Notable Dates: 

• October 26, 1838: Founding date of Tenrikyo, when Miki Nakayama became the "Shrine of God" after receiving the revelation from the Tenri-ō-no-Mikoto.

• 1840: Oyasama (name given to Miki Nakayama) began giving away her possessions to "fall to the depths of poverty" in order to teach charity & renunciation as a path to joyous life.

• 1854: Oyasama initiated the Grant of Safe Childbirth for expectant mothers. Late 19th & Early 20th Centuries: Tenrikyo gained official recognition and institutional development, including social work activities in Japan.

• 1908-1945: Tenrikyo was designated as one of 13 Sect Shinto groups under State Shinto policy in Japan.

Founder: 

Nakayama Miki (1798-1887)

Key Leaders: 

• Nakayama Miki (1798-1887): Foundress of Tenrikyo, revered as Osayama. She is the spiritual origin and central figure of Tenrikyo.

• Master Izo Niburi (died: 1907): One of Nakayama's earliest followers, and served as her deputy and took on the leadership after her death. He was called the Honseki and gave "timely talks" and guidance to followers.

• Nakayama Shozen (early 20th century): Serves as a spiritual and administrative leader known as a shibashira ("central pillar"). He was significant in the mid-20th century, most notably during the era of State Shinto pressure and social changes.

God/Spirits: 

• • Tenri-Ō-no-Mikoto: The singular, supreme God of Trenrikyo, also known as God the Parent (Oyagami). The deity is the creator of the universe and humankind, characterized by parental love and care for all people.

  • Kami: A general term for spirit or deity, used by early followers to refer to the divine presence, connected to Shinto concepts but distinguished in Tenrikyo as "God of Origin and Truth." 

  • Oyagami (Parent): God is understood as a nurturing parent, emphasizing a relationship of love and guidance rather than punishment or command.

  • The Divine Providences: Other spiritual entities by Tenri-Ō-no-Mikoto, assisting in the divine workings but subordinate to the main deity.

Sacred texts:

• • Ofudesaki (Tip of the Writing Brush): Written by Oyasama from 1869-1882, this book contains 1,711 verses in waka poetry form, and reveals the fundamental principles and teachings of Tenrikyo, including the creation of the world, God's nature, and religious doctrines.

  • Mikagura-uta (Songs for the Service): Composed and taught by Oyasama between 1866-1882, this text contains songs and prayers used in service rituals and usually performed with dance and musical accompaniment during worship.

  • Osashizu (Divine Direction): A collection of 20,000 oral revelations given by Izo Iburi, recorded from 1887 to 1907 after Oyasama's passing. It provides detailed guidance on personal conduct, church organization, and problem-solving within the faith.

Rituals:

• The Service at Jiba (Kagura Service): The central ritual of Tenrikyo, consisting of the Kagura (masked dance) and Teodori (dance with hand movements), performed around the Kanrodai. This service is meant to actualize gratitude and universal salvation.

• Divine Grant of Sazuke: A healing ritual granted after spiritual lectures, where a devotee is empowered to pray for the healing of others through God's blessings.

• Hinokishin: Joyful, spontaneous acts of selfless service, performed as offerings of gratitude, helping others, and the community.

Worship Style: 

• Clapping hands four times before & after silent prayer, directed at shrines to God the Parent, Oyasama, and memorial shrines.

Rite of Passage: 

• Rites of passage include ceremonies such as birth rituals or coming of age celebrations that mark important events in one's life. These rites emphasize gratitude, purification, and connection to God the Parent, supporting the individual's spiritual growth and integration into the community. These passages involve prayers, offerings, and blessings to ensure health, happiness, and a life aligned with Tenrikyo's teachings of the Joyous Life.