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更新日:2023年11月2日

英訳(summary)

Chapter 1: The Establishment of Omura Domain in the Shogunate

The Omura Clan did not resist during the Conquering of Kyushu in 1587, by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and were guaranteed to keep their land in the Omura area. The Nagasaki City area was first ruled by the Toyotomi Clan which was Omura Clan soil, but in 1605 became controlled directly by the Edo Shogunate, the Tokugawa Clan.

From 1563, Christianity had become increasingly popular in the Omura Domain due to Omura Sumitada becoming the first Christian Lord. However, in 1606, the Omura Domain became the first in Japan to prohibit Christian worship. Then, in 1657, it was discovered that many Christian followers still existed in the Koorimura area of Omura. The prohibition was enforced to the extreme and those discovered were executed. Afterwards, it was commanded that Christianity stop, and in 1658, the number of Christians went to zero.

Chapter 2:Economic Stimulation and Cultivation in Omura Domain

In the mid-1600s, the Omura Domain was having economic difficulties. With the help of Fukazawa Gidayu Katsukiyo’s profitable whaling company, Omura’s economy was boosted.

Furthermore, Gidayu began developing the Nodake embankment and cultivating rice fields.

In the Kyouhou Great Famine of 1732, sweet potatoes grown in local farmlands saved all people in Omura from starving. These potatoes were also taken to feed the Shogunate.

In the latter half of the Edo Period, 1792, people from the Sotome area (Nishi Sonogi Peninsula) of the Omura Domain were invited to the Goto Archipelago in order to help cultivate the rough terrain. The people of Sotome were known to have great skills of agriculture and was rumored that many of them were Christians in hiding. Despite whether the Lord of Goto knew this, he continued with his invitation. In 1879, 11 years after the Meiji Period began, Christianity once again spread in the Goto Archipelago.

Chapter 3:Omura Domain Industry and Trading

The most representative examples of Omura Domain industry at that time were Hasami-area pottery (1590~) and whaling (1647~). Hasami-area Pottery was made in mass production and sent all over the country. It became loved by all people and could be found all over Japan. Whaling, which mainly took place in the open seas around the western part of the Omura Domain, Goto Archipelago and Iki Island, achieved great success. However, due to severe management problems within the family, the whaling business suffered greatly.

Circa 1800, Omura Domain merchant ships were very active. They would travel the harbors of the Japan Sea and the Seto Inland Sea trading Hasami-area pottery and hoshika (dried sardines used as fertilizer) for salt and iron.

Chapter 4: Omura Domain’s Restructuring at the End of the Edo Period

At the end of the Edo Period, in 1836, economic fiscal reform was implemented among other government reform. Western power had become a threat at the end of the 1830s, so military defense was strengthened around the coastal regions. The last feudal lord of Omura, Omura Sumihiro, had been the Nagasaki magistrate of the Shogunate and in 1863, was appointed administrator of foreign affairs. However, he quickly resigned this appointment one year later and joined forces with the Omura Domain “League of 37 Samurai” loyal to the Emperor. Together, they began a political movement with the Satsuma and Choushuu Domains. In 1867, they started executing the conservatives which ultimately led to the downfall of the Shogunate.

Chapter 5:Education, Culture and Religion in the Omura Domain

Being one of the first established school in Kyushu (1670), The Omura Domain School, Gokoukan, produced many great individuals.

Kawahara Yuuyuu (1776-1858), was considered the best haiku poet in Kyushu in 1842. Also, he was consistently ranked in the top ten of Japan in his time.

Mine Gensuke (1825-1893), being one of the foremost topographers at the time, was allowed to view the shogunate’s map of Japan, which was a great privilege.

Honkyouji Temple, built in 1608, has been designated a National Historic Site and is the final resting place of the Omura Family. When the fourth lord of the Omura Domain, Omura Suminaga, died in 1706, a tombstone over 6 meters tall was constructed and now serves as the focal point of the burial grounds. Its shape and size honorably signifies the importance of the Omura Clan.

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