Ouchi Yoshitaka

For generations his family had been governors (shugo of Suo and Nakado. In 1582, Yoshitaka became head of the clan. He developed his lands' economic potential, and pacified Northern Kyushu. He was not enamoured of the military life, and used the colossal wealth he had amassed through trade with Ming China and Choson Korean to foster cultural pursuits. The castle town of Yamaguchi was probably the finest of the period. Yoshitaka indulged in scholarship and the arts with couriers he invited from war-torn Kyoto.
In 1550, Yoshitaka also invited Francis Xavier, and permitted the preaching of the Gospel. Yamaguchi became one of the centres of Christianity, and had Japan's first Church. But Yoshitaka's inattention to military matters eventually led to trouble. He was attacked by a senior retainer, Sue Harukata, and he fled to Nakado, where he committed suicide. He was 45.