Category Archives: Footsteps of Our Predecessors

The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 55

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations, ,

The following is a translation of Part 55 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the July 2007 (No. 463) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 55: There Is No Other Path to Salvation (Part 1 of 2)

In 1888, Kikutaro Shimamura ran a marine products business located north of the Hiyoshi Bridge in Minami-Horie, Osaka. While he was highly confident of his strong physique since his youth, he had been suffering from hemorrhoids from the previous spring. He visited doctors, pharmacists, acupuncturists, and prayer specialists, but there was not a sign of any improvement. As he spent the days agonizing over having run out of options, he suddenly remembered something.

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 54

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The following is a translation of Part 54 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the June 2007 (No. 462) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 54: Repaying His Indebtedness to God

In late 1884, Ito Hayamizu gradually began to lose her eyesight and in three years she was barely able to see at all. Her condition failed to improve even with hospitalization and was told her case was beyond medical help. Since Ito’s husband Kyujiro was an itinerant merchant, he was usually away on business. Their adopted daughter Noe was responsible for looking after Ito in her disabled state.

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 53

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The following is a translation of Part 53 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the May 2007 (No. 461) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 53: Ihachiro and Koiso Yamada

Three months after Ihachiro Yamada (from Deyashiki of Kurahashi Village, Yamato Province) married Koiso Yamanaka on August 22, 1881, Koiso’s father Chushichi Yamanaka accompanied them when Ihachiro had his first meeting with Oyasama. Oyasama said to Ihachiro, “Thank you for coming, thank you for coming,” and welcomed him as if he were a child coming home from afar and explained the teachings to him.

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 52

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations, ,

The following is a translation of Part 52 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the April 2007 (No. 460) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 52: The Path of Repayment to God

Sailor Unosuke Tosa had been told at an Osaka hospital that his heart condition that arose from beriberi was beyond medical help. Yet, after hearing the teachings of the path spread to him from the proprietress of a sailor’s inn, he received the blessings of a vivid cure and returned to Jiba to express his appreciation.

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 51

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The following is a translation of Part 51 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the March 2007 (No. 459) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision. I took some liberties when translating this one.

Part 51: Prayers to God Who Lives Here

In mid-November 1886, just when the harvesting of rice was completed, a 58 year-old woman named Kyo Yamamura helped fulfill a neighbor’s heartfelt wish by accompanying her on the famed 33-temple pilgrimage in the western provinces (Saigoku junrei). Departing Kyoto, the pair went from Kawachi, Nachi, and Koyasan before entering Yamato Province. On the road from Hasedera to Nara, they traveled with a man in his 40s. This man suggested: “There is a wondrous living goddess in this area who has gained much reputation recently. Would you like to come to worship along with me?”

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 50

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The following is a translation of Part 50 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the February 2007 (No. 458) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 50: Saving Another At the Risk of Her Life

This is a story from the time when Yoshi Nakagawa, the first head minister of Tohon Daikyokai, was still doing missionary work in Akakuma. She stepped into a general goods store and the old woman who ran it mentioned to her that a woman nearby had just passed away after suffering form post-delivery complications. Yoshi causally responded to this by saying: “That’s quite a shame! It wouldn’t have come to that if she had only clung to God for protection!”

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 49

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations,

The following is a translation of Part 49 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the January 2007 (No. 457) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 49: “Solely On Your State of Mind”

February 1931 in Niigata: An elderly woman suffering from a middle ear infection came to Suibara Senkyosho seeking for help. Her doctor had said, “I cannot guarantee that your life will be saved even if I operate.”

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 48

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The following is a translation of Part 48 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the December 2006 (No. 456) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 48: Completely Committed to Implementing God the Parent’s Intention

One day in 1887, Genjiro Fukaya, who later became the first head minister Kawaramachi Daikyokai, went to a follower’s home near Ishiyama, Oe Province, with Zensuke Sawada to conduct a home service. The day after the home service was conducted, a finely-dressed man came, saying he wanted ask Genjiro a number of questions.

When the man sat in front of Genjiro, Genjiro said, “Sawada-san, could you bring a rice tub?”

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 47

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations,

The following is a translation of Part 47 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the November 2006 (No. 455) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 47: The Conversion of Narazo Hirano

On the lunar New Year’s Day of 1886, Oyasama mentioned to the people around her:

“I will bring home a great person tomorrow. There is no knowing what workings I will do from this point on by bringing this person home.”

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 46

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The following is a translation of Part 46 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the October 2006 (No. 454) issue of Taimo , pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 46: Moved to Tears at Being Saved

Sakujiro Yamada ran a general goods store in Oroshi Village in Minami Muro County, Mie Prefecture. He succumbed to pulmonary tuberculosis, a disease that had no cure at the time. Although he tried everything possible, his condition did not improve. He decided to see a famous doctor in Osaka as a last resort. Sakujiro had Tameshichi Hatabayashi, who was familiar with Osaka and a regular at his store, to accompany him on his trip.

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