Two news videos (in Japanese only) about Tenrikyo Nioigake Day were posted on the Tenrikyo Japanese website 10 days ago. Again, I apologize for the delay. Here is a translation of the narration of the first video:

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A news video (in Japanese only) about the Tenrikyo Students Association’s Hinokishin Day activity was posted on the Tenrikyo Japanese website more than two weeks ago. Apologies for the delay. Here is a translation of the narration:

On September 19, “Students of the Path Hinokishin Day,” an activity sponsored Tenrikyo Students Association (TSA), was held across Japan with the theme “Let’s Spread Smiles that Overflow with Joy!”

Members of the Kanagawa Diocese TSA assembled in Shimizugaoka Park in Yokohama City to rake leaves. The TSA “Hinokishin Day” began 45 years ago as an activity for students to mainly implement themselves. The activity was held in 109 locations this year.

A related article goes on to mention that a total of 2,176 students participated in the related hinokishin activities and the 109 locations included overseas locations but fails to provide further information.

Hi everybody!  My name is Lewis Nakao, you probably know me through Facebook or met me through a Tenrikyo event like the Tenrikyo Hawaii Convention 2011. I thought I might want to share an experience with you all. I am currently working for the Tenrikyo Church Headquarters in the Overseas Department as a Hinokishin Staff since June of this year and had the opportunity to attend the the Lay Minister Preparatory Course in English.

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Latest news from the Tenrikyo Japanese website:

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Posting a translation of the narration from a Doyusha video a couple weeks ago (apologies for the delay):

Tenrikyo Young Men’s Association (TYMA) Headquarters designated the week of September 4–11 as the “Missionary Campaign Week for All Chapters.” Dynamic propagation activities were held throughout Japan.

On the first day, September 4, Tamashima Chapter members of the TYMA assembled at Tamashima Grand Church in Kurashiki, Okayama. They engaged in kami-na nagashi (literally, “disseminating God’s name,” which consists of singing the Eight Verses of the Yorozuyo) and gave roadside speeches.

Members sang the Mikagura-uta to the beat of wooden clappers, walking around JR Shin-Kurashiki train station and along the main road in Kurashiki City.

Members of the Tamashima Chapter then stopped in front of the train station to give forceful personal testimonies of joyous faith through their roadside speeches.

A related article in Japanese can be read at: 青年会 全分会布教推進週間(9月4日-11日)

Federation Chairperson Yoshimori greets the audience (Image source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/chishinko/e/b2754ae4f1eaae47815a0b1bd19312b8)

Posting a translation of the narration from a Doyusha video from last month:

On August 27, the “Tenrikyo Federation for the Hearing-Impaired” held a ceremony celebrating its 50th anniversary at a venue on the Tenri University campus.

Founded in 1961, the Federation has implemented missionary and welfare activities catered to the deaf, which include organizing sign language and doctrinal study sessions.

The ceremony included greetings from Federation Chairperson Shigeru Yoshimori and a congratulatory address from Uzo Takami, chief of the Tenrikyo Mission Department’s Social Welfare Section. Groups and individuals who have long contributed to the federation’s activities were given awards.

In the afternoon, Mr. Kentaro Hayase, who is a sign language instructor for a TV program on NHK, gave a commemorative lecture. (Lecture title: “Living in a World without Hearing.”) Mr. Hayase, who is deaf himself, included his personal experiences as he spoke of what he felt deaf people ought to strive for in their lives.

Related articles in Japanese can be read at:

• Tenrikyo Japanese webpage – 聴力障害者布教連盟 創立50周年記念式典(8月27日)
• Chuwa Grand Church blog – 第21回三布連おつとめななび総会

Latest article from the Tenrikyo Japanese website RSS feed:

Typhoon No. 12 (aka Talas), the largest typhoon to hit Japan in over 20 years, brought record rains to the Kii Peninsula.

The Mie Diocese Disaster Relief Hinokishin Corps (DRHC) was dispatched to Kiho-cho, Mie Prefecture, between September 9 and 11. A total of 121 members participated in the three days of relief work, which consisted of removing mud and debris that flooded into residences. Read the rest of this entry »

A news video (in Japanese only) about the High School Division of the Students Training Course has been posted on the Tenrikyo Japanese website. Here is a translation of the narration:

On August 9, high school students connected to the path returned to Jiba from across Japan to learn the teachings at the High School Division of the Students Training Course (Gakusei seito shuyokai or gakushu).

A total of 1,358 students attended this time. Students room together throughout the course program, which includes lectures, Service Dance practices, and hinokishin activities. The week-long Students Training Course that allows participants to learn and pray together with their peers as well as deepen ties of faith and friendship, will last until August 15.

A related article in Japanese can be read at: 学修・高校の部 開講(8月9日)

Related Tenrikyo Online articles:

• High School Division of Students Training Course Draws More than 1,400 Students (2010)
• High School Division of Students Training Course Draws 1,425 (2009)
• High School Division of Students Training Course Held at the Home of the Parent (2008)

A news video (in Japanese only) on recent Disaster Relief Hinokishin Corps’ (DRHC) efforts has been posted on the Tenrikyo Japanese website. Here is a translation of the narration:

The Tenrikyo DRHC was dispatched on August 2 to areas affected by torrential rain in Niigata.

The downpour in Fukushima and Niigata prefectures between July 27 and 30 reached record proportions.

Niigata Prefecture was particularly hard hit, and the local Niigata Diocese DRHC mobilized on August 2 in Agamachi and Uonuma City to begin the recovery effort.

Further, a second unit comprised of DRHC teams from six dioceses and Honbu (Church Headquarters) were mobilized between August 5 and 8 to remove debris. Also, a third unit was mobilized between August 9 and 12 to continue the relief effort.

A related article in Japanese can be read at: 災救隊　新潟・福島豪雨 被災地へ(8月10日記)