Ōtomo Sōrin , also known as Fujiwara no Yoshishige ( 藤原 義鎮 ) and Ōtomo Yoshishige ( 大友 義鎮 ) , was a Japan ese feudal lord ( daimyo ) of the Ōtomo clan , one of the few to have converted to Christianity . The eldest son of Ōtomo Yoshiaki , he inherited the domain of Funai , on Kyūshū , Japan ' s southernmost main island , from his father . He is perhaps most significant for having appealed to Toyotomi Hideyoshi to intervene in Kyūshū against the Shimazu clan , thus spurring Hideyoshi ' s Kyūshū Campaign of 1587 . Life and Battles . In addition to unifying much of Kyūshū under his control , and securing a significant gain in his clan ' s power and prestige therefore , Sōrin is also quite significant as one of the daimyo to meet personally , in 1551 , with the Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier , one of the first Europeans in Japan . Though he later formally converted to Christianity , it is likely that Sōrin saw this as a strategic move , politically , and was not religiously motivated towards this position . Referred to as the " King of Bungo " in the Jesuit records , Sōrin sent political delegations to Goa in the 1550s , and the Tenshō embassy to Rome in 1582 . In addition to fostering relations with the Christians , Yoshishige fought a number of battles over the course of the 1550s , both gaining and consolidating territory . He defeated Kikuchi Yoshimune in 1551 , and the warrior monks of Usa five years later ; in 1557 he defeated Akizuki Kiyotane and seized Chikuzen Province . In 1561 , Ōtomo Sōrin fought in alliance with the Portuguese at the Siege of Moji . In 1562 , Yoshishige adopted the name " Sanbisai Sōrin " upon becoming a Buddhist monk , but remains best known as Ōtomo Sōrin , despite converting to Christianity under the baptismal name Francisco in 1578 . He then turned against the Mōri and Shimazu clans , who dominated most of Kyūshū . The head of the Mōri at that time , Mōri Takamoto , was assisted by the Shōgun Ashikaga Yoshiteru , which led to a peace treaty between the clans . To prove that there would be peace , Sōrin proposed his daughter to be married to Takamoto ' s son , Mōri Terumoto . It is not clear , however , if this offer was ever followed through . Two years later , Sōrin was forced to quell a rebellion of the Akizuki clan of Chikuzen province . The Ōtomo then moved against the Ryūzōji clan of Hizen Province , which prompted the interference of the Mōri . In 1569 , Hetsugi Akitsura , a notable vassal of the Ōtomo , was defeated at the battle of Tatarahama , and lost Tachibana Castle . After Sōrin heard of this , he threatened the Mōri foothold in Buzen Province , forcing the Mōri to retreat , and allowing him to retake the castle . By this time , Sōrin was in control of Bungo , most of Buzen , Chikuzen , Chikugo , and had influence over Higo and Hizen . The Ōtomo soon became known as the " Seven - Province Host of the Ōtomo " . Towards the end of his life , Sōrin came into conflict with the Shimazu family , the only major daimyo family remaining in control of significant portions of Kyūshū . Along with the daimyo of the Ryūzōji clan , he appealed to Toyotomi Hideyoshi to aid in holding back the Shimazu , who were beginning to extend their influence over Ōtomo and Ryūzōji lands . Though at first unsuccessful in enlisting Hideyoshi ' s aid , eventually the Shimazu took up arms against the Ōtomo , defeated Sōrin in the Battle of Mimigawa and others , and in 1587 , Hideyoshi began his Kyūshū Campaign , in which he overtook the entire island , with the help of the Ōtomo and other families which voluntarily entered his service . Within roughly a year of his arrival , Hideyoshi left Kyūshū , restoring the Ōtomo to their domains , taken from them by the Shimazu , and arranging a peace , with all three families officially subject to Hideyoshi and holding the domains , now officially Toyotomi lands , in trust . Ōtomo Sōrin died before this campaign was complete , and so it was his son , Ōtomo Yoshimune , who held the ancestral lands upon the defeat of the Shimazu .