For nearly 20 years, Izo made daily visits to Jiba and was directly instructed in the Tenrikyo teachings by Oyasama. If Izo was even a little late to show up at the usual time, Oyasama would ask Shuji or Kokan,
Do you see Izo-san coming yet?1
Continue reading The Life of the Honseki Izo Iburi, Part Five
The following is a translation of Part 7 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the July 2003 (No. 415) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. Note: This is a tentative translation may require further polishing and revision.
Kikutaro Shimamura ran a marine products business in Osaka. He converted to the faith in 1888 after being saved from two major illnesses. He resolved to save a thousand persons as his expression of gratitude for being saved by God the Parent from certain death.
Continue reading The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 7
One night in 1866, a disaster occurred at the Iburi residence where Izo was born. A fire had broke out at a place that was not normally considered a fire hazard and the house completely burned to the ground. Izo was informed the next day of the news and promptly returned to Mukoji.
Upon arrival, Izo found his family and the neighbors deliberating on the cause of the fire. Izo sat silently in a corner and allowed the discussion to runs its course. Someone then suggested that the cause had to be arson.
The following is an excerpt from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 15–18) by Koji Sato 佐藤浩司, assistant professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is tentative and may require further revision.
Yosaburo Miyamori 宮森与三郎 joined the faith because of a pain in his arm. Because the pain would recur when he went home and would mysteriously disappear whenever he visited Oyasama, he began to live at the Residence when he was 23 years old. When Yosaburo returned to the Residence for the first time, Oyasama said, “I want a superfluous person with a good heart.”1
Continue reading “Please Allow Me”
In the 10th lunar month of 1865, Izo accompanied Oyasama to Harigabessho, where a former follower by the name of Sukezo began expounding a false teaching. He claimed that his residence in Harigabessho was the original dwelling of God and thus superior to the Jiba in Shoyashiki. Despite the fact Oyasama was nearly 70 years old, She boldly led the way up the treacherous mountain road to Harigabessho to correct Sukezo’s mistaken views.
Continue reading The Life of the Honseki Izo Iburi, Part Four
The following is a translation of Part 6 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the June 2003 (No. 414) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. Note: This translation may require further polishing and revision.
There was a great cholera epidemic in the Kinki Region of Japan in the early autumn of 1886. It was a contagious disease that was deeply feared by the populace since there was no appropriate treatment for it at the time.
Continue reading The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 6
The following is an excerpt from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 11–14) by Koji Sato 佐藤浩司, assistant professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is tentative and may require further revision.
In 1886, Eigoro Furuta 古田栄五郎 was a fishhook wholesaler who managed an extensive, prosperous business. His business was once considered the most successful of its kind in Tokyo. One day Eigoro visited the home of Sasuke Uehara 上原佐助, who would later become the first head minister of Azuma Grand Church 東大教会.
Continue reading No Distinction Between Female Pine or Male Pine
Because Izo was such an honest person, he would never lie, cheat, or deceive others.
Continue reading Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 12
As a result of the Oyamato Shrine Incident, debts were incurred with the lumber dealer Shinbei Shoji (Daishin) and the roof tile dealer Ikuzo Fukui during the construction of the Place for the Service. While Izo was able to pay off the lumber dealer after New Year’s in 1865, he was unable to pay off the debt to Ikuzo for some time. A bill would come to Izo and he paid it off little by little.
Continue reading Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 11
On one New Year’s Eve, Izo’s brother Kumejiro came through with 5 ryo, four of which Izo used to pay off his year-end debts. Though different accounts do not agree on the year — some claim the year to be 1867 but it most likely was 1864 — Izo never forgot Kumejiro’s kindness.
Continue reading Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 10