Legend
Justo Takayama, also known as Takayama Shigetomo or Takayama Ukon, was a Japanese Catholic Kirishitan daimyō and samurai who lived during the Sengoku period. Takayama had been baptized into the faith in 1564 when he was twelve, though over time neglected his faith due to his actions as a samurai. He eventually rekindled his faith just after his coming-of-age ritual near the age of 20. In the face of mounting Christian persecution, he abandoned his status to devote himself to his faith and was exiled to Manila, where he lived a life of holiness until his death two months later.
Justo was the eldest son and heir of Takayama Hida-no-Kami Tomoteru, lord of Sawa Castle in Yamato Province. His name as a child was Hikogorō. In 1564, his father converted to Roman Catholicism after meeting with Portuguese missionaries, and Hikogorō was baptized as Justo. After his coming-of-age celebration, he was named as Shigetomo. However, he is better known as Takayama Ukon (with "Ukon" being a title). Europeans also referred to him as Dom Justo "Ucondono" (from 右近殿,
Ukon-dono).
In 1571, Justo and his father were victims of an assassination attempt orchestrated by their jealous liege lord Wada Korenaga. They escaped with their lives and managed to mortally wound Korenaga, but Justo also received grievous wounds in the process, and during his convalescence began to experience a profound appreciation for the Christian faith he had cared so little about. He later married in 1574 and went on to have three sons (two died as infants) and one daughter.
After receiving the title of clan head and Takatsuki castle, Justo fought through the turbulent age to secure his position as daimyō. He served under the warlord Oda Nobunaga during the Ishiyama Hongan-ji War, and Nobunaga's successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, during the earlier half of his rule, participating in the Battle of Yamazaki, Battle of Shizugatake, and Siege of Kagoshima.
During their domination of the Takatsuki region, Justo and his father pushed their policies as kirishitan daimyōs. Many of their subjects converted to Christianity, and numerous Buddhist temples in their region were torn down to build churches in their place. Justo's example also caused the conversion of some of his personal friends, such as Kuroda Yoshitaka and Gamo Ujisato; others, such as Maeda Toshiie and Hosokawa Tadaoki, were not baptized, but were convinced to hold favorable views of the new religion's practitioners. He also became a practitioner of the Way of Tea, becoming one of the tea master Sen no Rikyu's seven most outstanding students, as well as a confidant of the regent Hideyoshi.
However, in due course Hideyoshi became hostile towards the Christian faith, and in 1587 ordered that all Christian missionaries be expelled and that all daimyōs renounce their faith. While several daimyō obeyed this order and renounced Roman Catholicism, Justo proclaimed that he would not give up his faith, and that he would rather give up his land and all that he owned.
After this, Justo lived under the protection of the Maeda clan, and served them as a guest advisor, architect, and general for several decades. His tenure was abruptly cut short when in 1614, the new shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu prohibited the Christian faith, forcing Takayama's expulsion from Japan.
On 8 November 1614, Justo Takayama, his wife, children, and three hundred other Japanese Christians left for Nagasaki. Their contingent arrived at Manila on 11 December 1614, where the former daimyo received a warm welcome from the Spanish Jesuits and the local Filipinos. The governor Juan de Silva wished to provide him with an income to support him and his relations. But Justo declined the offer, for he was no longer in a position to offer his services in exchange for the income.
Forty days later, on 3 February 1615, Justo Takayama died. Upon his death, the Spanish government gave him a Christian burial replete with full military honors, as befitting a daimyō. His remains were buried in the Jesuit church there, making him the only daimyō to be buried on Philippine soil.
Character
Likes: Prayer, tea time
Dislikes: Unreasonable requests, pleasure-seeking
Talent: Technical drawing, tea ceremony
Upon first impression, one would think that Justo Takayama is a dignified, stoic, nigh-unapproachable man. However, conversing with him would reveal his true calm, kind, and rational nature that doesn't possess even a trace of that domineering attitude most nobles of his standing have.
A man who conducts himself as if he only had a week left to live. Having been on death's door multiple times, Justo understands more than most how difficult it is to ascertain "the things one must do", and how short the time to do these things is. Everything he does is thus infused with a sense of importance and urgency; combined with his mission of "setting others on the right (just) path", this gives unenlightened observers the impression of a workaholic, and less-than-charitable ones the impression of "a heartless machine that wants everything done perfectly the first time".
As a Servant of the Ruler class, he holds no wish for the Grail; as a person, he finds the claim that "the Holy Grail is a wish-granter" suspicious. Having himself drunk from the Redeemer's cup by suffering persecution for his faith, Justo believes that the Holy Grail's ability to grant wishes is too good to be true, and that attaching to this system the designation "Holy Grail" is so ironic as to make him laugh mirthlessly.
Relationships
Master
Justo generally behaves as toward them as an experienced guest general or advisor. His unique perspective on things provides invaluable insight, but as this insight can often veer into topics one does not wish to speak of, care must be taken to avoid a falling out.
Incidentally, he would be over the moon if they ever asked him for one of the Sacraments.
Oda Nobunaga
"Ah, Sir Nobunaga. Yes, of course you can count on my support this time as well. I only ask that we not conduct a repeat performance of our first meeting."
Mori Nagayoshi
"I could not ask for a better compatriot in appreciating the Way of Tea than Sir Nagayoshi. That said, I do find it rather disconcerting whenever he arrives to the ceremony caked in blood and dirt. If it goes on like this, I might have to ask all future guests to take a bath before participating."
Francisco Otomo
"What do I think of Sir Francisco? ... He put you up to this, didn't he? Well, if you must know, I've found myself greatly valuing his company as a fellow aesthete. I know he balks inwardly whenever our I remind him of his promise, but such is the price to pay for those who wish to walk the narrow path to salvation."
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
"I bear no ill will toward the Elder Regent; my only regret is that I was unable to move his heart to repentance before his vanity led him astray."
Chacha
"Why don't I hate that man, you say? A better question is, why do you? Wish ill of him, that is. Consider, madam, that avenging yourself on Tokugawa Ieyasu might only serve to produce even more Chachas, even more Hideyoris. Is inflicting on others the pain you suffered really what you want?"
Maria Kyogoku
"Madam, your advancement of our common faith's cause is admirable, but I must implore you to guard your tongue against speaking ill of that woman. God has already meted out her sentence, and the delicate ears your ladyship works with might take your japes to heart."
Amakusa Shirou
"Only God can grant eternal life, and even then man must freely choose it to receive it. What evil spirit has possessed you, that you seek to bar the gates of heaven and leave God's own image to writhe endlessly in this vale of tears?"
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Jeg Ser
