The Great Martyrdom, 10 September 1622
Below I have transcribed an account of the Great Martyrdom of 1622 from an
English translation (1705) of Jean Crasset’s Histoire de l’Eglise du Japon
(History of the Church in Japan), published in Paris in 1689. I have changed
only the archaic capitalizations (in the original, all nouns were capitalized)
and the inaccurate or non-standard renderings of Japanese names. Otherwise, the
translator’s spellings and punctuation remain.
Depiction of the Great Martyrdom by
an anonymous Japanese artist.
Credit: By Japanese artist, unknown
[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
We begin this book [The Sixteenth Book of Crasset’s History]
with one of the most glorious sights that hath yet appear’d in Japan. One and
fifty, partly religious, and partly seculars, burnt alive, and beheaded for the
Holy Faith, and the celebrated Father Spinola of the Society of Jesus, at the
head of the troop, whose precious death falls next under our consideration.
Gonroku, Governour of Nagasaki,
pursuant to his last instructions from Court, order’d Hikoemon Lieutenant to
the Prince of Omura, to bring all the prisoners in those parts, under a strong
guard to Nagasaki. In the mean while, he pick’d up at home of men and women, to
the number of thirty, and condemn’d them to be beheaded, for professing the
holy Faith.
These good Religious had now laid
four years languishing in the prisons of Omura. Nine of them were of the
Society of Jesus, the rest partly of St. Dominick, and partly of St. Francis’s
Order, together with ten pious Christians. They lay winter and summer, expos’d
to the weather. Brother Fernandez was perfectly starv’d to death. Father
Charles Spinola never once chang’d his cloaths in three years time, so that he
was in a manner cover’d over with odure and filth. But the greatest torment of
all was the intollerable stench, and noisomness of the prison, and it was so
streight withall, that they had not room to lie in. Moreover, they wou’d not so
much as let them move out of the spot, for the common ease and benefit of
nature, which bread such swarms of vermin about them, that they were little
better than eaten alive. In a word, the place was in it self a perfect
resemblance of Hell, and their life (abstracting from the interiour quiet of
their souls) a continual martyrdom. Their common allowance was a spoonful of
black rice boil’d in water, with porridge made of roots, and sometimes a
herring half rotten ; but this dainty was soon retrench’d.
The Governour of Omura having orders
to conduct the Prisoners to Nagasaki, chose out of the respective Orders
to the number of twenty four, viz. nine of the Society [of Jesus],
namely Father Charles Spinola, and Father Sebastian Kimura, with seven other
novices, who made their vows afterwards to the foresaid Father Spinola, as the
Provincial had directed. The rest were all Dominicans and Fryars. But as it
happen’d heretofore, in the case of the Forty Martyrs at Sebaste, so it fair’d
now with these Saints, all did not gain the crown, for two sunk under torments,
as Father Spinola had more than once foretold.
All the prisoners were ship’d off
for Nangoya [Nagayo], besides two Priests of the Order of St. Dominick and St.
Francis, and the guards strictly charg’d to let none speak with them on the
way. This notwithstanding, one Leo Sukezayemon, a noble Japonian, made up to
Father Kimura, and recommending himself to his prayers, cut off a piece of his
garment by way of relick.
From this village began the glorious
cavalcade of the Martyrs. First of all went an officer, and numbers of guards
after him, both foot and horse, arm’d with lances, pikes, and musquets. Next
after them follow’d Father Spinola, and then the rest of the Martyrs, but
without any order or distinction. Each of them had a cord about his neck, and
an executioner at his side, to drag him along, God so permitting, for the
greater glory of his Saints.
Being benighted at Urakami, they
shut them up in a double enclosure, but the rain coming on at the same time,
were forc’d to remove them into a little straw hut till next morning. At break
of day three Christians were permitted to speak with them, and amongst the
rest, Father Spinola’s catechist, who brought him the first news of his death
[-sentence]. The Father was overjoy’d at the account, and in acknowledgment of
the happy tidings, presented him with a discipline [a scourge] which he had
us’d in prison, and a pair of beads. These were all the riches of that holy man.
He desir’d extremely to enter into
the field of battel in his surplice, with an embroider’d banner of the name of
Jesus in his hand, which he had caus’d to be made for this purpose, and
design’d that Father Kimura should do the same, but the guards positively
refus’d it. Then they mounted them again on horseback, and conducted them in
the same order as before, to the place of execution, about a league off. The
ways were all lin’d with people, and the Christians from all parts flock’d
thither to ask their blessing, weeping and lamenting to see their Pastors, who
came from the end of the world to teach them the way of salvation, so
barbarously murther’d.
Drawing near to the place of
execution, on an eminence near the sea side, within sight of Nagasaki, they
found the whole bordering plain clad with people, insomuch, that it was
impossible to distinguish what the Saints spoke, for the noise and clamour of
the multitude. Father Kimura indeed raising his voice, pray’d a moment’s
silence, and then said (so that all might hear him) He long’d with all his
heart to let them know what joy he felt in his soul upon his approaching end
; but the noise of the people depriv’d us of the rest of his discourse, which
he pronounc’d with the zeal of an apostle and Martyr.
Notwithstanding their earnestness to
consummate the sacrifice, a stop was put to the execution, till such time as
thirty more of their companions, who were condemn’d for harbouring the priests,
had joyn’d them. They brought with them their wives, children, and neighbours,
as also the families of the four martyrs, that were burnt alive some years
before. Being then all arriv’d, they enter’d the list in their robes of
ceremony, and express’d in their looks the comfort they had of dying with the
Fathers.
They ty’d those that were to be
burnt to stakes, but so slightly, that if courage fail’d, nothing was easier
than to make an escape. All the religious were bound, except one John Chūgoku,
of the Society, whom they beheaded for want of a stake. Father Spinola falling
on his knees, embrac’d the wood, to the surprise of the heathens, who much
admir’d to see a man take pleasure in dying so cruel a death.
They planted twenty five stakes in a
line, and set guards both at the water side, and at the foot of the hill, to
hinder the people from approaching, and a kind of throne in the middle, cover’d
with China tapistry, for Sukedayu the Governour’s Lieutenant to sit on, who
presided in the action.
The time of sacrifice now drawing
near, Father Spinola, to excite his companions, and the other Christians to
praise God for his great mercy, began to entone the Psalm Laudate Dominum
omne Gentes ; immediatly the rest answer’d, and made up altogether a most
harmonious concert, insomuch, that if we may believe Gonzales Montero, in his
informations at Manila (who was present at the action) he had never heard any
thing so charming in his whole life.
The Psalm ended, Father Spinola
addressing himself to the Lieutenant, and the rest of the company, began this
discourse:
You may guess, noble Japonians, by
the joy that appears on our countenances, at the sight of these dreadful
torments, whether we came from the other world to seize on your estates, or to
teach you the way of salvation. The Christian religion inspires her children,
with a contempt of all worldly greatness. It’s your souls happiness we aim at,
and not your riches. Fortunate Japonians that embrace the law of the true God,
for everlasting happiness will be your recompence. On the contrary, the lot of
those that still persist in their infidelity, is Hell fire for all eternity,
and flames infinitely more active than those we are now to encounter. The
torments we are here to suffer, are of a short continuance, but the glory
that’s prepar’d for us in Heaven, and the blessed life, which thro’ his mercy
we hope to enjoy, will never have an end. For the rest, don’t think to terrify
the preachers of the Gospel with these frightful appearances, for the greatest
happiness that can attend us in this life, is to suffer and die for the God we
adore and worship.
Then turning to the Portuguese
merchants, who were not a little concern’d for their death, he made them so
moving a discourse, that one of the heads of them resolv’d to leave the World
upon it, and enter into the Society of Jesus.
In the mean while, the executioners
were preparing to do their office, and march’d up to those that were to be
beheaded. With that the thirty glorious champions fell on their knees, and
whilst they were fitting themselves for the work, a gentlewoman of the company
call’d Isabella Fernandez (Widow to Don Dominick George the Portuguese) took up
her child, who was only four years of age, and call’d to Father Spinola to
recommend him to God in his prayers. They call’d the child Ignatius as being
born on that Saint’s day. Father Spinola baptiz’d him, and his parents
consecrated him to God from his infancy. Being amongst the rest of the croud,
and clad after a decent manner, the eyes of the whole multitude were upon him,
but Father Spinola not discerning him, cry’d out in a concern to his mother ; Where’s
little Ignatius? What’s become of him? With that the devout parent took him
up in her arms, and shewing him to the Father, reply’d again : Behold him
here in my arms, he is pleas’d to die with me, and I freely sacrifice to God
what’s dearest to me in the world, my son, and my life. Then turning to the
child, Behold (said she) him that made you a son of God, and gave you
a life, better than what you are now going to lose. Recommend your self to his
prayers, and beg his blessing.
With that the child fell down on his
knees, and joyning his hands, did as the mother had order’d. The people were
all strangely mov’d at the passage, insomuch, that the officers were forc’d to
hasten the execution for fear of a tumult. The first that suffer’d was Mary,
widow to Andrew Tokuan the Martyr. Her head and two more fell down at the
child’s feet; and yet he was not in the least surpris’d ; what’s more, when
they beheaded his mother who stood next him, he did not so much as change
colour ; on the contrary, falling on his knees, and loosening himself the
collar of his coat, cheerfully submitted to the sword.
Father Spinola stood all the while
and beheld this butchery from his stake. Questionless the sacrifice of so many
noble victims, was a most agreeable spectacle, at the same time, he could not
but be sensible of the death of little Ignatius. This first scene over, the
executioner set fire to the wood, which stood a matter of five and twenty foot
from the Martyrs, and this to prolong their torments, and force them to
renounce the Faith.
The fire being well kindled, a
hideous shout was rais’d round the plain, some wept, others lifted up their
eyes to Heaven, others cry’d for mercy, the Martyrs only were silent, and stood
immoveable in the flames. The first that carried the Crown was Father Charles
Spinola, and that after two hours rosting at the fire. Probably he died first,
as being of a more delicate complection, or thro’ weakness by his long sickness
in prison, or perchance by favour of the sparks, which happen’d to light on his
cloaths before the fire reach’d his stake. All the time of his suffering he
stood streight up, with his eyes, fix’d on Heaven and the cords being burnt,
his body fell down into the flames, and was consum’d in a holocaust, to the
glory of His Divine Majesty.
The other religious follow’d
presently after, and honour’d our Faith, with their invincible constancy and
patience. Above all, the Novices of the Society were particularly taken notice
of, as expressing a celestial kind of sweetness in their looks, which continu’d
with them to their last breath. The last that died, was Father Sebastian Kimura
of the Society, and if we credit the report of those that were present, he
liv’d by their hour-glasses, three full hours in the flames.
All had not the same resolution, for
two young men of the troop, who had lately enter’d into a religious order,
unhappily verify’d Father Spinola’s prediction. Being overcome with the
torments, after a short struggle to break the cords, without regard to the good
advice of Brother Lewis of the Society who stood next them, they forc’d their
way thro’ the fire, and falling at the Judge’s feet, call’d upon Shaka and
Amida. Virtue is charming in the opinion of its very enemies, on the contrary,
the lewdest libertines profess a dislike and aversion to vice. Both one and
t’other were verifyed on this occasion. Every one applauded the constancy of
the Martyrs, at the same time they conceiv’d so strange an aversion to these
apostats, that nothing would serve them, but they must commit them again to the
flames, and in effect they did.
A secular Japonian also, breaking
his cords, attempted an escape, but reflecting upon the constancy of his wife,
who had newly suffer’d before his eyes, he was so touch’d, that he flung
himself again into the fire, and so repair’d his fault by a voluntary sacrifice
of his life. They speak variously of this latter : However this is certain, he
never call’d upon Amida, nor is there any proof, that he deny’d his faith, if
then he committed any fault, and afterwards return’d back to his stake, without
all question, Almighty God had mercy on his soul.
The Martyrs being all expir’d, the
Christians forc’d the enclosure to carry off their relicks. Amongst the rest
Leo Sukezayemon disguising himself in a soldier’s coat, press’d in with the
guards, and stole one of the Martyrs bones, but being taken in the theft, they
seiz’d him, and soon after put both him and his wife to death at Omura. The
Governour to hinder the Christians from taking away their relicks, order’d the
soldiers to pile up all the bones and instruments, as also the very earth that
was stain’d with their blood, and burn them to ashes, and these too to be
thrown into the sea. All they preserved was the head of Mary, wife to Tokuan,
which was given to the Christians in consideration of her near alliance to the
Governour.
Their martyrdom fell on the Second
[sic] of September, 1622, and is commonly call’d the Great Martyrdom, in regard
of the number and quality of the persons that suffer’d. We may add also the
vast concourse of heathens and Christians that came from all parts to see the
execution. As for this last I appeal to a letter of Father Baza’s, then Rector
of the College of Nagasaki.
Nagasaki (says he) is this day thinner of
people than before the persecution, and yet by common computation, they reckon
in and about the town, a matter of fifty thousand Christians. Probably
curiosity, and devotion together, invited them abroad to assist at the great
solemnity. Hence also it’s easie to conjecture what trouble the good Fathers
were in, to see their flourishing Church cultivated for the space of sixty
years with continual labour and fatigue, so suddainly defac’d. Before the
persecution, the number of the Christians all together, amounted to upwards of
three hundred thousand, besides children. Questionless, there was nothing but
the glory which redounded to God by the Martyrs sufferings, that cou’d make
them anywise tolerable easie. Behold the names of those that dy’d on this
memorable day.
The names of those that were burnt alive.
Of the Order of St. Dominick.
Father
Francis Morales.
Father
Joseph.
Father
Alphonsus de Mina.
Father
Hyacinth Orfanelli.
Father
Angelus Ferrie.
Brother
Alexius the Japonian.
Of the Order of St. Francis.
Father
Peter Avila.
Brother
Leo.
Father
Richard of St. Ann.
Brother
Vincent.
Of the Society of Jesus.
Father
Charles Spinola.
Brother
Thomas Akohoshi.
Father
Sebastian Kimura.
Brother
Michael Shumpu.
Brother
Peter Sampo.
Brother
Anthony Kiuni.
Brother
Consaluus [Gonzalo] Fusai.
Brother
Lewis Cavara [Kawaura].
Seculars burnt alive.
Anthony
a Coreyan.
Paul
a Japonian.
Luke
Irtites a Japonian. [Error: the original French reads ‘Luce des Irtites
Japonnoise’ i.e. a lady. Perhaps Lucia de Freitas]
Anthony
Sanga the catechist.
The names of those that were beheaded.
Brother
Thomas of the Order of St. Dominick.
John
of the Third Order of St. Dominick.
Brother
John Chūgoku of the Society.
Isabella
Fernandes, wife to Don Dominick George a Portuguese, who was burnt for the
Faith.
Ignatius
her son, at the age of four years.
Mary
widow to Andrew Tokuan the Martyr.
Marina
a widow.
Mary
wife to Anthony Corey [Antonio, a Korean] the Martyr.
Apollonia
a widow.
Agnes,
widow to the late Martyr Cosmas.
John
son to Anthony Corey [son of Antonio, a Korean], a youth of 12 years of age.
Peter
his brother at the age of three years.
Mary
widow to John Shun the Martyr.
Dominica
a widow.
Magdalen
wife to Anthony Sanga the Martyr.
Dominick
Yamanda [Yamada or Hamada].
Mary
late wife to Paul who was burnt for his faith.
Catherine.
Thecla
wife to Paul of Nangaixi [Nagaishi].
Peter
his son, at the age of seven years.
Dominick
Nacavo [Domingo Nakano] son to one Matthias that died for the faith.
Peter
Motoyama a child of five years of age, and son to John the Martyr.
Bartholomew
Kawano.
Damien
and his son Michael a child at the age of five years.
Thomas.
Clement
and Anthony his son, an infant of three years old.
Rufus,
and Clare, the spouse of a Martyr.
*******
Crasset’s list of Martyrs is incomplete. In reality, twenty-five were burned at
the stake and thirty beheaded. His account, nevertheless, is priceless.
May all of us who suffer doubt meditate on these Christian stalwarts’ lesson in
faith unshakable.
Luke
O’Hara
Copyright © 2018 by Luke O’Hara
Kirishtan.com
and Lukeohara.com
