Japanese flat image of a Christian symbol, usually the crucifixion, designed to be stepped on. Suspected Christians were required to step on the representation of
Jesus or the Virgin
Mary to prove that they were not believers. At one point in Japan, Christians were persecuted by the Shogunate, because the Japanese feared that the influence of
Christianity would make Japan too westernized. To be a Shintoist was to be loyal to Japan.
(fumi 'stepping-on' + e 'picture')