Unveiled in 1954, "Big John" was 32 feet tall, and was built by John Barker, who stood him in front of his Honest John's gift shop and gas station. Five years later he moved the statue and his business a few blocks away, and in 1971 he sold both to Pratt's BBQ Barn restaurant.
I remember as a young man this Indian was along side the old Bristol Highway outside of Kingsport,Tn. Upon being sold to Pratt's Barn in Kingsport, I frequented the eatery many, many times. Unfortunately, it was damaged a few years ago and was removed.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
PHOTOS AND VIDEOS FROM THIS WEEK'S VISIT TO NAGASAKI JAPAN
Nagasaki’s Martyr’s Hill and its 26 Martyr’s Museum Preserve the History of Christianity in Japan
In 1549 the first Christian Missionary arrived in Japan on the island of Kyushu. In the five decades that followed this new religion was embraced with even some of Japan’s War Lords in Kyushu converting and its influence had spread to include Kyoto.
In 1596 a Spanish ship that had departed from the Philippines and was headed to Spain became stranded on the shores of Shikoku near present day Kochi. Included among its passengers was a Priest. A year later he would be joined by 25 other Christians who were primarily associated with establishing Christianity in Kyoto and together they were forcibly marched by Japan’s then regional ruler, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to Kyushu’s Nagasaki for the purpose of being executed as an example to others embracing this new religion. Hideyoshi had been convinced that the Spanish ship’s landing was the preface to a foreign power threatening to invade Japan. (Once Japan was unified under Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1614, all Christians were banished from Japan.)
The execution of those 26 was the first of many executions of Christians to follow with a total of over 250,000, 600 of which were executed on the same Nishizaki Hill in Nagasaki. When Pope John Paul II made a pilgrimage to Nagasaki in 1981 he referred to the hill as Martyr’s Hill. In more recent years Mother Teresa also visited the hill and the museum that had been erected there. In the museum’s then built Hall of Glory her visit to the museum is commemorated by a photo of here there in the Hall of Glory.
Another exhibit in the museum that I found of special interest was a replica of a Fumie Image that was used in the Scorsese directed film, “Silence.” The movie, and the book upon which it is based, depicts the story of the persecution of Christians in Japan. A missionary I served with in Japan, Van Gessel, translated the book from Japanese to English and was a consultant to Scorsese in the making of the movie. The subject image depicting Christ was seen in the movie for the purpose of being trampled on to demonstrate repudiation of Christ to avoid execution.
In the Twenty Six Martyrs Museum the biography of each martyr is given and provided an answer to the question of why two of the pictured martyrs on the sculpture that was erected on Nishizaki Hill has two smaller sized persons sculpted. Those two it was learned represented a 12 and 13 year old. Among the martyrs was also a 14 year old. The sculpture was erected in 1962 by Yasutake Funakoshi. In his commentary in the museum he noted that his initial intention was to have each of the martyrs looking to a single point, but then he changed it to have each look directly forward. He states he was attempting to convey their looking to Heaven and and decided the change better conveyed that image.
Another biography of note was that of Gonzalo Garcia born of a Portuguese father and an Indian mother. Significantly he is today the Patron Saint of Bombay.
The stated purpose of the museum was “to present the history and culture of Christianity in Japan from the Kagoshima arrival of Francis Xavier in 1549 to the Meiji era in the 1800s. It includes the story of the “Hidden Christians” who had practiced their religion secretly during the 200 plus years of Christianity’s banishment. Many of these who became “discovered” when they appeared at the newly built Nagasaki Oura Church in 1865 (just before Christianity was once again banned during the Meiji era from 1868 to 1873).
As explained in the museum, many of these did not align themselves with the Catholic Church but continued to practice their own version of Christianity with traditions that had separately evolved during the hidden years - highlighting the point that the purpose of the museum was not to focus on a single religion, but rather to offer a broader message relating to all of those who believed in Christ in Japan.
Link to Video Taken on Nagasaki's Nishizaki Hill of The Monument to The 26 Martyrs:
(The video is followed by videos taken at Nagasaki's Port of Nagasaki of School Children Performing as they Send off The Diamond Princess Cruise Ship which was built in Nagasaki.)
Museum's Replica of Fumie Image used in Scorcese's Film "Silence" as described above:
My Photos of the above referenced Van Gessel who translated the book and assisted in the filming of "Silence." The pictures were taken when we were missionaries together in Japan years ago.
(For his multiple translation contributions he was awarded the "Order of the Rising Sun" by the Emperor.)
Additional Exhibits at The Museum of the 26 Martyrs beginning with The Individual Martyr biographies as above referenced:
YESTERDAY AT KYOTO'S KIYOMIZUDERA TEMPLE WITH ITS STUNNING FALL COLORS
In this playlist enjoy the exploding fall colors for which Japan is famous as they exhibit themselves at Kyoto's Kyomizudera Temple.
Watch as the crimson red maple leaves are reflected in the Temple's pond. brightly colored Koi share the leaves color, and the temple's Pagoda loo,s overhead.
Link to Video Playlist of Japan's Autumn Colors at Kyoto's Kyomizudera Temple:
(Each short video should play in succession one after another. Otherwise click "Play All)
When my mother and father came to America in 1957, one of the
1st chemical companies my father worked for was Sinclair. When
we moved to Tennessee in "62 there were still a few Sinclair gas
stations still in operation.
Comments
I believe
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
I made this for my N scale train layout
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan
Ton Square, Collierville, TN
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
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USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
The 1st CAT made.
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Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
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USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
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WAKE UP
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
Unveiled in 1954, "Big John" was 32 feet tall, and was built by John Barker, who stood him in front of his Honest John's gift shop and gas station. Five years later he moved the statue and his business a few blocks away, and in 1971 he sold both to Pratt's BBQ Barn restaurant.
I remember as a young man this Indian was along side the old Bristol Highway outside of Kingsport,Tn. Upon being sold to Pratt's Barn in Kingsport, I frequented the eatery many, many times. Unfortunately, it was damaged a few years ago and was removed.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Looking for PCGS AU58 Washington's, 32-63.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
PHOTOS AND VIDEOS FROM THIS WEEK'S VISIT TO NAGASAKI JAPAN
Nagasaki’s Martyr’s Hill and its 26 Martyr’s Museum Preserve the History of Christianity in Japan
In 1549 the first Christian Missionary arrived in Japan on the island of Kyushu. In the five decades that followed this new religion was embraced with even some of Japan’s War Lords in Kyushu converting and its influence had spread to include Kyoto.
In 1596 a Spanish ship that had departed from the Philippines and was headed to Spain became stranded on the shores of Shikoku near present day Kochi. Included among its passengers was a Priest. A year later he would be joined by 25 other Christians who were primarily associated with establishing Christianity in Kyoto and together they were forcibly marched by Japan’s then regional ruler, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to Kyushu’s Nagasaki for the purpose of being executed as an example to others embracing this new religion. Hideyoshi had been convinced that the Spanish ship’s landing was the preface to a foreign power threatening to invade Japan. (Once Japan was unified under Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1614, all Christians were banished from Japan.)
The execution of those 26 was the first of many executions of Christians to follow with a total of over 250,000, 600 of which were executed on the same Nishizaki Hill in Nagasaki. When Pope John Paul II made a pilgrimage to Nagasaki in 1981 he referred to the hill as Martyr’s Hill. In more recent years Mother Teresa also visited the hill and the museum that had been erected there. In the museum’s then built Hall of Glory her visit to the museum is commemorated by a photo of here there in the Hall of Glory.
Another exhibit in the museum that I found of special interest was a replica of a Fumie Image that was used in the Scorsese directed film, “Silence.” The movie, and the book upon which it is based, depicts the story of the persecution of Christians in Japan. A missionary I served with in Japan, Van Gessel, translated the book from Japanese to English and was a consultant to Scorsese in the making of the movie. The subject image depicting Christ was seen in the movie for the purpose of being trampled on to demonstrate repudiation of Christ to avoid execution.
In the Twenty Six Martyrs Museum the biography of each martyr is given and provided an answer to the question of why two of the pictured martyrs on the sculpture that was erected on Nishizaki Hill has two smaller sized persons sculpted. Those two it was learned represented a 12 and 13 year old. Among the martyrs was also a 14 year old. The sculpture was erected in 1962 by Yasutake Funakoshi. In his commentary in the museum he noted that his initial intention was to have each of the martyrs looking to a single point, but then he changed it to have each look directly forward. He states he was attempting to convey their looking to Heaven and and decided the change better conveyed that image.
Another biography of note was that of Gonzalo Garcia born of a Portuguese father and an Indian mother. Significantly he is today the Patron Saint of Bombay.
The stated purpose of the museum was “to present the history and culture of Christianity in Japan from the Kagoshima arrival of Francis Xavier in 1549 to the Meiji era in the 1800s. It includes the story of the “Hidden Christians” who had practiced their religion secretly during the 200 plus years of Christianity’s banishment. Many of these who became “discovered” when they appeared at the newly built Nagasaki Oura Church in 1865 (just before Christianity was once again banned during the Meiji era from 1868 to 1873).
As explained in the museum, many of these did not align themselves with the Catholic Church but continued to practice their own version of Christianity with traditions that had separately evolved during the hidden years - highlighting the point that the purpose of the museum was not to focus on a single religion, but rather to offer a broader message relating to all of those who believed in Christ in Japan.
Link to Video Taken on Nagasaki's Nishizaki Hill of The Monument to The 26 Martyrs:
(The video is followed by videos taken at Nagasaki's Port of Nagasaki of School Children Performing as they Send off The Diamond Princess Cruise Ship which was built in Nagasaki.)
https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLtb5zi734BfY_gXw-qL2gccHN1xfSCScU
Concurrently taken photos:
The Monument:
The Museum's Hall of Glory:
Museum's Replica of Fumie Image used in Scorcese's Film "Silence" as described above:
My Photos of the above referenced Van Gessel who translated the book and assisted in the filming of "Silence." The pictures were taken when we were missionaries together in Japan years ago.
(For his multiple translation contributions he was awarded the "Order of the Rising Sun" by the Emperor.)
Additional Exhibits at The Museum of the 26 Martyrs beginning with The Individual Martyr biographies as above referenced:
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
Been a minute since I posted last, but here are some of my recent carvings
Very nice!
My YouTube Channel
YESTERDAY AT KYOTO'S KIYOMIZUDERA TEMPLE WITH ITS STUNNING FALL COLORS
In this playlist enjoy the exploding fall colors for which Japan is famous as they exhibit themselves at Kyoto's Kyomizudera Temple.
Watch as the crimson red maple leaves are reflected in the Temple's pond. brightly colored Koi share the leaves color, and the temple's Pagoda loo,s overhead.
Link to Video Playlist of Japan's Autumn Colors at Kyoto's Kyomizudera Temple:
(Each short video should play in succession one after another. Otherwise click "Play All)
https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLtb5zi734BfbcihUxJ9PdR0FlAVuJ_9WB
CONCURRENTLY TAKEN PHOTOS:
Added Views at Kyoto's Kyomizudera Temple:
TODAY'S FALL COLORS AT WAKAYAMA CASTLE
Japan’s Wakayama Castle Surrounded by Forest of Stunning Fall Foliage
Link to video of fall foliage at base of Wakayama Castle in Wakayama Japan:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ZNReKHLTndU
Concurrently taken photo:
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan
When my mother and father came to America in 1957, one of the
1st chemical companies my father worked for was Sinclair. When
we moved to Tennessee in "62 there were still a few Sinclair gas
stations still in operation.
Just keeping the eggs warm
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan