Catholic Yukinoshita Church in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
A 3-minute walk from Kamakura Station. The Catholic Yukinoshita Church stands along Wakamiya Oji in Kamakura. The church is impressive with its warm wooden interior and the sunlight streaming in.
The icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help on the mural on the front wall of the church was created on the island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea. It is an ancient piece made before the year 1500. It is said that towards the end of the 15th century, a merchant took it from Crete to Rome, where it has been venerated by many people at the Church of St. Matthew in Rome after a long journey.
The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Inside the church, the martyrdom of the Kamakura Christians is also recounted. In August 1623, five Christians were captured in Kamakura. It is believed that the location was the coast of Gokurakuji Village. The five were Hilario Magosaburo and his wife, who were responsible for the Christian mission in Kobukuroya Village (between present-day Kita-Kamakura and Ofuna), Father Galvez from Asakusa, Edo, who was on a tour, and two others, Hoan Nagasemon and Pedro Kizaburo.
On October 13, 1623, Father Galvez, Hoan, Pedro, and Hilario Magosaburo were executed along with 46 others near Shinagawa, Edo. On November 3, 1623, Hilario Magosaburo's wife was also executed along with 36 others.
This event occurred 14 years before the famous Shimabara Rebellion in 1637.
It is a valuable place where you can also learn about the history of Catholicism in Kamakura.
Catholic Yukinoshita Church
2-14-4 Komachi, Kamakura City, 248-0006
Phone number: 0467-22-2064