Said to have been born into the Christian Masuda family in Higo (Kumamoto) (birth year and place debated). His real name was Masuda Tokisada.
Around this time he is said to have studied in Nagasaki. Bright, he was also rumoured to have worked miracles before crowds.
Around this time Shimabara and Amakusa suffered repeated crop failures, harsh tax collection by their lords and persecution of Christians.
The people of Shimabara and Amakusa rose in revolt, and at 16 Shirō was raised up as their leader. Under Christian banners he became their spiritual mainstay.
After attacking Tomioka castle and other places, they shut themselves in the ruins of Hara castle on the Shimabara peninsula, where a great many people, including women and children, gathered (numbers debated).
Besieged by a huge shogunate army, Hara castle fell when food ran out. Shirō was killed, and nearly all those inside perished. The shogunate then intensified its suppression of Christianity.
Hoshina MasayukiNonaka KenzanKawamura ZuikenKumazawa BanzanMitsui TakatoshiYamaga SokoSakai TadakiyoItō Jinsai
People of the Edo period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.