‘Ittetsu always sought guidance and executed everything precisely as he was told. By doing so, he built up his character as a leader of the Soka Gakkai. In the 1956 election, he was one of the persons responsible for the campaign in the Chugoku region. He seized every opportunity to go to Osaka and seek guidance from Shinich Yamamoto. He strictly – almost nervously in the eyes of those around him – maintained his determination to grow and help his members grow.’
Ittetsu Okada was born in 1921 to an influential merchant family. The family maintained faith in the Minobu Nichiren sect. His father, who became a qualified priest, founded his own group, the Kicho Sha, and began to propagate his version of the faith. Ittetsu’s mother was also an ardent believer.
Assigned to an artillery regiment in 1942, epileptic seizures, which he had begun to experience at an early age, led to his discharge from military service.
The Okada business experienced hard times. After the war’s end, Ittetsu married a woman from Osaka in a hastily arranged marriage.
In August of 1954, a shakubuku team came to Okayama. Ittetsu’s brother, who had joined in January, took him to the inn where the team was staying and introduced him to the team leader. After five days of intense debate, Ittetsu joined. He immediately began successful shakubuku activity.
With President Toda’s guidance to devote himself to correct faith, Ittetsu plunged himself into activities and became a district chief.
Ittetsu spearheaded a very successful Okayama rally attended by some 10,000 people, members and non-members alike.
Points to ponder
Read and contemplate President Toda’s guidance to Ittetsu about running his business.
Look for Ittetsu’s mother’s experiment.
This section describes Ittetsu’s background. Check it out!
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Political Pressure
Political Pressure
‘First place, Osaka Chapter, 11,111 households.’
.
.
‘The Osaka Chapter had done it, everyone thought. It had exceeded the 10,000 mark by over 1,000 – and this in the midst of suffering during which six members had been arrested, while no such incident had taken place elsewhere in the country. Furthermore, there were thousands of other people in Osaka who had decided to join, but were delaying signing up for membership pending the outcome of the situation. Osaka’s results accounted for thirty-eight percent of the 28,973 households which had been converted throughout the country during May. With the addition of Sakai’s 1,515, the achievement in Kansai amounted to an amazing forty-four percent of the national total. Leaders from other areas were so shocked that the color drained from their faces. The applause continued for a long while, mingled with sighs of admiration and envy.’
The May shakubuku results were announced at the monthly leaders meeting held in the Toshima public hall on May 31st. Osaka’s monumental success was a main topic of speakers. Katsu Kiyohara pointed out the ineffectiveness of the discussion meetings in Tokyo which were being held through mere force of habit.
Josei Toda talked about the history of outlying area shakubuku activities. He encouraged the Tokyo members to conduct shakubuku on their home turf. He was delighted with the Osaka achievement but he expressed concern about the inactivity of the organization in Tokyo. He was also concerned about the coming elections. He urged the members to avoid committing illegal election activities
When the election was announced, Gakkai members all over the country launched vigorous activities. Except for those recommended by the Sokagakkai, none of the candidates could muster such a great number of workers. The police became suspicious that the Sokagakkai was some sort of conspiratorial religious body and they opened secret investigations everywhere in the country.
Josei Toda moved from place to place all over Japan to give guidance and encouragement to the members. Wherever he went he found a variety of accumulated problems. Beginning in late June, the police began interrogating Gakkai members on suspicion of house-to-house canvassing. So Toda had his work cut out. Some meetings were attended by thousands, sometimes even over 10,000.
One such meeting was held in Ujo Park in Okayama city on June 29th. The meeting was attended by members from throughout the Chugoku region. The man in charge was the chief of the Okayama District, Ittetsu Okada. His district had converted 999 households in May, the best in Japan.
Ittetsu Okada, a member for less than two years, had been appointed district chief only a year earlier. Ittetsu’s rapid rise was due to the checkered career he had led before joining the Soka Gakkai.
Points to ponder
Why was the Soka Gakkai engaged in the political process? Could SGI-USA support political candidates?
Were the police wrong in being suspicious members activities?
Reflect on Josie Toda’s determination.
‘First place, Osaka Chapter, 11,111 households.’
.
.
‘The Osaka Chapter had done it, everyone thought. It had exceeded the 10,000 mark by over 1,000 – and this in the midst of suffering during which six members had been arrested, while no such incident had taken place elsewhere in the country. Furthermore, there were thousands of other people in Osaka who had decided to join, but were delaying signing up for membership pending the outcome of the situation. Osaka’s results accounted for thirty-eight percent of the 28,973 households which had been converted throughout the country during May. With the addition of Sakai’s 1,515, the achievement in Kansai amounted to an amazing forty-four percent of the national total. Leaders from other areas were so shocked that the color drained from their faces. The applause continued for a long while, mingled with sighs of admiration and envy.’
The May shakubuku results were announced at the monthly leaders meeting held in the Toshima public hall on May 31st. Osaka’s monumental success was a main topic of speakers. Katsu Kiyohara pointed out the ineffectiveness of the discussion meetings in Tokyo which were being held through mere force of habit.
Josei Toda talked about the history of outlying area shakubuku activities. He encouraged the Tokyo members to conduct shakubuku on their home turf. He was delighted with the Osaka achievement but he expressed concern about the inactivity of the organization in Tokyo. He was also concerned about the coming elections. He urged the members to avoid committing illegal election activities
When the election was announced, Gakkai members all over the country launched vigorous activities. Except for those recommended by the Sokagakkai, none of the candidates could muster such a great number of workers. The police became suspicious that the Sokagakkai was some sort of conspiratorial religious body and they opened secret investigations everywhere in the country.
Josei Toda moved from place to place all over Japan to give guidance and encouragement to the members. Wherever he went he found a variety of accumulated problems. Beginning in late June, the police began interrogating Gakkai members on suspicion of house-to-house canvassing. So Toda had his work cut out. Some meetings were attended by thousands, sometimes even over 10,000.
One such meeting was held in Ujo Park in Okayama city on June 29th. The meeting was attended by members from throughout the Chugoku region. The man in charge was the chief of the Okayama District, Ittetsu Okada. His district had converted 999 households in May, the best in Japan.
Ittetsu Okada, a member for less than two years, had been appointed district chief only a year earlier. Ittetsu’s rapid rise was due to the checkered career he had led before joining the Soka Gakkai.
Points to ponder
Why was the Soka Gakkai engaged in the political process? Could SGI-USA support political candidates?
Were the police wrong in being suspicious members activities?
Reflect on Josie Toda’s determination.
