Xavier and Tsurumaru Castle Francis de Xavier was ordered in May 1542 by The King of Portugal, to propagate Christianity in various parts of South-East Asia, where religion had until that time centered around Indian Goa. He arrived in Kagoshima on August 15th 1549, invited by Paul Yajiro, a Japanese, who had received teaching from Xavier in “Goa”.

It was at this time that the Lord of Ichiuji Castle, Takahisa, was moved by Xavier ‘s passionate beliefs and the precepts of Christianity, so as to permit Xavier spread his Chiristian message through the region.

Xavier set about his mission in Kagoshima and gained many believers.

However, his real hope was go to the capital, then Kyoto from there spread Christianity in Japan. It was to this end that he left Kagoshima the following September. On the way he visited Tsurumaru Castle, where an old man named Migul lived. He was a Chiristian who had been baptized in Kagoshima.

Then owner of castle, Niiroisenokami Yasuhisa, who had a high regard for Xavier also welcomed him warmly and permitted him to carry out his work freely, Yasuhisa’s wife and children, including his 17 retainers, were married according to Christian precepts and baptized.

This family encouraged Yasuhisa also to be baptized,but in the end, he felt constraint, being the chief of a feudal clan; and was not baptized.

Xavier stayed at Tsurumaru Castle for 10 days.

After that, he turned things over to Migel and left for Hirado.

The old man Migel added many believers to the faith, and through his work in preaching and helping to develop the worship in the Tsurumaru Caslte area; died a lot sustain the Christian movement there.

At the end of 1561, Louis Armeida, who was a Chiristian missionary in Bungo, visited the believers in Tsurumaru Castle; staying overnight on his way to Kagoshima, at the invitation of Takahisa. Louis Armeida’s short visit was not enough for the eager believers in Tsurumaru Castle, though and it was they invited Armeida to say longer to carry out further instruction.

Louis Armeida stayed a further 10 days, preach to the message of Chiristianity, Another 70 people were thus baptized.