The Wider Image: Japan's 'Hidden Christians' fear for religion's fate
Shigenori Murakami, 69, the seventh-generation head of a group of 'Hidden Christians', shows a crumbling 18th century scrolls, written 'orasho' chants, at his home in Nagasaki, southern Japan, November 3, 2019. Japan's "Kakure Kirishitan," or "Hidden Christians," preserved their faith in secret during centuries of persecution. "I have not picked a successor yet, but I have confidence I can keep going myself and I will surely pass this on," said Murakami. "I cannot let my generation be the ones who destroy what my ancestors protected with their lives." Murakami spent three years learning the orasho from books based on crumbling 18th century scrolls that he still owns. REUTERS/Issei Kato SEARCH "HIDDEN CHRISTIANS" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.