Japan.- Persecution of Christians.- Kirishitan Kosatsu, large thick wooden sign board with characters written in black ink, issued by a magistrate (Bugyo), some characters faded but still legible, wood splitting but still firm, holes in top edge for original hooks, now with later hooks for hanging on verso at top, 800 x 370 x 25mm., Japan, May 1711.*** Rare survival. This edict board is an example of a public statement outlining the prohibition on Christianity, the punishments for defying the ban, and the rewards offered to those who reported transgressors. This kosatsu (official bulletin board) provides an important historical reminder of the extraordinary risks to communities suspected of faith in Christ during the long era of the Kakure Kirishitan (Hidden Christians) in Japan. The first organized Christian mission to the Japanese came in 1549 with the arrival of the Jesuit, Francis Xavier. Early attempts at converting the Japanese were quite successful, and several daimyo, or feudal lords, converted along with their families. After Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified the warring domains of Japan, however, he issued a ban on Catholicism in1587, one of many subsequent prohibitions against Christianity. The motivations behind the ban were related to the military and political power of the missionaries, and the potential threat they represented to the new centralised government. By the early 17th century, all Christian missionaries had been expelled and people were obligated to register with a local Buddhist temple to ensure their religious orthodoxy. During the Edo period of Japanese history (1603-1868) Japanese Christians continued to practice in secret, passing down oral traditions through the generations and retaining sacred images either disguised as Buddhist deities or hidden from public view. Public pressure against Christianity was strong. People were sometimes forced to trample on an image of the crucifixion or the Virgin Mary in order to prove their faith. Those who were discovered to be Christians were punished, and if they still did not turn apostate, they were executed. Approximate translation: "Regulation.I f anyone knows of Christian disciples, already banned, please report to the Government. Rewards are as below: Padre [ie missionary]: 500 pieces of silver coin. Priests: 300 pieces of silver coin. Christian disciples: 300 pieces of silver coin. Anyone knowingly living with a Christian: 100 pieces of silver coin. If a family member identifies a Christian within his family, the reward is 500 pieces of silver coin. Anyone identified as having hidden a Christian will bear responsibility along with his landlord and his five-person unit (goningumi). May 1711." The magistrate identifies himself as Yoshitaro.