The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 17

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations,

The following is a translation of Part 17 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the May 2004 (No. 425) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 17: A Prayer for Rain (2 of 2)

Previously, central Taiwan was in the midst of a severe drought that went on for nearly six months, causing much hardship for local farmers. Genjiro Ichijo then made efforts to unite his mind with the people and made a firm decision to hold a prayer service for rain to receive God the Parent’s protection.

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Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 35

Honseki: Anecdotes, Translations, ,

35. The Awe-Inspiring Honseki

The following is an anecdote written by Yoshimatsu Shimizu (1872–1958), the third head minister of Heishin Grand Church, who served as the Honseki’s attendant together with Tamizo Ueda:

“I consider it a great honor to have had the opportunity to serve and be in daily contact with the Honseki for seven calendar years from September 1901 to June 1907 when he passed away for rebirth.

“It was awe-inspiring to see how the Honseki was extremely serious when it came to serving God and how he always observed Oyasama’s lesson of ‘early rising, being honest, and working diligently’ in all his daily tasks. Also particularly awe-inspiring was his habit of always saying: ‘Be sure to remember the past,’ and showing his frugality by being content with simple meals and plain clothes.

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The Monthly Period is the Flower

Tenrikyo Fundamentals, Translations

The following is an excerpt from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 59–61) 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.

The Monthly Period is the Flower

I am sure there is no one today who considers menstruation to be unclean. Yet until the modern period, the bleeding that accompanied childbirth and menstruation was seen as unclean and thus abhorred as “defiled blood” and was a cause of discrimination against women in Japan.

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 16

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations, ,

The following is a translation of Part 16 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the April 2004 (No. 424) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This is a tentative translation and may require further revision

Part 16: A Prayer for Rain (1 of 2)

Genjiro Ichijo converted to the faith after he was saved from a life-threatening illness. In 1897, he accompanied Rev. Kunisaburo Moroi, the head minister of Yamana Bunkyokai, to Taiwan and was appointed to become the head minister of Taichu Shikyokai. Genjiro was thus placed in a position to proselytize the faith to people living in Taiwan.

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Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 34

Honseki: Anecdotes, Translations

34. A Sudden Stop

One time, the Honseki was on a steam train when someone attempted to commit suicide by jumping onto the tracks. But because the train made a sudden stop, the person’s life was spared. The conductor and the occupants of the train were greatly surprised. One of the passengers said, “There must be someone with great merit riding on this train for this to happen.”

(From Shinpan Izo Iburi den p. 134)

*Note: This post has been revised since its original publication.

Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 33

Honseki: Anecdotes, Translations,

33. “Third Class Is Fine”

Once when the Honseki was on a mission tour of several churches, someone who accompanied him asked before buying the train tickets whether he favored riding first, second, or third class. The Honseki then asked: “Which will get to our destination quicker? If there is no difference, third class is fine.”

(From Ten no jogi p. 101)

*Note: This post has been revised since its original publication.

The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 15

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations, ,

The following is a translation of Part 15 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the March 2004 (No. 423) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is tentative and may require further revision.

Part 15: A Miraculous Voyage (2 of 2)

Previously, Captain Fukuzo Kawachi was on a voyage on the Kitamaebune shipping route between Osaka and Hokkaido when he saw a dream of God telling him to “Steer your ship into the open sea.” He continued to advance his ship into the open sea amid various difficulties, and his belief in God led him to persuade his crew that the winds were sure to come if they did so.

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Nurturing Our Youth

Tenrikyo Fundamentals, Translations, , , ,

The following is an excerpt from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 52–58) 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.

Nurturing Our Youth

In the 1950s, a dashing young actor appeared on the Hollywood movie scene and touched a chord with young audiences with his portrayal of an adolescent rebelling against the establishment and its sense of values. This was of course none other than James Dean in East of Eden and Rebel Without a Cause, which have since become classic films. Continue reading Nurturing Our Youth →

Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 32

Honseki: Anecdotes, Translations,

32. The Honseki’s Topknot

The fact that the Honseki kept his topknot throughout his life despite the Meiji-era edict that banned the traditional hairstyle is a tale that has been told many times over. This may give the impression that he was old-fashioned, but there was a good reason why the Honseki did so.

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 14

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations, , , ,

The following is a translation of Part 14 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the February 2004 (No. 422) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is tentative and may require further revision.

Part 14: A Miraculous Voyage (1 of 2)

In 1875, a Tenrikyo confraternity named Shinjin-gumi was formed in Sangenya Village, Osaka, with Ichijiro Hakata as its head. Ichijiro Hakata frequented ships and had a small business of selling items to sailors on the Kitamaebune shipping routes. Continue reading The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 14 →