Tag Archives: Sazuke of Speech

Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 25

Honseki: Anecdotes, Translations, , ,

25. Inquiry Posed at the Workplace by the Meishin-gumi Confraternity

Beginning in 1880, Oyasama began to send followers asking for Her advice on worldly matters to Izo, saying,

Of matters concerning dust, go to the workplace.

In 1883, the Kyoto Meisei-sha Confraternity gathered followers under the legal pretense that they would be holding Shingaku sermons (a type of life philosophy developed by Ishida Baigan and others that became popular among townsfolk and peasants in late 19th-century Japan). Disciples in Jiba felt this was a good method to quickly establish legal status for the path.

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Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 14

Honseki: Anecdotes, Translations,

14. Foretelling a Sister’s Passing

The following happened shortly after Izo received the Sazuke of Speech in about 1875. After working all day on the construction of the South Gatehouse, he went to bed upon returning home to Ichinomoto. Izo suddenly sat up on his futon in the middle of the night and said, “Separation of husband and wife, separation of husband and wife.”

Sato and the children were shocked and feared that Izo had gone insane. Izo then jumped a distance of about two meters and said: “I live about five ri (20 km) to the east. It is much too sad for me to have to leave behind my five children,” and began weeping before soundly falling back to sleep.

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The Life of the Honseki Izo Iburi, Part Six

Life of the Honseki, ,

The Sazuke of Speech

In 1873, Izo followed Oyasama’s directions and made a model of the Kanrodai.

In the following year, Oyasama resumed writing the Ofudesaki after a break of four years. The beginning verses of part three gave instructions for another construction project, the building of the South (Nakaminami) Gatehouse:

At this time, set about quickly to clear away the structure from within the gate.

When you have completed the sweeping, please rope off the ground plan quickly.

Ofudesaki 3:1–2

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