Anecdotes of Oyasama 32

Anecdotes of Oyasama
Author: Various authors Date Published: 1976 Pages: 159 (English ed.) Anecdotes Index

Anecdotes of Oyasama 32 presents the contents of "It Depends on the Wife's Word," a selection from Anecdotes of Oyasama, published by Tenrikyo Church Headquarters in 1976. The content below appears between page 25 and 26 of the print edition.

Text: English translation and original Japanese

32. It Depends on the Wife's Word When she was in her teens, Yasu, daughter of Rihei Matsuda of Kosaka Village in Yamato, helped cook for Oyasama for several years. Oyasama said: "When a meal you have cooked is brought in, my heart seems to open up," and She enjoyed Yasu's cooking. Her meal consisted of rice gruel with a few soybeans. When it was not busy, there were times when Yasu was alone with Oyasama. During these times, Oyasama taught Yasu many things. On one such occasion, Oyasama taught her: "Dear Yasu, a man, any man, is what a wife's word makes him. Even if he is a man who is apt to be called a fool by others, if his wife treats him with respect and says politely, 'Welcome home, dear,' when he comes home, people will say, 'Although we call him a fool, judging by the respectful way his wife treats him, he must be a great man.' Whether the husband becomes a great man or a fool depends on the wife's word." When Yasu was twenty-three, Oyasama arranged a marriage for her into the Inui family of Shoyashiki Village. The meeting of the prospective bride and groom was held in Oyasama's room. At that time, Oyasama said: "God says, 'This person and that person.' In this way, the matter is settled. After it is settled, do not sever it. If it is severed, the one who severs it will be severed." Then She moved Her hands three times, saying: "Good, good, very good."

三二　女房の口一つ 　 大和国小阪村の松田利平の娘やすは、十代の頃から数年間、教祖の炊事のお手伝いをさせて頂いた。教祖は、 　 「おまえの炊いたものを、持って来てくれると、胸が開くような気がする。」 と、言うて、喜んで下された。お食事は、粥で、その中へ大豆を少し入れることになっていた。ひまな時には、教祖と二人だけという時もあった。そんな時、いろいろとお話を聞かせて下されたが、ある時、 　 「やすさんえ、どんな男でも、女房の口次第やで。人から、阿呆やと、言われるような男でも、家にかえって、女房が、貴方おかえりなさい。と、丁寧に扱えば、世間の人も、わし等は、阿呆と言うけれども、女房が、ああやって、丁寧に扱っているところを見ると、あら偉いのやなあ、と言うやろう。亭主の偉くなるのも、阿呆になるのも、女房の口一つやで。」 と、お教え下された。 　 やすは、二十三才の時、教祖のお世話で、庄屋敷村の乾家へ嫁いだ。見合いは、教祖のお居間でさせて頂いた。その時、 　 「神様は、これとあれと、と言われる。それで、こう治まった。治まってから、切ってはいかん。切ったら、切った方から切られますで。」 と、仰せられ、手を三度振って、 　 「結構や、結構や、結構や。」 と、お言葉を下された。

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