Kokan, in this world, there are those who are suffering

or even to
swallow water
despite food
piled high at
their bedsides.
If we think of
them, how
blessed we are!
Kokan, in this
world, there
are those who
are suffering,
unable to eat
...
When we drink
water, it tastes
of water. God
the Parent has
blessed us with
exquisite gifts.
However wretched
you may be, never
say that you are
wretched, for I
shall never make
beggars of you.
Take this
rice with you!
Your child is
hungry.
Despite experiencing
difficult circumstances, Oyasama
and Her children
continued to give
food and clothes to
whomever needed
them.
Though we just
got hold of
these two
pounds of rice,
please take this
with you . . .
Thank you so
very much.
We will never
forget your
kindness.
A-Are
you really
sure it's
okay?
Who
osh!
Even Shuji
showed
similar
kindness.
Achoo!
You're
shivering!
Please take
my coat.
Th-thank
you . . . are
you sure?
But if I
take your
coat, what
are you
going to do?
Don‛t worry
about me. I
still have
my montsuki at
home.
I‛ll
never
forget
this.
That man
is like a
saint!
During the summer, they
were tormented by great
swarms of mosquitoes; and in
the winter, they warmed
themselves by a small fire
made from twigs and leaves.
But hot or cold, they made it
a rule to work late into the
night.
Once during this
time, one of
Shuji's students
that he tutored
posed him a
question.
Thank
you . . .
thank
you.
Mr. Nakayama,
why do you sell
vegetables
wearing a
montsuki?
I wear a montsuki because it
is God the
Parent's wish
for me to wear
one.
This montsuki
was made from
yarn woven
here, and dyed
with the mud‛s
mineral from a
nearby riverbed.
I am
serving
God even
when I am
selling
vegetables.
It might not
be very fancy,
but I wear
this montsuki
with pride.
Really?
Wow!
I came to
return the
rice you
gave us.
Yes, yes
. . . you
came the
other
day.
Your kindness really
helped us.
This is only
one-and-ahalf pounds .
..
Thank you
so very
much.
In 1857,
when
Oyasama
was sixty
years old,
a follower
offered
one-anda-half
pounds of
rice to
God as a
token of
appreciation. This
took place
twenty
years
after She
became
the
Shrine of
God.
You‛re
welcome.
Thank you
for coming to
return it.
In 1860,
Grand
Councilor
Naosuke Ii,
who signed
the Harris
Treaty with
the U.S., was
assassinated
in front of
the Sakurada
Gate of Edo
Castle.
Around this time, people
finally began to gather at
the Residence. Among
them were countless
women who were
concerned about their
first pregnancy. They had
heard about the blessings
of the Grant of Safe
Childbirth, which had
become widely known
throughout the region.
I‛m going to
Shoyashiki Village
to receive what
they call the
“Grant of Safe
Childbirth.”
Yeah, a
goddess of
safe childbirth . . .
quite a
reputation
these days.
It's not only
the Grant of
Safe Childbirth. Lady
Miki is said
to save
people from
all illnesses
as well.
People came to
pray not only
for miraculous
salvation during
childbirth, but
for a variety of
illnesses as well.
Really? She IS
a living god just
like they say?!
Oyasama
always went
willingly to
visit anyone
who
requested
Her blessings . . .
especially
among
those who
were
seriously
ill.