Blessed Iustus Takayama Ukon

Blessed Iustus Takayama Ukon, also known as Hikogoro Shigetomo or simply Takayama Ukon, was born in Haibara-cho, Nara, Japan around the year 1552. He came from a wealthy land-owning family, and from a young age, he displayed a keen interest in Christianity. When he was twelve years old, Takayama converted to Catholicism after being introduced to the faith by Jesuit missionaries.