Amakusa Shirō

Timeline

1. c. 1621–1637Amakusa · AmakusaThe Masuda family came from the retainers of the former Amakusa lord Konishi Yukinaga and were active on Kyushu's west coast as the ban on Christianity tightened after conversion. Shirō was literate and regarded by believers as a young man of miracles. The Matsukura of Shimabara imposed heavy new taxes for castle building, and the Karatsu domain in Amakusa was likewise burdened by levies and fumie; secret gatherings spread between Arima and Amakusa.
2. 1637–1638Shimabara Peninsula and Amakusa archipelago · ShimabaraAfter the deputy was killed, Shimabara and Amakusa rose almost simultaneously. Shirō, around sixteen, was pushed forward by rōnin and peasants as commander-in-chief, with banners and documents bearing Catholic messianic colours. The rebels took towns and seized weapons, swelling to tens of thousands, then withdrew into the abandoned Hara Castle to face the shogunal army.
3. 1638Hara Castle · Hara CastleAfter Ikukata Shigeyasu fell in battle, the shogunal army was commanded by Matsudaira Nobutsuna with over 100,000 troops, and ships of the Dutch East India Company were ordered to fire. The defenders were mostly peasants and former retainers turned rōnin, and food and ammunition ran low. When the castle fell, almost all soldiers and civilians were killed; Shirō also died and his head was displayed in Nagasaki. Matsukura Katsuyuki was subsequently tried and executed. The shogunate used the episode to accelerate the expulsion of the Portuguese and deepen sakoku.