Message from the Head of the Overseas Department

A message has been sent to all overseas mission centers and headquarters from the head of the Tenrikyo Overseas Department, Yoichiro Miyamori.

Disaster Relief Corps Distribute Water in Sendai City

The latest news from the Japanese Tenrikyo website:

The Disaster Relief Hinokishin Corps has sent their first unit, composed of Niigata Diocese Disaster Relief Hinokishin Corps members, to the disaster zone. The unit distributed water in areas without running water in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture.

The unit is scheduled to stay between March 18 and 21.

Tenrikyo Church HQ Official Donation Announcement

The Tenrikyo Church Headquarters had just announced in English means of which donations can be accepted for funding their two initiatives in helping the victims of the Great Tohoku Earthquake and tsunami and their efforts in disaster relief. Their announcement can only be found through their RSS feed at the moment.

How to pray for the crisis in Japan

Last week, the Tenrikyo Church Headquarters had announced to perform a three-day prayer service or onegai-zutome, for the recent earthquake that triggered a tsunami and put Japan in crisis. In same suit, other Tenrikyo churches have also announced to perform a three-day prayer service as well. More than ever, Japan could use all they help they can get.

I would like to explain how you can help through the Tenrikyo prayer service (onegai-zutome).

More Tenrikyo Disaster-Related News

Offering a summary of Tenrikyo news articles in translation concerning the recent earthquakes and tsunamis: In response to the Great Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake, Tenrikyo Church Headquarters has set up the Great Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake Tenrikyo Disaster Relief Task Force. It will be headed by (Director-in-Chief of Administrative Affairs) Yoshitaro Ueda. The task force will hereby coordinate a […]

Prayer Service at Church Headquarters (March 12–14)

The day after the Great Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake on March 11, a special prayer service (onegai-zutome) was conducted at the Main Sanctuary of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters. The Shinbashira*, Zenji Nakayama, led the prayer service on wooden clappers while the former Shinbashira Zenye Nakayama sat in front of the kazutori (counter).

Japan 2011 Earthquake

I was shocked and saddened like everyone else about the earthquakes and tsunamis that hit northeastern Japan yesterday. Although images from the affected areas are starting to come in, I am sure we won’t know the full extent of the damage until later. Information from Aomori and Iwate is especially hard to come by at […]

“Tiger Mask” Strikes Tenrikyo Orphanage

Tenrikyo tends to be largely ignored by the Japanese media, so it was noteworthy to see a Tenrikyo-related facility being mentioned in an article on Asahi.com. It appears that the \”Tiger Mask donation phenomenon\” has even found its way to Tenri Yotokuin Children\’s Home.