Francis House is the site where, in the so-called Kirishitan Era of Japan, the first Franciscan missionaries built a Church and a Friary as well as two hospitals and a school.
This site was called "Daiusu-cho" by the people of Kyoto, because the first christians prayed in Latin, using the word Deus (Daius) for God.
In the year 1593 the Franciscan Friar, Pedro Baptista, acting as Ambassador of Spain, arrived in Japan from Philippins. Shogun Hideyoshi the ruler, donated a vast area, where before was a buddhist temple, called "Myomanji" in order to build a Church and a Friary, but the Friars also built two hospitals and a small school.
In August 1594 the construction of the buildings was completed. The two hospitals, named Santa Anna and San Jose were the first western-style hospitals in Kyoto, where many people, especially the poor, received medical care.
By the end of 1596 the Shogun renewed the persecution of the christians; in Kyoto and Osaka. Many were imprisoned. At this very site of Francis House, Pedro Baptista together with five other Franciscan Missionaries; Paul Suzuki and Leo Karasuma, the directors of the hospitals and several Japanese christians were captured.
A short time later, on January 3, 1597, these witnesses of Christ, began their journey to the cross. In Osaka they were joined by more missionaries and christians and further along their journey two more christians were added.
On February 5, 1597 they were hung on crosses in the Kirishitan city of Nagasaki on top of the hill, called Nishisaka. They witnessed in their martyrdom the love of Christ and thus became the first martyrs of this country.
They are known as " The 26 Martyrs of Japan ".