47. Be Joyful of the Future
On the evening of June 18, 1876, Gisaburo Nakata said, “Oyasama often says:
‘The pine tree may die, but do not worry.’
We were wondering which pine tree She meant.” Rin Masui then told of the prevailing superstitions among the people: “A pine tree that has been exorcised will die. The pine tree in the Masui residence has been exorcised, so the pine tree will die and the family is doomed. It will die out. This is what the people are saying.” Hearing this, Nakata immediately went and asked Oyasama the meaning of this talk about pine trees. Oyasama said:
“Sah, sah, do you understand? Do you understand? Although you cannot see anything today, be joyful of the future. Be joyful! The pine tree may die, but do not worry. No matter what people say, no matter what people may say, do not pay any attention to what people say.”
A few moments later, Oyasama added:
“The pine tree in the residence, the pine tree may die, but do not worry. There is joy in the future. That residence is to become an uchiwake-basho, a place of salvation.”
Anecdotes of Oyasama, p. 41