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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 119

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama,

119. Children Returning from Afar (Japanese title: Enpō kara kodomo ga)

One day in April or May 1883, a follower came to offer rice cakes. When an attendant presented them before Oyasama, She said:

“Today some children are returning from afar, so leave some rice cakes for them.”

Those who were there followed Her directions but were in suspense, wondering who would be returning. Then that same evening, Takai, Miyamori, Izutsu, and Tachibana, who had been in Enshu doing missionary work, returned. Moreover, the four said that they had arrived at Igaueno at about lunch time and had thought of taking lunch there, but because they wanted to reach Jiba as early as possible, they had gone without lunch. Not only were their legs tired but they were very hungry indeed. Feeling the warmth of Oyasama’s parental love even in the rice cakes which they ate, they shed tears of gratitude.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, p. 98

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 118

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama, ,

118. On the Side of God (Japanese title: Kami no hō ni wa)

Kunisaburo Moroi returned to Jiba for the first time on February 10, 1883. When he was granted an audience with Oyasama, She said to him:

“Put your hand down like this,”

indicating how by putting Her own hand on the tatami-mat with the palm down. When he did exactly as he was told, Oyasama bent her two middle fingers, and with Her index and little fingers, pinched the back of his hand, pulling up the skin. Then She said:

“Pull your hand. Try to free it.”

He tried to free his hand, but he only made it hurt. He finally said, “I am overwhelmed.” Then Oyasama said:

“Hold My wrist.”

She let him grasp Her wrist. Oyasama then grasped his. Clasping each other’s wrists, Oyasama said:

“Put your strength behind it.”

And She added:

“Stop if I say ouch, all right?”

Then he squeezed Her wrist, but the harder he squeezed, the more his wrist hurt. Oyasama said:

“You do not have any more strength, do you?”

His hand ached more and more as he clutched harder. So he said again, “I am overwhelmed.” Then Oyasama released Her hold and said:

“You really do not have any more strength? Twice as much strength is on the side of God.”

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 97-98

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 117

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama, ,

117. With His Father and Mother (Japanese title: chichi haha ni tsurerarete)

Shirobei Umetani returned to the Residence with his five or six-year-old son, Umejiro, in 1882 or 1883. When they were received by Oyasama, who was wearing Her red garments, Umejiro said, “Daruma-san, Daruma-san.” He must have recalled the red-clad daruma doll in the well-known advertisement for tobacco of that period. Shirobei was so embarrassed that he did not take Umejiro along the next time he returned to the Residence. Then Oyasama asked:

 

“What happened to Umejiro? The path will be cut off.”

 

After Shirobei received these words, Umejiro always returned happily to the Residence with his father and mother.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, p. 97

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 116

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama

116. Come Alone (Japanese title: jibun hitori de)

When people came to listen to Oyasama‘s talks, saying to others, “Come, let us go and listen to Her, come along,” Oyasama was never pleased. Oyasama said:

“If you truly desire to listen to my talks, do not involve other people but come alone. The desire to listen must come from your own heart.”

When people came singly to visit Her, Oyasama would take great pains to teach them. Furthermore, She would tell them:

“If there is anything you do not understand, please ask.”

And when they asked, She would instruct them kindly.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, p. 96

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 115

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama,

115. Devote Yourself Single-Heartedly to Saving Others (Japanese title: o-tasuke o hitosuji ni)

Zenkichi Tachibana, who became an official of the Shimmei-gumi Fraternity, began to believe after he was healed of cataracts in April or May 1880, and soon afterward his father was healed of lumbago. For several years after this, he was busily engaged in efforts to save others. Strangely enough, he was very healthy as long as he was doing missionary work, but whenever he stayed at home, he did not feel well. One day, he asked Oyasama about this. Then Oyasama taught him:

“From now on you are to devote yourself single-heartedly to saving others. Do not be concerned about things of the world. You need not know such things. The path is endurance and hardships.”

Zenkichi held on to these words as tightly as to life itself, not forgetting for an instant; and he became more and more single-heartedly devoted to saving others.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, p. 96

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 114

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama, ,

114. You Went Through Much Difficulty (Japanese title: yō kurō-shite kita)

One day, Tokichi Izumita was held up by three highwaymen on the Jusan Pass. At that time the teaching, “A thing lent, a thing borrowed,” which he had often been taught, flashed across his mind. So he obediently took off his coat, kimono, and everything just as he was told. Putting his wallet on top of his clothes, he knelt and bowed respectfully before them. “Please take them all,” he said. When he raised his head, the three highwaymen were gone. They must have felt uneasy because he was too obedient, and they left without taking one single thing.

Izumita then put his clothes back on and continued to Jiba. When he was granted an audience with Oyasama, She said:

“You went through much difficulty. Because you have achieved harmony in the family, I grant you the Sazuke of Ashiki-harai. Receive it.”

This was how Tokichi was granted the sazuke.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, p. 95

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 113

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama

113. Lullabies (Japanese title: komori-uta)

Oyasama was occasionally heard singing the following lullabies:

a)     Benkei was raised in Arima Province.

Three, four and five,

Seven weapons on his back,

He hurried to the Gojo Bridge.

b)     A small washbowl in his hand,

Jinjirobei drew water with a bucket,

Washed his hands and face,

And worshiped God. Shan, shan.

Sotaro Kajimoto, when in his twenties, heard this from Hisa Yamazawa.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 94-95

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 112

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama,

112. Amiability First of All (Japanese title: Ichi ni aisō) 

One day, Oyasama told Yoshie Iburi: 


“Dear Yoshie, amiability is required of women first of all. Cheerfully to answer, ‘Yes’, to whatever one is told, is of prime importance.” 


She added: 


“Do not do anything that would waste another person’s life. 

“Do not waste even a single vegetable leaf. 

“Leftovers will nourish you. It is not gluttony.” 

Anecdotes of Oyasama, p. 94


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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 111

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama, , ,

111. Being Awakened in the Morning

The following is one of the instructions which Oyasama gave to Yoshie Iburi:

“Early rising, honesty, and work. There is a great difference in merit between being awakened and waking up someone else. Working in the shadows and praising others is honesty. If you do not put into practice what you hear, you will become a lie. Work on top of work, saying to yourself, ‘Just a little more, just a little bit more’; this is not greed, it is work that comes from true sincerity.”

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 110

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama,

110. Souls Are Everliving

When there were no worshipers, Oyasama usually sat alone in Her room. She often smoothed out crumpled wastepaper or folded paper packets for the sacred powder. When an attendant asked, “Do You ever feel lonely sitting by Yourself?” Oyasama answered:

“I never feel lonely because Kokan and Shuji come to see me.”

Occasionally, She would be heard talking as if with someone when really She was alone in Her room. She said to Hisa Kajimoto, who was in attendance, late one night:

“My legs are feeling heavy as Shuji and Kokan have come home from afar. Please massage My legs.”

On another occasion, Oyasama was having sweet rice wine. After drinking three cups, She said:

“Shozen and Tamahime are having wine with me.”

 Note: Hisa Kajimoto was married in 1887, becoming Hisa Yamazawa.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 93–94 Continue reading Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 110 →