2012 Volume 10 Issue 4 Pages 188-192
Hirado City lies on the north-west tip of Nagasaki Prefecture and retains 'Hidden Christian(Kakure Kirishitan)' customs derived from the 16th century propagation of Christianity in the area. This essay aims to clarify the interrelationship between the tangible and intangible elements by illustrating tangible elements in the area and interpreting the meanings that make up the cultural landscape based on intangible element research. In order to analyze the cultural landscape structure, close attention was paid to the layers that show the relationships between the tangible and intangible elements. The approach to deciphering the links between the tangible elements that indicate the settlement's functional environs and intangible elements of the worship spaces has been found to be of great significance in terms of clarifying the character of the land.
