Tomokiyo Yoshisane

Tomokiyo Yoshisane was a Japanese religious leader known for founding the Shintō Tenkōkyo religion in 1920.

Biography

Tomokiyo was born on October 9, 1888 in Sayama, now part of the city of Yamaguchi. He was the second son of a tailor and dyer and was given the name Kugo. As a child who suffered from poor health, he took an interest in philosophy and literature. His father died in 1895 when he was about 11 years old. At around the same time, he experienced kamikakushi. During the 1910s, Tomokiyo often engaged in mountain retreats in present-day Yamaguchi Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture to study divination, meditation, and martial arts. He was also active in politics in Tokyo and Shimonoseki during the start of the Taisho era. Tomokiyo also became familiar with Shugendō and Shingon Buddhism teachings and practices during his time spent on Mount Hiko in Kyushu during the 1910s.
In 1918, Tomokiyo became an editor for Oomoto's Shinreikai and Ayabe shinbun while living at Ayabe. He became a close friend of and also performed chinkon kishin sessions. Only one year after in 1919, Tomokiyo left Oomoto. He published criticisms of Oomoto, stating that its doctrines were copied from the writings and teachings of Honda Chikaatsu, that Ayabe was not the earthly manifestation of Takamagahara, and that Oomoto did not properly revere the emperor. Upon leaving Oomoto, Tomokiyo went to Shimizu to study chinkon kishin and Honda Chikaatsu's teachings under Nagasawa Katsutate. He also spent some time on Aoshima, an island in Miyazaki Prefecture, during the summer of 1919. While studying with Nagasawa, Tomokiyo claimed to have continuously received revelations directly from the spirits of Honda Chikaatsu and various other deceased spiritual teachers, as well as the kami Ame-no-Uzume. In February 1920, he founded the religious organization Kakushin-kai in Shizuoka. It was renamed as Tenkōkyo in October 1921.
On November 22, 1927, while worshipping Ōyamatsumi at Iwaki Jinja on Mount Iwaki near Tabuse, Yamaguchi Prefecture, he received a divine revelation to utilize Mount Iwaki as Shintō Tenkōkyo's main center.
In 1928, Tomokiyo moved Shintō Tenkōkyo from Shizuoka to Tabuse and constructed several shrines on Mount Iwaki in 1930.

Later years and death

After resigning as the leader of Shintō Tenkōkyo in 1931, Tomokiyo relocated to Miyaichi, now part of the city of Hōfu in Yamaguchi Prefecture. There, he lived a secluded life studying and writing at his residence. He died on February 15, 1952. Upon his death, his wife Tomokiyo Misao became the leader of Shinto Tenkokyo. In April 1952, Shintō Tenkōkyo was officially incorporated as a religious organization.

Writings

After Tomokiyo's death, his works were compiled in the multi-volume anthology Tomokiyo Yoshisane zenshū, of which there are three different editions.

Family

Tomokiyo Yoshisane was married to Tomokiyo Misao, who was born Akahori Misao. She became the leader of Shintō Tenkōkyo after her husband died in 1952.