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Nagasaki

is the capital and the largest city of Prefecture in . It was formerly part of Nishisonogi District.

It was a center of European influence in the sixteenth century. became a major Imperial Japanese Navy base during the First Sino-Japanese War and Russo-Japanese War.

During World War II, the atomic bombings of and made the second city in the world to be subject to nuclear warfare.[1]

Contents

Geography

and Nishisonogi Peninsulas are located within the city limits. The city is surrounded by the cities of and Saikai, and the towns of Togitsu and Nagayo in Nishisonogi District.

lies at the head of a long bay which forms the best natural harbor on the island of Kyūshū. The main commercial and residential area of the city lies on a small plain near the end of the bay. divided by a mountain spur form the two main valleys in which the city lies. The heavily built-up area of the city is confined by the terrain to less than 4 square miles.

History

Medieval era

Founded before 1500, was originally secluded by harbors. It enjoyed little historical significance until contact with European explorers in 1542, when a Portuguese ship landed nearby, somewhere in Kagoshima prefecture. The Spanish Jesuit missionary St. Francis Xavier arrived in another part of the territory in 1549, but left for China in 1551 and died soon afterwards. His followers who remained behind converted a number of daimyo (feudal lords). The most notable among them was Omura Sumitada, who derived great profit from his conversion through an accompanying deal to receive a portion of the trade from Portuguese ships at a port they established in in 1571 with his assistance.
Kameyama Ware Jar With Dutch Trading Ship, 19th Century
Kameyama Ware Jar With Dutch Trading Ship, 19th Century

The little harbor village quickly grew into a diverse port city, and Portuguese products imported through (such as tobacco, bread, textiles and a Portuguese sponge-cake called castellas) were assimilated into popular Japanese culture. Tempura, while not Portuguese in origin, takes its name from the Portuguese word, ‘Tempero,’ another example of the enduring effects of this cultural exchange. The Portuguese also brought with them many goods from China.

Due to the instability during the Warring States period, Sumitada and Jesuit leader Alexandro Valignano conceived a plan to pass administrative control over to the Society of Jesus rather than see the Catholic city taken over by a non-Catholic daimyo. Thus, for a brief period after 1580, the city of was a Jesuit colony, under their administrative and military control. It became a refuge for Christians escaping maltreatment in other regions of .[2] In 1587, however, Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s campaign to unify the country arrived in Kyūshū. Concerned with the large Christian influence in southern , as well as the active and what was perceived as the arrogant role the Jesuits were playing in the Japanese political arena, Hideyoshi ordered the expulsion of all missionaries, and placed the city under his direct control. However, the expulsion order went largely unenforced, and the fact remained that most of ’s population remained openly practicing Catholics.

In 1596, the Spanish ship San Felipe was wrecked off the coast of Shikoku, and Hideyoshi learned from its pilot (so says the Jesuit account) that the Spanish Franciscans were the vanguard of an Iberian invasion of . In response, Hideyoshi ordered the crucifixions of twenty-six Catholics in on February 5 of that year (the Twenty-six Martyrs of ). Portuguese traders were not ostracized, however, and so the city continued to thrive.
Meganebashi (Spectacles Bridge)
Meganebashi (Spectacles Bridge)

In 1602, Augustinian missionaries also arrived in , and when Tokugawa Ieyasu took power in 1603, Catholicism was still grudgingly tolerated. Many Catholic daimyo had been critical allies at the Battle of Sekigahara, and the Tokugawa position was not strong enough to move against them. Once Osaka Castle had been taken and Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s offspring killed, though, the Tokugawa dominance was assured. In addition, the Dutch and English presence allowed trade without religious strings attached. Thus, the hammer fell in 1614, with Catholicism officially banned and all missionaries ordered to leave. Most Catholic daimyo apostatized, and forced their subjects to do so, although a few would not renounce the religion and left the country as well. A brutal campaign of persecution followed, with thousands across Kyūshū and other parts of killed, tortured, or forced to renounce their religion.

Catholicism’s last gasp as an open religion, and the last major military action in until the Meiji Restoration, was the Shimabara rebellion of 1637. While there is no evidence that Europeans directly incited the rebellion, Shimabara had been a Christian han for several decades, and the rebels adopted many Portuguese motifs and Christian icons. Consequently, in Tokugawa society the word “Shimabara” solidified the connection between Christianity and disloyalty, constantly used again and again in Tokugawa propaganda.

The Shimabara rebellion also convinced many policy-makers that foreign influences were more trouble than they were worth. The Portuguese, who had been previously living on a specially-constructed island-prison in harbor called Deshima, were expelled from the archipelago altogether, and the Dutch were moved from their base at Hirado into the trading island. In 1720 the ban on Dutch books was lifted, causing hundreds of scholars to flood into to study European science and art. Consequently, became a major center of rangaku, or “Dutch Learning”. During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate governed the city, appointing a hatamoto, the bugyō, as its chief administrator.
Ōura Church built in 1864 is a national treasure of
Ōura Church built in 1864 is a national treasure of

Consensus among historians was once that was ’s only window on the world during its time as a closed country in the Tokugawa era. However, nowadays it is generally accepted that this was not the case, since interacted and traded with the Ryukyus, Korea and Russia through Satsuma, Tsushima and the north of Honshū respectively. Nevertheless, was depicted in contemporary art and literature as a cosmopolitan port brimming with exotic curiosities from the .[3]

In 1808, the Royal Navy frigate HMS Phaeton entered Harbor in search of Dutch trading ships. The local magistrate was unable to resist the British demand for food, fuel, and water, later committing seppuku as a result. Laws were passed in the wake of this incident strengthening coastal defenses, threatening death to intruding foreigners, and prompting the training of English and Russian translators.

The Tōjinyashiki or Chinese Factory in was also an important conduit for Chinese goods and information for the Japanese market. Various colorful Chinese merchants and artists sailed between the Chinese mainland and . Some actually combined the roles of merchant and artist such as 18th century Yi Hai.

[edit] Modern era
cloud from the nuclear explosion over rising 60,000 feet into the air on the morning of August 9, 1945
cloud from the nuclear explosion over rising 60,000 feet into the air on the morning of August 9, 1945
One legged Torii
One legged Torii
Part of Urakami Cathedral that remained standing after the nuclear
Part of Urakami Cathedral that remained standing after the nuclear

U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry landed in 1853. The Shogunate crumbled shortly afterward, and opened its doors once again to foreign trade and diplomatic relations. became a free port in 1859 and modernization began in earnest in 1868.

With the Meiji Restoration, quickly began to assume some economic dominance. Its main industry was ship-building. This very industry would eventually make it a target in World War II, since many warships used by the Japanese Navy during the war were built in its factories and docks.

Main article: Atomic bombings of and

On August 9, 1945, was the target of the world’s second atomic bomb attack at 11:02 a.m., when the north of the city was destroyed and an estimated 40,000 people were killed. According to statistics found within Peace Park, the death toll from the atomic totalled 73,884, as well as another 74,909 injured, and another several hundred thousand diseased and dying due to fallout and other illness caused by radiation.[4]

The city was rebuilt after the war, albeit dramatically changed. New temples were built, as well as new churches due to an increase in the presence of Christianity. is the seat of a Roman Catholic Archdiocese led by Archbishop Joseph Mitsuaki Takami.[5] Some of the rubble was left as a memorial, such as a one-legged torii gate and an arch near ground zero. New structures were also raised as memorials, such as the Atomic Bomb Museum. remains first and foremost a port city, supporting a rich shipping industry and setting a strong example of perseverance and peace.

[edit] in Western music and song

is the title and subject of a 1928 song with music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Mort Dixon. See (song). is also the setting for Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly. “ Nightmare” is a song about the bomb by anarchist punk group Crass. Swedish crust punk group Totalitär has written a song entitled “, , Stockholm”.

[edit] Schools

[edit] Universities

* University (長崎大学, University?)
* Institute of Applied Science (長崎総合科学大学, Institute of Applied Science?)
* University of Foreign Studies ([1], 長崎外国語大学?)

* Kwassui Women’s College (活水女子大学, Kwassui Women’s College?)
* Junshin University (長崎純心大学, Junshin University?)
* Siebold University of

[edit] Junior Colleges

* Junshin Women’s Junior College (純心女子短期大学, Junshin Women’s Junior College?)
* Tamaki Women’s Junior College (玉木女子短期大学, Tamaki Women’s Junior College?)

* Women’s Junior College (長崎女子短期大学, Women’s Junior College?)
* College of Foreign (長崎外国語短期大学, College of Foreign ?)

[edit] Transportation

The nearest airport is Airport in the neighboring city of Ōmura. The Kyushu Railway Company provides rail transportation on the Main Line, whose terminal is at Station. In addition, the Electric Tramway operates five routes in the city. The Expressway serves vehicular traffic with interchanges at and . In addition, six national highways crisscross the city: Routes 34, 202, 251, 324, and 499.

[edit] Tourism
This article or section is written like a travel guide and may require cleanup.
Please help improve it by rewriting it in an encyclopedic style. (May 2008)

[edit] Sights
Monument at the atomic bomb hypocenter in
Monument at the atomic bomb hypocenter in
National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims
National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims
’s vibrant waterfront features events like visits from sailing ships
’s vibrant waterfront features events like visits from sailing ships

* Confucius Shrine (孔子廟, Confucius Shrine?)
* Dejima Museum of History
* Former residence of Shuhan Takashima (高島秋帆旧宅, Former residence of Shuhan Takashima?)
* Former site of Latin Seminario (旧羅典神学校, Former site of Latin Seminario?)
* Former site of the British Consulate in (旧長崎英国領事館, Former site of the British Consulate in ?)
* Former site of Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Branch (旧香港上海銀行長崎支店, Former site of Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Branch?)
* Glover Garden (グラバー園, Glover Garden?)
* Gunkanjima (軍艦島, Gunkanjima?)
o Former Glover Residence
o Former Alt Residence
o Former Ringer Residence
o Former Walker Residence
* Higashi-Yamate Juniban Mansion (東山手十二番館, Higashi-Yamate Juniban Mansion?)
* Kōfuku-ji (興福寺, Kōfuku-ji?)
* Megane Bridge (眼鏡橋, Megane Bridge?)
* Mount Inasa (稲佐山, Mount Inasa?)
* Atomic Bomb Museum [2] (Located next to the Peace Park)
* Museum of History and Culture ([3], 長崎歴史文化博物館?)
* National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims
* Peace Park (平和公園, Peace Park?)
o Atomic Bomb Hypocenter (Located near the Peace Park)
* Penguin Aquarium ([4], 長崎ペンギン水族館?)
* Chinatown ([5], 長崎新地中華街?)
* Science Museum ([6], 長崎市科学館?)
* Subtropical Botanical Garden
* Nyoko-do Hermitage
* Ōura Church (大浦天主堂, Ōura Church?)
* Sanno Shrine - One-Legged Arch (山王神社, Sanno Shrine - One-Legged Arch?)
* Shusaku Endo Literary Museum
* Siebold Memorial Museum
* Sōfuku-ji (崇福寺, Sōfuku-ji?)
* Suwa Shrine
* Tateyama Park (立山公園, Tateyama Park?)
* Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument
* Urakami Cathedral (浦上天主堂, Urakami Cathedral?)

The city of has a history of engaging foreign cultures, and today there remains much evidence of the cultures of various countries that have touched the city and given it a richly cosmopolitan atmosphere. However, is committed to remembering its history, particularly the regrettable suppression of Christianity under the ban on religion and the terrible tragedy of the atomic bomb. The highlights of include its beautiful seaside scenery, its lands surrounded by ocean, and the nighttime views offered from its mountain slopes.

* Glover Garden Glover Garden
The elegance of the period of foreign settlement, nestled in picturesque surroundings
* Peace Park Peace Park
A place of prayers for world peace and the souls of the atomic bomb victims
* Atomic Bomb Resource Center Atomic Bomb Museum
Learn about the menace of the atomic bomb and the value of peace.
* Urakami Cathedral Urakami Cathedral
The impressive cathedral built by the persecuted Christians of Urakami
* Ropeway & Skyway Ropeway & Skyway
Journey to the summit of Mount Inasa for a spectacular view of City!
* Kofukuji Temple Kofukuji Temple
’s oldest Chinese temple of the Obaku sect
* Spectacles Bridge Spectacles Bridge
One of the renowned stone bridges spanning the Nakajima River, the lifeblood of
* Dejima Dejima
Learn the history of the island that is an essential part of ’s culture.
* Hollander Slope Hollander Slope
An exotic mood fills the air in this part of the Foreign Settlement.
* Oura Catholic Church Oura Catholic Church
The reunion that spanned more than 250 years
* Gunkanjima (Warship Island) Gunkanjima (Warship Island)
The island of coal that was transformed into a warship
* Yasuragi Iojima Yasuragi Iojima
Natural hot springs amid outstanding resort facilities.
* The Nomozaki Ocean Health Village The Nomozaki Ocean Health Village
The hot spring where tension falls away as you relax with a view of the ocean
* Shusaku Endo Literature Museum Endo Shusaku Literary Museum
The story of the Christians through the eyes of a master of literature
* Memorial to the Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Memorial to the Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of
The sad history of the martyrdom is commemorated at this Memorial Hall.
* The Confucian Temple, the Chinese Museum of Successive Generations The Confucian Temple, the Chinese Museum of Successive Generations
A richly colored Confucian temple with a richly colored atmosphere
* Museum of History & Culture Museum of History & Culture
An exceptional museum housing 48,000 displays in one building
* Sofukuji Temple Sofukuji Temple
The Chinese Temple that remains a cultural property of Western

History

Starting in 607AD, the Japanese envoys to China (Kenzuishi to the Sui Dynasty and Kentoshi to the Tang Dynasty) used a sea route along Iki, Tsushima and Gotoh Islands off the coast of and finally through mainland China. , because of its proximity to China and the Korean Peninsula, had always played the role of ’s front door for diplomacy and foreign trade.
In 1550, the first foreign ship to reach was a Portuguese ship that sailed into Hirado harbor in the northern part of Prefecture. The Portuguese then started to preach Christianity in the area and other areas of .
In 1571, the Japanese government opened a port in for trading with Portuguese ships. After that, many western goods were introduced into .
Traders from the Netherlands and China were also doing business in in those days. The Bakufu (the Japanese government in those days), however in its closed door policy known as sakoku, closed all Japanese seaports to overseas ships. was designated as the only port where trade with foreign countries was permitted. The closed door policy continued until its abolition more than 200 years later.
Traces of foreign culture, introduced in those days, remain in many places in the prefecture.

Hot springs and mad things
Prefecture is rich in renowned and secluded hot springs. Hot springs can be found at 30 locations, including ones located in small islands situated off the coast. In the Mount Unzen-Fugen area which became world famous after an eruption in 1991, tourists can enjoy the natural beauty and relax at one of the hot spring resorts found there.As Japanese people have been adopting western lifestyles, the sense of relaxation for Japanese people has been changing too. Sightseeing resorts have been gradually adapting their services to changing lifestyles.
Following such changing trends, increasing numbers of tourist resorts and amusement facilities have been opened in Prefecture. Among these resorts is a theme park known as “Huis Ten Bosch” where the streets of the Netherlands have been recreated and accommodation provided for tourists. The theme park is popular among many Japanese visitors as well as Chinese and Korean tourists.

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