Category Archives: Translations

The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 50

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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Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 69

The following is a translation of an excerpt from the writings of Eitaro Imamura (1894–1969), who held several positions throughout his career as a Honbu-jun’in (senior official of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters), such as superintendent of Aomori, Akita, Iwate, and Wakayama dioceses, president of Doyusha, head of Publications Approval Office, and first head minister of Jibun Branch Church.

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58 Selected Writings 3: A Person Who Responds In a Positive Manner

The following is a translation of “Uketori-kata, satori-kata no jozu na hito” by Kuraji Kashiwagi from Ohanashi goju hassen, published in 2004 in Japanese by the Tenrikyo Young Men’s Association. Translation originally posted at Tenrikyo Forum on March 12, 2007.

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 49

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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Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 68

The following is a translation of an excerpt from the writings of Eitaro Imamura (1894–1969), who held several positions throughout his career as a Honbu-jun’in (senior official of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters), such as superintendent of Aomori, Akita, Iwate, and Wakayama dioceses, president of Doyusha, head of Publications Approval Office, and first head minister of Jibun Branch Church.

Continue reading Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 68

The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 48

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?”

Continue reading The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 48

Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 67

The following is a translation of an excerpt from the writings of Eitaro Imamura (1894–1969), who held several positions throughout his career as a Honbu-jun’in (senior official of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters), such as superintendent of Aomori, Akita, Iwate, and Wakayama dioceses, president of Doyusha, head of Publications Approval Office, and first head minister of Jibun Branch Church. Continue reading Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 67

58 Selected Writings 2: A Smile Is Like Lubricating Oil for Family Relationships

The following is a translation of “Egao wa katei no junkatsu-yu” by Kanehiko Kontani from Ohanashi goju hassen published in 2004 in Japanese by the Tenrikyo Young Men’s Association. Translation originally posted at Tenrikyo Forum on March 12, 2007.

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 47

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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Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 66

The following is a translation of an excerpt from the writings of Eitaro Imamura (1894–1969), who held several positions throughout his career as a Honbu-jun’in (senior official of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters), such as superintendent of Aomori, Akita, Iwate, and Wakayama dioceses, president of Doyusha, head of Publications Approval Office, and first head minister of Jibun Branch Church.

66. A Cherry Blossom Viewing in the Honseki’s Front Garden

There is the saying, “Cherry blossoms in full bloom in the third lunar month.” This would fall in early or mid-April according to the Gregorian calendar. Continue reading Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 66