Rare Early Kokinko Shakudo,Gold. Christian Cross Tsuba with NBTHK Hozon Certificate

Azuchi Momoyama Period

The Azuchi- Momoyama Period, spanning from 1568 to 1600, was a pivotal time in Japanese history marked by the introduction of Christianity through European traders and missionaries. The period is often referred to as the “Christian Century” due to the significant role of Christianity in Japan during this time.
Francis Xavier, a Jesuit missionary, arrived in Japan in 1549, and Oda Nobunaga, who favored the Europeans and tolerated the spread of Christianity, particularly from Spain and Portugal. Nobunaga’s successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, continued the unification efforts and launched invasions of Korea, which included the persecution of Christians.
The period ended with the Tokugawa Shogunate’s ban on Christianity and the expulsion of foreign missionaries, marking a significant shift in Japan’s religious landscape.