Nicola Keian Fukunaga
Jesuit brother, martyr in Japan
Who they were
Nicola Keian Fukunaga was born about 1570 into an illustrious samurai family long known for arms and public office, was baptised in 1580 and made his religious profession as a brother in the Society of Jesus. Imprisoned in the region of Ōmura in 1633, he was tortured to death in the pit from 28 to 31 July of that year, and was beatified among the 188 martyrs of Japan on 24 November 2008 by Benedict XVI.
The miracles
As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.
Why that counted as sanctity
A Jesuit brother of samurai family who was tortured to death in the pit in 1633.
The cause
The cause continues. No postulation address is published here yet. Favours received through this person’s intercession, and offers of help, are best sent to the religious order or congregation they belonged to, or to the diocese where the cause was opened; either will pass them to the postulation.
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis 99 (2007), p. 627 - decree on martyrdom
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints - 188-martiri-giapponesi
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints - beatifications of 24 November 2008
Checked against the sources listed on 22 September 2026. Corrections welcome.