Konko Daijin

(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 , the golden Kami of Heaven and Earth.

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).

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 .

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 ("Living Deity, Great Golden Light").

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 ("Reminder of Heaven and Earth"), and toritsugi (取次) soon resumed under close police oversight.

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).

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.

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.

• ' (Memoirs of Konko Daijin), begun in 1874 at age 61; a religious autobiography.
• ' (Record of Revelations), documenting revelations and experiences from 1857 to shortly before his death in 1883.
• ' I–III (Teachings of Konko Daijin), compilations of teachings transmitted to and recorded by disciples.