6) Jesus Christ or Hideyoshi?

In 1585, Hideyoshi gave Ukon the new land, Akashi, as a reward for his exploits in numerous battles. Akashi was a key location, close to Osaka and within the sight of Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu areas. The number of Christians increased in many places. There were probably between 150,000 and 200,000 Christians altogether in the Kinki, Chugoku and Kyushu areas.

In 1587 Hideyoshi set off for Kyushu to conquer Shimazu. Ukon went with him and soon Shimazu's army surrendered. However, this Kyushu conquest brought about an unexpected development.

When Hideyoshi saw how strong the Christians were all over Kyushu area, he became anxious that his own position might be threatened and began to persecute Christians even though he had been tolerant up till then.Suddenly Ukon was given an ultimatum. He was told that if he wanted to serve Hideyoshi then he must renounce Christianity. If he disobeyed this order, then his lands would be seized. Two days earlier Ukon had mentioned to others that he expected such a turn of events. He had read the situation correctly. Even though Hideyoshi was in control of the whole of Kyushu, he could not have overlooked the fact that there were so many Christians in that part of Japan.

Friends of Ukon’s who knew about Hideyoshi’s ultimatum, advised him to renounce Christianity, thinking of Ukon’s future and his talents. But Ukon’s mind was made up. He was overjoyed that the time to glorify God by showing his faith had come. He chose to keep his faith until his death and to live as a good Christian. In other words, he chose to be banished and to lose both lands and title. Ukon’s father Dario who heard from a messenger about what had happened in Kyushu as well as Ukon's decision, strengthened his faith believing that if Ukon should lose his lands for the sake of God, then God would not fail to help them.

7) Maeda Toshiie

After being driven out of Akashi, Ukon was hidden by another Christian feudal lord named Konishi Yukinaga and spent time in Shodoshima and Higo. Christianity continued to be persecuted, with churches being torn down all over Japan, but amid the turmoil Tama (Gracia), the wife of Hosokawa Tadaoki was baptized as a Christian.

In time, Hideyoshi’s anger abated somewhat and Ukon was able to move to Kaga (present-day Kanazawa) as a guest officer of Maeda. (Ukon then was 36 years old.)

Maeda Toshiie gave Ukon permission to teach the gospel in Kaga and Christianity spread there. Ukon’s skills, both technical and intellectual, were also used in rebuilding Kaga Castle.

In 1596 a Spanish ship drifted onto the shores of Kochi in Shikoku area and was mistakenly suspected of having come with the intention of invading Japan. This was the cue for a second persecution of Christianity. Christians who were captured in Kyoto and martyred in Nagasaki at that time are known as the 26 martyrs. Ukon’s name was actually at the top of the original list of those to be captured, but thanks to the good work of Ishida Mitsunari and Maeda Toshiie, his name was removed.

The 26 martyrs included Paulo Miki who had studied at the seminary which Ukon had built in Adzuchi.