On April 18, the Oyasama Birth Celebration Service was held at Tenrikyo Church Headquarters with Shinbashira Successor Daisuke Nakayama as chief officiant. It was a beautiful day as followers from across the country and overseas returned to celebrate Oyasama’s 221st birthday.

Following the reading of the service prayer, the Kagura Service and Teodori (Dance with Hand Movements) were conducted as worshipers joyously sang in unison to the Mikagura-uta..

Following the sanctuary speech (sermon), Daisuke Nakayama went to the Foundress’ Sanctuary to deliver a service prayer and offer congratulations to Oyasama on her birthday.

Afterward, the Joyous Chorus was conducted and the Inner Courtyard was filled with song sung by children of the path.

Between March 3 and 9, the College Division of the Students Training Course was held at Church Headquarters. A total of 488 students participated in the course, which was held under the slogan “Let us feel and express the Joyous Life.”

On January 26, the 2019 Spring Grand Service was held at Tenrikyo Church Headquarters. Many Yoboku and other followers returned to attend the Service.

After the reading of the service prayer, the Kagura Service and Teodori were performed. Despite the cold weather followers joyously sang to the Mikagura-uta.

After the Service, the sermon was delivered by Director-in-Chief of Administrative affairs Zensuke Nakata.

On January 4, the annual kagami-biraki (cutting of mirror-shaped rice cakes) was held at Church Headquarters. Over 1,000 Church Headquarters staff and Shuyoka students cut mochi, rice cakes that were offered by churches across Japan into large, medium, and smaller easy-to-eat sizes.

The next day, the 5th, the annual Sechi Festival was held until the 7th. Returnees could partake offered sake before going on to one of six venues in which they partook the Sechi, mochi roasted over charcoals and mizuna greens served in a hot broth. Students served the mochi, mizuna, and hot broth. Returnees came from all over Japan and overseas to attend the Sechi Festival.

The Tenrikyo Young Men’s Association (TYMA) held its 100th anniversary convention on October 28 in the Inner Courtyard of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters. The association that promotes young men as Arakitoryo, pioneers of the path, was founded in 1918.

President Daisuke Nakayama took the podium and spoke on the mission of TYMA members from three perspectives: 1) autonomy 2) to enjoy life and 3) world salvation.

This was followed by a speech by the Chief of Administrative Affairs Rev. Zensuke Nakata.

Then, a statement of resolve read by Chairman Yoshihito Ando and recitation of “guidelines for Arakitoryo.”

TYMA members not only celebrated their 100th anniversary but also collectively made resolutions for the future.

The 2018 Autumn Grand Service was conducted at Tenrikyo Church Headquarters on October 26. The Grand Service is conducted in commemoration of the founding of the teaching and followers from all over Japan and overseas returned to attend. After the reading of the service prayer, the Kagura Service and Teodori, Dance with Hand Movements, were conducted and followers sang the Mikagura-uta in unison.

After the Service, the sanctuary speech was delivered by the Head of Internal Affairs, Rev. Yoichiro Miyamori.

“2018 Eastern Iburi, Hokkaido Earthquake” occurred on early September 6, and severe shaking was observed with a magnitude 7 in Atsuma, and a magnitude 6 in two towns of Abira and Mukawa.

Disaster Relief Hinokishin Corps of Hokkaido Diocese received a request from the local government, and from September 11th to 16th, were dispatched to the heavily damaged towns of Atsuma and Mukawa.

A total of 217 members (including 38 women) cooperated in the start-up and operation of disaster volunteer centers in the two towns, and together with the general volunteers, they worked hard at the initial relief activities by the affected homes and other areas.

Source:

• https://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/yoboku/news/2018/09/22/28345/

It’s been about one month since the heavy rains in July 2018 that caused extensive damage mainly in western Japan.

As previously reported, the Tenrikyo Disaster Countermeasures Committee dispatched the Church Headquarters Disaster Relief Hinokishin Corps from August 8 to 19 to Sakamachi, Hiroshima Prefecture and the Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, which was hit by a large sediment disaster. Immediately after the occurrence of the disaster, Hiroshima Diocese Corps, who had been engaged in initial relief activities, took over the activities of the 1st to 4th units in succession.

Members responded to the requests of local social welfare councils and self-governing associations and carried out various relief activities.

The diocese units who were dispatched over 12 days was a total of 983 members from 13 dioceses including Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Mie, Osaka, Wakayama, Shiga, Hyogo, Yamaguchi, Nara, Aichi, Miyazaki and Kumamoto. The total amount of sediment, driftwood and debris carried out and transported amounted to 1,204 tons.

Source:

https://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/yoboku/news/2018/08/25/28222/

Daisuke and Nobue Nakayama’s baby girl, who was born on August 13, 5:38 a.m. at 3536 grams has been named “Masae” (まさえ).

On August 13, 5:38 a.m., a girl was born to Daisuke-sama and Nobue-sama. The baby is the couple’s first child. Both the mother and baby are doing well. Congratulations to the new parents!