Distrito Dilao: 16th Century Japanese District in Manila

Have you heard of Justo Takayama Ukon? For individuals who live in Paco, Manila this name will be quite familiar. Alongside Quirino Avenue, you will find a public square called Plaza Dilao. Inside the plaza, you will see a memorial for a Japanese named Justo Takayama Ukon. This area is a memorial for Paco’s vast and rich history of being a Japanese district during the late 16th century.  

Nihonmachi: Japanese Residential District

The district of Paco was once a Japantowns or nihonmachi which is called Distrito Dilao. The Spaniards created this district in 1585. The district was to be a residential area for Japanese immigrants living in Manila.

The Japanese living in the area was a mixture of Christians, merchants, seafarers, and Wakō (Pirates). Many of the Japanese Christians living in the Philippines were refugees or exiles. They came to Manila to escape from the persecution against them in Japan. While others came to the Philippines because of trade.

Distrito Dilao is not the only Japanese settlement in the Philippines. Another example of these Japantowns or nihonmachi is in Dilao, San Miguel. According to many sources like Antonio Morga, the Japanese people that once lived in these residential areas maintained their distinct Japanese heritage. They continue to use their native language, wear their traditional dress like kimonos, and even maintain their native cooking.

The Blessed Justo Takayama Ukon

Now that we understand the importance of Plaza Dilao’s history of being a Japanese settlement, let me tell the story of Justo Takayama Ukon, the statue in Plaza Dilao. Takayama was born in late 16th century Japan. Being born out of nobility, he became a samurai during the Sengoku Jidai, or the Warring States Period (1467–1615).

During this time, Christianity was starting to spread in Japan because foreign missionaries converted Japanese people to Christianity. This started when western nations like Dutch and Portugal started trading with the Japanese.

One of the many Japanese that converted to Christianity was Justo Takayama Ukon. At the end of the Sengoku Jidai, Tokugawa Ieyasu became the victory and new shogun of Japan. One of his decrees is to stop all Christian missionaries and the spread of Christianity in Japan by persecution or exile. 

Because of this act, Takayama’s family and about 100 Japanese Christian nobles fled Japan and went to the Philippines. In the Philippines, Takayama continued his faith and evangelized about 3,000 Christian Japanese in Distrito Dilao.

Takayama’s amazing display of devotion and sacrifice led to the creation of a statue of him in Plaza Dilao. More recently in recognition of his heroic deeds, Takayama was beatified by Cardinal Angelo Amato in Osaka on 7th February 2017.

The Beatification made him one step closer to becoming a saint and gave him the title Blessed Justo Takayama Ukon. So, if you are ever around Paco make sure to visit Plaza Dilao.

See for yourself the memorial of the Blessed Justo Takayama Ukon and the history of Distrito Dilao.