Born around 1552 into the family of the lord of Takatsuki Castle in Settsu. He converted to Christianity in childhood under the influence of his father Takayama Zusho, receiving the baptismal name Justo (Justino). As lord of Takatsuki he protected Christian missionaries and promoted their activities in his domain. He studied under Rikyu and was counted among the Seven Disciples. When Hideyoshi issued the expulsion edict for missionaries in 1587, he voluntarily gave up his domain of Takatsuki to preserve his faith and lived under the protection of Maeda Toshiie in Kaga. However, Tokugawa Ieyasu's expulsion order for Christians in 1614 resulted in his deportation abroad. He sailed to Manila in the Philippines, but the climate proved too harsh for his aged body after the long voyage, and he died of illness just 40 days after arrival in February 1615 at age 63. He was beatified in the Philippines in February 2017.

A noble warrior who held fast to both faith and tea. He chose belief over domain with integrity, finding spiritual calm in tea. Rikyu highly valued Ukon's tea.

His life of sacrificing everything for faith is remembered heroically in Christian history. A first-rate tea practitioner, he is remembered as a rare figure who unified the sword, tea, and faith.