This story in the original Japanese can be found here.
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1.
Juliano Kichisuke was born in the village of Urakami in what is now Sonoki in Hizen Province. He was soon separated from his parents and as a young boy became the manservant of one Otona Saburouji, a landowner. But the boy, dim-witted by nature, was ever the plaything of his fellow workers and was treated little better than a beast of burden.
Urakami, in Sonokigun County, in Hizen Province
When he was eighteen, Kichisuke fell in love with Kane, Saburouji’s only daughter. But unsurprisingly, Kane had no feelings for the manservant. And Kichisuke’s coworkers, once they got wind of his attachment, mocked him mercilessly. Then, one night, Kichisuke fled the house he had lived in for most of his life. His companions presumed that the foolish Kichisuke, had been unable to stand the torment of his emotions.
For three years, not a word was heard of Kichisuke.
Then, he returned to Urakami in the guise of a beggar, and was hired by Saburouji just as he had been before. But now he paid no heed to the disdain heaped upon him by his fellow workers; instead he threw himself diligently into his job, particularly when it came to attending to Kane. He was more faithful and loyal to her than would be a dog. By this point, Saburouji’s daughter had already taken a husband and their relationship was the envy of all.
A few years passed without incident. But some of Kichisuke’s coworkers felt that there was something suspicious about his conduct. They began to scrutinize his every move. That was how they discovered that once in the morning and once in the evening, Kichisuke would trace a cross on his forehead and fold his hands in prayer. They informed Saburouji, and the landowner, fearful of repercussions, handed the manservant over to the town bailiff.
Even when he was encircled by law enforcement and hauled off to a prison in Nagasaki, there was no sign of fear in Kichisuke. In fact, it was said that he was possessed of such a marvelous solemnity that the light of heaven itself was shining down in him.
2.
Kichisuke was brought before the local magistrate and confessed frankly that he was an adherent to the Christian religion. After this, the following exchange occurred between Kichisuke and the magistrate.
MAGISTRATE What do you call these gods of your religion?
KICHISUKE They are The Lord Jesus Cristo, Prince of Belem, and the Santa Maria, a daughter of the neighboring country.
MAGISTRATE And what do they look like?
KICHISUKE I see The Lord Jesus Cristo as a beautiful young man clad in a thick purple robe. And The Lady Santa Maria is said to be a lady in a dress of gold and silver threads.
MAGISTRATE And how did they come to be the gods of this religion?
KICHISUKE The Lord Jesus Cristo loved The Lady Santa Maria so much that He gave His life, and in doing so He saved all who suffer from such pain. That is why He is the god.
MAGISTRATE Who was it that instructed you in these beliefs?
KICHISUKE During my three years of wandering I happened upon a foreigner with red hair, who told me of this.
MAGISTRATE What sort of ceremony did he perform on you?
KICHISUKE He gave to me holy water and granted me the name Juliano.
MAGISTRATE Where did this man go afterwards?
KICHISUKE It is rather miraculous, but right after he anointed me, he walked into a churning wave and vanished.
MAGISTRATE If you are going to bear false witness, do not speak such unbelievable untruths.
KICHISUKE What motive have I to lie? Man will not be misled by the truth.
3.
Juliano Kichisuke, in accordance with the laws laid down by the emperor, was sentenced to death by crucifixion.
After he had been paraded around town, he was strung up with great cruelty below the site of Santo Montani’s crucifixion. He chanted prayers as he looked up to heaven, and he showed no signs of fear when the soldier’s spear pierced his side. As if in answer to his prayer, a great mass of clouds swelled up overhead and brought a torrential downpour upon the execution grounds. And once the sky had cleared, Juliano Kichisuke had already breathed his last. But the people who were standing at the edge of the execution grounds say that even now they can hear his simple prayer echoing over the site.
“Glory to the Prince of Belem,” he said, “wheresoever He be now.”
When the body was taken down from the cross, the low-born soldier was surprised by some sort of fragrance. He looked closer and saw that in Kichisuke’s mouth was blooming a large, lustrous white lily.
Glimpses of the life of Juliano Kichisuke can be seen in such volumes as Tales of Nagasaki, Catholic Memories, and Tales from Keiho. Out of all the martyrs of Japan, it is the life of this holy fool which I love the most.
(August 1919)