Shimabara Rebellion Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Shimabara Rebellion

Part of the early Edo period

Remains of Hara castle

Date	Late 1637- Early 1638
Location	Minamishimabara, Nagasaki
Result	Tokugawa victory; Christianity in Japan driven underground

Belligerents

Tokugawa shogunate

Dutch Empire

Christian rebels

Commanders and leaders

Itakura Shigemasa†

Matsukura Katsuie†

Matsudaira Nobutsuna

Nicolaes Couckebacker

Amakusa Shirō†
Masuda Yoshitsugu†
Yamada Emosaku†

Strength

Over 125,000

Between 27,000 and 37,000

Casualties and losses

1900 dead, 11,000 wounded

Over 27,000 dead

The Shimabara Rebellion was a major uprising in southwestern Japan. It took place during the Edo period, from December 17, 1637, to April 15, 1638. Most of the people who rebelled were farmers, and many of them were Catholic Christians.

What Was the Shimabara Rebellion?
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What Was the Shimabara Rebellion?

The Shimabara Rebellion was a fight between local people and the government. It happened on the Shimabara Peninsula and in the Amakusa Islands. These areas are in what is now Nagasaki Prefecture. The rebellion was one of the few times a large group of people fought against the powerful Tokugawa shogunate. The shogunate was the military government of Japan at that time.

Why Did the Rebellion Start?

The main reasons for the rebellion were very high taxes and the harsh treatment of Christians.

High Taxes: Local lords, like Matsukura Katsuie, were building expensive castles. To pay for these, they made farmers pay extremely high taxes. Many families starved because they couldn't afford the taxes.
Religious Persecution: Christianity was becoming popular in Japan. However, the Tokugawa shogunate saw it as a threat. They wanted everyone to follow Buddhism. Christians were often arrested, tortured, and even killed for their beliefs. This made many Christians feel very angry and desperate.

Who Led the Rebels?

The rebels were mostly farmers, but they also included some former samurai. These samurai had lost their jobs and masters. They were called rōnin. The leader of the rebellion was a young man named Amakusa Shirō. He was only 16 years old but was seen as a charismatic leader. Many believed he had special powers.

The Start of the Uprising

The rebellion began in late 1637. Farmers and rōnin attacked local government buildings. They took over castles and gathered their forces. They chose Hara Castle as their main stronghold. This old castle was mostly in ruins, but they rebuilt its defenses. About 27,000 to 37,000 people, including women and children, gathered inside Hara Castle.

The Shogunate's Response

The Tokugawa shogunate quickly sent a huge army to stop the rebellion. This army had over 125,000 soldiers. They surrounded Hara Castle. The shogunate's first commander, Itakura Shigemasa, was killed during the siege. Another general, Matsudaira Nobutsuna, then took over.

Help from the Dutch

The shogunate even asked for help from the Dutch. The Dutch were the only Europeans allowed to trade with Japan at this time. They were not Christian missionaries. The Dutch sent ships to bombard Hara Castle from the sea. This helped the shogunate's army, but it also showed how desperate the government was.

The End of the Rebellion

The siege of Hara Castle lasted for several months. The rebels fought bravely, but they were running out of food and supplies. In April 1638, the shogunate's army launched a final attack. They broke through the castle's defenses. Almost all the rebels inside Hara Castle were killed. Amakusa Shirō was also captured and executed.

What Happened After?

The Shimabara Rebellion had a big impact on Japan.

End of Christianity: After the rebellion, the shogunate became even stricter about Christianity. They completely banned it. Christians had to practice their faith in secret. This period is known as the "hidden Christians" era.
Isolation of Japan: The shogunate also decided to close Japan off from most of the outside world. They feared that foreign ideas and religions could cause more rebellions. This policy of isolation, called sakoku, lasted for over 200 years.
Changes in Governance: The local lord, Matsukura Katsuie, was executed for his harsh rule. This was a rare punishment for a feudal lord. It showed that the shogunate would not tolerate lords who caused such widespread unrest.

The Shimabara Rebellion was a sad but important event in Japanese history. It showed the power of the shogunate and led to big changes in Japan's future.