Congratulations for aged people
On 8 January, the congratulate ceremony for aged people was held. It used to be celebrated as the birthday of the late Rev. Toshio Miyake, the founder of the Church. Elder believers, over 80 years old were awarded and celebrated on this day, to share the late reverend's good luck of living long (96 years).
 elder believers were blessed by Chief Minister |
Some 30 believers who would become 80 years old in 2001 gathered Hiromae (Sacred Hall) and the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister of Izuo Church, handed a commemorative medal to each one wishing their further healthy life.
Dondo-matsuri was served
On 15 January, Dondo-matsuri was served. New Year's decorations were piled up and burned for good health of this year. All the believers who attended the service surrounded the Dondo (burning heap of ornaments) and chanted.
 heap of ornaments was burned with a flame |
Chief Minister visited Benten-shu
On 17 January, the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister of Konko Church of Izuo, visited Meio-ji, the head temple of Benten-shu in order to have a summit meeting with the Most Ven. Jisho Omori, the Chief Abbot. They had leaded the International Religious Fellowship of Osaka (IRFO) as a core member (Rev. Miyake served as Chair of executives and Ven. Omori as a permanent executive). They discussed how they could promote the interfaith cooperation in Osaka.
 Chief Minister with Ven. Omori |
The 74th Anniversary of the Church
On 28 January, the 74th Anniversary Grand Service, the ceremony commemorating the Founder Toshio Miyake's missionary work, was held and about 1,500 believers attended. The Grand Service is served annually, in order to appreciate that the late Rev. Toshio Miyake, the founder of Konko Church of Izuo, began missionary work on 24 January 1927. He was just 24 years old at that time.
 Chief Minister and Rev. Mitsuo Miyake offered a candle |
Perishables were offered to the alter and ceremony was served in front of it. The Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister, and Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister Designated, offered a candle to the alter showing their decision to succeed the late reverend's mission.
 believers listened carefully Chief Minister's sermon |
Rev. Tatsuo Miyake gave Norito prayer and declared that he and all the believers devoted themselves more in the practice in order to prepare the 75th commemorative ceremony of missionary work next year.
 Chief Minister made a sermon |
Following the representatives' offering a Tamagushi (sacred twig), Rev. Tatsuo Miyake made a sermon. He said that there were many similar situations in the present society and that in 1927. He pointed out that it had been very chaotic condition toward the World War Ⅱ, because of collapse of a boom of World WarⅠand occurrence of Kanto Great Earthquake, on the other hand, present Japanese society was also confused because of prolonged recession following Hanshin Great Earthquake. So he insisted that it was time especially for believers of Izuo Church to make action for the refugees such as those who were suffered in El Salvador and India because Izuo Church had desired relief of life since the foundation.
Chief Minster visited Imamiya-Ebisu Shrine
On 31 January, the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister of Konko Church of Izuo, visited Imamiya-Ebisu Shrine which enshrines god of commerce to have a meeting with the Very Rev. Takao Tsue, Honorary Chief Priest of the Shrine. From 9 to 11 of this month, Tohka-Ebisu Festival (they prayed good business of the year) was held with more than one million attendants, however, it was already calm in the end of the month.
 Rev. Tsue (left) and Rev. Miyake |
They have cooperated to lead International Religious Fellowship of Osaka (IRFO) as the Chair (Rev. Miyake) and the President (Rev. Tsue) for 4 years. They talked about the management of the general conference that would be held in 13 February.
21st century opened with Gantan-sai
On the first day of the 21st century, Hiromae (the sacred hall) of Konko Church of Izuo was decorated specially to cerebrate New Year's Day, with sacred brocade and branches of pine tree, bamboo, and plum because these trees are considered as sign of luck in Japan. Kagamimochi (huge rice cake), Omiki (special sake), and other perishables were offered to the alter. At this Hiromae, Gantan-sai (the annual service to cerebrate the New Year) was served by Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister Designated of Izuo Church from 9:30 a.m. Then the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister, preached a sermon.
 Rev. M. Miyake offered a sacred twig for the alter |
Year of 2001 is "the year of practice" for members of Izuo Church because they will have the 75th commemorative ceremony of Missionary Work of the "Founder" Toshio Miyake on 27 January in 2002. So various events are being planed in this year.
 Chief Minister preached a sermon |
Following the sermon, believers made long queues to receive Okakisage (charmed card written certain words specialized for each person by the reverends). Hiromae had been crowded for 3 days (for Japanese the New Year's holidays.)
 Hiromae crowded with believers waiting for Okakisage |
Service for Traffic Safety
On 7 January, Konko Church of Izuo offered an annual service for traffic safety. As soon as the gate was opened at 4:30 a.m., many drivers having waited outside drove into the precincts and arranged their cars.
 each car was charmed solemnity |
At the prayer served by Rev. Mistuo Miyake, Chief Minister Designated, from 6 o'clock, all the drivers appreciated that they were not involved in a traffic accident in the last year and prayed the safety in this year. Their cars were charmed in front of the sacred hall beside Inori-no-to (Prayer's Pagoda) and charmed cards were offered.
It took less than 30 minutes since the first service was over to come together for other drivers in order to receive the next prayer that started at 9:30 a.m.
Kan-shugyo was continued
The early morning practice has been continued at Konko Church of Izuo from 6 January. It will be continued until 2 February. It is Kan-shugyo (midwinter discipline) which starts on 5 o'clock a.m. at the open-air sacred hall beside Inori-no-to (Prayer's Pagoda). It has been annual customs for Izuo Church to hold midwinter and midsummer discipline since the missionary was started in 1927.
 midwinter discipline at the open air sacred hall before dawn |
All the attendants train considering that the late Rev. Toshio Miyake, the former Chief Minister, had never quit the early morning practice from his first day of missionary to his final day.
Seijin Kansha-sai was served
On 7 January, Seijin Kansha-sai (coming-of-age ceremony) was served at Hiromae (sacred hall) attended by those who will become 20 years old in 2001. They offered a sacred twig for the alter, then they appreciated their 20 years life and made decision how to live a life from the day as an adult.
After the ceremony, Mr. Shoichiro Yoshimura, Chief of the Youth Association of Izuo Church, delivered a congratulatory address. Then they took a commemorative picture with the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister, and each of them received each sacred word.
 participants received the sacred word from Chief Minister |