HEROES IN OITA > Ootomo Sorin
▲Ootomo-Sorin
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Ootomo Sorin
1530/1/3-1587/5/6
Autonym:Ootomo Yoshisige
Alias:Sanbisai-Sorin/Don Fransisco
Birth place:Funai(Oita-City)
Death place:Tsukumi
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Ootomo Sorin was born in Funai(Oita City),as a child of Ootomo Yoshiaki,who
was the ruler of Funai.
In 1550,Yoshiaki was killed,therefore Sorin became a family head,and started
to control of Funai.But subset of retainer attempted to assassinate Sorin,in
house still remained uncertain.
Though in that context,Sorin expended his influence,he hold Yamaguchi,Fukuoka,and
Kumamoto.At about this point, Sorin became a Buddhist monk,and got a Buddhist
name"Sanbisai-Sorin",this name remains best-known as"Ootomo-Sorin".
Sorin continued expend his influence, but in 1570,he losed fighting over
control of Saga and Nagasaki. After this fighting,Sorin transferd responsibility
for the fasmily to his oldest son,Ootomo Yoshimune. In 1577,Sorin got baptized
of Christianity,but in this year, he losed a fight against Shimazu Yoshihisa,who
was the ruler of Kagoshima. Sorin still counted doun his twilight days,for
a while,Ootomo family was bay of demolition. Afterward,Shimazu Yoshihisa
lost his power,Sorin was under an attack of sickness,in 1587,he was died
in his hermitage.
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▲Sorin becama a Buddhist monk
▲Ootomo Sorin
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As can be expected from the prosperrity of Western culturesin Funai,Sorin
was familiar with the culture.Before Sorin find Christianity,Sorin had
been fond of most advanced cultures at that time,and he go so far as to
invite superb cultural workers from Kyoto and Osaka. By the same taken,he
had companionship with trading merchants,and impoted tea atensils and books
from China and Korea.
But not fit in with the company`s image,in his childhood,he hated studying
and reading books,but liked hunting and Japanese fencing. After became
a family head,it is said that Christianity missionaries commend Sorin as
a kind person. Evidently,his character was lacking in uniformity.
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Sorin is famous as Christian. His first encounter with Christianity was
to invite Francis Xavier in 1551. In this moment, Sorin didn`t get baptized,but
he acculturated many Western cultures. For example,he assinilated Western
medical arts,theatrical shows and musics. these were the first time in
Japan.Thanketo his acts,Funai became the highest level of a city to trade
and cultures.
Christiantimissionarieshad unexpected hin as"King".After that
time,in 1577,hevgot buptized of christianity. Evidently,his retainers rose
some rebellions against buckler of Christianity,these caused slump of Sorin
and his control. Ootomo Yoshimune,who took over the business of Sorin,renounced
Christianity,this made the end of his control. |
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▲Oita was broughtWestern Cultures
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