Tag Archives: Japanese religiosity

The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 10

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations, , ,

The following is a translation of Part 10 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the October 2003 (No. 418) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is tentative and may require further revision.

Part 10: “I Accept One Day as A Thousand Days”

In 1883, plasterer and head of Meishin-gumi Confraternity, Shirobei Umetani, stayed several days at the Residence and poured his heart and soul into the final touchups during the construction of Oyasama’s Resting House. The Resting House was completed in mid-November.

Oyasama waited for the proper time before making Her move from the South Gatehouse into the newly built Resting House that still emitted the fragrance of fresh timber. At midnight on November 25 (or 10/26 according to the lunar calendar), followers of confraternities such as Meishin-gumi and Shinmei-gumi held paper lanterns bearing the names of their confraternities and welcomed Her when She made Her move. Shirobei received a set of Oyasama’s red clothes the following day.

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The Life of the Honseki Izo Iburi, Part Five

Life of the Honseki, , ,

Joys and Sorrows Along the Path

For nearly 20 years, Izo made daily visits to Jiba and was directly instructed in the Tenrikyo teachings by Oyasama. If Izo was even a little late to show up at the usual time, Oyasama would ask Shuji or Kokan,

Do you see Izo-san coming yet?1

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  1. Shinpan Iburi Izo den, p. 41. ↩

Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 8

Honseki: Anecdotes,

8. Worship at Horyuji Temple

From his days as a carpenter in Ichinomoto, Izo attended the annual memorial service devoted to Shotoku Taishi on February 22 at Horyuji Temple. It was a custom for the carpenters in the Kinki area where Izo lived to attend as they considered Shotoku Taishi to be the founder of Japanese carpentry. When a pressing business kept him from going to the temple that day, he made it a point to worship the following day.

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Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 1

Honseki: Anecdotes, Translations, ,

1. Lost in the Mountains of Mukoji

A mysterious incident happened before Izo moved to Ichinomoto. The following is an anecdote from a carpenter named Tozo, who often worked with Izo when he still lived in his home village of Mukoji.

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“When Izo was about 20 years old, a mysterious incident occurred when we went to dig a new water reservoir for the village above Izo’s home. When I think about it, it may have been a sign from God that he would gain such distinction later in life. Continue reading Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 1 →

The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 1

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations, , ,

The following is a translation of Part 1 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (The Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the January 2003 (No. 409) issue of Taimo, pp. 20–21.

Part 1 “If You Listen To God’s Teachings”

After Risaburo Yamamoto experienced firsthand an instance of miraculous salvation in the summer of 1873, he is said to have spread the fragrance of the teachings among his acquaintances and relatives. He undoubtedly did so around his hometown of Kashiwara Village (currently Kashiwara City, Osaka Prefecture). Continue reading The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 1 →