26 Martyrs Museum: Nagasaki City

The 26 Martyrs Museum was built on Nishizaka Hill in Nagasaki, Japan in June 1962 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the canonization by the Roman Catholic Church of the Christians executed on the site on the 5th of February 1597.

Its interior is reminiscent of a church with stained-glass windows, making for excellent viewing of the exhibits. On display are artifacts related to Christianity in Japan, including old documents, statues and jewelry. Explanations of many of the pieces are in English and give the viewer an upclose look back at many of the hardships and challenges were placed on the Nagasaki Christians in the 16th and 17th Century.

As with most of my stories and investigations into all things Nagasaki, it took me about 8 visits to the actual 26 Martyrs Monument before I stumbled upon this gem of a museum. It doesn`t even get close to half of the visitors that the Atomic Bomb Museum but each corresponding visit by yours truly has opened another angle or targeted wave of investigation into a never ending story of the Nagasaki Hidden Christians.

Well worth a visit and worth every penny of its 500 yen entrance fee.
1 or 2 hours of your time can be used up with ease at this location.

Here is a map of the 26 Martyrs Museum in Nagasaki City:

Here are a few photos taken from the exterior of the 26 Martyrs Museum:
Please click to enlarge.

Please check out the 26 Martyrs Museum in these videos below:

26 Martyrdom Site: Nagasaki City

The 26 Martyrdom Site in Nagasaki City was built on Nishizaka Hill on June 1962 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the canonization of the Christians executed on the site on February 5th 1597.

26 people had been arrested in Kyoto and Osaka on the order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (the national ruler) for preaching Christianity which had been outlawed at the time . They were imprisoned, then later marched approx. 800kms through the snow to Nagasaki, so that their execution might serve as a deterrent to Nagasaki's large Christian population. Hung up (crucified) on 26 crosses with chains and ropes, the Christians were martyred in front of a large crowd.

Today, the site is a revered as a holy site for pilgrims from within Japan and abroad!  In today's society it is hard to believe that something like this even took place but one has to remember the fight, battles and wars between countries and people to protect their independence and to fight against injustices brought upon them by the rulers and Governments of the time.  Considering all this one can realize that events like this did occur and should be remembered through Monuments and ceremonies highlighting their struggles and ultimately their lives.

Seeing the busts of the 2 boys within the 26 Martyrdom Site Nagasaki was especially difficult to fathom but I guess in order to really make the strongest point possible to the citizens of Japan and especially Nagasaki the powers to be at the time decided to make an example of the youth which would have been extremely difficult for the believers and those at a crossroads in their religious developments.

Well worth a visit and a stroll down memory lane although i must warn you the site can pull at your heart strings.

Check out the 26 Martydrom Site in Nagasaki City on this map below:

 

Click of the photos below to enlarge:

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Here is a video showing the 26 Martyrdom Site in Nagasaki: