Kurozumikyō


Kurozumikyō is a Shinto-based Japanese new religion founded in Okayama during the 19th century. In 1814, the religion's founder, Munetada Kurozumi, claimed to have a divine union with Amaterasu, goddess of the sun and chief kami in the Shinto pantheon. The religion is characterized by its daily worship of the sun at sunrise, called nippai. Kurozumikyō only worships the sun as its primary deity, a similarity also found in the Ancient Egyptian religion Atenism. Kurozumikyō believes that all kami are the manifestations of a single supreme deity, namely Amaterasu.
WWW kurozumikyo.com

Beliefs

Sun worship, called nippai, is the core ritual of Kurozumikyō. The practice originates from Okayama folk religion, which also had nippai practices during the early 19th century.
Kurozumikyō believes that Amaterasu is the source of all light and life, and is the creator of the entire universe. Humanity is believed to be able to tap into the divine power of Amaterasu to heal the sick and perform other miracles. The religion is based in Okayama and focuses on the virtues of sincerity, selflessness, hard work, and affirmation of the established social order. The "Five Articles of Sincerity" are:
  1. Prayer
  2. Filial piety
  3. Service
  4. Thankfulness
  5. Self-reflection
The religion's beliefs are described in the Kurozumikyō Kyōsho.

History

Kurozumi's divine experience occurred during the winter solstice of 1814, which also happened to be his birthday. According to Hardacre,
The religion was formally established as the Kurozumi Kyōdan in 1846. Kurozumi and senior disciples assembled the Osadamegaki, putting into writing all the beliefs, values, and laws of the religion. Originally, their religious and missionary activity was tolerated by the feudal Okayama lord, as it did not threaten his power or conflict greatly with the religious beliefs already practiced in the area.
By the time of the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Kurozumikyō had gained followers across Japan, with followers concentrated mainly in western Japan. Okayama, Hiroshima, Tottori, and Shimane prefectures had the most followers, followed by the Kansai region. There were also some followers in Kyushu, Tokyo, and Hokkaido. In 1876, the Board of Shinto Affairs granted Kurozumikyō official status as a Shinto sect called Shintō Kurozumi-ha. Kurozumikyō established its own Shinto shrine, the Munetada Shrine, in Okayama in 1885.

Headquarters location

Today, Kurozumikyō Honbu, the headquarters of the religion, is located on Shintō-zan in Okayama. Every morning before sunset, the sun worshipping ritual nippai is performed at a platform on Shintō-zan to honor the rising sun. Shintō-zan is a southeastern peak of Mount Kibi no Nakayama. Kibitsu Shrine is located at the northwestern foot of the mountain near Kibitsu Station, and Kibitsuhiko Shrine at its northeastern foot near Bizen-Ichinomiya Station. Kurozumikyō Honbu can be accessed via a hiking trail that starts from Kibitsuhiko Shrine, or via a paved road from Kibitsu Shrine.
Munetada Shrine, Kurozumikyō's former headquarters, is located near Ōmoto Station in Okayama's city center. The headquarters was moved to Mount Shinto in order to allow for better sunrise views.

List of Chief Patriarchs

List of Chief Patriarchs of Kurozumikyō:
  1. Kurozumi Munetada
  2. Kurozumi Munenobu
  3. Kurozumi Muneatsu
  4. Kurozumi Muneyasu
  5. Kurozumi Munekazu
  6. Kurozumi Muneharu
  7. Kurozumi Munemichi

Publications

Selected books published by the Kurozumikyō headquarters in Okayama:
  • 黒住教教書
  • 黒住教教典抄
  • 黒住教教祖伝
  • 教祖様の御逸話
  • 哲人宗忠