Author: hanetabi

A rare stone masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage site, built by a resilient island community following the end of religious persecution. Kashiragashima Cathedral stands as a singular architectural achievement in Shinkamigoto, being one of the very few stone churches found in Japan. The island of Kashiragashima has a profound history. Nearly its entire population were Christians who were forced to flee during the "Goto Collapse" persecution. Upon their return, the community dedicated themselves to building a permanent sanctuary. Designed and constructed by the master builder Yosuke Tetsukawa, the cathedral was completed in 1919 using sandstone quarried directly from the island, a process that took over a decade due to the manual labor provided by the parishioners themselves. The cathedral is celebrated for its robust Romanesque exterior, which contrasts beautifully with…