Legend
Maria Kyōgoku was a Japanese noble lady and religious leader from the Sengoku period to the early Edo period. As the most successful female catechist in the Kansai area, she faced down the various samurai governments, staying true to her missionary campaigns even when Christianity was banned in Japan.
Maria was born around 1542 at Odani Castle as the second daughter of Azai Hisamasa, a feudal lord in Omi Province; one of her younger brothers was Azai Nagamasa, who would later marry Oda Nobunaga's sister, Oichi. She married Kyogoku Takayoshi and had children Takatsugu in 1563, Takatomo in 1572, Tatsuko, whose birthdate is not certain, and two other daughters whose names are unknown. Her husband sent his firstborn, Takatsugu, to Oda Nobunaga as a hostage sometime before 1573 and retired at Johei Temple, and it is believed that she resided there as well.
In 1581, she and her husband Takayoshi were baptized by the Jesuit Gnecchi-Soldo Organtino at Azuchi Castle and given the baptismal name Donna Maria, but Takayoshi died a few days later. The family's relatives distanced themselves from the church because of this tragedy, but only Maria remained steadfast in her faith.
Even after Toyotomi Hideyoshi issued a decree banning Christianity in 1587, Maria remained faithful, and it is said that four of her children were baptized, except for Tatsuko, who became Hideyoshi's concubine. After the Battle of Sekigahara, she worked as a catechist in the Kyoto-Osaka area, but later moved to Wakasa province. She then went to Tango Province, which her second son Takatomo had taken over around 1609, and moved to the village of Sengenji around 1614, where she spent her days in prayer and spiritual reading in a small hermitage-like house called Komido under the patronage of Takatomo. It is said that Maria chose the village of Sengenji because of its location in the easternmost part of Tango and its proximity to the border with Wakasa, and that she often visited Obama in Wakasa, where her eldest son Takatsugu held territory.
Maria was called "Sengenji-sama" by the local people, and died on July 1, 1618. Her Buddhist name is said to have been Yofukuin-dono Hozan Jukei Daizenjoni.
Character
Likes: Reading, plum blossoms
Dislikes: Crossdressers, drinking parties
Talent: Babysitting, telling stories
A competent and mature girl-next-door-type who exudes a warmth that attracts people to her. As an middle sibling, Maria's default disposition is "keeping peace in the family"; however, due to various repressed experiences, a dynamism that could rival volcanoes in its intensity would emerge whenever her considerable patience wears thin.
In her youth, Maria once apprenticed herself to a litany of masters in order to make herself useful to her family. As neither the eldest, burdened with the task of caring for all their younger siblings, nor the youngest, bearing the role of being doted on, she felt as if she had to prove her existence was worth maintaining. Even as she matured and got married off to the scion of a vassal clan, she never lost the feeling that she had to find her place, to
become something, in order to be worthy of love.
--Until the day Maria's "place" found her.
A man in strange robes showed her a God who did not look down on her efforts, but was rather pleased at her for being who she already was. For Maria, who always thought she had to justify her being born, that moment felt like salvation. Thenceforth she pledged herself as an apostle of this God, and took up the name of the woman He first appeared to after His return from death.
As a lady, as a mother, as a woman, she made it her life's mission to spread the Good News of God's boundless love; this wish has not changed upon being summoned as a Servant.
Relationships
Master
Her default attitude towards them is behave as an older sister; however, if they were to show a level of maturity/experience that exceeds hers, she would slowly and subtly settle into the role of younger sister.
Oda Nobunaga
"A most frustrating opponent. Naturally, I set my face against that she-devil for what she did to my dear Saruyasha, but there are times when I can't help but feel sorry for her. No matter the case, I believe that this too is a test from God."
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
"Hm? How do I recommend dealing with that lecherous monkey who's stained the virtue of my precious angels Chacha and Tatsuko? Well, now. Since this humble Maria has manifested as a Saber, you've an inkling of what I'm to say next, yes? Personally, I would take a rather sharp blade and cutting off that adulterer's... tail. Yes, his tail. We'll go with that."
Chacha
"Chacha, darling! Auntie has made some special yatsuhashi just for you! Now run along and play, and don't forget to share with your friends, alright? Hm? What's that? 'This is suspicious; Auntie is only this cheerful when Chacha has eaten her vegetables'? Well, now... I wonder why?"
Francisco Otomo
"Hmm... I find Sir Francisco quite... vexing to speak with. Whenever we do cross paths, he always gives off a sense of watching me slip up. I've tried to speaking with him about it, to no avail. I don't suppose Master knows anything about this...?"
Justo Takayama
"Uuu... This humble Maria got told off by Sir Justo for mouthing off at that she-devi-- I mean, the Fool of Owari yet again. It's embarrassing enough to be told to tame your tongue, but to hear it from someone supposedly a decade younger than you is torture! Oh, I only hope his lecture sticks this time!"
Martha
"Oh, heavens me! Saint Lazarus was also a handful? Really? Hah... Somehow, Big Sis Martha's sibling stories ease some of my worries. I suppose loads of people, myself included, put saints on a too-high pedestal. Your tales remind me that anyone can become a saint, even bratty youngest siblings, fufu! Anyway, thank you kindly, Big Sis!"
Okada Izo
"Well now, I'm pleased as a plum that you want to learn fencing from me! Let's meet up at this place, at so-and-so time, and you might want to borrow a Bible from Big Sis Martha-- Oh, and don't forget to bring snacks!"
Circe
"Circe, dear, you look absolutely dreadful today! Is sweet Asterios giving you trouble again? Listen; why don't you settle in and unwind with some kykeon while I babysit him. Deal?"