February 5
The Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan
Twenty-six Catholics were executed at Nishizaka in Nagasaki on February 5, 1597. They included Japanese believers and foreign missionaries. Their story belongs to the history of Christianity and religious persecution in Japan.
From arrest to Nagasaki
The martyrs were arrested in Kyoto and Osaka and taken on a month-long journey to Nagasaki. The museum at Nishizaka commemorates their execution and the broader history of Christians persecuted in Japan. Its account invites visitors to remember the loss of religious freedom and to work for peace.
Remembering the group accurately
The twenty-six were canonized in 1862. The Society of Jesus opened the memorial complex in 1962 to mark that centenary. February 5 in this historical calendar recalls their death. The former reference to the martyrs of Jasenovac concerned an unrelated place, period, and group, and has been removed.
Sources and references
- Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum — history of the Nishizaka site (Japanese) ↗
- Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism — Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument ↗
Original explanation by Bible Daybook, prepared with AI assistance. References checked September 10, 2026; theological review pending.
Patronage
No verified patronage is listed for this record.
Era: 16th century