Media Contributed by Rick
26 Martyrs of Japan was painted by an anonymous Japanese painter in circa 1635. The painting is preserved in the Chiesa del Gesù, Rome, Italy. This painting is relatively large (110 x 220 cm). It was originally a watercolor painted on paper. Only later was it repainted in oil, attached to a canvas and framed, such as it is now to be found today (D’Orazio, 2008). Produced in an unquestionably kirishitan style, the painting depicts 44 Jesuits who were martyred in different ways in Japan, beginning with the first persecution. The painting has three separate levels. The top level represents glory: amid the clouds, and flanked by two angels, rise the figures of Francis Xavier, St Paul Miki and two companion Jesuits crucified in Nagasaki in 1597. They're recognized as martyrs by Rome, Paulo Miki, John Soan de Goto and James Kisai. The second level (middle) shows Christians burned at the stake, decapitated and those who lived in secrecy (hut) or exiled (galleon, abandoned on a shore). The third level (bottom) shows people subjected to the "tormento das covas" (being suspended upside down over a pit). They were tortured by hanging them over a pit filled with excrement. They would cut slits around their temples to release the pressure so they would die slower. The aim was to break the resolve of those who refused to renounce their faith.
Go Rin no Sho calligraphed in Kanji Musashi strove to be as great a master in Japanese calligraphy just as much as he did in swordsmanship
Sasaki (right) engages Miyamoto Musashi on the shores of Ganryū Island Woodblock print triptych by Utagawa Yoshitora, 1843-1847
Kabuki actor Ohtani Tomoemon as Sasaki in the ill-fated duel with Miyamoto Musashi at Ganryu Island
Sasaki Ganryû (Sasaki Kojiro) from the series Biographies of Our Country's Swordsmen (Honchô kendô ryakuden). Woodblock print (nishiki-e). This is the left side of a diptych showing Miyamoto Musashi (right) dressed for travelling looking across at Sasaki Kojiro (left) who stands in profile with clenched fist. These two great swordsmen agreed to fight on April 13, 1612, on Ganryu Island off the coast of Bizen Province.
Sasaki Ganryû From the series Biographies of Our Country's Swordsmen (Honchô kendô ryakuden). Woodblock print (nishiki-e).
