Nishizaka Martyrs Site
長崎県
The hill where twenty-six Christians were crucified in 1597 — a martyrdom site praised by Rome as a holy ground
Founded
1597
Type
Historic Site
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JR長崎駅から徒歩5分
長崎県長崎市西坂町7-8
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Info
Historic Site
Founded 1597
429 years
Buddhist Sect
カトリック
Overview
On February 5, 1597, by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, twenty-six Christians — six Spanish Franciscan friars and twenty Japanese Catholic faithful — were crucified on Nishizaka Hill in Nagasaki. Known as the Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan, they were beatified by Pope Gregory XVI and canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1862. A memorial hall and chapel were built on the site in 1962, and it stands today as a le…
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Origins
In 1597, twenty-six Christians were crucified at Nishizaka Hill by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. A chapel and memorial museum were erected on the site in 1962, and it is regarded as a UNESCO World Heritage candidate.
人Related Figures— 3
人
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Taiko, Ruler of All
Age 60 at founding
›
In 1597 (Keichō 1), Toyotomi Hideyoshi, wary of the spread of Christianity, ordered the execution of missionaries and believers. Under this order, 6 Spanish Franciscan friars and 20 Japanese believers—26 in total—were crucified on this hill at Nishizaka, later canonized as the Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan.
Luis Frois
Portuguese Missionary Who Chronicled Sengoku Japan
Age 65 at founding
›
Luis Frois was a Portuguese Jesuit missionary who arrived in Nagasaki in 1563 and is known as the author of 'History of Japan,' a detailed record of missionary work in Japan. Frois was active in Japan during the era of the Twenty-Six Martyrs and documented the reality of Christian persecution. Nagasaki was one of the centers of Frois's missionary activities.
Francis Xavier
Apostle Who Brought Christianity to Japan
Age 91 at founding (posthumous)
›
Francis Xavier first brought Christianity to Japan in 1549. His missionary work led to the arrival of subsequent Jesuit missionaries and the formation of Christian communities in Nagasaki, ultimately becoming the historical starting point that led to the tragic martyrdom of the Twenty-Six Saints.
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