Konkokyo

Konkōkyō (金光教, Konkō-kyō) or just Konkō, is a new religion of Japanese origin. It is Sectarian Shintō as a member of the Kyoha Shintō Rengokai (Association of Sectarian Shinto). It is a syncretic, henotheistic and pantheistic religion, which worships the universe as the deity Tenchi Kane No Kami, the Golden Kami of Heaven and Earth. Tenchi Kane No Kami is also referred to as Kami, The Principle Parent, Kami-Sama or the Parent God. Although mentioned as 'he' the Kami is neither male or female.

Founder

Bunjirō Kawate (川手文治郎, Kawate Bunjirō, 1814–1883) founded Konkō-kyō in 1859. His childhood name was Genshichi, and he is also known as Akazawa Bunji. Born in the village of Urami in Bitchū Province (in present-day Asakuchi, Okayama Prefecture) as the second son of the Kandori farming family. At age twelve, he was adopted into the Kawate household of the neighboring village of Ōtani, at which time he took the name Bunjirō. He worked assiduously for the prosperity and welfare of his family, and though he gained the respect of those around him. Bunjirō himself suffered a severe illness at the age of forty-two (in 1855), but while receiving magico-religious healing rituals, he experienced the sensation of divine healing, a religious experience that deepened his faith.