Japanese Martyrs

The Japanese Martyrs are a group of Catholics who suffered persecution and death in Japan during the 16th and 17th centuries, primarily for practicing their faith. They include Jesuit missionaries and Japanese converts who chose to remain faithful despite bans, torture, and executions. Their sacrifice helped preserve Christianity in Japan and they were canonized as saints by the Catholic Church in 1862. The martyrs symbolize steadfast faith and the resilience of religious conviction under oppressive regimes, highlighting a significant chapter in the history of Christianity’s spread and resilience in Japan.