Tekura’s husband Joan was crucified on the cross at the
southern end of the execution ground.
Because Joan Hashimoto had helped all the Christians in
prison since the day they were arrested, government
officials regarded him as a leader and crucified him on the
first cross.

Tekura, who was pregnant and had a three-year-old daughter in her arms, was crucified with her 12-year-old son Thomas on her right and her 8-year-old son Francisco on her left.
Her 13-year-old daughter Catherina and her 6-year-old son Pedro were crucified on the cross next to Tekura’s.

Itakura Katsushige, the Kyoto Shoshidai, who was tolerant towards Christians, ordered that firewood should be piled up under the crosses in order to reduce the amount of suffering the Christians would have to undergo. The spaces between the crosses were also filled up with firewood.
On a little mound of firewood stood "27 crosses" and "52 martyrs."
It was in the evening that the crosses were set on fire. The martyrs looked up to Heaven and prayed amid the flames.
At this time too many people turned towards Tekura Hashimoto.

Tekura’s daughter Catherina called out from the next cross, "Mother, I can’t see anything!” Tekura urged her to call on the name of Jesus Christ and reminded her, “We will be in Heaven soon.” At this, even three-year-old Lucia shouted, "Jesus Christ."
People could glimpse Tekura in the middle of the flames, stroking her child’s face and wiping her tears.
After encouraging and comforting her children and reminding them that they would meet again in Heaven, Tekura, died on the cross.
It is said that they could not separate Tekura and her baby because she was holding little Lucia so tightly even in death.
We feel Tekura remained a devoted mother as well as a devoted Christian till the end.
Through her own crucifixion perhaps Tekura, more than anyone, realized what God had done in crucifying His only son in order to forgive us our sins.
Only someone who has experienced the death of a loved one can truly know the love of God, a love which is incomprehensive to anyone who has not gone through such an experience. I thoughtTekura could feel the greatness of the love of God and in this way she was able to face death by martyrdom with even greater joy.
Tekura’s martyrdom was a martyrdom not of suffering but of joy.

The enormous delight felt by Kyoto church on the day I updated this article is due to the mysterious guidance of God.

Next week is the final episode.

　　　　　　　　　　　　(Esther Atsuji is responsible for the wording of this article.)

　　　　　　　　