Category Archives: Translations

The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 29

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations, , ,

The following is a translation of Part 29 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the May 2005 (No. 437) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 29: Utmost Efforts

Sei Imagawa went to China in 1930 to engage in missionary work. Her sister Fusa followed her the next year. The two sisters devoted their days engaging in nioigake (spreading the fragrance of the teachings) and o-tasuke (salvation work or administering the Sazuke, the Divine Grant). Continue reading The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 29 →

A Mind Like Cotton

Tenrikyo Fundamentals, Translations, , , , , , ,

The following excerpt is from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 106–110) by Koji Sato 佐藤浩司, professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

A Mind Like Cotton

Oyasama taught us how we ought to use our minds with a variety of metaphors. Continue reading A Mind Like Cotton →

The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 28

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations, ,

The following is a translation of Part 28 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the April 2005 (No. 436) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 28: “I Resolve to Implement the Spirit of Single-Hearted Salvation”

Kichitaro Matsumura of Byodoji Village, Osaka, loathed anything that defied reason. He found the rough, uncultured behavior of the followers around him distasteful and secretly ridiculed those who had faith. While his parents and younger brother were devout followers of Tenrikyo, Kichitaro’s attitude grew colder as their devotion grew deeper. His mother Saku told him over and over: “When you were younger, you always played near Oyasama each time we returned to Jiba. She even held and carried you on one occasion.” Nevertheless, Kichitaro could not bring himself to accept the faith. Continue reading The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 28 →

Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 46

Honseki: Anecdotes, Translations,

46. Conveying Gratitude to Oyasama

One of the main aspects of the Honseki’s faith was that he always expressed his appreciation for the blessings he received. He adhered to a strong wish to convey this gratitude to Oyasama to others throughout his life. One of the things he always said was, “Oyasama saved Sato’s life when it all seemed hopeless.”

Continue reading Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 46 →

A Single Vegetable Leaf

Tenrikyo Fundamentals, Translations

The following excerpt is from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 102–105) by Koji Sato 佐藤浩司, assistant professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

A Single Vegetable Leaf

Most people are aware of the importance of the balance between production and consumption in economic pursuits. This is also evident when we observe prehistoric hunter-gatherer societies, agrarian societies, and even animal societies.

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 27

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations, , , , ,

The following is a translation of Part 27 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the March 2005 (No. 435) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 27: Applause in a Prison Cell

Chujiro Otake immigrated to Brazil in 1929 and settled in Tietê, São Paulo state, where he labored to clear virgin forests and cultivate coffee. After much adversity and hardship, he began to concentrate on missionary work in the city of Bauru. He returned to Jiba with a large number of followers for the 50th Anniversary of Oyasama in 1936. Bauru Kyokai (church) was established in February of the same year and Chujiro was installed as the first head minister.

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Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 45

Honseki: Anecdotes, Translations,

45. Encouraging a Spirit of Kindness

There was a particular seinen (young male attendant) who would fall asleep and miss making the rounds while on night duty. This became a hot topic of conversation and the Honseki walked in when a few seinens were in the middle of discussing it. He then asked them:

“Who do you think is at fault? The person who fell asleep or the person who is awake?”

Continue reading Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 45 →

Mind of Sincerity

Tenrikyo Fundamentals, Translations, , , ,

The following excerpt is from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 94–97) by Koji Sato 佐藤浩司, assistant professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Mind of Sincerity

In the summer of 1883, rain was scarce throughout Japan and this deeply affected the harvest that year. The absence of a major river in Yamato Province especially made the region susceptible to drought. It was a matter of life-or-death for many farmers.

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 26

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations,

The following is a translation of Part 26 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the February 2005 (No. 434) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 26: Like Sliding On Water

In 1879, Umejiro Izutsu, a cotton salesman from Honden 本田, Osaka, converted from Omine Shugendo to become a fervent devotee of the path when his newborn daughter Tane was blessed with a recovery from illness. Oyasama bestowed his confraternity with the name “Shinmei-gumi” and many followers would gather at the confraternity assembly hall located in Honden.

Between 30 to 50 followers would gather every night to worship and dance the Twelve Songs. Their devotion was so great that the tatami mats wore out and needed to be replaced in three months.

Continue reading The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 26 →