Devotion and Pilgrimage
Specifics of devotional iconography
The Passion of Christ is compared to the life of man.
The Passion of Christ is compared to the life of man. The iconography presents the Life of Christ, as the son of God, from His birth to His Resurrection. This was an emotive art form whereby the faithful were invited to identify themselves with God and become part of the holy world. The Christian motifs, based on the Bible, are combined with pagan motifs. The sun is seen as a symbol of God regardless whether from the Christian or pagan viewpoint. The interpretation of spiritual and religious themes is influenced by the ideas of the Council of Trent, that is, the ideals of the Counter-reformation, a time at which time the individuality of man had become more important.
Namban Oratory

Late 16th century
Azuchi/Momoyama periods
Sardoal's Holy House of Mercy, Sardoal
Convent of Santa Maria da Caridade, Sardoal, Santarém, Portugal
Unknown artist
Painting: oil on copper; frame: wood, lacquer (urushi), gold powder, silver powder (maki-e), copper and mother of pearl inlay (raden)
Lacquered namban oratory with floral designs in maki-e (sprinkled gold and silver powder) and raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) with a painting of the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus in her arms.