- Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument
The Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument were built on Nishizaka Hill in June 1962 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the
canonization of theChristians executed on the site onFebruary 5 ,1597 . The 26 people, a mixture of native Japanese Christians and European priests (20 Japanese, four Spaniards, one Mexican and one Indian) had been arrested inKyoto andOsaka on the order ofToyotomi Hideyoshi , the national ruler, for preachingChristianity . They were imprisoned, then later marched through the snow to Nagasaki, so that their execution might serve as a deterrent to Nagasaki's large Christian population. Hung up on 26cross es with chains and ropes, the Christians were lanced to death in front of a large crowd on Nishizaka Hill. StPaul Miki is said to have preached to the crowd from his cross.The main theme inherent in the both the museum and monument is "The Way to Nagasaki" - symbolising not only the physical trek to Nagasaki but also the Christian spirit of the
martyrs . The museum's collection includes important historical articles from both Japan and Europe (such as original letters from theJesuit priestSt Francis Xavier ) as well as modern artistic works on the early Christian period in Japan. The displays are arranged chronologically into three periods: the early Christian propagation, the martyrdoms, and the persistence of Christianity underground during the persecution.The exhibits include examples of "
fumie " or treading images. Every year from 1629 to 1857, Nagasaki residents were forced to go through a ritual of stepping on bronze images ofChrist or Mary to prove they were not Christians. Also to be seen are statues of theVirgin Mary in the guise ofBuddhist deities such asMiroku andKwannon Bodhisattva to which the hidden Christians prayed.The Martyrs'
altar was built as a memorial for the many people who gave up their lives for their religion. The image of aplum blossom in the centre of the altar was chosen because the plum tree blossoms in February - the month of the martyrdom of the 26 saints, who are commemorated on February 6th.ee also
Martyrs of Japan
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.