Takayama Ukon, Samurai of Christ
The Japanese Church has finished preparing the application for the beatification of Takayama Ukon, a feudal lord or daimyo who, after his conversion, played a pioneering role in the spread of Christianity in Japan in the 16th century. The Bishops hope that Takayama Ukon will be beatified some time in 2015, the 400th anniversary of his death.
Takayama Ukon was born in 1552 in what is now Osaka Prefecture, the son and heir of Takayama Tomoteru, the Lord of Sawa Castle. After his father had converted to Christianity, he was baptised at the age of 12 with the name of Justo.
Both father and son were feudal lords (daimyos) who had been appointed by the Imperial Court and were entitled to raise a private army and hire samurai. Before their conversion, the Takayama family would have practiced Bushido, the Japanese warrior code of conduct. After their conversion, they were responsible for promoting Christianity in the area under their influence and for the conversion of many of people.
Japan was ruled at that time by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who had reunified Japan. Fearful of the growing power of foreign influences and of Christianity, Hideyoshi ordered the expulsion of foreign missionaries in 1587 and the persecution of Japanese who practiced the Christian faith.
While many of the feudal lords chose to renounce their Catholic Faith, Justo and his father chose to continue in their faith even though it meant the loss of land and honours. For the several decades from then on, Justo was protected by aristocratic friends.
In 1614 when Christianity was definitely banned, the former daimyo chose the path of exile and led a group of 300 Christians to the Philippines where they were welcomed by the Spanish Jesuits and local Catholics. They arrived on the 21st of December 1614.
When some of the exiles and the Spanish authorities proposed the overthrow of the Japanese government, Justo refused to support this idea.
On February 4, 1615, 40 days after his arrival in the Philippines, he died from illness and was buried with full military honours in a Catholic ceremony.
Today a statue of him dominates Plaza Dilao in Manila. In this statue, Justo Toyotomi wears warrior robes with his hair tied in a knot. His sword is pointed downward, and upon it hangs a figure of the crucified Christ.
Mgr Leo Jun Ikenaga, Archbishop of Osaka and President of the Japanese Bishops' Conference, said that Takayama Ukon would be the first individual Japanese to be beatified. At the moment, there are 42 Japanese who are canonized and 393 beatified, all of whom were martyred during the three centuries of persecution in Japan.
"Takayama was never misled by those around him. He persistently lived a life following his own conscience. He led a life appropriate to a saint and continues to encourage many people even today," said Fr Kawamura, one of the promoters of his cause for beatification.
Source: Osaka (AsiaNews)
Read more from The Far East, March 2014
Mission Intention for March
That many young people may accept the Lord's invitation to consecrate their lives to proclaiming the Gospel.