56. An Example of the Honseki’s Deference to the Shinbashira

In the afternoon on one particular New Year’s Eve Day, the Honseki asks a seinen (male attandant), “Has the maku been put up yet?”

The Honseki was referring to the purple entrance curtain decorated with the Nakayama family crest.

The seinen answered, “No, not yet.”

The Honseki: “It’s New Year’s Day tomorrow, so it must be put up.”

The seinen replies, “Yes, I’ll do it immediately.”

“But before you do, first check whether or not the maku has been put up at Kyocho-san‘s home. Don’t put the maku if it has not been so over there. Put up the maku here only if it has been put up at Kyocho-san‘s home.

It can be seen here in this example how the Honseki always deferred to the Shinbashira Shinnosuke Nakayama, despite his role as the communicator of God’s words and the designated one to the bestow the truth of the Sazuke to prospective followers.

(Adapted from Ten no jogi p. 81)

• Next installment in this series: 57. A Scene from a New Year’s Day

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