This is the ſtory of Juſto Takayama Ukon, who was a Japaneſe ſamurai Chriſtian.
Juſto Takayama Ukon, born as Takayama Hikogorō, the firſtborn son of Takayama Tomoteru, was born in the year 1552 AD. His father was the lord of Sawa Caſtle in Yamato Province. In the year of our Lord, 1564, Juſto’s father met miſſionaries from Portugal and became Chriſtian. Hikogorō (Juſto) likewiſe was baptized and became Juſto (Latin: Iuſtus).
Years later in 1571, as a part of a coming-of-age ritual, he fought in a duel to the death, although ſuffering many wounds throughout the battle, he ſurvived, and emerged the victor. But in his victory something was miſſing, he realized his emptineſs and ſaw how little he had cared about his Chriſtian faith.
He married in 1574, and had three ſons, two of which died in infancy, and one daughter. He fought in at leaſt four battles, the Iſhiyama Hongan-ji War (1570-1580), the Battle of Yamazaki (1582), Battle of Shizugatake (1583), and Siege of Kagoſhima (1587). Surviving all of them (obviouſly).
With renewed zeal for Chriſt, many of his ſubjects became Chriſtians, many pagan temples and ſhrines were taken down and deſtroyed in Takatſuki and Akaſhi. In 1587 Chriſtian miſſionaries were expelled, and all Chriſtian daimyōs were to renounce their Chriſtian faith. Many daimyōs obeyed; however Juſto with his renewed love of Chriſt, refuſed, and proudly proclaimed that he would not give up his faith, but would rather give up his land and all he owned, which he did.
Then in 1614, Tokugawa leyaſu, prohibited the Chriſtian faith. Takayama was to be exiled from Japan, but not alone. The Lord and 300 other devout Japaneſe Chriſtians were with him. Then on November 8, 1614 he left his home in Nagaſaki, a month later on December 11, 1614, he was received with a warm welcome in Manila by the Spaniſh Chriſtians and local Filipinos.
However, at midnight of February 5, 1615, juſt 44 days after arriving in Manila, he died.
May his ſtory yet live on and inſpire others in their walk with the Lord.
References:
Wikipedia, Juſto Takayama, Laſt Edited: March 11, 2026, Acceſſed: March 27, 2026
Even unto death is our God with us
All art by Thebaniah Arakiah 2025, 2026