Nagasaki 26 Martyrdom Mural - Cuernavaca

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Published: Sept. 6, 2006 Modified: Feb. 11, 2025

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Nagasaki 26 Martyrdom Mural - Cuernavaca

The word "JAPON" painted on the mural

During an epidemic, the mural was covered with lime as a talisman, and was discovered in 1959 when the lime was removed. The mural itself is said to have been painted in the first half of the 18th century.

The Saints Transported to Nagasaki

Missionaries traveling by boat to Nagasaki. Unfortunately, it is difficult to tell from this photo, but the missionaries' hands are tied. -- Rear of the Cathedral (left wall). The saint being transported to Nagasaki on a boat.

Emperor Taycosama Mando Martirizar

As you can see in this photo, it says something to the effect of "The Taiko (Hideyoshi) ordered martyrdom..." -- Mural in front of you as you enter the cathedral (right wall) At the top of the wall is written "Emperor Taycosama Mando Martirizar Por ~ (Emperor Taiko ordered martyrdom for ~)." The Taiko is Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Execution of Japanese and foreign missionaries

On February 15, 1597, Japanese and foreign missionaries were executed by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It is said that among these missionaries was Mexico's first saint, Felipe de Jesus. -- Enlarged image at the bottom right of the right wall in front of the entrance to the cathedral. It shows the missionaries being crucified.

Cuernavaca Cathedral

It takes about an hour by bus from Mexico City to Cuernavaca. The cathedral is about a 5-minute walk from the bus stop. The inside of the cathedral was quite dim, but the walls on both sides were filled with murals of martyrs. -- The cathedral in Cuernavaca, Mexico, has murals of 26 martyrs executed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1597. It is said that one of them was Felipe de Jesus, the first Mexican missionary.

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"Mural of the Martyrs of the 26 Saints of Nagasaki" - A mural depicting the persecution of Christians in Nagasaki by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the 16th century. Located in the Cathedral in Cuernavaca, Mexico, this mural has nothing to do with the Japanese people in Mexico today, but it is a valuable piece that depicts one of the first interactions between Mexicans (then New Spain) and Japanese people.