Young Lions

Young Lions (pp 56-58)

     Shirota was taunted by his peers and Kazuyuki Sagawa, who implied that he was a girly-man, gave him a black eye. Undaunted, Shirota persisted in his effort to shakubuku Sagawa. Sagawa’s wife suffered from severe asthma. She would worship the Shinto talisman, Inari, while Shirota did gongyo. Her condition steadily worsened.
     Shirota finally convinced the Sagawas to take the faith in November 1952. Mrs. Sagawa found immediate relief from her asthma. By May ’56 Goro had become a chapter executive, Mr. & Mrs. Sagawa became district chief and assistant district chief, and Shirota was on the YMD corps staff.

Back to the Abeno district rally – Kazuyuki is speaking:

     ‘”We are all young lions,” he called out to his 3,000 members. “As such, let us struggle to the limit of our capabilities during May so that we will have nothing to regret. Let us pledge to fight it out to the end so that not only will we be able to win the honor of being the best district in the chapter, but so that each and every one of us will have taken one giant step forward in our human revolution.”’

     The 14th general meeting took place on May 3rd attended by over 30,000 leaders from across the country. Several speakers addressed the attendees, jubilant over the amazing growth of the Sokagakkai.

Points to ponder
     Shirota’s effort to shakubuku Sagawa
     Shinichi Yamamoto’s address at the 14th general meeting
     President Toda’s address at the 14th general meeting