Tag Archives: Fukaya Genjiro

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 148

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama

148. To the Clear Place (kiyoraka na tokoro e)

As the Shido-kai [Confraternity] started functioning and the members of the Meisei-sha [Confraternity] withdrew one after another to join the newly established one, a senior of the Meisei-sha [Confraternity] directed someone to go to Genjiro Fukaya to persuade him to return, thinking that if Genjiro should return, all the others would follow him. When the messenger started to go down the stairs in order to leave, he suddenly fell to the floor and began to writhe in great pain. A doctor was called in at once and he diagnosed the man’s illness as cholera. The patient was sent to a hospital immediately, but he died on the way. A man named Fujita returned to Jiba and asked Oyasama about this situation. Oyasama’s words were these:

“Because, without repenting his previous innen, he was going to try to pull that one back into the muddy water, that one who had been pulled out of the muddy water to the clear place, so I cut him down.”

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 120-121

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 142 and 143

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama,

142. Narrowness Holds the Promise of Joy (semai no ga tanoshimi)

This is a story about Genjiro Fukaya, who had an undying gratitude for the teachings. He grew more spirited in his devotion as he walked over the land spreading the teachings and healing the sick. In those days, Genjiro had no spare clothes, no charcoal for the fire, nor even food for the day. Despite such narrow circumstances, he often returned to Jiba. Oyasama always said to him:

“Narrowness such as this holds the promise of joy. You should not be dissatisfied because things are yet small. As virtue is accumulated, small things grow great. Even a large pine tree was once small. Be happy with what is small. In the future, a great promising bud will sprout.”

Anecdotes of Oyasama, p. 115

143. Children Are Dear (kodomo kawaii)

Whenever at a loss as to what to do, Genjiro Fukaya sought Oyasama’s instruction. One day, he asked Oyasama through an intermediary and received the following instruction:

“One year passes, and there is one year of virtue. Two years pass, and there are two years of virtue. When three years pass, one becomes a parent. Once one becomes a parent, children are dear. No matter what, treat your children with love and care. It will not do to hate your children.”

After Genjiro received the above instruction, he loved his followers with ever increasing affection. To welcome the followers on service days, he would prepare their meal, making sushi and rice cakes. Though these things may sound like trifles, in this way, with his sincerity, he raised his followers step by step.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 115-116

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 141

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama,

141. Buds Burst Forth from a Knot (fushi kara me ga kiru)

In the beginning of March 1884, Genjiro Fukaya, who had withdrawn from the Meisei-sha [Confraternity], returned to Jiba with Zensuke Uno in order to obtain permission for establishing the Shido-kai [Confraternity]. They left Kyoto in the evening and arrived at Nara around two o’clock in the morning. They reached the Residence in the early dawn. They were granted an audience with Oyasama through the arrangement of Risaburo Yamamoto, and asked Oyasama for permission to establish the [confraternity]. Then, there were these words of Oyasama:

“Sah, sah, you have come to ask Me, to ask Me. Sah, sah, you must understand well. Sah, sah, even here at Jiba, there has been festering and pressing within for the past forty-eight years. There have been cases of festering and pressing. Moreover, from without, they will come again to press. Because there is a knot, there is a bud. Buds burst forth from the knot. Understand well this principle. Step by step, step by step, this path has been cleared through many hardships and trials to the present. I say to you, understand well.”

These words did not clearly give permission. So, Fukaya and Uno asked Her permission again, saying, “The five of us will follow God at the sacrifice of our lives.” Then, Oyasama said:

“Sah, sah, sah, I accept your sincerity. I accept it. The seed of the Shido-kai [Confraternity], sah, sah, from today, sah, sah, is planted. Sah, sah, you cannot imagine how large it will grow from now. Sah, sah, make those of the [confraternity] understand this. Even if they do not, God is watching. Leave them alone, I say,”

and She gave Her approval. The true sincerity of the five persons, Fukaya, Uno, Sawada, Yasura, and Nakanishi was accepted by God the Parent in this manner.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 114-115

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 48

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations, ,

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?”

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 44

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations, , ,

The following is a translation of Part 44 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the August 2006 (No. 452) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 44: “God Will Make Everything Work Out”

There was a time when Genjiro Fukaya, the first head minister of Kawaramachi Grand Church, tripped over a hammer when he was still working as a blacksmith and hit his forehead, leaving a large bump on his forehead. Genjiro instantly shouted out, “Oh, how it hurts. How thankful I am, how thankful I am!”

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 36

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations, ,

The following is a translation of Part 36 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the December 2005 (No. 444) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 36: “I Dedicate My Life”

Genjiro Fukaya, the first head minister of Kawaramachi Daikyokai who was beloved by many as “All’s well Gen-san” was born in Kyoto in 1834. Members of the Fukuya household had been blacksmiths for many generations, and reputation of Genjiro’s craftsmanship had even reached all the way to Nagoya.

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“All’s Well”

Tenrikyo Fundamentals, Translations, ,

The following is an excerpt from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 22–27) 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.

“All’s Well”

Genjiro Fukaya 深谷源次郎 (the first head minister of Kawaramachi Grand Church 河原町大教会) was a blacksmith in Kyoto. He was by nature an honest man and especially enjoyed anything he found cheerful.

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