Rachel Evans
The Catholic Church may soon have its first samurai saint in the form of Justus Ukon Takayama, a 16th-century Japanese Catholic daimyō and samurai. Born in 1552, Takayama was baptised into the Catholic Church at the age of 11 or 12, and went on to become a feudal lord and samurai warrior. Despite initially growing lukewarm in his faith during adolescence, he renewed his zeal as a young man and strove to spread Christianity. He eventually renounced his samurai status and lived out the rest of his days in exile in Manila, having refused to give up his Catholic faith. He died in 1615, just 44 days after his exile began, as a result of the hardships he endured.
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What You'll Learn
Justo Takayama Ukon, the Catholic samurai
Born in 1552, Justo Takayama Ukon, also known as Dom Justo Takayama, was a Japanese Catholic daimyō and samurai during the Sengoku period, a time of rampant anti-Catholic sentiment. He was baptised into the Catholic Church in 1564 at the age of twelve, however, he later became disenfranchised from his religion due to his actions as a samurai.
Takayama was born into a samurai family, with his father being the daimyo (lord) of a small castle. The family enjoyed connections with powerful lords and warriors. In 1564, Takayama's father converted to Roman Catholicism after meeting with Portuguese missionaries, and the rest of the family soon followed. After his coming-of-age celebration, Takayama's name was changed to Shigetomo, but he became better known as Takayama Ukon, with "Ukon" being a title. Europeans referred to him as Dom/Don Justo "Ucondono".
In 1571, Takayama fought in an important battle as part of his coming-of-age ritual, which culminated in a duel to the death with a compatriot whom he killed. However, he received grievous wounds in the process and during his recovery, he realised he had become lukewarm in his faith. His zeal was renewed after a coming-of-age ritual when he was around twenty years old.
Takayama eventually renounced his samurai status and devoted himself fully to his Christian faith. He lived under the protection of friends and allies for several decades. However, in 1614, when Christianity was prohibited, he was forced to leave Japan and went into exile in Manila, Philippines, along with around 300 other Japanese Christians. He died in Manila in 1615, only two months after his arrival, as a result of the suffering he endured in exile.
Takayama was declared a martyr in 2016 and was beatified the following year. He is remembered as a Catholic samurai who remained steadfast in his faith even in the face of persecution and exile.
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The Shogun's threat of hara-kiri for Christian samurai
The practice of hara-kiri, or seppuku, was a long-standing samurai custom, originating in the early period of Japanese feudalism. It was formalised and legitimised during the reign of the Ashikaga shogunate from 1333 to 1573. The ritualistic disembowelment with a short sword was a means of atonement for disobedience or breaking the bushido vow of obedience to one's liege lord.
Shogun Tokugawa, the ruler of Japan, ordered the Christian samurai Takayama Ukon, also known as Dom Justo, to reject his Christian faith or face the consequences of hara-kiri. Takayama, a devoted Christian, refused to renounce his religion, stating:
> "I accept Shogun Hideyoshi as my liege lord on this earth. But, higher than my earthly bushido obligation is my totally absolute obligation to obey Jesus, my Divine liege Lord, the Heavenly liege lord of all earthly lords. I cannot renounce Him from whom I have received life itself, and the promise of eternal salvation."
Takayama's defiance resulted in his exile to Manila, where he died in 1615. His unwavering commitment to his faith despite the threat of hara-kiri exemplifies the spiritual warrior spirit of the Christian samurai, willing to give their lives for their beliefs.
The practice of hara-kiri was not limited to punishment or atonement but also served as a sign of protest or disagreement with orders or injustices. It was deeply rooted in the bushido samurai philosophy, with samurai history providing many examples of hara-kiri as a form of honour and spiritual excuse rather than mere suicide.
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Jesuits and the conversion of the Takayama family
The Takayama family was converted to Christianity by the Jesuits in the 16th century. The head of the family, Dom Justo Takayama, also known as Takayama Ukon, was a Japanese Catholic daimyō and samurai during the Sengoku period. Born in 1552, he was baptised into the Catholic Church in 1564 at the age of twelve. His father, a daimyo (lord) of a small castle, had converted to Catholicism after meeting with Portuguese missionaries.
The Jesuits believed that it was most effective to influence people in power and allow religion to spread to commoners. They approached local rulers with offers of trade and exotic gifts, gaining permission to preach within their domains. As a result, several daimyō became Christians, and their subjects followed. The Jesuits also acted as brokers in Portuguese trade, which furthered their influence.
Takayama's zeal for his faith was renewed after a coming-of-age ritual at around age 20. He renounced his samurai status to devote himself fully to Christianity and was exiled to Manila, where he died in 1615. He is the only daimyō buried on Philippine soil. Takayama's cause for sainthood began after his death, and he was beatified in 2017.
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The exile and death of Takayama in Manila
Takayama Ukon, a Japanese Catholic daimyō and samurai, was exiled to Manila, Philippines, in 1614. He was born in 1552 and baptised into the Catholic Church in 1564 when he was twelve. He later became disenfranchised from his religion due to his actions as a samurai but renewed his faith after a coming-of-age ritual around the age of twenty. He renounced his samurai status to devote himself to Christianity.
In 1614, Tokugawa Ieyasu resolved to exterminate Christianity and targeted Takayama, who refused to apostatize. He was exiled and embarked on a long voyage to Manila that took 44 days, causing hunger, illnesses, and deaths. The ship was damaged by a typhoon and had to be towed to Manila, arriving on December 21, 1614.
Takayama and his family were welcomed in Manila with a parade and honours. They were given a royal welcome by the Governor-General of the Philippines and the Archbishop of Manila and established their home in a suburb of Manila called San Miguel. Takayama was well-received by the local Christian community, who venerated him as a martyr.
However, Takayama's health suffered during the voyage. He died in Manila on February 3 or 5, 1615, just 40 to 44 days after his arrival. His death was attributed to the suffering and hardships he endured during his exile. He was buried in the Jesuit church in Manila, the only daimyō buried on Philippine soil. A statue of him was installed in Plaza Dilao, Paco, Manila, in 1978, depicting him in traditional samurai garb with a sheathed katana and a figure of a crucified Jesus Christ.
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The beatification of Takayama
Takayama Ukon, born Takayama Hikogorō, was a Japanese Catholic daimyō and samurai during the Sengoku period. He was baptised into the Catholic Church in 1564 at the age of twelve. However, he later became disenfranchised from his religion due to his actions as a samurai. He eventually renewed his faith after a coming-of-age ritual at around the age of twenty.
Takayama renounced his samurai status to devote himself to Christianity and was exiled to Manila, where he died two months later. He was buried in a Jesuit church and is the only daimyō buried on Philippine soil.
Takayama's cause for sainthood began after his death, and he was declared a Servant of God. He was beatified on 21 January 2016, and the celebration took place on 7 February 2017 in Osaka, with Cardinal Angelo Amato presiding on the Pope's behalf.
Takayama is remembered as a pillar of the early Church of Japan and one of the greatest heroes of the Martyr Church of Japan. He is also known for his role as an able ruler, a great general, an ingenious strategist, and a master of the tea ceremony.
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Frequently asked questions
Justo Takayama, also known as Dom Justo Takayama, was the first Catholic samurai to be beatified. He was beatified on February 7, 2017, in Osaka, Japan.
Justo Takayama was exiled to Manila, Philippines, where he died on February 3 or 5, 1615, 40 days after his arrival. He was buried with full military honors in a Jesuit church.
St. Paul Miki and his 25 companions, collectively known as the 26 Martyrs of Japan, were martyred in Nagasaki in 1597. They were contemporaries of Justo Takayama and are considered Catholic samurai.
