20. “Treat Them with All Your Heart”

One night, Oyasama turned to Izo and Sato to say:

“In the future, many children will return to Jiba, yearning for the original home from every area of every country. Because it will be difficult to speak at length to every one of them, say to them, ‘Welcome home. How wonderful that you took the time to return!’

“Treat them with all your heart. There is no need for you to prepare anything extravagant. Serve them and have them feel at home. In the summer, have something cold for them to drink. In the winter, have them eat a warm meal.”

Together, Izo and Sato, united with everyone at the Residence, resolved to bring joy to returning followers, whose numbers increased by the day.

(From Shinpan Izo Iburi den pp. 82–83)

• Next installment in this series: 21. Izo’s Perseverance Working in the Fields

*Note: This post has been revised since its original publication.