Christianity was introduced to Japan by St. Francis Xavier on August 15, 1549. After its introduction, Christianity was accepted by many feudal lords and farmers in western Japan.

However, Christianity was view as a serious threat to Japan by the Tokugawa Shogunated government, 'Edo Bakufu', and banned in 1614. And the law against Christianity was completed in 1643. The government continuously and systematically eliminated Christian followers and icons in Japan during the Edo period; between the 17th C and 19th C. In 1858, the ban was finally lifted by the newly-born Meiji government.

During the Edo period, faithfull followers, who were called 'kakure kirishitan' or hidden Christians, went underground and kept worshiping Christianity. They made their crosses and graves cleverly to resemble the Buddhist statues, pagodas, and stone lanterns.

In the Shunkoin temple, there is a stone lantern, whose leg is in a shape of a cross and has a statue of Virgin Mary. This type of stone lanterns is called 'kirishitan doro" or Christian lantern. We do not know how we got this crypto-Christian icon in this temple. However, we know that this is very important heritage, which tells you about the early history of Christianity in Japan.