Iburi Izō
Iburi Izō was the second spiritual leader of the Tenrikyo religion. He is also known as the Honseki. After the death of Nakayama Miki in 1887, he was the spiritual leader while Oyasama's son Nakayama Shinnosuke became the administrative leader, the Shinbashira. Having received the "grant of speech" from Oyasama, Iburi dictated the Osashizu, additional divinely inspired instructions on the creation and maintenance of a Tenrikyo community.
Life
Early years
Iburi was born in Murō, Nara in 1833, but was forced to leave when his family became despondent. He moved to Ichinomoto Village in modern-day Tenri, and sought out a wife. His first wife died in childbirth, while the second arranged marriage to a gambling addict was quickly annulled. His third wife became gravely ill after childbirth, which led him to seek Tenrikyo. He became a member after his wife was healed and went to see Oyasama every day, supporting her during times of religious persecution.As ''Honseki''
Upon the death of Nakayama Miki in 1887, Iburi continued in his role of Honseki as the main spiritual leader of Tenrikyo. Rin Masui, a widow, became his personal attendant in 1893.Iburi presided over a period of rapid expansion for Tenrikyo, which saw it reach villages throughout Japan. In 1896, eight percent of all Japanese citizens were dues-paying adherents of Tenrikyo. Iburi petitioned the government to be separated from the Sect Shinto group Shinto Honkyoku; this petition was granted in 1908.
Final years and death
It was Iburi's intention to continue the Honseki position by passing on spiritual leadership to a worthy successor, while the Shinbashira position was passed on in the Nakayama family. On June 6, 1907, three days before Iburi's death, the Tenrikyo Church headquarters announced that Naraito Ueda, who had been a close follower of Nakayama Miki since the 1870s, would succeed the current honseki. However, she became ill, and in 1918 she reportedly became insane, so the Honseki position ended with Iburi. Afterwards, the Nakayama family consolidated spiritual and administrative leadership with the Shinbashira, who would always be a male member of the Nakayama family.Iburi's last words were reportedly "How thankful, what a delicious meal". He was said to have died sitting up with his hands on his lap.