Konko Daijin
Konkō Daijin was the Japanese founder of Konkōkyō. 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 Tenchi Kane no Kami, the Kami of Heaven and Earth.
Biography
Konkō Daijin was born Kandori Genshichi in the village of Urami. He was born as the second son of a farming family, to Kandori Jūhei and Shimono. In 1825, he was adopted by the Kawate family and took the name Kawate Bunjirō. At age 23, he became head of the household. Following the wishes of his adoptive father Kawate Kumejirō, he changed his family name to Akazawa, becoming known as Akazawa Bunji.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, he came to understand that the true, benevolent deity upholding the universe is Tenchi Kane no Kami.
On November 15, 1859, he received what later followers call the "Divine Call," instructing him to give up farming and assist people through toritsugi. He thereafter devoted himself to religious work at a worship space in his home. In 1868, he received the divine title Ikigami Konkō Daijin.
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 Tenchi Kakitsuke, and toritsugi soon resumed under close police oversight.
Konkō Daijin died on October 10, 1883. He was succeeded by his son Konkō Ieyoshi, who is venerated by Konkōkyō followers as the "Second Konkō-Sama".
Teachings and practice
Konkō Daijin's central practice was toritsugi — listening to people's troubles and relaying their requests to Tenchi Kane no Kami. His teaching emphasizes the interdependence and "mutual fulfillment" 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.Konkō Daijin Oboegaki, begun in 1874 at age 61; a religious autobiography.Oshirase-goto Oboechō, documenting revelations and experiences from 1857 to shortly before his death in 1883.Gorikai I–III, compilations of teachings transmitted to and recorded by disciples.English translations of the Oboegaki and related materials have been published by Konkokyo Headquarters and affiliated organizations.