3) The Incident at Honnoji

In 1576 (when Ujisato was 21 years old), Azuchi Castle which
was built under the order of Nobunaga had been completed.
Within the castle, there was also a seminaryo (theologic
seminary) which Ukon Takayama got permission to build from
Nobunaga. I think Ujisato who was openhearted to Christians
willingly had fellowship with missionaries at the seminaryo, and
heard a lot about Jesus Christ and Western culture.

In 1582 (when Ujisato was 27), the army of Nobunaga spent
all their time to fight, and they finally wiped out their
formidable enemy of the East - Katsuyori Takeda who
succeeded to Shingen Takeda at the Battle of Temmokuzan.
Ujisato joined the war as the army of Nobunaga. I guess Ujisato
gave himself a break thinking that after this victory, what still remained to conquer was only
Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu region of the West. However he was facing a watershed in his life.

On June 2nd, 1582 Mitsuhide Akechi rebelled against Nobunaga who was heading into Kyoto to
attack The Mori of Chugoku, and invaded Honnoji temple. At that time Ujisato was at his own
castle, Hino (Nakano) Castle and his father, Katahide Gamo was at Azuchi Castle to hold a fort
while Nobunaga went into battles. Katahide told Ujisato about the Incident at Honnoji by using a
horse of speed. Ujisato provided many horses and palanquins, the next morning he let all
Nobunaga's family and retainers including his concubines, his sons and daughters move to Hino
Castle. Meanwhile, Akechi forces came close behind them, but Ujisato turned back toward
Akechi forces three times and defeated them. Mitsuhide Akechi sent forth an emissary to get
Ujisato on his side, however Ujisato rejected it and took sides with Hideyoshi Toyotomi. After a
short time, Mitsuhide Akechi was defeated by the army of Hideyoshi.

There is a following scripture in the Bible;

"Vanity of vanities"　(Ecclesiastes 1:2)

This is the words of King of Israel named Solomon who was on the throne about 950 B.C.
At that time, Israel was at the height of its prosperity, and Solomon was a person of great
wisdom, so that famous queen of Sheba visited all the way from Ethiopia of Africa to hear
Solomon's wisdom. Solomon spoke at the end of Ecclesiastes that to fear God which the Bible
writes about and to keep His commandments is everything for a man.

I think Ujisato realized how versatile man's heart is, and he may have meditated on the story of
the Bible he heard from missionaries in his mind.

(The Kyoto Glory Church Translation Committee is responsible for the wording of this article.)

References
戦国の大偉人「蒲生氏郷公小伝｣　瀬川欣一著