Special Edition
RC Poster
"The Martyrs of Japan"
(painted in Macau in 1640)
The Museum of Sacred Art occupies two rooms on the first floor of the Seminary of St. Joseph.
In the first room, as you turn to the right from the central corridor, the following paintings can be seen:
1. The Holy Virgin and Child, surrounded by angels (copied from a painting by Murillo).
2. Veronica displaying the Sudarium.
3. The Holy Virgin and Saint Francis of Assisi.
4. The Mater Dolorosa holding the body of Christ in her arms.
5. The Emblem of the Misericórdia.
6. The Descent from the Cross: Magdalena, prostrate, annoints the feet of Christ. Next to her there is an urn. Beside Christ are the figures of St. John and an angel.
7. The Holy Virgin holding the Infant on her lap with her left arm. In her right hand she clasps a sceptre. Above her are angels, below is a three-masted ship and in front there is a church.
8. The Holy Virgin with the moon and angels at her feet (copied from a painting by Murillo).
9. The Martyrs of Japan.
10. Saint Sebastian.
11. The Holy Virgin, painted in the Philippines in June, 1828. Her mantle falls in folds around her body with a border bearing the letters J.H.S. and A.V. (Jesus Hominum Salvator and Ave Maria).
"The Descent from the Cross"
12. The Last Supper.
13. The Baptism of Christ.
14. Jesus, between two thorn trees, holding a lamb.
15. Portrait in oils of D. António Joaquim de Medeiros, Bishop of Macau(1884-1897).
16. Saint Michael.
17. The Holy Virgin, surrounded by angels (copied from a painting by Murillo).
The second room is opposite the first, beside the stairs that lead to the choir stalls. It has the following paintings:
1. The Adoration of the Magi.
2. Saint Luís Gonzaga with the Infant Jesus on his lap. In front of them is an angel offering flowers.
3. The Baptism of Saint Francis of Assisi.
4. Saint Francis leaving home.
5. Damaged painting.
6. Saint Catherine of Sienna.
7. Saint Francis and the birds.
8. Saint Francis receiving the stigmata.
9. Saint Rita of Cassia.
10. The Sacred Heart of Christ.
11. The Holy Virgin presenting the Infant Jesus to Saint Joseph.
Almost all of these paintings belong to the sixteenth century. A description will be given of the most important ones. Seven of them were restored in London by the painter Alan Bradford. The others are waiting to be restored. The dates and artists' names are not known.
THE HOLY VIRGIN AND SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI
This painting was restored in London, in 1981, by Alan Bradford, together with the one of the Martyrs of Japan. Restoration costs for the former amounted to £ 4,000, donated by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Foundation. Restoration for the latter (funded by Stanley Ho) cost 450,000 Hong Kong dollars.
Saint Francis can be seen, contemplating the Holy Virgin devotedly, with a bunch of flowers in his left hand. The Holy Virgin, surrounded by angels, is trampling the head of the diabolic dragon*.
The book of Genesis mentions that the Holy Virgin trampled the snake that tempted Adam and Eve. Thus, in this representation it is a dragon which is trampled.
THE EMBLEM OF THE MISERICÓRDIA**
The Santa Casa da Misericórdia was established in 1498 by the Portuguese queen D. Leonor, assisted by Friar Miguel Contreiras of the Order of the Holy Trinity.
An emblem was then designed for the institution, featuring the people most closely related to it.
Similar to the emblems of other Orders of the Misericórdia, the one in Macau depicts the Holy Virgin, Mother of Mercy, with two winged cherubim holding the ends of her veil.
To the right of the Virgin are Pope Alexander in a fur trimmed cloak and Papal mitre, the Cardinal of Lisbon, D. Jorge da Costa and two religious knights.
To the left of the Virgin, in the foreground, are the following figures: the Portuguese queen D. Leonor and her husband, D. Manuel I, D. Martinho da Costa, who succeeded his brother as Cardinal of Lisbon and Friar Miguel Contreiras, who could be described as the cofounder of the Misericórdia. In the background there is an old man in a helmet, perhaps a religious knight. Behind all of these figures we can see the faces of several friars.
This emblem appears on all the flags of the Misericórdia.
THE MARTYRS OF JAPAN
The inscription on this painting says everything:
"Gloriozo Martirio dos 23 Santos Proto-Mártires do Japão da Ordem Seráfica das Filipinas. Martirizados por mandado do Imperador Taycozama em Nangazaqui aos 5 de Fevereiro de 1597. E canonizados pelo Smo. P. Urbano 8° no Anno de 1627."
("The Glorious Martyrdom of the 23 Saint-Martyrs of Japan, members of the Seraphic Order of the Philippines. Martyred by command of the emperor Taikozama in Nagazaki on the 5th of February, 1597. Cannonized by Pope Urban VIII in 1627.")
The names appear in the following order:
1. S. Pedro Bapta. Leitor de Artes, ex-Custodio Provincial, Embaixador de S.M.C., Comnifsro. Proval. do Japão, e primramp. Bpo. Eleito, natal. d'Avila em Hespa., e de 48 as. de ide..
2. S. Marto. de Lugnez, nal. de Varanqueza em Biscaya e de 30 as. de ide..
3. S. Franco. Brco., natal. de Mte. Rei em Galiza de 30 as. de ide..
4. S. Gonçalo Garcia, nal. de Bafsaim na Índia Oriental.
5. S. Filipe de Jezus, nal. de México, Corista.
6. S. Frco. de S. Migl., nal. de Parrilha, Corista.
7. S. Luiz, de 10 as. de ide..
8. S. António, de 12 anos de ide..
9. S. Thomaz Cosaque, de 15 a..
10. S. Paulo Ibarqui de Dryetqui.
11. S. Mathias de Meaco.
12. S. Leão Carainsnaro, de Graa, Irmão de S. Paulo Ibarqui e Tio de S. Luiz.
13. S. Boaventura de Meaco.
14. S. Joaqm. Taccaquibara, de 40 ans..
15. S. Franco., Medico, de 46 ans..
16. S. Thomaz Danoquidanque, 2o. Interprete.
17. S. João Chinoya.
18. S. Gabriel, do Reino de Isca de 19 ans..
19. S. Paulo Suoquero, do Reino de Oara, Interprete, todos naturaes do Japão. ***
Sentença do Imperador do Japão Taycozama: Tenho condenado estes prezos a Morte proq. vierão das Filipinas ao Japão com o fingido titulo de Embaixadrs., e porque tem presisto. nas mas. terras sḽ ma. licença e pregado a Lei dos Christaons contra o meu Decreto.
Mando, e quero que sejão crucificados na minha cidade de nangazaqui."
(The judgement of emperor Taikozama: I sentence these prisoners to death because they came from the Philippines to Japan disguised as ambassadors and remained in my territory preaching Christianity against my command.
I thereby order them to be crucified in my city of Nagazaki.")
The painting was done in Macau in 1640 and paid for by the Leal Senado in July of the following year. The accounts were registered as follows:
"Despeza que fis cõ o painnel dos Stos. martires(1):
Despendi trinta e sinco pardaos cõ o pintor que fazem tes. (taéis) de corrente - 29/7/5/0
Despendi cõ o pintor que doro as fasquias três taeis e qtro. mes. (mazes) - 03/4/0/0
Despendi duas Entenas pera as fasquias q. trouxerão da Caza da pólvora-33/1/5/0."*
Twenty three Martyrs appear in this painting but only nineteen are named. The remaining four are as follows:
(20) Cosme Takeya.
(21)Miguel Kozaki, father of Tomás Kozaki (9).
(22)Pedro Sukejiro, ordered to assist the Martyrs on their journey to Nagazaki by Father Organtino of the Jesuits in Kyoto. Finally, the guards ordered him to join in the group.
(23)Francisco, a carpenter from Kyoto who followed the group until the guards also ordered him to join it.
On the right of the painting there are three more figures Pedro Martins, Bishop of Japan and two Jesuit fathers.
Omitted from the painting were the three Jesuits:
(24) Paulo Miki, a lay brother.
(25) João de Goto, an assistant.
(26) Diogo Kisai, an assistant.
The twenty six Martyrs can be divided into the following groups:
a) Six Franciscans; three of them fathers (Pedro Bautista Blázquez (1), Martín de la Ascensíon (2) and Francisco Blanco (3)); three of them brothers (Gonçalo Garcia (4), Francisco de San Miguel (6) and Felipe de Jesús (5)).
b) Seven Franciscan catechists: Cosme Takeya (20), Buenaventura (13), Gabriel (18), Tomás Danki (16), Paulo Ibaraki (10), León Karasumaru (12) and Francisco (15).
c) Six Franciscan assistants: Miguel Kozaki (21), Tomás Kozaki (9, Paulo Suzuki (19), Joáo Kinuya (17), Matias (11) and Joaquim Sakakibara (14).
d) Two children: Luís Ibaraki (7) and António (8).
e) Two "additions": Pedro Sukejiro (22) and Francisco (23).
f) Three Jesuits: Paulo Miki (24), João de Goto (25) and Diogo Kisai (26).
SAINT SEBASTIAN
This painting, vibrant and colourful, is the most beautiful of the collection.
Saint Sebastian is one of the heroes from the early stages of Christianity and has been called "Defender of the Church". He protected, encouraged and comforted martyrs and converted many pagans.
Born in Narbonne, he entered the army. Reports of his prowess reached the Court and the Roman emperor, Dioes, made him captain of his personal guard.
He was denounced as an apostate spy and consequently called before the emperor.
"What's this?" Dioes asked him angrily. "I have bestowed favours upon you, you live in my palace and yet you are an enemy of the emperor and of the gods."
"I have always prayed to Jesus Christ for your health, and for the preservation of the empire." replied Sebastian. "And I have always prayed to God in Heaven."
Furious, the emperor ordered a troop of archers to riddle his body with arrows. He was left for dead. However, a Christian lady sheltered him. As soon as he recovered he went to the emperor who, astonished, asked him:
"What? Are you the same Sebastian whom I sentenced to death by arrows?"
"Yes. The Lord has saved me in order to protest against the persecution of the Christians who are the best citizens of the whole empire".
The emperor ordered him to be taken to the amphitheatre where he was beaten to death.
SAINT MICHAEL
This painting is said to have been done by students of Father Giovanni Nicolao, expelled from Japan along with the missionaries in 1614.
Father Nicolao founded two art schools in Japan; one in Arima, in 1601; the other in Nagazaki, in 1603. He came to Macau with his students and continued his teaching in the church of Saint Paul until his death on the 16th of March, 1626.
His Japanese students were Mâncio Taichiku, Pedro Chikuan, Tadeu and, lastly, Jacob Neva, the most famous of them all.
The church of the Madre de Deus (commonly known as S. Paulo) had three naves, three chapels and two altars in the transept. These chapels are the chapel of Jesus, the chapel of the 11,000 Virgins and the principal chapel. Between the chapel of Jesus and the principal chapel was the altar of the Holy Spirit with a retable behind holding relics. The other altar was dedicated to Saint Michael.
In the fire of the 26th of January, 1835, almost all of the church was destroyed except the altar of Saint Michael. This altar is now thought to be the one in the Seminário de S. José. It was painted by Japanese artists and portrays a samurai warrior.
THE ADORATION OF THE MAGI
This beautiful painting was also restored in London by Alan Bradford, in 1985-1986.
The Three Wise Men stand before the Virgin at dawn. Behind Mary is her faithful companion, Joseph, holding his arms out joyfully.
The Virgin is seated with the Infant in her arms. Melchior, bald and bearded, dressed in a greyish yellow gown, kneels before Jesus to offer his gift of incense. The Infant accepts it with a smile.
Behind, waiting his turn, is Caspar in a greenish white gown. He has a golden vase in his right hand and solid gold in his left.
Behind Caspar is Balthazar, black and clean-shaven. He is wearing a conical turban. In his hand he holds a chalice of myrrh. At his feet a child lifts the edge of his red cape.
In the background there are animals; a mule, reins held by a boy, a horse and two camels, their reins held by another boy.
THE PAINTINGS OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI
There are four paintings of Saint Francis; "The Baptism of Saint Francis of Assisi"; "Saint Francis leaving home"; "Saint Francis and the birds"; "Saint Francis receiving the stigmata". They were all restored in London by Alan Bradford.
I - The Baptism of Saint Francis: Born in Assisi in 1182 to Pica and Bernardo de Moriconi (known as Bernardone). After several days of severe labour pains, a passing pilgrim told his mother that "she should give birth in a stable, lying on straw". Thus it happened. At the christening an old man appeared and, taking the Infant in his arms, named him Giovanni. Because the child was quick at learning French his name was changed to Francis.
II - Saint Francis leaving home: While praying, prostrated in front of the crucifix in the church of Saint Damian, he heard a voice come three times from the crucifix. It said: "Francis, go and repair my house which is falling into ruin".
He returned home and took some articles from there to sell in the city of Foligna, in Peruggia. Then he deposited the money on one of the windows of the church of Saint Damian to be used in the restoration of the church.
His father punished him, so he took refuge in the same church. His father suggested that he should give up his belongings and thus took him before the bishop of Assisi.
Francis undressed in front of him and said, "Before, I considered you my father on earth. Now I can say only 'Our Father, which art in Heaven'"
This bishop covered him with his mantle and then gave him an old cape. This was the moment of his decision to leave his home to live only with God.
III - Saint Francis and the birds: One day, near the small city of Bevagora, Francis saw a flock of birds in a tree and went up to them. For him, everything was-his brother whether it was the sun, a wolf, a fish, a vulture, a lamb, a bird or a flower. Only poetry can reflect the expressiveness of this painting:
So often the little birds, sat on the branches listening...
And only took up their song
When the Saint had finished preaching.
(Maria Godim)
In fact, when Saint Francis spoke, the birds stretched their necks, flapped their wings and bent their heads to the ground.
IV - Saint Francis receiving the stigmata: Saint Francis had gone into retreat in a cave in Monte Alverne, 1208 meters above sea level. On the 14th of September, 1224, in the festival of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, an angel with wings of fire descended from heaven and remained suspended in the air above where he was praying. Between his wings was the image of Christ on the cross. Francis fell into ecstasy. The vision disappeared, leaving a fire of love in his soul. On his body he had the five wounds which he had just worshipped.
From then on he always covered his hands and feet to hide his wounds. Even like that, however, he could not hide them and when he died crowds of people paid homage to him, kissing the stigmata.
Translated by João Libano
"Saint Sebastian" (Guido Reni, 1575-1642)
*N. B. The dragon represents heathen China.
**N. B. A charitable institution belonging to the Church.
*** EXPLANATORY NOTE
(1) Pedro Bautista Blázquez, forty eight years old when he died, born in San Estéban del Valle (Ávila), Professor of Art, Provincial Ambassador to Japan and was the first bishop to be appointed there.
(2) Martín de la Ascensión, thirty years old when he died, born in Vergara, Guipúzcoa (although there is disagreement about his birthplace).
(3) Francisco Blanco, thirty years old when he died, born in Monterrey, Galicia.
(4) Gonçalo Garcia, born in Bassein, East India, son of a Portuguese father and an Indian mother.
(5) Felipe de Jesús, born in Mexico, was a chorister.
(6) Francisco de San Miguel, born in La Parrilla, Valladolid.
(7) Luís Ibaraki, ten years old when he died, was the nephew of Paulo Ibaraki and Leon Karasumaru.
(8) Antonio, twelve years old when he died, was the son of a Chinese father and a Japanese mother. He was born in Nagazaki.
(9) Tomas Kozaki, fifteen years old when he died.
(10) Paulo Ibaraki, brother of León Karasumaru and uncle of LUIS Ibaraki.
(11) Matias, born in Miyako (the name for Kyoto during the period when it was capital city).
(12) León Karasumaru, from Kyoto, brother of Paulo Ibaraki and uncle of Luís Ibaraki.
He worked in the Hospital of Santa Ana along with Paulo lbaraki.
(13) Buenaventura, from Miyako (Kyoto).
(14) Joaquim Sakakibara, forty years old when he died, was a cook.
(15) Francisco, forty six years old when he died, was the doctor at the Hospital of San José.
(16) Tomás Danki, from lse, was an interpreter.
(17) João Kinuya.
(18) Gabriel, from lse, nineteen years old when he died.
(19) Paulo Suzuki, from Owara, was an interpreter.
From (7) to (19) were Japanese.
*EXPLANATORY NOTE
"Monies paid for the painting of the SaintMartyrs (1):
To the artist I paid thirty five pardaos which amount to 29 taels, 7 mazes and 5 condorins (while the artist was paid in pardaos, a currency used in Portuguese India, the accounts were written up in the local currency).
To the artist who gilded the frames I paid 3 taels and 4 mazes.
For the frames brought from the Casa da Pólvora (gunpowder store) I paid 2 entenas bringing the total to 33 taels, 1 maze and 5 condorins."
(from the Historical Archives of Macau, vol. I,p.312.)
*Internationally renowned specialist in the history of Macau, the Portuguese presence and the Church in the East.
Member of the Portuguese Academy of History among other international associations and institutions and author of over one hundred and fifteen books.
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