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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 58

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58. Today from Kawachi

The following incident took place in about 1877. Chozo Yamada of Kawachi Province, then twenty years old, had been confined to bed for several years, suffering from illness.

One day, a tradesman who came to buy cotton told him that there was a wondrous god at Shoyashiki in Yamato. Unable to move, Chozo single-heartedly prayed to the god from his sickbed. Much to his surprise, he gradually began to feel better. He would pray gratefully even when he drank water and this made him feel even better. Within several days, he was able to get out of bed.

Chozo, deeply moved by God’s wondrous providence, made up his mind to visit Shoyashiki to give thanks to the living god. His family thought that in his condition it was still too early to do so and opposed the plans. He insisted, however, and set out on his pilgrimage on crutches, accompanied by his brother, Yosakichi. As they reached Minamikashiwara, about four kilometers away from his home in Osakabe Village, he found himself able to walk with a single crutch. When they reached Tatsuta in Yamato Province, he was able to walk without using any crutches. He then let his brother go home, and continued his journey to the Residence alone.

An intermediary told him, “You came from Kawachi, didn’t you? This morning, God said,

‘Today there will be a visitor from Kawachi.’

That must be you. God has been waiting for you.” Chozo was astonished and thought that this was indeed the place where the living god resided.

When he was granted an audience with Oyasama, She spoke to him tenderly. During his one-week stay he recovered completely. When he bade farewell to Her, She said:

“Come back soon, won’t you?”

He went home in high spirits, singing folk songs as he crossed the Shigi Hills.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 50–51

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 57

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57. A Boy Should Be Accompanied by His Father

In the summer of 1877, nine-year-old Narazo Yaoi of Izushichijo Village, Yamato Province, was playing with two or three neighborhood children in the Saho River that flowed on the west side of the village. Somehow his penis was bitten by a leech. It did not hurt much at the time, but two or three days later it became swollen. Although there was no pain, his parents were worried because it was such an important organ. Doctors were consulted, faith healing was tried and the best of care was given, but there was no sign of recovery.

Jirokichi Kita’s aunt, Ko Yaoi, of the same village, and Isaburo Masui’s mother, Kiku, were already devout followers at that time. So they urged Narazo’s grandmother, Koto, to join the faith. Being religious by nature, she readily agreed. But Narazo’s father, Sogoro, was only interested in farming and he laughed at those who were religious. Koto asked him, “Do you wish to cancel my sixtieth birthday celebration or do you wish to join the faith?* Please choose one or the other.” So Sogoro finally consented to join. It was January 1878.

Then grandmother Koto took Narazo to Jiba at once. They were received by Oyasama, who was shown his ailment. Oyasama gave them the following words:

“The pillar of the family. This is a trouble of the pillar. You will be saved according to your mind.”

From then on grandmother Koto and Narazo’s mother, Naka, took turns returning with him to the Residence, a distance of about six kilometers, every third day. But there was no sign of any blessing.

In the middle of March 1878, while Koto was visiting the Residence with Narazo, Chusaku Tsuji told them, “We are told that ‘a boy should be accompanied by his father.’ Please have Sogoro himself return here accompanying his own son.” Whereupon Koto returned home and asked Sogoro, “Won’t you please return to the Residence?”

So Sogoro returned to Jiba, accompanying Narazo, on March 25th and returned home that same evening. However, Narazo’s penis became swollen the following morning, just as it did when it was first bitten. But on the morning of the twenty-eighth he received the blessing of a complete cure. The whole family was happy beyond description. Narazo, then a boy of ten years, was thrilled from the bottom of his heart to have received the providence of God the Parent. This became the foundation of his devout faith for the rest of his life.

 

* In Japan, the sixtieth birthday is a very auspicious event. It is customary for the children to provide the celebration for their parent, and the parent would lose face in the community if he was not celebrated.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 49–50.

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 56

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56. Thank You for Your Trouble Last Night

One time, while Sadahiko Izutsu was on duty at the Main Sanctuary, he said to Tsuchisaburo Itakura, “You have undergone hardships many times in police stations and jails. It’s a wonder that you were able to continue in your faith under such circumstances.” Tsuchisaburo Itakura replied, “During my third visit to the Residence three police officers came and threw us into the Tambaichi Branch Jail. That whole night we discussed the idea of quitting the faith. However, I thought I would wait until I could see Oyasama one more time. So I returned to the Residence. When Oyasama saw me, She smiled and said compassionately:

‘Thank you for your trouble last night.’

Just these few words of Oyasama made me resolve to undergo any hardship any number of times.”

This is the story Izutsu heard from Tsuchisaburo Itakura in 1931 or 1932, when the Main Sanctuary consisted only of the North Worship Hall.

Note: As Tsuchisaburo Itakura began to have faith in 1876, it is assumed that he received Oyasama’s words in 1876 or 1877.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, p. 48

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 55

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55. Kokyu, Kokyu*

In 1877, Naraito Ueda, then fifteen years old, happened to be back at her parents’ home in Sonowara Village when her body began to sway for no apparent reason and would not stop. Her father and elder brother tried hard to hold her still but their efforts were in vain. Instead, their bodies also began to sway as they tried to stop her. So Naraito’s father took her to the Residence and inquired of Oyasama about it. Oyasama said:

“Kokyu, kokyu.”

The moment Naraito answered, “Yes,” her swaying stopped.

In this way, Naraito started to take lessons on the kokyu from Oyasama and subsequently took part in the Service.

 

* Kokyu: a three-stringed instrument played with a bow in a vertical position.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, p. 47–48

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 54

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54. Play It with All Your Heart

Yoshie Iburi had been learning the shamisen from Oyasama Herself since 1877, when Yoshie was twelve. During the three years of learning, Yoshie was also given instructions in spiritual attitude. Oyasama taught:

“You must get all the instruments at any cost.

“Even if you have not practiced enough, be seated in front of the instrument and play it with all your heart. God will accept your heart.

“Dear Yoshie, pluck ‘position three’ and ‘position two’ in succession. It makes a tune for hito-o-tsu.* In this way, practice the shamisen.”

 

* Hitotsu: literally, ‘one.’ This word begins the first verse of eleven of the twelve chapters of the Sacred Songs for the Service.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, p. 47

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 53

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53. From This Residence

One day in 1877, when Yoshie Iburi was twelve years old, her fingertips ached unbearably. She asked Oyasama what to do. Oyasama said to her:

“Learn to play the shamisen.*”

She decided to learn at once. However, in those days at Takashina in Ichinomoto there was no place to learn the shamisen. So she asked Oyasama, “Shall I go to Koriyama or some other place to learn?” Oyasama said to her:

“I am not sending you anywhere to learn, or inviting anyone to teach you. All things are to be learned in this Residence. There is nothing that can be learned from the world. Because it is first taught from this Residence, there is truth in what is learned.”

Oyasama personally taught her how to play the shamisen. This was to become the shamisen part for the Service.

* Shamisen: a three-stringed instrument similar to a lute which is plucked with a plectrum.

Note: Yoshie Iburi was married in 1888. Her married name was Yoshie Nagao.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, p. 46–47

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 52

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52. Learn the Koto*

In 1877, Oyasama told Tomegiku Tsuji, who was then eight years old:

“Learn to play the koto.”

But her father, Chusaku, ignored the instruction, saying, “As we are farmers, she does not need to learn to play the koto.”

After several days, Chusaku developed a large boil on his right arm. He reflected on his condition and realized that he should have his daughter learn to play the koto. So he made up his mind and went to Koriyama to buy a koto.

While he was talking with the shopkeeper at the music shop, the boil on his right arm burst and the pain stopped completely. He realized that this indeed had been God’s intention. Carrying a big koto on his shoulder with the arm which had hurt until shortly before, he went home in high spirits.

 

* Koto: a thirteen-stringed long zither which is plucked with picks. This instrument is one of the women’s instruments used in the performance of the Service.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 45–46

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 51

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51. Family Treasure

One day in June or July 1877, Iye Murata was serving as Oyasama‘s attendant as usual, when Oyasama unexpectedly handed her a piece of red cloth prepared for a vest and said:

“Oiye, please sew this.”

Iye wondered why Oyasama told her to do the sewing, but before long, she finished the work and Oyasama at once put on the newly tailored vest.

On the evening of that day, Iye’s son, Kamematsu, returned to Jiba to worship at the Residence because of severe pain in his arm.

When told of his return, Oyasama said:

“Oh, really?”

and soon after, She went to bed. After a while, She sat up and said:

“Call Kamematsu here if he still has pain in his arm.”

When he came before Her, Oyasama said:

“Sah, sah, do not wear this out. It shall be your family treasure. Whenever occasions require, put it on and pray.”

So saying, She took off the red vest and personally helped him put it on. She further instructed him:

“Keep it on and go to the Kanrodai at once to perform the service of Ashiki harai, tasuke tamae, ichiretsu sumasu Kanrodai.”

Anecdotes of Oyasama, p. 45

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 50

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50. Kosuke and Suma

Kiku Masui took her daughter, Masu (who later became Suma Murata) to visit Kiku’s parents for three days in March 1877 for the rendo* and returned home on the twentieth.

Masu was unable to get up the next morning because of a severe headache. Her mother scolded her in her effort to train her properly, so she finally got up. She still didn’t feel well the following morning, the twenty-second. So Masu wanted to return to the Residence. After receiving permission, she left her home in Izushichijo Village at eight o’clock in the morning, and reached the Residence at about ten o’clock. When Oyasama saw her, She said:

“Are you willing to marry into the Murata family in Senzai?”

Although this was totally unexpected, Masu answered Oyasama’s words with, “Yes, thank you.” Then Oyasama said:

“It is not good for you to decide by yourself. I would like to have your elder brother (Isaburo Masui) come.”

So Masu returned to her home in Izushichijo Village on the same day and told her brother about the proposal. By that time her headache had disappeared completely.

As this was God’s request, Isaburo decided to comply early the next morning. So he returned to the Residence on the morning of the following day, the twenty-third, and was received by Oyasama, who said:

“Will you give Omasu in marriage to Murata? If you agree, please come here together with Omasu on the twenty-sixth.”

Isaburo gratefully said, “Thank you very much,” and returned to Izushichijo Village.

When Iye Murata of Senzai returned to the Residence the next day, the twenty-fourth, Oyasama questioned her:

“Oiye, I have been waiting for your arrival. I wish to offer your family a bride. Do you want a bride for your son?”

Iye replied, “Thank you very much.” Then Oyasama told her:

“The Masui family will be here on the twenty-sixth with their daughter, so take her home.”

On the morning of the twenty-sixth, four members of the Masui family returned to the Residence. They were mother Kiku, elder brother and his wife, and Masu. They brought several dishes of dainty foods that were prepared and packed in a nest of boxes.

From Senzai, Kamematsu (who was twenty-six years old at that time) and his parents, Koyemon and Iye, his wife, returned to the Residence with sweet rice wine and several dishes in a nest of boxes.

In Oyasama’s room in the Nakaminami-Gatehouse, Oyasama first sipped the sweet rice wine, and then Kamematsu and Masu shared the rest of it from the same cup.

“You are going to Senzai only for a short while. You are to return here soon,”

Oyasama told Masu.

As Masu received the name “Suma” from Oyasama at that time, she was so renamed. Later, in 1879, Kamematsu received the name “Kosuke” from Oyasama and was thus also renamed.

 

* Rendo, also called renzo, is the farmers’ spring holiday. Although it was not observed on the same day in each village, the farmers made rice cakes and dumplings, and rested just before the busy season of planting and weeding. (Association for Folklore Research in Kinki District: Customs of Yamato. Institute for Folklore Study: A Glossary of Japanese Folk Customs).

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 43–44

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 49

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49. Obedient Mind

In 1876 or 1877, when he was five or six years old, Yoshimatsu Hayashi dislocated his right wrist. So his grandmother took him to the Residence.

“Welcome home, dear,”

said Oyasama. Then, pointing to the tea cup at the entrance, She said:

“Please bring Me that tea cup.”

Yoshimatsu was going to lift it up with his left hand as his right one hurt.

“No, dear boy, this hand, this hand,”

said Oyasama, raising Her right hand. Because Her voice was so august, the obedient boy dared not disobey. Much to his amazement, he was able to hold the cup. Before he realized it, he had been saved, and his right hand was healed.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 42–43

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