Born to nobility and educated by the Jesuits of the Arima province around 1571, Thomas entered the Jesuit order on the completion of his schooling at around 17 years old. He quickly developed a reputation for excellent preaching and evangelical zeal.
He was exiled to the island of Macao during a persecution of Christians, yet he managed to return to Japan in disguise and continue his priestly ministry.
He was recaptured and sentenced to death, yet he refused to seek his freedom through his family’s political connections.
He was burned to death at the stake in 1627 in Nagasaki, Japan. He was beatified by Pope Pius IX in 1867.
