Timeline

1549
Francis Xavier lands at Kagoshima (15 Aug).

1550–51
Xavier in Hirado, Yamaguchi, Kyoto and Bungo (Funai).

1563
Ōmura Sumitada becomes the first baptized daimyo.

1571
First Portuguese ships enter Nagasaki, opened by Ōmura Sumitada (agreement 1570).

1580
Ōmura cedes Nagasaki to the Jesuits.

1582
Tenshō embassy leaves for Europe (received in Rome 1585).

1587
Hideyoshi's edict expelling missionaries; Takayama Ukon loses his domain.

1597
Crucifixion of the 26 Martyrs at Nishizaka, Nagasaki (5 Feb).

1600
Konishi Yukinaga, Christian daimyo, executed after Sekigahara (refused seppuku as a Christian).

1613
Hasekura Tsunenaga's Keichō embassy sails for Mexico, Spain and Rome.

1614
Tokugawa nationwide ban; Ukon exiled to Manila (d. 1615).

1619
Great Martyrdom of Kyoto: 52 burned at Rokujō-gawara (6 Oct).

1622
Great Genna Martyrdom: 55 Catholics killed at Nishizaka, Nagasaki (10 Sep).

1623
Great Martyrdom of Edo: about 50 burned alive (4 Dec).

1637–38
Shimabara–Amakusa Rebellion; Hara Castle falls.

1639
Portuguese expelled; era of sakoku and hidden faith.

1862
Pius IX canonizes the 26 Martyrs (8 June).

1865
Discovery of Hidden Christians at Ōura Church (17 Mar).

1867–73
Fourth Urakami persecution: 3,394 Urakami Christians exiled to 20 domains; 613 died, 2,911 returned in 1873.

1873
Anti-Christian edict boards removed.

1945
Atomic bomb destroys Urakami Cathedral (9 Aug).

1981
Pope John Paul II visits Nagasaki. [unverified]

1987
16 Martyrs of Japan, incl. Lorenzo Ruiz, canonized (18 Oct).

2008
188 Martyrs (Peter Kibe and companions) beatified in Nagasaki (24 Nov).

2017
Takayama Ukon beatified at Osaka (7 Feb).

2018
UNESCO inscribes the Hidden Christian Sites.

2019
Pope Francis visits Nagasaki. [unverified]