Dom Justo Takayama (1552 - February 4,1615) was a daimyo born in the Yamato Province in Japan during the Tokugawa shogunate. Ukon was the first born son of Daimyo Takayama Zusho, lord of Sawa Castle.

Born Ukon Takayama (高山右近), he later converted to Catholicism and was baptized with a catholic name (Dom Justo) in 1564, from which moment he became a devoted believer in Christian faith. Japan began its Catholic Holocaust (Kirishtan Holocaust) which claimed over 1 million Catholics and forced thousands flee to Macau and Manila. On November 8, 1614 he was expelled, together with 300 Japanese Chistians and left from Nagasaki Japan. He arrived later to Manila on Dec. 21 and was greeted warmly by the Jesuits and the local Filipinos there.

Spanish Philippines offered their assistance in overthrowing the Japanese government by invasion to protect the Japanese Catholics. Takayama declined to participate and died of illness just 40 days afterwards.

There is a statue of Dom Justo Takayama in Plaza Dilao, Manila.Ukon is shown in the statue wearing warrior robes with his hair tied in a knot. He is carrying a sword that is pointed downward, upon which hangs a figure of the crucified Christ.

At that time, the Spaniards referred to the Paco Area as the "Yellow Plaza" because of the more than 3,000 Japanese who resided there. Plaza Dilao is the last vestige of the old town of Paco.

External links

• Samurai archives
• Inquirer