Konko Daijin
Konkō Daijin 金光大神 | |
|---|---|
| Title | Ikigami Konkō Daijin (生神金光大神) |
| Personal life | |
| Born | Kandori Genshichi 香取 源七 (later Kawate Bunjirō 川手 文治郎; also known as Akazawa Bunji 赤沢 文治) 29 September 1814 |
| Died | 10 October 1883 (aged 69) Ōtani (now Konkō-chō), Asakuchi, Okayama Prefecture |
| Children | Konkō Ieyoshi (金光 宅吉) |
| Parents |
|
| Known for | Founder of Konkōkyō |
| Occupation | Religious leader; farmer |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Konkōkyō |
Konkō Daijin (金光大神) (September 29, 1814 – October 10, 1883) was the Japanese founder of Konkōkyō (the "Konko Faith"). Born a farmer in present-day Okayama Prefecture of western Japan, he experienced a divine revelation on November 15, 1859. From that time on, he devoted himself to serving Tenchi Kane no Kami (天地金乃神), the Kami of Heaven and Earth, through a practice of mediation called toritsugi (取次).[1][2]
Biography
Konkō Daijin was born Kandori Genshichi (香取源七) in the village of Urami (present-day Konko Town, Asakuchi, Okayama Prefecture). He was born as the second son of a farming family, to Kandori Jūhei (香取十平) and Shimono (しもの). In 1825, he was adopted by the Kawate (川手) family and took the name Kawate Bunjirō (川手文治郎; also known as "Bunji" 文治). At age 23, he became head of the household. Following the wishes of his adoptive father Kawate Kumejirō (川手粂治郎), he changed his family name to Akazawa (赤沢), becoming known as Akazawa Bunji (赤沢文治).[3][2]
In 1855, at the age of 42, a series of family tragedies and a severe illness catalyzed his turn to religion. Initially interpreting his sickness through popular beliefs about the fearsome deity Konjin (金神), he came to understand that the true, benevolent deity upholding the universe is Tenchi Kane no Kami (天地金乃神).[2][3]
On November 15, 1859, he received what later followers call the "Divine Call," instructing him to give up farming and assist people through toritsugi (取次, "mediation"). He thereafter devoted himself to religious work at a worship space in his home. In 1868, he received the divine title Ikigami Konkō Daijin (生神金光大神) ("Living Deity, Great Golden Light").[3]
Government policies during the early Meiji period constrained his activities. In 1873, he was ordered to remove his household altar, due to new regulations targeting exorcists and spiritualists. During this period of introspection, he promulgated the Tenchi Kakitsuke (天地書付) ("Reminder of Heaven and Earth"), and toritsugi (取次) soon resumed under close police oversight.[3]
Konkō Daijin died on October 10, 1883. He was succeeded by his son Konkō Ieyoshi (金光宅吉), who is venerated by Konkōkyō followers as the "Second Konkō-Sama" (二代金光様; divine title: Konkō Shijin 金光四神).[4]
Teachings and practice
Konkō Daijin's central practice was toritsugi (取次) — listening to people's troubles and relaying their requests to Tenchi Kane no Kami. His teaching emphasizes the interdependence and "mutual fulfillment" (aiyo kakeyo あいよかけよ) of kami and humanity. He rejected fatalistic divination, geomancy, pollution taboos, and mandatory financial offerings at shrines and temples, and instead advocated faith, gratitude, and ethical self-cultivation.[2][3]
Writings and scriptures
Konkōkyō Kyōten, which constitutes Konkōkyō's main scriptural collection, include texts attributed to Konko Daijin, as well as compilations of his sayings by his early followers.
- Konkō Daijin Oboegaki (金光大神御覚書) (Memoirs of Konko Daijin), begun in 1874 at age 61; a religious autobiography.[5]
- Oshirase-goto Oboechō (お知らせ事覚帳) (Record of Revelations), documenting revelations and experiences from 1857 to shortly before his death in 1883.[5]
- Gorikai (御理解集) I–III (Teachings of Konko Daijin), compilations of teachings transmitted to and recorded by disciples.[5]
English translations of the Oboegaki (御覚書) and related materials have been published by Konkokyo Headquarters and affiliated organizations.[6][7]
Relationship with State Shintō
During his lifetime, Konkō Daijin obtained a license from the Shirakawa (白川) house of Shintō. After his death, some disciples sought official recognition for Konkokyo as one of the official Sect Shintō organizations in order to comply with Emperor Meiji's religious regulations.[2]
See also
- Konkōkyō
- Kurozumi Munetada, the founder of Kurozumikyō
Further reading
- Cusack, Carole M. (2007). "Konkokyo (Golden Light Teachings) and Modernity: A Test of the Faivre–Hanegraaff Six-Point Typology of Western Esotericism". Journal for the Academic Study of Religion. 20 (1): 83–100. doi:10.1558/jasr.v20i1.83.
- Hardacre, Helen (2016). Shinto: A History. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0190621711.
- Holtom, D. C. (1933). "Konkō Kyō: A Modern Japanese Monotheism". The Journal of Religion. 13 (3): 279–300. JSTOR 1195950.
- Schneider, Delwin B. (1962). Konkokyo: A Japanese Religion; A Study in the Continuities of Native Faiths. Tokyo: International Institute for the Study of Religion.
References
- ^ "The Life of the Founder". konkokyo.jp. Konkokyo Headquarters. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Hardacre, Helen (1987). "Konkōkyō". Encyclopedia of Religion. Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "The Life of the Founder". konkokyo.jp. Konkokyo Headquarters. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
- ^ "Second Konko-Sama". konkokyo.jp. Konkokyo Headquarters. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Sacred Scripture (Kyoten)". konkokyo.jp. Konkokyo Headquarters. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
- ^ "Memoirs of Konko Daijin (English translation)". Internet Archive. Konkokyo Honbu (1989). Retrieved August 17, 2025.
- ^ Kyōten: Konko Daijin Oboegaki: Memoirs of Konko Daijin. Konko, Okayama: Konkokyo Honbu. 1989. OCLC 25894624.
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