4) Just Ukon, Lord of Takatsuki Castle
The first thing Just Ukon did when he became the lord of Takatsuki Castle
was to construct a church and a castle. Ukon and his wife, Justa, practiced
the teaching of Christianity that all of us are brother and sisters in
Christ, by measuring the land, digging the soil, carrying stones, serving
meal, and washing clothes together with ordinary people. Ukon and Dario
wanted to offer God the very best, and constructed a church in the center
of the castle which commanded an excellent view. They concentrated not
only on the buildings but also on the surrounding garden, and people were
lost in admiration of the scenery.
In April 1576, Easter was celebrated in the church which had been built
so lovingly.
It is a famous story that when a poor Christian died, Ukon and Dario gave
him a splendid funeral, and carried the coffin and dug the grave themselves.
The lord performed tasks which in those days were normally performed by
people of humble rank. Ukon and Dario also considered how to protect
the families of vassals who died in the wars and if they found any who
were sick they looked after them without discriminating between Christians
and Buddhists. Ukon did not force his faith on people, but allowed them
to make up their own minds. At first most of the population of about
25,000 were Buddhists, but in 1577, 4,000 people became Christians.
However, the Warring States period continued. In 1578, Araki Murashige, who was Ukon’s overlord, rebelled against Nobunaga. (Ukon then was 26 years old.)
Murashige did not invite Ukon to the meeting to discuss the rebellion. This was because Murashige knew Ukon was a Christian who valued justice above all else and would oppose the rebellion. It occurred to Nobunaga that since Ukon and his father were not simply gentle Christians but also supremely brave and intelligent men, they would be useful to him. He sent a large army to Takatsuki, surrounded the castle and called on the people in the castle to surrender. Just, however, could not betray Murashige because Just was Murashige’s retainer. Nobunaga threatened to kill Christians, while Murashige threatened to kill Ukon’s son and daughter whom he had taken hostage. Just, threatened by both factions and up against the wall, prayed to God. In his prayers he was taught about the cross of Jesus. He made up his mind to follow Jesus, who had laid down His life for all of us. Ukon decided to return Takatsuki Castle to Dario, give up everything and apologize to Nobunaga. Wearing a paper kimono, he went to see Nobunaga unarmed. Ukon was not killed and the members of his family who had been taken hostage were also protected. Ukon rejoiced above all because the teachings of Christ had been recognized. In 1580, with the approval of Nobunaga, Ukon built a seminary, and opened a school with 25 children between the ages of 10 and 13. By the following year, the number of Christians in Takatsuki had risen to 18,000 and the number of churches to twenty.
