Anecdotes of Oyasama 99
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Anecdotes of Oyasama 99 presents the contents of "Wedding in Osaka," a selection from Anecdotes of Oyasama, published by Tenrikyo Church Headquarters in 1976. The content below appears between page 81 and 83 of the print edition.
Text: English translation and original Japanese
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99. Wedding in Osaka One day in March 1882, Unosuke Tosa abruptly left his home in Muya without telling his wife, carrying only the shrine of God the Parent on his back. This move was made after a long struggle with his adoptive parents who strongly opposed his single-hearted devotion to missionary work. Afterward he began to spread the teachings at Sangenya in Osaka. Sometimes he felt forlorn and helpless when he thought of Masa, his wife, whom he had left at home, but he was glad that he was living closer to Jiba. It was his greatest joy to see Oyasama by returning to Jiba. Because nothing was more pleasant for him than being with Her as long as possible, he kept staying at the Residence. On such a particular day, Unosuke was weeding at the Residence in the warm spring sun. He was not aware that Oyasama was standing behind him until She spoke to him smiling:
Unosuke said, "Yes, I see," but he had not the slightest idea who was going to be married. Thinking about Oyasama's puzzling remark over and over, he returned to his lodgings in Osaka and found a new pair of woman's clogs at the entrance. His wife, Masa, was there. She clung madly to her husband's chest and wept and wept without saying a word. After a long time she looked up at him and tearfully begged him to return, saying, "Please come back to Muya with me. Your missionary work will be no problem. Forgive me, I've been so weak until now. But now I am resolved. I will persuade my parents to allow you to pursue your life of faith." Because Tosa knew well what would happen if he should return home and being determined not to be swayed by her love, he gave no answer. It was at that time that he suddenly recalled Oyasama's words which he had heard at Jiba. He had not even considered being reinstated in the Tosa family. But when he thought it over carefully, he was able to understand the true meaning of Oyasama's words that it was he himself who was the groom in Osaka. He finally resolved, "I was completely wrong in forsaking my family because of their opposition to my life of faith. I shall again return home and no matter how great the hardships may be, I will accept them all joyfully. Single-heartedly I will dedicate myself; even if I should die, I will be happy." |
九九 大阪で婚礼が 明治十五年三月のある日、土佐卯之助は、たすけ一条の信仰に対する養父母の猛烈な反対に苦しみ抜いた揚句、親神様のお鎮まり下さるお社を背負うて、他に何一つ持たず、妻にも知らせず、忽然として、撫養の地から姿を消し、大阪の三軒屋で布教をはじめた。 家に残して来た妻まさのことを思い出すと、堪らない寂しさを感じることもあったが、おぢばに近くなったのが嬉しく、おぢばへ帰って教祖にお目にかかるのを、何よりの楽しみにしていた。教祖のお膝許に少しでも長く置いて頂くことが、この上もない喜びであったので、思わずも滞在を続けて、その日も暖かい春の日射しを背に受けて、お屋敷で草引きをしていた。 すると、いつの間にか教祖が背後にお立ちになって、ニッコリほほえみながら、
と、仰せられた。土佐は、「はい。」とお受けしたが、一向に思い当る人はない。謎のような教祖のお言葉を、頭の中で繰り返しながら大阪の下宿へかえった。すると、新しい女下駄が一足脱いである。妻のまさが来ていたのである。まさは、夫の胸に狂気のようにすがり付き、何も言わずに顔を埋めて泣き入るのであった。やがて、顔をあげたまさは、「私と、もう一度撫養へかえって下さい。お道のために、どんな苦労でもいといません。今までは、私が余りに弱すぎました。今は覚悟が出来ております。両親へは私からよく頼んで、必ずあなたが信心出来るよう、道を開きます。」と、泣いて頼んだ。 今、国へかえればどうなるか、よく分かっていたので、「情に流れてはならぬ。」 と、土佐は、一言も返事をしなかった。 その時、土佐の脳裡にひらめいたのは、おぢばで聞いた教祖のお言葉である。土佐家への復縁などは、思うてもみなかったが、よく考えてみると、大阪で嫁をもらう花婿とは、この自分であったかと、初めて教祖のお言葉の真意を悟らせて頂くことが出来た。「自分が、国を出て反対攻撃を避けようとした考え方は、根本から間違っていた。もう一度、国へかえって、死ぬ程の苦労も喜んでさせてもらおう。誠真実を尽し切って、それで倒れても本望である。」と、ようやく決心が定まった。 |
