Tag Archives: fatigue transference

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 162

162. In Her Children’s Stead (Oya ga kawari ni)

Oyasama usually did not leave the Residence, so it was not likely that Her legs would get tired. But Oyasama now and then said:

“My legs feel heavy.”

Or:

“My legs are tired.”

On such days, without fail, followers returned to Jiba in good spirits. And all of them would say with joy, “We are so blessed that we do not feel tired at all after the long walk up here.” They did not feel tired because Oyasama had taken their fatigue from them and suffered their weariness for them. This She did because of Her love for Her children returning to the Residence, the place of single-hearted devotion to God.

Once, Iye Murata helped to farm the fields of the Residence for several days. Hard though she worked, to her surprise, she did not feel pain in her hands or lower back nor did she feel tired at all. She then told Oyasama, “I am not feeling tired although I have worked hard and long.” Oyasama said:

“Indeed not. But my own legs felt heavy every day while you worked in the fields. Your fatigue had all come to Me.”

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 130–131

Continue reading Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 162

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 110

110. Souls Are Everliving

When there were no worshipers, Oyasama usually sat alone in Her room. She often smoothed out crumpled wastepaper or folded paper packets for the sacred powder. When an attendant asked, “Do You ever feel lonely sitting by Yourself?” Oyasama answered:

“I never feel lonely because Kokan and Shuji come to see me.”

Occasionally, She would be heard talking as if with someone when really She was alone in Her room. She said to Hisa Kajimoto, who was in attendance, late one night:

“My legs are feeling heavy as Shuji and Kokan have come home from afar. Please massage My legs.”

On another occasion, Oyasama was having sweet rice wine. After drinking three cups, She said:

“Shozen and Tamahime are having wine with me.”

 Note: Hisa Kajimoto was married in 1887, becoming Hisa Yamazawa.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 93–94 Continue reading Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 110

The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 13

The following is a translation of Part 13 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the January 2004 (No. 421) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is tentative and may require further revision.

Part 13: “With a Flag Flying”

In January 1884, Kunisaburo Moroi made his third pilgrimage after his conversion, bringing ten people along with him. The group left Enshu (western Shizuoka) on January 21.

On the way Kunisaburo had a sudden idea in Toyohashi. He bought four feet (1.2 meters) of cotton sheeting and made a flag with a red sun and the characters “Tenrin-O-kosha” 天輪王講社 (Tenrin-O Confraternity) in the middle with the words “Totomi-kuni Shinmei-gumi” (Shinmei-gumi of Totomi Province) on the side. He led the group with this flag flying the rest of the way heading to Jiba.

Continue reading The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 13