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The '''Service''' (''Tsutome'') refers to the central rite in [[Tenrikyo]] and, along with the [[Sazuke]], considered as one of the two main components of what is called the "[[path of single-hearted salvation]]."<ref name="D"/>
== Analysis of the word "Tsutome" ==
Often preceded in Japanese with the honorific prefix "''o''" [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%BE%A1#Japanese 御], it is a convention in Tenrikyo to write "''o-Tsutome''" in [http://www.omniglot.com/writing/japanese_hiragana.htm ''hiragana'']: おつとめ. The [http://www.omniglot.com/writing/japanese_kanji.htm ''kanji''] that is most commonly associated with the term is 勤[http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%8B%A4 勤], which is a character that means "religious service" when applied as a noun or "work for, be employed by, serve" when applied as a verb.<ref name="Spahn Hadamitzky"/> It may be notable to add that other religious Japanese traditions also refer to some of their rites as "''tsutome''."<ref name="?"/>
The Tsutome is said to be a component of the "path of single-hearted salvation" along with the Sazuke. However, in contrast to the Sazuke, which was taught as a means to alleviate physical problems, the Tsutome is said to be a path (means) of manifold saving graces that help alleviate situational problems in addition to physical ones. Further, it is taught that the Tsutome does not only alleviate physical conditions and situational problems that are merely taking place at the moment, but also invites the "marvelous salvation" of good health, rich harvests, and peace in society to allow the world to be rebuilt into the world of the [[Joyous Life]]. The Tsutome is conducted with the Jiba-Kanrodai at center every 26th of the month as either a [[Grand Service]] or [[Monthly Service]] of [[Tenrikyo Church Headquarters]]. (The Tsutome is also conducted on New Year's Day and April 18 as the [[Oyasama Birth Celebration Service]].)<ref name="Fukaya"/>
The Tsutome consists of dancing to the accompaniment of singing and nine [[musical instruments]]. The Songs accompanying the Tsutome is referred to as the [[Mikagura-uta]] (''The Songs for the Service''), one of the [[Scriptures|Three Scriptures]] of Tenrikyo.
While the Service also includes foot movements, the dance itself is referred to as "''Tsutome no te''" (literally, the hand [movements] of the Service), "(''o-'')''tefuri''" (hand gestures/movements), or "[[Teodori]]" (literally, "hand dance" but officially rendered in English as "the Dance with Hand Movements"). Due to the fact the hand movements of the Tsutome are considered as physical expressions of the content and meaning of the Songs, the act of dancing and making these hand movements are referred to as "dancing/gesturing the truth."
=== Services Tsutome at regional churches ===
It is a convention in official English documents to refer to the "Tsutome" performed at regional [[churches]] as "services" (lower-case) in contrast to the "Services" (upper-case) conducted at Jiba or Tenrikyo Church Headquarters.<ref name="TH"/> The performance of the Kagura is limited to Jiba and is not performed at regional churches due to a particular [[Osashizu]] that instructed the masks used for the Kagura never were to be used elsewhere.<ref name="Os"/>
=== Daily services tsutome ===
Morning and evening services are performed daily at Tenrikyo Church Headquarters and regional churches. These daily services mainly consists of the performance of the seated service. Unlike Monthly Services where positions for the dancers, nine instruments, and singers (three at Church Headquarters; regional churches vary between one to three) are set up, only five positions are set up: wooden clappers (''hyoshigi''), counter (''kazutori''), cymbals (''chanpon''), large drum (''taiko''), and gong (''surigane'').
=== Other "servicestsutome" ===
On top of Services that are conducted regularly on a daily and monthly basis, the Tsutome can be also be performed as needed as a "[[prayer service]]" or "[[thanksgiving service]]." The forms which these services take differ according to the situation -- they may be performed in the same way a monthly service is performed with a full set of dancers, instruments, and singers -- or with just a few instruments (a service with two people at wooden clappers and counter and everyone else doing the seated service is a common form) or even on an individual basis.
Another common service is a ''[[yohaishiki]]'' ("service from afar") held on the 26th for followers who are unable to return to Jiba for Grand/Monthly Services at Tenrikyo Church Headquarters. Finally, some services, such as those performed at regional Women's, Young Men's, and Boys and Girls conventions are referred to as "[[service practices]]."
=== "Service" as a gloss for "matsuri" ===
It may also be useful to mention that "service" is often a gloss for [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E7%A5%AD 祭] (''matsuri'' or ''sai'', often rendered as "festival" in non-Tenrikyo literature) for terms that are not necessarily specifically referred to as "tsutome." To give examples:
*''tsukinami-sai'' = "monthly service"
*''taisai/daisai'' = "grand service"
*''mitama-sai'' = "memorial service"
*''hokoku-sai'' = "dedication service" (of a church construction)
*''shunin hokoku-sai'' = "installation service" (of a church minister)
*''chinza hokoku-sai'' = "enshrinement service"
*''seiritsu hokoku-sai'' = "service for the establishment of (a church, etc.)"
Oyasama is also said to have explained that a festival (matsuri) has the meaning of the principle (''ri'') of waiting (''matsu'').<ref name="A"/>
(pages nos. refer to hardcopy equivalent)
*Fukaya, Yoshikazu. "Service," "Service of the Kanrodai -- Stand of the Heavenly Dew," "Kagura Service -- Joyous Service") ''[http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/kaiden/newsletter/html/pub/words_of_the_path.html Words of the Path: A Guide to Tenrikyo Terms and Expressions]''. [[Tenrikyo Overseas Department]], pp. 34-35; 35-36; 36-37 ([http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/kaiden/newsletter/html/tt5/service.html online version]).
*_________. "Salvation Service." ''Words of the Path'', [http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/kaiden/newsletter/html/tt5/tasukezutome.html Salvation Service]." ''Words of the Path'', pp. 37-38].
*_________. "Main Service." ''Words of the Path'', [http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/kaiden/newsletter/html/tt5/hon_zutome.html Main Service]." ''Words of the Path'', pp. 40-42].
*_________. "Service practice." ''Words of the Path'', [http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/kaiden/newsletter/html/tt5/manabi.html Service practice]." ''Words of the Path'', pp. 42-43].
*_________. "Tenrikyo Services." ''Words of the Path'', [http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/en/newsletter/html/tt5/saiten.html Tenrikyo Services]." ''Words of the Path'', pp. 188-191]. *highly recommended reading
*Nakayama, Zenye. ''[http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/kaiden/newsletter/html/pub/Q_A.html Growing Spiritually Day by Day],'' . [[Tenrikyo Overseas Department|Tenrikyo Overseas Mission Department]], [http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/kaiden/newsletter/html/tt2/service2-1.html pp. 29-40].
*''[http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/kaiden/newsletter/html/pub/Q_A.html Questions and Answers about Tenrikyo]''. Tenrikyo Overseas Department, [http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/kaiden/newsletter/html/tt10/service.html pp. 53-60].
*Tenrikyo Church HQ official website: "[http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/en/teaching/teachings/service.html Kagura Service]"
*''[http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/kaiden/newsletter/html/pub/tpj.html Tenrikyo: The Path to Joyousness]''. Tenrikyo Overseas Mission Department, [http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/kaiden/newsletter/html/tt6/salvation_service.html pp. 18-21].
*''[http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/kaiden/newsletter/html/pub/yg.html Yoboku's Guide to Tenrikyo]''. Tenrikyo Overseas Department, [http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/kaiden/newsletter/html/tt7/service.html pp. 56-57].
<ref name="?">*citation needed</ref>
<ref name="TJ">Subsequent sections are largely based on the entry "o-tsutome," ''Kaitei Tenrikyō jiten'', edited by [[Oyasato Institute for the Study of Religion|Tenri Daigaku Oyasato KenkyushoKenkyūsho]]. Tenri: Tenrikyō Dōyūsha, pp. 556-559.</ref>
<ref name="Fukaya">Fukaya, Yoshikazu. ''[http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/kaiden/newsletter/html/pub/words_of_the_path.html Words of the Path: A Guide to Tenrikyo Terms and Expressions]'', p. 189.</ref>
<ref name="TPJ">Information in this table from ''[http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/kaiden/newsletter/html/pub/tpj.html Tenrikyo: The Path to Joyousness]'', Tenrikyo Overseas Mission Department, p. 151.</ref>
<ref name="LO">One particular account is noted in ''[[The Life of Oyasama]], Foundress of Tenrikyo'' -- Manuscript Edition, third edition. Tenrikyo Church Headquarters, pp. 187-192.</ref>
<ref name="web">For a list of these times, see ''[http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/kaiden/newsletter/html/pub/yg.html Yoboku's Guide to Tenrikyo]'', p. 83 or to the "[http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/international/?page_id=13 International Web Site of Tenrikyo]."</ref>
<ref name="A">''[[Anecdotes of Oyasama]], Foundress of Tenrikyo'', [http://tenrikyology.com/user/roy/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=366:59-festival&Itemid=31 no. 59].</ref>
