Q&A: Rātana Church members retrace founder’s historic journey to Japan

Sonata: "Our journey served as a tribute to this journey and the subsequent deep historical and cultural ties established between the Rātana movement and Japan"

What was the purpose and significance of the trip?

The significance of our visit was first and foremost to honour 100 years of the spiritual marriage between Rātana and Japan, a connection that began in 1924 when Tahupotiki Wiremu Rātana visited the country as part of his world tour.

Our journey served as a tribute to this journey and the subsequent deep historical and cultural ties established between the Rātana movement and Japan.

Beyond this sacred purpose, the journey was an opportunity to immerse ourselves in cultural exchanges and embrace the wisdom woven into Japan’s traditions, philosophies and values.

As we walked through significant historical sites, we did more than just honour the past—we reignited the spirit of those who came before us.

Why did Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana travel Japan 100 years ago?

Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana and the Rātana Temple, which is located 20kms south of Whanganui in the Manawatū-Whanganui region

In 1924, Rātana and his party set out on a world tour to bring international attention to injustices related to the Treaty of Waitangi. The tour took in many countries, including South Africa, Britain, the US, Canada and Japan.  

In Japan, Rātana and his Party were welcome guests and were honoured during their stay.

Bishop Juji Nakada opened the doors of his great house to T.W.Rātana and his Party. As Juji Nakada insisted, he had known that a great and most honoured guest had arrived. A grand reception was arranged, and a service was conducted with hymns and prayers spoken in the Māori language.

How have his travels to Japan impacted the Rātana church and its relationship with Japan?

For over a century, the bond between the Rātana people (Māori/Mōrehu) and the Japanese people has flourished, rooted in a shared vision of faith, unity, and spiritual connection.

This profound relationship, forged through the visionary leadership of T.W. Rātana and Bishop Juji Nakada—one of the founders of the Oriental Missionary Society and the first head Bishop of Japan’s Holiness Church—has only grown stronger with time.

What were some of the key places you visited - why were they chosen?

Sonata: "We imagined the courage it took to cross vast oceans and the challenges our tūpuna met on that long voyage over a century ago."

We visited many of the places that Rātana travelled to in 1924.

On arriving in Japan, we journeyed to Tama Cemetery in Fuchū City, Tokyo Metropolis, where Bishop Juji Nakada rests among his ancestors. This sacred ground holds the legacy of a man whose sacrifice, faith, and devotion forged an unbreakable bond between our peoples.

In Yokohama, history whispered to us in the very place our Māori / Mōrehu ancestors first arrived in 1924. There, the ship that carried them—temporarily docked due to a workers’ strike—set the stage for an extraordinary moment when Bishop Nakada was called by Emperor Taishō Yoshihito to welcome those arriving from New Zealand.

Strolling along a replica of the ship on which T.W. Rātana once sailed, we felt the pulse of history under our feet. We imagined the courage it took to cross vast oceans and the challenges our tūpuna met on that long voyage over a century ago.

Kan’ei-ji Temple’s five-story pagoda in Ueno, Tokyo

On November 8th, we came together in Ueno Park to celebrate and honor a momentous occasion—the 100-year anniversary of the spiritual union between T.W. Rātana and Bishop Juji Nakada. Their bond was more than a meeting of two men; it was the weaving of two peoples, a sacred connection that continues to bless and unite us today.

With gratitude in our hearts, we listened as Hareruia Aperahama retold the powerful journey of Rātana, Bishop Nakada, and Pita Moko—how they came to Ueno, visited the revered Ueno Toshogu Shrine, stood before the former Kan’ei-ji Temple’s five-story pagoda, and explored the Tokyo National Museum, where Rātana sought deeper understanding of Christianity in Japan.

This centennial was more than just a celebration; it was a profound acknowledgment of the journey, the faith, and the vision that still guides us.

He mihi ki a Fujisan – Te Maunga Teitei, he Maunga Tapu.

With hearts full of our beautiful service in Ueno, we journeyed onward to Honshu, traveling through Yamanashi and Shizuoka to stand in the presence of Fujisan, the sacred mountain.

We arrived late at night, navigating the winding, narrow streets with a sense of anticipation and wonder before taking up residence in a beautiful traditional house that was like stepping back in time.

The next day, we embarked on an extraordinary journey—one that allowed us to immerse ourselves in the lifestyle and culture of Fujisan. From the richness of its food to the elegance of the kimono, from the rhythm of travel to the breathtaking sights, every moment felt like stepping into a world woven with history, beauty, and sacred presence.

But nothing could prepare us for the sheer awe of standing at the feet of Fujisan. Though our time there was brief, we were left in absolute disbelief at how close we had come to something so immense, so divine. If God resided on the mountain, then we stood humbly at His feet—overwhelmed, grateful, and forever changed.

Nagasaki - A time to reflect

On November 11th, we traveled to Nagasaki, a city forever marked by both tragedy and resilience. This journey was not just to follow in Rātana’s footsteps, but to stand in reflection of a moment in history that shaped not only Japan but the world.

Urakami Cathedral in Nagasaki, which was the inspiration for Rātana Temple

Rātana came here seeking to understand another side of Japan—one that, in many ways, felt familiar, with its landscapes and way of life reminiscent of Aotearoa. Yet, his visit held a deeper purpose. He came to witness the Urakami Cathedral, a place of faith and devotion that was almost destroyed in the bombing of Nagasaki some years later.

It was here that Rātana found inspiration. The architecture of Urakami Cathedral moved him so profoundly that he carried its essence home, replicating its design in Rātana Pā, where it now stands at the heart of our community and our faith.

As we stood in solemn remembrance, we acknowledged the weight of history, the loss endured, and the unwavering spirit of those who rebuilt from the ashes. With deep appreciation, we reflected on the lessons of the past—of resilience, faith, and the power of unity—knowing that, just as Rātana did, we too must carry these lessons forward.

Our journey to Nagasaki had a dual deeper purpose—to stand in solemn remembrance at the heart of the Peace Garden, where the towering statue honours the memory of those lost in the atomic bombing of August 9th, 1945. In this sacred space, we stood together, unified in gratitude and reflection, offering our thanks and praises.

The group visited the Nagasaki Peace Statue, a memorial to the devastation caused by the nuclear bomb dropped on the city in 1945

This day held an even greater significance for us, as it was on the 11th November that the son of Rātana passed away—a profound moment of sacrifice, a price paid in the physical realm for the work that Rātana had yet to complete—Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

We were humbled to be joined by senior Apostles of the Rātana Church, who led us in a full service, honouring both our ancestors and the people of Nagasaki. In that moment, we paid homage to those who came before us—those who paved the way, who carried the burdens of history, and who left behind a legacy for us to uphold.

Standing on their shoulders, we remembered. We were honoured. And we gave thanks. This was a day like no other—one etched into our hearts forever, like all the other experiences we had.

We have returned to New Zealand with a deeper respect for Japan and a desire to return in the future to learn more about this extraordinary place. We wondered if this is how our ancestors felt when they returned.

New memories and new learnings have not only filled our baskets of knowledge, but have left lasting impressions on us all, making life-long memories.