Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan

Nishizaka Hill in Nagasaki is the site where 26 Catholics, including Paulo Miki,

were crucified on February 5, 1597. Arrested in Kyoto and Osaka by order of

Toyotomi Hideyoshi, they were forced to march 800 km in the snow to their

execution

From the cross, Paul Miki declared:

“All of you who are here, please listen to me. I am Japanese by birth and

a brother of the Society of Jesus. I have committed no crime; the only reason

I am being put to death is that I have taught the doctrine of our Lord Jesus

Christ. I am deeply happy to die for this cause, and I see my death as a great

blessing from the Lord.　At this critical moment, when you can be assured

that I will not try to deceive you, I want to emphasize and make it unmistakably

clear that man can find no way to salvation other than the Christian way.

Since the Christian law commands us to forgive our enemies and those who

have wronged us, I declare here that I forgive Taikosama (Hideyoshi)

Then, they all ascended to heaven with the happiness of giving their lives

to Christ.

Nishizaka hill, the site of

Martyrdom in 1597

The martyrs said that

” All people, bless God ! ”

The 26 Japanese martyrs have

been canonized in 1862

The 26 Japanese Martyrs were canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1862. In 1950,

Pope Pius XII designated the site of their martyrdom on Nishizaka Hill as an

official pilgrimage site for Catholics. The location was later recognized as a

Historic Site by Nagasaki Prefecture in 1956, and the monument dedicated

to them was erected on June 10, 1962.

The Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum

Located right behind the monument, the museum is devoted to the memory of

the martyrs and the history of Christianity in Japan. Its interior, reminiscent of

a church with beautiful stained-glass windows, creates a serene atmosphere

for viewing the exhibits. On display are various artifacts related to early

Japanese Christianity, including historical documents, statues, and religious

items.