Doña Justa ‘Shino’ Takayama Has a Granite Statue in Toyono-cho, Osaka

*This granite statue in Toyono-cho is the first known representation of Mrs. Justa Takayama*

►In 2016, townmates built granite statues to honor Lord Ukon Takayama and Lady Justa ‘Shino’ Takayama in Toyono-cho (Osaka), birthplace of Ukon Takayama (1552-1615). This is the first representation seen of Mrs. Takayama.

*Lord Justo Ukon Takayama and Lady Justa ‘Shino’ Takayama are revered in Toyono-cho, Osaka*

After the death of Ukon in Manila (Feb. 3, 1615), Doña Justa returned to Kanazawa (with daughter Lucia Yokoyama and one grandson) in mid-1616 to bury a finger of Takayama in the home country. She used the alias Mrs. [Justa] Rokuzayemon during her voyage to Japan. She later settled in Oita City – a 7-hour train ride away (in 2018) from Kanazawa.

The white Cross marking the spot where Takayama’s finger bone was buried can be seen between the trees. Rev. Minoru Yamagata tells Dr. E. de Pedro that the first-born son of the Takayama family in Kanazawa is assigned to tend to the Cross.

The Cross that marked the spot where Takayama’s finger was buried still exists in a forested area outside Kanazawa – undisturbed during 250 years of virulent anti-Christian persecution. Rev. Minoru Yamagata, pastor of the “Jun-ai Christ Church” of Kanazawa City, brought Dr. Ernesto A. de Pedro, Takayama Trustee, to the site in the course of a journey through Japan tracing all the places associated with Lord Takayama.#

*The granite statues of Lord and Lady Takayama form the backdrop for cultural presentations made by Toyono-cho residents.*

Dr. Ernesto A. de Pedro
Managing Trustee
Blessed Takayama Canonization Movement

Prayer for Blessed Takayama’s Intercession

The final condition for Ukon Takayama’s canonization is that miracles be obtained through his intercession.

Let us therefore address ourselves to our saintly brother and ask Divine Providence to grant us through his intercessions what is impossible to man, be it a miraculous cure or something else which God Almighty alone is able to do. Let us have great confidence in the powerful intercession of this distinguished Servant of God, who will not fail to reward the heroic deeds in His Service by granting us our request, even if it would call for a great miracle. Favors obtained through Blessed Ukon Takayama’s intercession should be reported to the Bishop of your diocese so as to be presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

The following prayer may properly serve the purpose and ought to be addressed to the Lord by as many as possible, whenever human means fail to help us in our needs.

PRAYER

God, in Your Wonderful Providence, You have chosen Justus Ukon Takayama to be a singular promoter of Your Kingdom, and an undaunted witness to the Catholic Faith -- Reward, we beseech you, his zeal for Your Glory, and graciously grant us what we humbly ask through his intervention.

Grant us also that following his example, we may bravely bear all trials for the sake of our holy Catholic Faith. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

►In 2016, townmates built granite statues to honor Lord Ukon Takayama and Lady Justa ‘Shino’ Takayama in Toyono-cho (Osaka), birthplace of Ukon Takayama (1552-1615). This is the first representation seen of Mrs. Takayama.

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