The impressive true story of Saint Maximilian Kolbe and the two men in a war-torn Japan, whose lives changed forever. On August 14, 1941, a Polish priest, Maximilian Maria Kolbe, was led to his death at Auschwitz.
Kolbe's life was remarkable. Clearly intelligent and active, he founded a Catholic movement and spent several years in Nagasaki, serving the "hidden Christians" who emerged after centuries of oppression. As a Polish nationalist, he provided shelter to fleeing refugees and ran Poland's largest publishing enterprise, inciting the wrath of the Nazis. His death was equally memorable: he voluntarily went to his death, saving the life of a fellow prisoner.
It was an act that profoundly transformed the lives of two Japanese men. Tomei Ozaki was just 17 years old when the US dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, destroying his home and family. Mazatoshi Asari was working 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 a relentless war, both men drew inspiration from Kolbe’s sacrifice, dedicating their lives to humanity and justice. Ozaki followed in his footsteps and became a monk. Asari created cherry trees as offerings of peace.
In "The Martyr and the Red Kimono," award-winning author Naoko Abe weaves a deeply moving and inspiring true story of resistance, sacrifice, guilt, and redemption.
Pages: 448, Dimensions: 16.5x16.5cm
