A third type decree banning Christianity, issued by the Meiji government

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[A "third type" decree banning Christianity, issued by the Meiji government]

[Japan]: Daijō-kan, Keiō 4 [1868]. Wooden placard.

In Keiō 4 (1868), the first year of Meiji, the newly formed Meiji government issued five official decrees or notices (the Gobō no Keiji) to be displayed on wooden placards across Japan. The third decree enforced a strict prohibition of Kirishitan Jashūmon ("the heretical [or evil] Christian religion"). Due to outrage from leaders of Western countries, however, the Meiji government was forced to re-issue the notice with "Christianity" and "Evil Sects" listed as two separate entities. Pictured above is an example of an official placard promoting the third decree that was issued after this diplomatic alteration. The rules displayed read, "As has always been the case, Christianity is strictly forbidden" and "Evil sects are strictly forbidden".

One wooden board, lightly scraped, with marks and wormholes. Small metal eyelet to back. 59.5 x 35.3 cm at longest and tallest points respectively.

A third type decree banning Christianity, issued by the Meiji government
Price: $2,945.00 (USD)