith during periods of prohibition. The collection reflects how the region kept religious practices alive through difficult times.
The collection displays a portrait of Francis Xavier found in Japanese textbooks and the Maria Jugo Gengizu depicting scenes of the Virgin Mary and Christ. These artworks show how Christian teachings took visual form in this region.
The museum is located near Sendaiji Station and is easy to reach by public transportation. Visitors should note that it closes on Tuesdays and during the New Year period.
The location has historical ties to Takayama Ukon, a 16th-century Christian daimyo whose influence shaped the region's religious character. This connection makes it an important point for understanding Japan's Christian history.
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