Amazing stories of the 26 Martyrs of Japan and the history of martyrdom in Japan
The Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan were executed by crucification on February 5, 1597 in Nagasaki, Japan. They were the first to be martyred in Japan.
They held conviction from God, remaining faithful until death, following the Lord Jesus Christ and willingly becoming martyrs.
They embraced being chosen as martyrs by God with joy, seeing it as a blessed gift rather than a burden or tragedy. They were ready to sacrifice their lives for their faith in Jesus, enduring persecution and martyrdom with unwavering devotion.
After that, the persecution in Japan intensified, and martyrdoms occurred in various parts of Japan. In spite of severe persecution, the gospel spread underground, then a considerable number of Christians were martyred.
They died as a single grain of wheat, but it has not yet borne fruit in Japan. The great harvest, revival has not yet come to Japan, but it will come in the end time and God will reward their faithfulness and accomplish His great work.
The Story of the 26 Martyrs of Japan
In 1549, Christianity was introduced to Japan for the first time by Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier. Following his arrival, other missionaries came to Japan, leading to a rapid increase in the number of believers.
However, on February 5, 1597, Japan witnessed its first Christian martyrdom in Nishizaka, Nagasaki. Alongside foreign missionaries, Japanese Christians, including three children, chose to embrace martyrdom rather than renounce their faith. Their unshakable belief and hope in heaven became the cornerstone of Christian faith in Japan.
Commemorative Meeting for the 26 Martyrs of Japan
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Mark 8:34).
As members of a Protestant church, we are deeply moved by the inspiring testimony of the 26 Martyrs of Japan.
This meeting is held to commemorate their courageous faith and sacrifice, which paved the way for future generations.
We warmly invite you to join us for a time of worship, praising God through song and reflecting on His Word.
For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will also be available online, allowing you to participate from wherever you are. Additionally, a recorded version will be provided for later viewing at your convenience.
| 1st | Time: 11:30-13:00 Location: Nishizaka Park → Live Streaming |
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| 2nd | Time: 14:00-15:00 Location: Nishizaka Park → Live Streaming |
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| 3rd | Time: 19:00-21:00 Location: Nagasaki City Peace Hall → Live Streaming |
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The Fruits of the Franciscan Mission in Japan and the Martyrdom of the 26 Martyrs of Japan
The Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan, who were martyred on February 5, 1597, at Nishizaka Hill in Nagasaki, were the first Christians in Japan to be martyred for their faith in Christ.
The order for this persecution and execution was given by ToyotomiHideyoshi, the ruler of Japan at the time. Hideyoshi was influenced by claims that Spain had sent the Franciscans as agents for the Spanish occupation of Japan, which he believed, leading to the persecution of the Franciscans.
Out of the 26 martyrs, 23 were Franciscans, including Father Baptista. The other three, including Paul Miki, were Jesuits who were mistakenly captured and executed.
The Work of the Franciscans in Japan
The first Franciscan to arrive in Japan was Father Baptista, who came as a diplomatic envoy from Spanish Manila in 1593. During the three and a half years until the martyrdom, a total of 11 Franciscan missionaries worked in Japan. Among them, six, including Father Baptista, were martyred, while five were expelled from the country.
The work of the Franciscans bore significant fruit in Japan, such as:
Converting 25,000 people to Christianity.
Leading 3,000 apostates back to the faith.
Establishing two hospitals in Kyoto, where they cared for over 200 abandoned leprosy patients, washing their feet and serving them with great dedication.
The Six Franciscan Martyrs among the Twenty-Six Martyrs:
Father Baptista
Father Martin
Father Blanco
Brother Jesús
Brother Gonzalo
Brother Miguel
The Three Japanese Children Who Were Martyred Among the Franciscans:
Ludovico (12 years old)
Thomas (14 years old)
Antonio (13 years old)(currently being depicted in production)
The Jesuit:
Brother Paul Miki
Father Baptista (48 years old, born in Spain)
Leader of the Twenty-Six Martyrs and the head of the Franciscans in Japan. He was the first Franciscan diplomatic envoy to meet Toyotomi Hideyoshi. His story inspired the film “The Secret Mission from Baptista” (produced by TLEA Film Mission, 2022). (English subtitle)
Story Summary:
Father Baptista led the eleven Franciscans in Japan and personally cared for leprosy patients in the hospital, even washing their feet. He was the leader among the Twenty-Six Martyrs executed on February 5, 1597. Father Geronimo, another Franciscan, desired to be captured and martyred alongside Baptista, but Baptista firmly declined. As Baptista journeyed to his execution, he sent a letter to Father Geronimo, revealing a “secret mission.” This mission remains relevant even today, over 400 years later. Through this letter exchange, it becomes evident that Father Baptista was a strong spiritual leader, a faithful pastor, and a servant of God who obeyed His voice with precision.
Father Martin (30 years old, born in Spain)
Before coming to Japan, Father Martin had received a divine revelation that he would be martyred there. His story inspired the film “Passage to Heaven: The Story of Martin” (TLEA Film Mission, 2023).(English subtitle)
Father Blanco (25 years old, born in Spain)
A disciple of Father Martin, Blanco trained under him in Mexico and was later sent to the Philippines before accompanying him to Japan in 1596. He diligently studied Japanese on the voyage and was fluent enough to hear confessions upon arrival. Blanco was known for his joyful spirit even when mocked and ridiculed during the long march to Nagasaki, standing firmly on Luke 6:22-23:
“Blessed are you when people hate you… Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.”
His story inspired the film “A Life of Praising God: The Story of Father Blanco” (TLEA Film Mission, 2024, 10 min 4 sec). (English subtitle)
Brother Jesús (24 years old, born in Mexico)
The last missionary to arrive in Japan and the first to be martyred among the Twenty-Six Martyrs. His unexpected arrival in Japan and brief four months there led to his martyrdom. His story inspired the film “The Story of Philip Jesús from Mexico”(TLEA Film Mission, 2019, 7 min 51 sec).(English subtitle)(English dub)
Brother Gonzalo (40 years old, born in India)
Born to a Portuguese father and an Indian mother, Gonzalo was raised in a Jesuit orphanage in India. Invited to Japan by Father Gonzalves at 15, he evangelized for about eight years but he had to leave the Jesuits because he was raised in a single parent family.He was denied the opportunity to become a full-fledged Jesuit missionary.
However, God had a special plan for him. His story inspired the film “Gonzalo and Shogun Hideyoshi” (TLEA Film Mission, 2020, 10 min 8 sec). (English dub/ English subtitle )
Brother Miguel (57 years old, born in Spain)
The oldest among the six Franciscan missionaries, Miguel was an illiterate lay evangelist who struggled with Japanese but persevered in faith. His story inspired the film “The Weak and Foolish people were Chosen: The Story of Miguel” (TLEA Film Mission, 2024, 10 min 4 sec). (English subtitle)
Ludovico (12 years old, born in Japan)
The youngest of the Twenty-Six Martyrs. Though described as not very bright, his cheerful spirit encouraged the entire group during the painful march to Nagasaki. Having been a Christian for only ten months, his faith and courage deeply moved all who witnessed his journey. His story inspired the film “The Boy Ludovico and 26 Crosses” (TLEA Film Mission, 2016, 9 min 17 sec). (English subtitle)
Thomas Kozaki (14 years old, born in Japan)
Thomas secretly wrote a letter to his mother, which has been preserved for over 400 years and translated into many languages. His heartfelt message continues to inspire readers today. His story inspired the film “A Letter to Mother: The Story of boy,Thomas Kozaki” (TLEA Film Mission, 2018, 9 min 59 sec). (English subtitle)
Paul Miki (33 years old, Jesuit, born in Japan)
Paul Miki was one of the three Jesuits among the Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan. In English, the group is often referred to as “Paul Miki and his Companions.” For this reason, his name is the most widely recognized among the Twenty-Six Martyrs internationally.
Originally, Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s order of persecution was directed specifically against the Franciscans. However, Paul Miki and two other Jesuits were mistakenly arrested alongside them. When the Kyoto Magistrate learned of the mistake, he chose to leave the situation as it was, leading to Paul Miki being included among those martyred.
Paul Miki had a close childhood friendship with Hanzaburo Terasawa, whose father served as a retainer under Oda Nobunaga. As adults, they were reunited in a dramatic way, reminiscent of a Hollywood movie, yet entirely based on historical fact.
A musical piece titled “Let’s Meet in Heaven” was created to express their emotions and story, which was adapted into a musical-style film.
The film inspired by their story is “Forgiveness: The Five Days with Paul Miki and Hanzaburo” (TLEA Film Mission, 2021, 10 min 5 sec).
Martyrdom in Nagasaki -The Great Genna Martyrdom – History of Nagasaki Christian-
The Great Genna Martyrdom, also known as the Great Martyrdom of Nagasaki, took place on September 10, 1622, at Nishizaka Hill in Nagasaki. On this day, 55 Christians―both foreign missionaries and Japanese believers―were executed together.
This site holds deep historical significance, as it was also where the 26 Martyrs of Japan were crucified on February 5, 1597. The mass execution was part of a broader campaign of Christian persecution led by Tokugawa Hidetada, the second shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
History of Urakami Christians in Hokuriku, Japan
After the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1868, which had long enforced the prohibition of Christianity, the new Meiji government continued to suppress the faith. Fearing the resurgence of Christianity, the authorities exiled the entire Christian village of Urakami in Nagasaki to Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, one of the farthest places from their homeland.
This video traces the footsteps of the Urakami Christians during their exile. Despite enduring 3.5 years of harsh conditions, many of them losing their lives, the survivors were finally allowed to return to Nagasaki in 1873, after the ban on Christianity was lifted.
Ichijo Modoribashi, The Starting Point of Japan 26 Martyrs
This video explores the Christian history of Kyoto, beginning at Ichijo Modoribashi, the starting point of the 26 Martyrs’ journey.
During the rule of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, persecution of Christians began. 26 christians were arrested as a public example, and their journey of about 800 kilometers from Kyoto’s Ichijo Modoribashi to Nagasaki started. For these martyrs, this journey was not one of despair but a pilgrimage toward heaven, filled with joy. Their unwavering faith and joy became a source of inspiration and encouragement for many Christians of the time.
Martyrdom in Kyoto- The Great Genna Martyrdom -History of Kyoto Christian-
The history of Christianity in Japan includes three major incidents known as the “Great Martyrdoms,” which took place in Kyoto, Nagasaki, and Edo. These events occurred during the Genna era (1615–1624) and are collectively referred to as the “Great Martyrdoms of Genna.” This video explores the history of Christians in Kyoto.
In 1614, Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada issued an edict banning Christianity, intensifying the persecution of Christians. Despite this, there were Christians in Kyoto who remained steadfast in their faith until the very end.
One of the most tragic episodes was the Great Martyrdom of Genna in Kyoto in 1619. A total of 52 individuals, including women and young children, faced brutal persecution. Yet, they stood firm in their faith, encouraging one another with the words, “We will meet again in heaven,” and ultimately sacrificed their lives as martyrs.
Tsuwano Story of Urakami Christians
After the establishment of the Meiji government in 1868, the Urakami Christians faced persecution and were exiled to various regions across Japan. Among them was 14-year-old Moriyama Yujiro, who was sent to Hiroshima and Tsuwano. Before his martyrdom, Yujiro shared his final words with his elder brother Jinzaburo and sister Matsu―words that would later unfold in an extraordinary and unexpected way.