ASIA / Church: Japanese Jesus - Virgin Mary disguised as Kannon

Japanese Jesus

Nagasaki - The Virgin Mary disguised as Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, used for a Christian secret worship in Japan. Christianity was prohibited in Japan for 259 years, from 1614 to 1873. Those who were found to be Christian were tortured for information on other Christians and then executed. Nowadays remains some rare Christians with a strong tradition of secrecy, the kakure kirishitans.