2022 Japan Foundation long-term Fellowship

Trauma and World Heritage on the Goto Islands: 1856-1899

Three periods will be considered within the research:
1. 1856-1865 (3rd persecution and illegal missionary activity);
2. 1867-1873 (Fourth persecution; exiles) and
3. 1873-1899 (return to Urakami and freedom of religion).

Purpose : Although some communities have been studied by researchers from time to time in this region,
comparative historic studies of sempuku, kakure, Catholic and apostate communities have been neglected. Catholic
sources are available, but one forgotten group is those who apostatised, especially up to 1873. This research will
contribute to the ongoing retrieval of histories of marginalised and excluded groups and assist in understanding the
interaction on the boundaries of Japan between varied people groups. Through this historical research, I aim to
contribute to understanding the interaction on the boundaries of nations and states between varied people groups,
including European, Chinese, Japanese and Korean agents. This research is of importance in Australia, Asia and in
wider regions. By interviewing local people about their understanding of history and memory, the project will
promote an indigenous and localised view. By examining the experiences of this minority community and heritage
sites in liminal spaces in history and memory, through an interdisciplinary methodology and lens which draws on
oral history, discussion of material objects and trauma studies, this project promotes a new postcolonial
historiography. I have current ethics approval at UNE for this project: HE20-200.

Funder: Japan Foundation
Award Value: $16,000