Special Exhibition at Kokugakuin University Museum (May 2026)

Special Exhibition at Kokugakuin University Museum

Kurozumi Munemichi, the Seventh Chief Patriarch

May 2026 

In the February issue, I contributed to Michigokoro under the title “A Year to Set a Ten-Year Plan.” This year marks three milestones: the 180th anniversary of our organization’s founding, the 170th anniversary of the bestowal of the title Daimyōjin 大明神 (literally a “Great Bright God,” the highest divine title bestowed by the pre-modern emperors of Japan) to Munetada the Divine Founder by Emperor Kōmei, and the 150th anniversary of our independence as a separate sect. To commemorate these occasions, a special exhibition entitled Denominational Shinto and Prayer: Kurozumitkyō in the Late Edo Period is being held at the Kokugakuin University Museum (within Kokugakuin University, Shibuya, Tokyo) from Tuesday, April 28 to Sunday, June 7 (closed May 11–22). 

Each year, the university hosts a “Shinto Lecture Series,” accompanied by a collaborative exhibition organized by the various Sect Shinto groups. This year, however, the focus is on our tradition, and so I would like to take this opportunity to offer some guidance and reflections on the exhibits.

(1) The Regulations of Kōka 3 (Kōka Sannen Osadamegaki)

“The Regulations of Kōka 3 (Kōka Sannen Osadamegaki),” issued in the fourth month of Kōka 3 (1846) —also a year of Hinoe Uma 丙午 (the Fire Horse) like this year—were the first rules of Kurozumikyō, established by nine Disciples’ Stewards. Beginning with Article One, which declared ‘Faith comes first,’ the six articles set out basic principles such as the duties of substitute lecturers, the handling of sacred talismans, and the conduct expected of followers. Remarkably, the composition of the Disciples’ Stewards—two samurai, two merchants, two farmers, one dyer, one tile-maker, and one fisherman—reveals a democratic spirit unusual for the Edo period, reflecting the core teaching that ‘all people are children of the gods, equally endowed with a portion of Amaterasu Ōmikami’s spirit.’ Centered on these officials, the first Daikyōden 大教殿 (the Main Shrine, today’s Founder Memorial Hall) was proposed in the eleventh month of the same year and completed two years later. In the second month of Kaei 3 (1850), two years after its completion, Divine Munetada passed away and was enshrined as a god. This document thus stands as vital evidence that the organization formally took shape during his final years.” 

(2) “Munetada Daimyōjin,” Calligraphy by Regent Kujō Hisatada

The large calligraphy scroll reading ‘Munetada Daimyōjin 宗忠大明神,’ written by Court Regent Kujō Hisatada in the late Edo period, is a historic piece symbolizing the high reverence for the Divine Founder as a national divine guardian. Kujō, the father of Empress Dowager Eishō (formerly Empress Kōmei’s consort Asako), was a devoted believer in Kurozumikyō. He played a central role in securing the imperial bestowal of the title “Munetada Daimyōjin,” the enshrinement of Divine Munetada at Kaguraoka Munetada Shrine 神楽岡宗忠神社, and its designation as an imperial prayer site. His faith was deepened when Lady Asako experienced miraculous healing through the fervent prayers of High Disciple Akagi Tadaharu. This unwavering devotion to Amaterasu Ōmikami, the Divine Parent of Heaven and Earth, and to the Divine Founder Munetada as one with Amaterasu Ōmikami, led to High Disciple Akagi being granted the opportunity to preach before Emperor Kōmei. It also influenced many noble families, including Regent Nijō Narinaga, who later copied and dedicated the Founder’s sacred poem at the shrine’s enshrinement.

(3) Court Noble Sanjō Sanetomi’s “On Divine Pledge”

This is a declaration of faith (shinmon 神文 or a divine pledge) offered in 1862, at the time of the enshrinement of Munetada Daimyōjin at Kaguraoka Munetada Shrine, by Court Noble Sanetomi Sanjō, a leading statesman of the late Edo period and one of the key figures of the Meiji Restoration. In this youthful pledge, Prince Sanjo Sanetomi affirmed his devotion to the teaching that heaven and earth are united in one heart, and resolved to practice faith with sincerity. The scroll is of great historical value, as it demonstrates how this spirit of faith spread among the Restoration activists who upheld reverence for the emperor above all. That Prince Sanetomi, together with Regents Kujō Hisatada and Nijō Narinaga, all expressed deep reverence for Munetada Daimyōjin shows that the Founder’s teaching was recognized as a universal truth, transcending the political ideologies of the time.

(4) Divine Munetada’s Calligraphy “Tenshin 天心”

This scroll, written in 1846 by Munetada the Divine Founder himself, bears the phrase Tenshin 天心 (“Heavenly Heart”). The term refers to a pure and radiant mind united with the heart of Amaterasu Ōmikami, the Divine Parent of all things—a true heart free of falsehood and a state of trustful surrender beyond selfish attachment. It can be seen as the Divine Founder’s final-year, one‑word expression of the essence of his faith, conveying both his unshakable conviction in the unity of deity and humanity and his cheerful spiritual outlook. Though to the untrained eye the writing may appear as artless as a child’s hand, specialists recognize it as one of Divine Munetada’s representative works.

(5) Divine Munetada’s Calligraphy “The Seven Articles of Admonitions”

Originally composed by Divine Munetada as guidance for himself, the seven articles of admonitions were later shared with his disciples at their request. They set out practical rules for living each day with brightness and positivity: to value faith, avoid complaint, anger, arrogance, or servility, and to walk the way of becoming truly human with gratitude and sincerity. This teaching is one of the most representative of Kurozumikyō. Among the Founder’s surviving autograph writings, the “Seven Admonitions” are the most numerous, and the piece on display is said to date from Kōka 3 (1846).

 (6) Shintō Priest License

This priestly license was granted to Divine Munetada by the Yoshida family in Kyoto on March 20, 1824. With it, he formally succeeded to the office of negi 禰宜 (senior priest) at Imamura Shrine 今村宮 in Bizen Province, a position held by his family for generations, and adopted the name “Kurozumi Sakyo Fujiwara Munetada 黒住左京藤原宗忠” (having previously been called Ugenji 右源次). This document marks the moment when Divine Munetada established his official religious standing and set out with renewed resolve, making it one of the most important records in the history of the movement.

Munetada’s own travel notes from this visit survive under the title of “The Notes from the Pilgrimage to Ise Jingu.” In one passage he records: “First I worshiped at the sacred site of Yoshida Shrine, where the gods of the sixty-odd provinces of Japan are enshrined, and from there I proceeded to Shinnyodō and Kurodani…” Today, the route from Yoshida Shrine and its Great Original Shrine to Shinnyodō and Kurodani passes by Kaguraoka Munetada Shrine 神楽岡宗忠神社. It is deeply moving to realize that thirty‑eight years before his own enshrinement there, Munetada himself walked through the very grounds where he would later be revered as a god.

(7) Sangen Sangyō Sanmyō Kaji

This is a prayer talisman written by the Divine Founder in the late Edo period, reflecting the tradition of Yoshida Shintō. It shows how the Divine Founder would, on various occasions, offer deep prayers and perform rites of blessing and intercession for followers and devotees. Because this special exhibition focuses on “Denominational Shintō and Prayer,” the piece is displayed alongside the “Shintō Priest License” as important evidence that the Kurozumi family valued and carried forward the Yoshida Shintō tradition.

Although only a limited number of items are on display, they can be viewed by anyone during the exhibition period. I would be grateful if you could share this information especially with those living in the Tokyo metropolitan area. In addition, on June 4 (Thursday) and June 5 (Friday), the 26th Shintō Lecture Series will be held. On the 4th, I will give a one‑hour lecture. For those interested, please contact the Kurozumikyō Academy. 

The original Japanese version: 國學院大學博物館での特別展示