7) Drawn up to Heaven

In 1592 (Ujisato at the age of 37), Hideyoshi determined
to carry out invasions of Korea, Ujisato also left for Nagoya,
Kyushu with his 1,500 subordinates. Ujisato eventually did not
join this war and stayed at Nagoya, Kyushu as reserve army.
However at this time Ujisato became sick and discharged
blood. After the invasions, Ujisato went back to Aizu once,
then went to Kyoto. There was his residence at Nijoyanagi-
no-banba in Kyoto. At this time, Ujisato's only daughter married
into Toshimasa Maeda who was the second son of Toshiie
Maeda. Ujisato had been taking care of his health at his house
in Kyoto, but did not become well. In such a state Ujisato held
the posh banquet inviting Hideyoshi. When Hideyoshi saw
Ujisato's serious health condition, he was worried about Ujisato,
and ordered Ieyasu and Toshiie to let Ujisato see the best
doctor of the day in Japan - Douzan Manase, and 8 other
famous doctors. But all the doctors diagnosed saying, "there
is no hope." At that time, it is said that Toshiie asked Ukon
Takayama who had been Toshiie's military commander to take care of Ujisato.
It must have been great comfort for Ujisato that Ukon, a Christian having the same faith,
was by his side.

Hideyoshi was anxious that Ujisato did not get better even after the new year began,
and eventually ordered his best personal doctor saying, "provide him the best medicine."
On February 7th, the 10 days after he began to take the medicine, Ujisato was drawn up to
heaven being missed because of his talent. It was when he was 40.

Ujisato was very unusual for warrying lords; He had only his legal wife in his life. At that time,
fuedal lords usually had many concubines, it was very remarkable to have only one wife
throughout the lifetime. From this, it was clear that Ujisato practiced the Christian teachings.
Ujisato was drawn up to heaven. However after his death, Aizuwakamatsu became one of the
biggest base for Christians in Tohoku-area. Ujisato's faith was inherited to many Christians.

　 “ This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop,he desires a good work.
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good
behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,but
gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children
in submission with all reverence.” 　(1Timothy 3:1-4)

(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