Historicizing martyrdom in 19th century Japan : a political and cultural context

Japanese intellectuals actively reshaped European constructions of Japan as a 'land of martyrs' from the mid-nineteenth century onward, fusing Christian martyrdom with concepts of national identity such as Yamato-damashii and Bushidō. This study traces how this discourse evolved through publications like the Senketsu isho (1887) and the writings of Matsuzaki Minoru and Nitobe Inazō, demonstrating that it was not passively inherited but adapted to serve Japanese national identity. The research also examines the intersection of martyrdom discourse with post-war memory politics in Nagasaki, contributing to 'Victimhood Nationalism.' By situating this history at the intersection of European image-making, Japanese national identity, and memory politics, the study argues that it cannot be understood within church history alone.

Omata Rappo, H. (2026). Historicizing martyrdom in 19th century Japan : a political and cultural context. Religio, 34(1), 119–143. https://doi.org/10.5817/rel2026-43272