Matsura Takanobu

Matsura Takanobu was a 16th century Japanese samurai and hereditary lord of the Matsura clan of Hirado. He was among the most powerful feudal lords of Kyūshū and one of the first to allow trading with Europeans, particularly the Portuguese, through whom he amassed great profits in the import of western firearms.

Matsura Takanobu became lord of Hirado in 1543. In order to expand the power of his clan he clashed with his neighbors the Sô (of Tsushima Island) and the Ômura (of the Sonogi area of Hizen). Takanobu recognized the advantages of trading with European powers and was an early host and patron to the Jesuits. He hoped that the patronage of the Jesuits would help secure an increase in trade with the Portuguese and other European traders. However as the tensions built within the Matsuura domain between the Christians and the natives, Takanobu expelled the Jesuits from his domain in 1558.

In 1568, he stepped down in favor of his son Matsura Shigenobu.