Tajuu Takiko

Tajuu Takiko converted to Christianity though the efforts of British missionaries who came to Funehiki following the opening of the country to foreigners during the American Occupation (1945-1952). With the missionaries’ aid, Tajuu founded Funehiki Evangelical Church around the early 1950’s. While the missionaries eventually left Japan due to health-related concerns, they requested to be buried in Funehiki when they finally passed away. This request was honored, and their graves are held in high honor among the church members. 

In 1956, Under Tajuu’s leadership, Funehiki Evangelical started a kindergarten outreach program called Osonago Gakuen (Young Childrens’ Kindergarten) that was run out of the church building. Later in in 1963, a new building was built and the kindergarten was renamed Wakakusa Gakuen. She continued her work at the church and the kindergarten until she passed away in 1967.