JAPAN

Tokyo ward touts possible discovery of Italian priest’s remains

Bones believed to be those of Italian missionary Giovanni Battista Sidotti are seen at the Krishitan Yashiki site in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward. | BUNKYO WARD / KYODO

Kyodo

Apr 6, 2016

In a rare discovery for the history of Christianity in Japan, Bunkyo Ward in Tokyo has found what it believes are the remains of Italian priest Giovanni Battista Sidotti.

Excavation began in April 2014 on the site of Krishitan Yashiki (Christian Mansion), a former prison for Christian missionaries during the Edo Period (1603-1868), with the remains of three people discovered there that July.

It has recently been determined that the DNA of one set of remains closely matched Sidotti's.

Tokyo ward touts possible discovery of Italian priest’s remains

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