59. Honseki Rain

On his tour of the western provinces, there was an occasion when the Honseki was making his way through Kochi where it was raining from morning. Yet there was the unexplainable phenomenon of the rain stopping wherever his procession happened to be traveling by and would resume once again after it passed by. Only the area around the Honseki’s palanquin would be free from rain.

Those who had witnessed this firsthand were all greatly struck and moved at how a pure person could have such an impact on his surroundings. This rain came to known as “Honseki rain” among these people.

(From Ten no jogi p. 118)

• Next installment in this series: 60. A Gift to be Handed 16 Years Later

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