Tomokiyo Yoshisane

Tomokiyo Yoshisane
友清 歓真
Tomokiyo Yoshisane
Title	Sōshu (宗主)
Personal life
Born	(1888-10-09)October 9, 1888 Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Died	February 15, 1952(1952-02-15) (aged 63) Hōfu, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Nationality	Japanese
Home town	Yamaguchi Prefecture
Notable work(s)	The essence of chinkon kishin (鎮魂帰神の極意, Chinkon kishin no gokui) A Guide to Spirit Studies (霊学筌蹄, Reigaku sentei)
Known for	Founding Shintō Tenkōkyo
Religious life
Religion	Shintō Tenkōkyo
Senior posting
Teacher	Nagasawa Katsutate (長澤雄楯)

Tomokiyo Yoshisane (Japanese: 友清歓真; October 9, 1888 – February 15, 1952) was a Japanese religious leader known for founding the Shintō Tenkōkyo religion in 1920.^[1]

Tomokiyo was born on October 9, 1888 in Sayama (佐山), now part of the city of Yamaguchi. He was the second son of a tailor and dyer and was given the name Kugo (九吾). As a child who suffered from poor health, he took an interest in philosophy and literature. His father died in 1895 when he was about 11 years old. At around the same time, he experienced kamikakushi (神隠し) (lit. 'being hidden by a deity'). During the 1910s, Tomokiyo often engaged in mountain retreats in present-day Yamaguchi Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture to study divination, meditation, and martial arts. He was also active in politics in Tokyo and Shimonoseki during the start of the Taisho era. Tomokiyo also became familiar with Shugendō and Shingon Buddhism teachings and practices during his time spent on Mount Hiko in Kyushu during the 1910s.^[1]

In 1918, Tomokiyo became an editor for Oomoto's Shinreikai (神霊界) and Ayabe shinbun (綾部新聞) while living at Ayabe. He became a close friend of Asano Wasaburō and also performed chinkon kishin sessions. Only one year after in 1919, Tomokiyo left Oomoto. He published criticisms of Oomoto, stating that its doctrines were copied from the writings and teachings of Honda Chikaatsu (1822–1889), that Ayabe was not the earthly manifestation of Takamagahara, and that Oomoto did not properly revere the emperor. Upon leaving Oomoto, Tomokiyo went to Shimizu to study chinkon kishin and Honda Chikaatsu's teachings under Nagasawa Katsutate (長澤雄楯). He also spent some time on Aoshima, an island in Miyazaki Prefecture, during the summer of 1919. While studying with Nagasawa, Tomokiyo claimed to have continuously received revelations directly from the spirits of Honda Chikaatsu and various other deceased spiritual teachers, as well as the kami Ame-no-Uzume. In February 1920, he founded the religious organization Kakushin-kai (格神会) in Shizuoka. It was renamed as Tenkōkyo (天行居) in October 1921.^[1]

On November 22, 1927, while worshipping Ōyamatsumi at Iwaki Jinja (石城神社) on Mount Iwaki near Tabuse, Yamaguchi Prefecture, he received a divine revelation to utilize Mount Iwaki as Shintō Tenkōkyo's main center.^[1]

In 1928, Tomokiyo moved Shintō Tenkōkyo from Shizuoka to Tabuse and constructed several shrines on Mount Iwaki in 1930.^[2][3]

After resigning as the leader of Shintō Tenkōkyo in 1931, Tomokiyo relocated to Miyaichi (宮市), now part of the city of Hōfu in Yamaguchi Prefecture. There, he lived a secluded life studying and writing at his residence. He died on February 15, 1952. Upon his death, his wife Tomokiyo Misao (友清操; 1899–1990, born Akahori Misao 赤堀操) became the leader of Shinto Tenkokyo. In April 1952, Shintō Tenkōkyo was officially incorporated as a religious organization.^[1]

After Tomokiyo's death, his works were compiled in the multi-volume anthology Tomokiyo Yoshisane zenshū (友清歓真全集) (lit. 'The Complete Works of Tomokiyo Yoshisane'),^[4] of which there are three different editions.^[1]

Tomokiyo Yoshisane was married to Tomokiyo Misao (友清操; 1899–1990), who was born Akahori Misao (赤堀操). She became the leader of Shintō Tenkōkyo after her husband died in 1952.^[1]