Augustinian missionaries had arrived in Japan in 1602 and when Tokugawa Ieyasu took power in 1603, Catholicism was still tolerated.

Many Catholic daimyo had been critical allies at the Battle of Sekigahara, and the Tokugawa position was not strong enough to move against them.

Once Osaka Castle had been taken and Toyotomi Hideyoshi's offspring killed, though, the Tokugawa dominance had been assured.

In addition, the Dutch and English presence allows trade without religious strings attached.

Catholicism is thus officially banned in 1614 and all missionaries ordered to leave.

Most Catholic daimyo apostatize, and force their subjects to do so, although a few will not renounce the religion and leave the country for Macau, Luzon and Japantowns in Southeast Asia.

A brutal campaign of persecution follows, with thousands of converts across Kyūshū and other parts of Japan killed, tortured, or forced to renounce their religion.