The First Christmas in Japan

The First Christmas in Japan

The first Christmas in Japan took place on December 25, 1552.  It may have taken place before that, but it's not recorded in the records.  Francis Xavier arrived in Japan in 1549 so it was three years later. He died in China on December 3, 1552.

On this Christmas day, a mass was held under Ouchi Yoshitaka, the feudal lord of Suo Yamaguchi (present-day eastern Yamaguchi Prefecture).  After the mass, meal was provided and gave alms to the poor.  At Funai Church in Bungo Funai (Oita prefecture), plays based on the Bible began to be performed in 1560, and Christmas plays were performed.

Omura Sumitada, feudal lord of Omura near Nagasaki, was the first Christian feudal lord, and in 1566, he invited people to a Christmas play at a church in Omura. Around 2,000 people gathered and most of them had little connection with the church.     (Pastor)