This week was golden week and I took the time to do some traveling. One of the places I went to was the Okago Christian Martyrdom site just south of Fujisawa town.
I usually teach in the Fujisawa area, but I had never been to this place before. The site itself is on top of a steep hill and requires you to ascend many steps. There is a direct path and a side path that allows you to re-live the horror of Jesus’s march to the cross while you ascend. Once at the top, you there is a small shrine to the memory of those who were slaughtered for their religious beliefs. They used to offered the Christians a choice. They could step on a picture of their lord and escape a gruesome fate, or refrain from defacing god(literally) with their feet and have their throats slit.
There were also a number of incredible spring flowers growing alongside the memorial. If you are in the Fujisawa area and would like to visit this memorial, just head south of Fujisawa and follow the directions. If you would like more detailed instructions, feel free to email me and I’ll fill you in.
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