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
Monday, September 11, 2006
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
The Sleeping Lion
The Sleeping Lion (midcol2 54-55)
‘The sleeping lion has now arisen!’
So proclaimed District Chief Kazuyuki Sagawa as he began his remarks at the Abeno district rally held in the Nakanoshima public hall on May 2nd and attended by close to 3,000 people. District Chiefs present as guests were stunned by such an exclamation from the normally reserved Sagawa. After a moment of shock they erupted in explosive applause. The crowed roared!
Abeno district’s astounding success was actual proof that Shinichi’s sustained effort to develop Kansai had paid off!
Flashback:
Prior to becoming a Sokagakkai member Kazuyuki Sagawa had endured many hardships in building a successful business. His brother, Goro, who worked in Kazuyuki’s business, became a Sokagakkai member. He had been introduced by a client. Goro, in turn, introduced a coworker, Fujiya Shirota, and told him that if he ever missed gongyo he would surely meet an accident during his travels as a salesman. Consequently Shirota regretted having taken this ‘awful’ faith but resolved to persevere. After all, he was a youth from Kyushu, home of manly men.
The lion sleeps - Kazuyuki is not yet a member – stay tuned.
Points to ponder
Imagine a 3,000 member district. How did they do it?
How would you react to guidance such as that offered by Goro to Shirota? If you miss gongyo, you’re toast.
Read about Kazuyuki Sagawa’s early life.
‘The sleeping lion has now arisen!’
So proclaimed District Chief Kazuyuki Sagawa as he began his remarks at the Abeno district rally held in the Nakanoshima public hall on May 2nd and attended by close to 3,000 people. District Chiefs present as guests were stunned by such an exclamation from the normally reserved Sagawa. After a moment of shock they erupted in explosive applause. The crowed roared!
Abeno district’s astounding success was actual proof that Shinichi’s sustained effort to develop Kansai had paid off!
Flashback:
Prior to becoming a Sokagakkai member Kazuyuki Sagawa had endured many hardships in building a successful business. His brother, Goro, who worked in Kazuyuki’s business, became a Sokagakkai member. He had been introduced by a client. Goro, in turn, introduced a coworker, Fujiya Shirota, and told him that if he ever missed gongyo he would surely meet an accident during his travels as a salesman. Consequently Shirota regretted having taken this ‘awful’ faith but resolved to persevere. After all, he was a youth from Kyushu, home of manly men.
The lion sleeps - Kazuyuki is not yet a member – stay tuned.
Points to ponder
Imagine a 3,000 member district. How did they do it?
How would you react to guidance such as that offered by Goro to Shirota? If you miss gongyo, you’re toast.
Read about Kazuyuki Sagawa’s early life.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Victorious Kansai
Victorious Kansai (midcol2 52-midcol2 54)
‘The headquarters leaders meeting was held at the Toshima Public Hall in Tokyo on May 1. As had been expected, the participants were astounded by the Osaka Chapter’s exploit. A single chapter converting 9,002 households in one month! It was the most spectacular achievement in the history of the Soka Gakkai. Indeed, it was as if a dream cherished for 700 years had come true… When Sakai’s 1,111 was added, the results achieved by the two chapters in Kansai amounted to well over 10,000, nearly forty-two percent of the nationwide total.’
Shock and awe.
The amazing accomplishment of Kansai profoundly affected leaders from other areas. A senior leader, while lauding the Kansai accomplishment, chastised the Tokyo leaders for their lukewarm practice. Another called for more emphasis on discussion meetings instead of planning and organizational meetings. Leaders should lead the way, he said, instead of just showing up late, offering a few words of encouragement and running off to some more important engagement. Neither of these leaders, however, understood the intense effort that Shinichi had made to develop Kansai.
President Toda, perceiving that the atmosphere in the hall was stiffening, invited some long distance members to the platform, as if to thank them for the trouble they had taken. He then initiated a question and answer session during which he gave guidance on a number of issues. A member asked about how to conduct shakubuku. President Toda talked at length on that subject. Strongly encouraged by President Toda the leaders were filled with resolve as they headed back to their respective regions..
Points to ponder
Reflect on Katsu Kiyohara’s remarks.
What do you think about Yukio Ishikawa’s comments about the actions of Tokyo leaders?
Consider President Toda’s talk about how to conduct shakubuku.
‘The headquarters leaders meeting was held at the Toshima Public Hall in Tokyo on May 1. As had been expected, the participants were astounded by the Osaka Chapter’s exploit. A single chapter converting 9,002 households in one month! It was the most spectacular achievement in the history of the Soka Gakkai. Indeed, it was as if a dream cherished for 700 years had come true… When Sakai’s 1,111 was added, the results achieved by the two chapters in Kansai amounted to well over 10,000, nearly forty-two percent of the nationwide total.’
Shock and awe.
The amazing accomplishment of Kansai profoundly affected leaders from other areas. A senior leader, while lauding the Kansai accomplishment, chastised the Tokyo leaders for their lukewarm practice. Another called for more emphasis on discussion meetings instead of planning and organizational meetings. Leaders should lead the way, he said, instead of just showing up late, offering a few words of encouragement and running off to some more important engagement. Neither of these leaders, however, understood the intense effort that Shinichi had made to develop Kansai.
President Toda, perceiving that the atmosphere in the hall was stiffening, invited some long distance members to the platform, as if to thank them for the trouble they had taken. He then initiated a question and answer session during which he gave guidance on a number of issues. A member asked about how to conduct shakubuku. President Toda talked at length on that subject. Strongly encouraged by President Toda the leaders were filled with resolve as they headed back to their respective regions..
Points to ponder
Reflect on Katsu Kiyohara’s remarks.
What do you think about Yukio Ishikawa’s comments about the actions of Tokyo leaders?
Consider President Toda’s talk about how to conduct shakubuku.