Edicts 2 and 3 Catholic missionaries from Spain and Portugal had arrived in Japan in the early sixteenth century to trade and to proselytize. In 1587, Hideyoshi found it necessary to limit the activities of these missionaries. Whether one desired to become a follower of the padre is up to that person's own conscience. If one receives a province, a district, or a village as his fief, and forces farmers in his domain who are properly registered under certain temples to become followers of the padre against their wishes, then he as committed a most unreasonable illegal act. . . . . Edict 3 excerpt 1.
Japan is the country of gods, but has been receiving false teachings from Christian countries.
This cannot be tolerated any further. This is an unheard of outrage. When a vassal receives a province, a district, a village, or another form of a fief, he must consider it as a property entrusted to him on a temporary basis. He must follow the laws of this country, and abide by their intent. This is a culpable offense.