Blessed Iustus Takayama Ukon
Also known as
- Hikogoro Shigetomo
- Takayama Ukon
Profile
Born to a family of wealthy land owners in feudal Japan. After learning of Christianity from Jesuit missionaries, he converted at age 12. Married, layman, and a samurai. When Shogun Toyotomi Hideyoshi banned Christianity, Takayama refused to give up his faith, lost all his lands, assets, rank and power, and was exiled to the Philippines in 1614 when all Christians were ordered deported. Takayama chose his faith over his career, his position and his wealth. Though he died of natural causes, because he contracted the fatal illness due to choosing his faith over the world, he is considered a martyr.
Born
- 3 February 1615 in Manila, Philippines of natural causes
- 21 January 2016 by Pope Francis (decree of martyrdom)
- 7 February 2017 by Pope Francis
- recognition celebrated at the Oskaka-jo Hall, Kyobashi, Osaka, Japan, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato
MLA Citation
- “Blessed Iustus Takayama Ukon“. CatholicSaints.Info. 27 August 2020. Web. 27 November 2021. <>