Since Francis Xavier first arrived in Japan as a Jesuit missionary in 1549, more Catholic missionaries followed and many Japanese converted into Christianity. Among them were many Daimyo’s, or powerful Samurai lords. This is partly because Xavier and other missionaries strategically focused on first converting the Daimyo’s in order to pave a smooth path for further ministry. And many Daimyo’s felt that it was beneficial for them to be a convert in order to gain favor with the Portuguese and Spaniard merchants who brought guns. Many of those who converted for commercial benefits soon fell away from Christianity once persecution got severe, but there were a few samurai lords who adhered to their faith throughout the persecution.
One of these “hard-core” Christian samurai’s is Ukon Takayama. He was born to a high-class Samurai family in Osaka area in 1552. His father, touched by the gospel message he heard from a former Buddhist monk who converted to Christianity after being ministered by a Jesuit missionary, became a Christian and led everyone in his family to be baptized. Ukon was 12 years old when he got baptized. In 1573, in the midst of political turmoil that involved the Takayama family and the Daimyo that they served, Ukon and his father took over Takatsuki castle and became Daimyo themselves. Ukon was seriously injured during a sword fight with the former lord of the castle, but miraculously recovered. It is said that Ukon, who was not as fervent about his faith as his father, became a very dedicated follower since this incident. His father retired around the age 50 to pursue a Christian living and Ukon became Daimyo at Takatsuki castle…. (To be continued next Thursday)