高山右近 Takayama Ukon, the Christian Samurai

Takayama Ukon or Dom Justo Takayama was a Catholic daimyo of the Sengoku period of Japanese history. Born in 1552 in Haibara-cho, Nara he was the son and heir of the daimyo Takayama Tomoteru of Sawa Castle in Yamato. As a child he was known as Hikogorō (彦五郎) and in 1564, at the age of 12, he was baptized and given the Christian name Justo when his father converted to Catholicism. At his coming of age ceremony he was named Shigetomo (重友). Today he is best known by the name of Ukon from his time as the officer of Ukonoefu. Alongside his father, he fought as a samurai to defend the lands of his father and further establish his position as daimyo. They fought in the armies of the great Japanese warriors Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, gaining Takatsuki Castle in Osaka. They also were very open and straightforward in presenting themselves as Kirishitan daimyo (Christian noble lords). They fought heroically on the battlefield, their faith preventing them from any fear of death and were also compassionate to others in peace. Their example moved many of those around them to convert to Catholicism as well. During this time there was freedom of religion in Japan but still those who were suspicious of the Christian religion. Takayama Ukon was determined to set a good example and show that one could be an honorable Japanese samurai and a sincere Christian since the value system supported rather than contradicted each other.

To be honest, upright, virtuous, loyal and moderate with a focus on family and self-improvement were traditional Japanese values which were also upheld by Christianity. However, Toyotomi Hideyoshi was growing alarmed by the spread of Christianity, particularly after the Spanish took control of the Philippines. He feared that the religion was only the first step to a foreign invasion. It was not a correct assumption but also not a baseless one. In any event, in 1587 Lord Hideyoshi ordered the eviction of all Catholic missionaries from Japan and placed many restrictions on the Christian religion in Japan. It was then illegal for any daimyo to be a Catholic. For many people, the Catholic faith was new and did not have strong roots, so they followed the order and renounced their religion. Takayama Ukon, however, had stronger convictions. He was strong in his faith as well as steadfast in his loyalty to Japan, His Majesty the Emperor and the designated national leadership. So, rather than give up his Christian faith, Takayama Ukon shocked everyone by giving up his lands instead. Everything he had fought so long and so hard for, he handed over willingly rather than renounce his faith in God. He would not turn his back on Christ nor would he disobey the laws set down by his overlord and ruler. Truly, his example was an inspiration.

For many years Christianity remained legal in Japan but restricted and Takayama Ukon was able to live under the protection of friends as his kindness and upright behavior had earned him many admirers. He was known for his mastery of "Sado" (the intricate tea ceremony) and was one of the seven disciples of the 'tea master' Sen-no-Rikyu. However, things changed after Tokugawa Ieyasu came to power in Japan, establishing the Tokugawa Shogunate. Whereas, in the past, Christianity had been tolerated but discouraged, under Tokugawa Ieyasu it was to suppressed completely (again, due to fears which were not really justified but which were understandable given the situation at the time). In 1614 the Shogun prohibited the practice of Christianity in Japan and any who refused to renounce their religion would be exiled. Many in the Kirishitan community continued to practice their religion in secret but for Takayama Ukon, this was not possible. He was too well-known and would not defy the law no matter how painful it was for him. On November 8, 1614 the Catholic daimyo along with 300 other Japanese Catholics left Japan from Nagasaki.

On December 21 he arrived in Manila in The Philippines where his fame had preceded him. The Spanish officials, Jesuit priests and crowds of Filipino Catholics turned out to do him honor, having heard stories of the heroic Japanese samurai who had given up all his property rather than renounce his Christian faith and had now accepted exile rather than betray his God or his country. Christians had been persecuted in Japan because the government feared they would be potential traitors and the tools of foreign aggressors. However, Takayama Ukon proved definitively that this was not true. Not long after landing in The Philippines, he was approached by Spanish officials who offered to send him back home with a Spanish army to defeat the Shogun, rescue the Japanese Christians and protect them from further persecution. However, Takayama Ukon saw this as the Spanish simply trying to seize an opportunity to conquer Japan and make it one of their colonies so he firmly refused. He was a loyal Catholic and a loyal subject of the Emperor and would remain so until he died. He would not betray his faith or his country and would not allow any foreign invader to use him to violate Japanese sovereignty, even if they had some good intentions. He thanked the Spanish politely for their concern but firmly refused their offer. There would be no Spanish expedition to Japan.

The love and devotion Takayama Ukon had for Japan was as deep as that of any samurai of any faith, Christian, Buddhist, Shinto or other. He was treated with great respect and kindness in The Philippines but his health began to fail very soon and it seemed that being parted from his beloved Japan was too much for him to take. Only forty days after arriving the great Catholic daimyo weakened with sickness and died. The area of Manila was called Paco and eventually became home to several thousand Japanese Christians. In all that remains of the old town, Plaza Dilao, stands a statue of Takayama Ukon, known there as Dom Justo Takayama, dressed in his samurai robes, his hair in traditional Japanese style and holding a sword with the image of a crucifix to symbolize his status as both a Catholic and a Japanese warrior. The Spanish authorities buried him with full military honors as a Daimyo, the first of such rank to be buried in The Philippines. It was a focus of devotion for many Japanese Christians and, in time, a cause was started for Takayama Ukon with the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints in Rome. He is currently titled as "Venerable" and will probably be beatified (declared "Blessed") next year, the last step on the path to being recognized as a saint. Certainly, Takayama Ukon is a worthy candidate for such recognition. His faith was steadfast and he gave up all he had, even leaving his country, rather than deny Christ. He was also just as firm in his patriotic love of country and loyalty to Japan. He did just as the Scriptures commanded to "fear God and honor the Emperor".