After the death of feudal lord Hideyoshi, his retainers started splitting the country into the Eastern and Western armies and they began fighting.

The Hosokawa family chose to align with the East. However, tensions escalated when Tadaoki was dispatched to lead a large army.

In a show of power, the opposing side swiftly took the wives and children of the generals in Osaka as hostages.

Before departing, Tadaoki had warned Gracia never to become a hostage.
True to her word, Gracia adamantly refused to be taken captive, leading to a decisive confrontation as soldiers surrounded her residence.

Gracia, addressing the chamberlains, servants, and household members, expressed her determination to take action, reassuring them with the belief that they were under the protection of God.

Tragically, the house was then set ablaze. Following this, Gracia adorned herself with a white robe and a cross necklace, offering a brief prayer. In a display of profound conviction, she chose not to take her own life, instead fulfilling the teachings of Christ by allowing her guards to pierce her chest with a spear, ultimately meeting her end.

“A flower is most beautiful when it knows the time to fall. People are like flowers, I will die without hesitation.”

When Lord Mitsunari learned of Gracia's tragic death, he was horrified and decided to abandon the plan to take hostages.

As a result, many wives of military commanders were spared from being taken captive.

Gracia bravely risked her life to save many people.

It’s believed that her death also inspired the military commanders of the Eastern Army at the Battle of Sekigahara, ultimately contributing to Tokugawa Ieyasu’s unification of Japan.