Shimabara Rebellion: Information from Answers.com Mobile

Shimabara Rebellion

(1637 – 38) In Japanese history, last major uprising against Tokugawa rule until the 1860s. A large contingent of peasants, supported by ronin (masterless samurai), rebelled in protest of heavy taxation. After initial success, the uprising was crushed, and an estimated 37,000 rebels were killed. Because many of the peasants were converts to Christianity, their rebellion strengthened government determination to isolate Japan from foreign influence and vigorously enforce its proscription of all Christian beliefs and activities.

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