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The Martyr and the Red Kimono

A Fearless Priest’s Sacrifice and A New Generation of Hope in Japan

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The Martyr and the Red Kimono

By: Naoko Abe
Narrated by: Ami Okumura Jones
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

On the 14th of August 1941, a Polish monk named Maximilian Maria Kolbe was murdered in Auschwitz.

Kolbe's life had been remarkable. Fiercely intelligent and driven, he founded a movement of Catholicism and spent several years in Nagasaki, ministering to the 'hidden Christians' who had emerged after centuries of oppression. A Polish nationalist as well as a monk, he gave sanctuary to fleeing refugees and ran Poland's largest publishing operation, drawing the wrath of the Nazis. His death was no less remarkable: he volunteered to die, saving the life of a fellow prisoner.

It was an act that profoundly transformed the lives of two Japanese men. Tomei Ozaki was just seventeen when the US dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, destroying his home and his family. Masatoshi Asari worked on a farm in Hokkaido during the war and was haunted by the inhumane treatment of prisoners in a nearby camp. Forged in the crucible of an unforgiving war, both men drew inspiration from Kolbe's sacrifice, dedicating their lives to humanity and justice.

In The Martyr and the Red Kimono, award-winning author Naoko Abe weaves together a deeply moving and inspirational true story of resistance, sacrifice, guilt and atonement.

©2024 Naoko Abe (P)2024 Penguin Audio

 20th Century Asia Christianity Historical Japan Military Modern War

Critic reviews

'In this beautiful chronicle stretching across a whole century and between continents, Naoko Abe reminds us of how human interconnections and inspirations help us rise above the terrors and divisions of war.'
‘One of the most moving true stories I have ever read, touching on all human emotions, strengths and weaknesses. Its mixture of happiness and sorrow, hope and horror played havoc with my spirits and brought many a tear to my eyes. I am amazed at the depth and geography of Naoko Abe’s research and travels in piecing together such a multitude of stories. Throughout, the cherries keep the main story moving. Despite the sadness and the darkness, love and belief prevail.'
The Martyr and the Red Kimono is a rich and inventive biography of three men who never met but who shared a deep dedication to the betterment of humanity. In chronicling the lives of Father Maximilian Kolbe, murdered at Auschwitz, Tomei Ozaki, witness to the bombing of Nagasaki, and Masatoshi Asari, who sent Japanese peace symbols around the globe, Naoko Abe not only honours three inspirational figures but provides a compelling and unexpectedly positive account of a century of spiritual, cultural and political links between East and West.
'Naoko Abe reminds us that despite humanity’s brutality, hope endures in the simplest of messages: stop killing, renounce war and never forget love. '
'Vivid, absorbing, and compelling'
'a rich and inventive biography ..a compelling and unexpectedly positive account of a century of spiritual, cultural and political links between East and West.'
'Ultimately, the winning charm of Abe’s book ... is the epic scale of its historical lens, which draws so much of its power from human subjects that lived through, and were immersed in, the full panoply of change our all-too fragile world underwent through the 20th century. Figures like Ozaki and Asari - from humble roots to great ambitions - feel like indomitable fighters pushing against the very fabric of history’s grand narratives of war and peace; striving ever onward with goals which are both deeply personal and also tied up with the very idea of humanity.'
'Her virtues as a stylist shine... her tone balances impartiality and vividness'
'It leaves behind it a moving glow of human connectedness, across the barriers of death and geography.'
'Abe rather brilliantly weaves individual lives into broader Japanese and global stories ... [and] draws out the humanity (of Kolbe and Ozaki) in beautiful ways.'
All stars
Most relevant
In the wake of the recent release of "Oppenheimer", a deeply introspective exploration of the atomic bomb, "The Martyr and the Red Kimono" emerges as a powerful testament to the enduring impact of war, the harrowing impact of the Nagasaki bomb and the resilience of the human spirit.

Through the trials and tribulations faced by its characters, the book serves as a timely and relevant exploration of the lasting scars left on individuals and societies, as well as the power of hope even in the darkest of times.

What truly sets this book apart is its ability to humanize the narrative of war, weaving a tapestry of personal stories that resonate on a profound level. Through the eyes of its compelling characters, readers are transported to a time and place where the line between right and wrong blurs, and the true cost of conflict becomes impossible to ignore.

As "Oppenheimer" sheds light on the cataclysmic events of Nagasaki in 1945, "The Martyr and the Red Kimono" offers a complementary perspective, delving into the lives of those caught in the crossfire of history. It is a poignant reminder that behind every statistic lies a human story, filled with pain, loss, and ultimately, the unwavering hope for a better tomorrow.

Fascinating, Captivating, Extremely Relevant

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