Monument and Museum of the 26 Martyrs

In Japan, in the city of Nagasaki, on the hill of Nishizaka, there is a Monument and Museum of 26 Martyrs. The complex was founded in June 1962 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the canonization of 26 Christians from Japan who were executed on February 5, 1597 in Nagasaki.

26 people were arrested by shogun Toyotomi Hijoshi for preaching the Christian faith. Each was crucified with ropes and chains on crosses. This happened on the hill of Nishizaka, where the martyrs were led by snow from Kyoto.

The museum and monument commemorate the “Route to Nagasaki”, which became a symbol of the spirit of Christian martyrs. The museum exhibits important Japanese and European historical documents and works of art from the early Christian era in Japan. All stands are arranged according to chronology, they are divided into three important periods: the early preaching of Christianity in Japan, the persecution and oppression of Christians, the Christian confession in the underground during Japanese self-isolation.

An altar was built in honor of the martyrs. This is a monument, in the center of which the image of a plum blooming is depicted, as the plum tree blooms in February – the month when 26 saints experienced torture. The whole complex became a propaganda of religious freedom and a memory of those who gave their lives.