Honmichi


Honmichi is a Tenrikyo-based shinshūkyō. Honmichi became formally independent in 1925 under its founder, Ōnishi Aijirō, also known by the title Kanrodainin no Ri. Despite the religion being derived from Tenrikyo with a different interpretation of doctrines such as Sanken Mimune, Honmichi's religious structure still maintains the same basic overall characteristics as Tenrikyo. It was reorganized from the earlier. It had 319,031 followers in 2022 according to the Reiwa 4 published by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

Scriptures and practices

Honmichi considers itself, rather than Tenrikyo, to be the true, original religion of Nakayama Miki. Devout Honmichi members are called "people of the way" rather than yōboku as in Tenrikyo.
The term Honmichi comes from the Ofudesaki and can be found in Ofudesaki 1:49, 3:37, 4:75-77, 5:30, 5:82, 6:17, 6:28, and 17:22.
Some of the main scriptures used in Honmichi include the Ofudesaki and Mikagura-uta, which also form the basic scriptural canon of Tenrikyo. The Osashizu, written by the second spiritual leader of the original establishment, Iburi Izō, was also sometimes consulted by Ōnishi Aijirō. The Kyōgi Ichiban, written by Ōnishi Aijirō, is also used.
The mantra Namu Kanrodai is frequently chanted by adherents of Honmichi. Honmichi utilizes the gagaku in its service.
Every year, Honmichi followers celebrate "the establishment of the human Kanrodai" to commemorate their founder.

History

Honmichi began as a religion on July 15, 1913 in Yamaguchi when its founder Ōnishi Aijirō received a divine revelation, during which God told him that he was the living kanrodai. At the time, he was a Tenrikyo missionary in Yamaguchi Prefecture. In January 1925, Ōnishi Aijirō officially established the Tenri Study Association, which was later renamed as Tenri Honmichi in 1937, and finally as Honmichi in 1950.
Honmichi was a noticeable Japanese religion before World War II due to its leader's active defiance against the Emperor of Japan. There were government crackdowns in 1928 and again in 1938. It quickly re-established itself during the US Occupation of Japan.
In 1958, Ōnishi Aijirō died. Aijirō's grandson, Ōnishi Yasuhiko, took over as the leader in 1960 and was viewed as Aijirō's reincarnation, and hence as the new kanrodai.
In 1962, Honbushin, led by Aijirō's daughter Ōnishi Tama , separated from Honmichi. It was incorporated as a religious organization in 1966. Originally, it was headquartered in Takaishi, Osaka, but then moved to Shiojiri, Nagano. In 1969, Honbushin moved to Okayama, where it set up its kanrodai on Mount Kami.

Locations

Honmichi is currently headquartered in Takaishi, Osaka. However, the main worship hall is located in Sennan, Osaka.
Apart from the headquarters, there are several other locations, including two main offices:
There are several branches, including one in the United States:
There are also facilities in Katsuragi, Nara and Izumi, Osaka, as well as a training center near Fudo Waterfall in Takigawa Valley in Totsukawa, Nara Prefecture.

Schisms

The following religious movements and organizations are founded by former Honmichi members.