Weekly Schedule Vol. 0810
LA Dojo Weekly Schedule
Aug 11th (Mon) – Aug 17th (Sun)
Schedule Overview
Aug 11th (Mon) CLOSED
Aug 12th (Tue) 12 PM-6 PM
Aug 13th (Wed) 10 AM-6 PM
Aug 14th (Thu) 12 PM-8 PM
Aug 15th (Fri) 10 AM – 6 PM
Aug 16th (Sat) 10 AM-6 PM
Aug 17th (Sun) 10 AM-6 PM
– Goseigen Study Class in JP 11 AM
Exclusive Interview with the Third Oshienushi-sama
About the Oshienushi-sama
Without further delay, let me ask you this: many Kamikumites are eager to learn about you personally. May I ask how you view your own strengths and weaknesses?
My strength would be my ability to concentrate. Ever since I was a child, I had a strong focus. Concentration played a crucial role in my studies and even in exams. That’s why I excelled academically.
On the other hand, I’m quite short-tempered. When I see people dawdling, I can’t help but want to give them a whack on the head (Laughs)
I see… I can somehow imagine that (Laughs)
Are there traits from your childhood that remain unchanged today?
Since I was a child, I’ve always thrown myself wholeheartedly into things I’m passionate about. But when it came to things I didn’t enjoy, I’d quit immediately. That hasn’t changed at all. Truly, I don’t do what I dislike. I only do what I enjoy. (Laughs)
So, does that mean the work you’re doing now is something you genuinely enjoy?
Exactly. I’m doing this because I love it. For example, I didn’t like running the family’s transport business, so I quit immediately.
Really? That ‘s surprising!?
Since I didn’t want to do it, I quickly handed the business over to my son and others. (Laughs)
That’s unexpected! Despite encountering crises like the oil shock and the bubble economy collapse of Japan, you have consistently overcome challenges and achieved remarkable success in your career. That doesn’t align with how you describe yourself!
May I ask if there is someone who has had a significant influence on your life?
Yes. My desire to study in the U.S. was influenced by the founder of Kaisei Academy, Korekiyo Takahashi. He was a former Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Japanese government who studied in the U.S. during the late Edo period. His story greatly inspired me.
Also, Yukichi Fukuzawa, the founder of Keio University, influenced me deeply. I’ve definitely been influenced by these kinds of people.
Did the philosophies or personalities of these founders have a strong influence on the character of their schools, Kaisei Academy and Keio University?
Absolutely. Both schools were institutions with very distinct characteristics right from the beginning.
Did you have a similar vision when you established Yoko Academy?
My goal was to create an educational system that focuses on nurturing individual talents. People will put their heart and soul into what they love but won’t dedicate themselves to things they dislike. (Laughs)
When someone passionately pursues their interests and talents, they grow tremendously. That’s why it’s important to identify each person’s unique qualities and provide education tailored to them.
Education exists to enhance a person’s character. It should focus on self-reliance, coexistence, altruistic love, and independence, fostering individuals who contribute to society throughout their lives. To achieve this, we must first recognize each individual’s strengths and guide them toward an education that matches their character.
By nurturing character and abilities together, we can cultivate people who possess both a high moral compass and the capacity to make significant contributions to society.
In today’s large, standardized schools, it’s difficult to uncover the unique qualities of each student. This is why I envisioned a boarding school with a small class size.
Looking at the 65th Grand Anniversary Festival in 2024, I feel proud to see the active participation of children from Yoko High School’s first and second graduating classes, who have been nurtured through an education that emphasizes the development of individuality. Additionally, the Youth Division has worked together with them to organize this grand event. Each individual has their own unique qualities, but when those qualities come together, they create incredible power. When many unique individuals unite, they achieve great things.
The 65th Anniversary Festival was indeed unique, innovative, and deeply moving. It seems that your philosophy of education and youth development is already having a significant impact on the organization.
What are some literary works that you personally enjoy or would recommend to the Youth Division or fellow Kamikumites?
One novel that I highly recommend, particularly during this era of dramatic change, is Toson Shimazaki’s Before the Dawn.
The novel portrays the turbulent period surrounding the Meiji Restoration, using Toson’s father as the model for its protagonist. It depicts how the protagonist, born in the mountains of Kisoji in Shinshu, becomes acutely aware of the dramatic societal changes, dedicates himself to learning, and wrestles with the gap between his ideals and the harsh realities of the world.
Even in the quiet mountains, events like Perry’s arrival in Japan during the end of the Edo period and the upheaval of the Meiji Restoration had a profound impact. The protagonist is portrayed as someone who strives to stay ahead of the times despite being in a remote location.
We are living in similarly turbulent times today. I believe this novel is a masterpiece, and since it’s a story I truly love, I highly recommend it to everyone.
We will definitely feature this book as a recommended reading in Mahikari Magazine. Moving on, is there a particular foreign culture that interests you the most?
That would be Chinese culture. Chinese culture has been influenced in various ways by Europe and has deep connections with global culture. Within that context, the development of Chinese ceramics and Chinese paintings both of which we are currently promoting through the cultural activities of our organization—has taken place.
These art forms have had a significant impact on Japanese ceramics and painting as well, which is why I find them so fascinating. That’s why I even went so far as to establish a museum. (Laughs)
The books I’ve published introducing various artworks are valuable resources for understanding Chinese history and culture. For example, Luzon Jar and the Age of Exploration provides insight into how Japan and Asia were influenced by Europe’s Age of Exploration. As an introduction to Chinese culture, I highly recommend it.
When we talk about foreign cultures today, it ultimately comes down to America and China. But to truly understand them, one must study their history, culture, and religion.
I see. We will certainly recommend books related to art that you have highlighted. Then, may I ask if there are any words or phrases that you hold dear in your life?
I would say “Reverence for God and respect for ancestors.” Through my life experiences and reflections, I have come to realize that this principle encapsulates the essence of living as a human being and as a Japanese.
In the context of business, I am also deeply inspired by the Second Oshienushi-sama’s words: “The true profit comes from the conclusion.” These words capture the essence of modern business theory.
So, after experiencing so many things, your life has ultimately led you to those words. Since I’ve heard them many times, they had become almost second nature to me. However, I now realize their profound meaning and deeply reflect on that. We will cherish them once again.
Now, if you were to name the most significant memory of your life so far, what would it be?
That would undoubtedly be the Tokyo Air Raid on March 10, 1945, during World War II. At the time, my grandfather ran a horse carriage business in Ojima, Koto Ward. In America, cars were already common, and the Second Oshienushi-sama often argued with my grandfather, saying “Horse-drawn carriages are outdated. It’s the age of automobiles.” But my grandfather was deeply attached to his horse carriage business.
My grandfather often spoke about how he pulled General Nogi’s carriage to the frontlines during the Battle of 203 Hill in the Russo-Japanese War, even under heavy machine-gun fire. He was immensely proud of his service to General Nogi, who later committed ritual suicide with his wife following the death of Emperor Meiji. In the will written at that time, it was stated, ‘Three horses shall be bestowed upon Suekichi Sekiguchi, ‘ and so he received the horses. Since they were military horses capable of pulling heavy loads, my grandfather started a carriage business using them, which became the foundation of our family’s trade. He took immense pride in having served General Nogi throughout his life, and because the business was started with those horses, he cherished it deeply.
On the night before March 10th, I think it was past 10 PM when the air raid siren went off. Everyone rushed to the air-raid shelters, but during the first wave, no bombs were dropped. Instead, black rain started falling. Eventually, all the B-29s disappeared, and everyone felt relieved. But it turned out that what we thought was black rain was actually oil.
During the second wave, incendiary bombs were dropped onto the oil-soaked city. These bombs scattered like fireworks before igniting, turning the entire area into a sea of fire. The flames spread rapidly, fueled by the oil. It was horrific.
People didn’t die from the explosions themselves but from the fires that engulfed the city. Survival depended on how one chose to escape. My grandfather, being in the carriage business, knew the best escape routes. He led the family along Onagigawa River toward Arakawa River. Those who fled to Sumida River instead all perished. People jumped into the river to escape the flames, but the water had turned into boiling hot soup, killing everyone. It was an absolutely horrific scene.
Somehow, our entire family survived, and the next day, we went to check on our house.
The whole town was filled with burned bodies. Near the Keiyo Road intersection by Kameido Station, people had fled from all directions, only to get trapped with no way to move. Then the fire reached them, and the intersection became a pile of charred corpses. They were burned completely black, unrecognizable. There were so many that after a while, even seeing human remains didn’t stir any feelings anymore.
When we reached our home, everything was gone. The house, the stables, and even our beloved horses were burned to ashes. Seeing the horses that had lived with us lying dead broke my heart. I didn’t shed a tear for the human corpses I saw, but I couldn’t stop crying for our horses. It was a strange feeling.
The “Baptism of Fire” was truly overwhelming. You can’t understand an air raid unless you’ve lived through one. They say 100,000 people died in Tokyo, but in reality, it was probably closer to 200,000.
Thinking about that, Hiroshima and Nagasaki must have been even more horrific. In Tokyo, the casualties were spread over a vast area, but in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a single bomb wiped out 80,000 in Nagasaki and 100,000 in Hiroshima within an instant, in a much smaller space than Tokyo.
If Japan had refused to surrender and insisted on ‘fighting to the bitter end, they probably would have dropped one on Tokyo too.
If I had to name the biggest turning point in my life, this experience would undoubtedly be the most significant memory.
Experiencing the “Baptism of Fire” firsthand must have been life-changing. For young people today, reflecting on the tragedy of war is crucial as they prepare to build the next era.
What values or beliefs are non-negotiable for you when it comes to your Divine Service or business?
The ability to discern whether something is logically correct or not has always been my guiding principle. It’s essential to scrutinize the foundation of any idea or theory, ensuring it is rational and provable.
Once I determine that something is correct, I follow that path without hesitation, doubt, or giving up.
I’ve heard that even during the bubble economy, when many were chasing profit recklessly, you never strayed from your principles.
Exactly. For instance, in the transport business, if prices are the same, the key becomes the quality of service—whether it’s punctuality, safety, or comfort. That requires good vehicles and skilled drivers. Without these, the business cannot thrive. I built my own theories over time, ensuring they were sound and actionable. I applied
these principles without wavering.
So, you emphasize adhering to the basics and executing them flawlessly.
Also, in business, you must be selective about your customers.
Selective?
Yes, not all customers are good customers. For instance, in the taxi business, we used radios to know who the customers were and where they were going before picking them up. This helped ensure we attracted the right kind of clientele.
We even pioneered the use of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) vehicles in Japan after I saw their effectiveness in America. It was an entirely logical choice, even though no one in Japan knew about LPG at the time. We built the country’s first LPG stations, which helped increase profits.
When I inherited part of the family taxi business, I chose to manage the smaller, 60- car operation in Chiba rather than the larger, 180-car business in Tokyo. My decision was based on market share, not fleet size.
In Tokyo, our 180 cars were just a small part of a 30,000-car industry. In Chiba, with only 800 taxis total, our 60 cars gave us significant influence. Today, our Chiba operation has grown to over 1,000 cars and has become the largest in the area. This demonstrates how sticking to sound logic can lead to success.
That is truly impressive. Your adherence to sound principles and refusal to waver is evident in everything you do. This must be the foundation of your famous phrase, “Never hesitate, never give up.” Thank you for sharing this insight.
Mioya Moto Su Mahikari Ohomikami-sama, Oshienushi-sama,
I am pleased to share my Thanksgiving report on the splendid day of the 66th Grand Anniversary Festival.
To Su-God, I give the highest glory and my deepest gratitude for the wonderful 77 years of my life, during which I have been blessed to walk alongside the Art of Divine Light. This Divine Art is the greatest gift God has bestowed upon me and my family!
If I were to summarize my more than seven decades of life, it would be three folds:
- Love for God and Strong Desire to Serve Him
- The Practice of the Art of Divine Light and Guiding Others
- The Heart of service in assisting with the fulfillment of the Divine Plan
Love for God and Strong Desire to Serve Him
From the age of five, my love for God was apparent. I was attracted to tag with my mother in prayer groups, church activities, anything about God. At age 12, my dream was to become a Catholic Nun, a vocation to serve God and others for life!
Though my vocation to become a nun changed when I met my husband, and we got married, and the thought that we, as family serving God made me happier!
By the time I was approaching forty, we reached the peak of our family life! We are happy as family, my husband and three young children, living in a comfortable home, successful job career, active in church and social activities.
However, despite our loving and happy environment, there was still a feeling of emptiness. We attended various religious services, but it wasn’t until my husband’s cousin, introduced us to the Art of Divine Light, that we found what was missing.
After my first session with Divine Light, I felt so attracted and delighted. Each session of Divine Light brought joy and happiness, and was filling up the emptiness in my heart! After attending the Basic Seminar, I vowed “Whatever I learned in these Three days, that I never learned in my 40 years of life, I will continue to serve God with all my heart! “
The Practice of the Art of Divine Light and Guiding Others
The next morning after receiving the Divine Pendant, I woke up to a new world!
It was the same world, yet, it felt different! Everything seemed pink, the symbol of love! the beautiful gardens, all the trees, and even the houses in the
neighborhoods, all radiated Love in its highest sense! I felt God’s Presence and Love in Mother Nature. That was my first miracle!
Through my experience as a nurse, I have responded to various emergencies, and I have witnessed patients recover remarkably quickly after I gave them Divine Light. These experiences have given me confidence and further strengthened my determination to practice Divine Light.
Through this practice, I have witnessed numerous miracles, such as when a patient complained of pain in her right foot, and the pain vanished in just two minutes, or when a stroke patient, left with aftereffects, made a miraculous recovery. These experiences have shown me that sharing Divine Light is a way to fulfill God’s expectations, and I make sure to practice it with the utmost care, never wasting a precious opportunity given by God.
At first, my husband hesitated to attend the Basic Seminar, but when our two- year-old granddaughter hit her head and developed a wound, the power of Divine Light healed it within five minutes and stopped the bleeding. This miracle led my husband to attend the seminar, and he soon became actively engaged in practicing Divine Light. Our youngest daughter received daily purification, and overcame asthma. The children’s injuries and toothaches were also healed through Divine Light, and they eagerly looked forward to attending the seminar when they turned ten.
Our greatest miracles were overcoming my husband’s coronary artery disease, 60-70% blockage of one of his main arteries—and my breast tumor cleansing!
No open-heart surgery or angioplasty was indicated since the blockage extended end to end. Thanks to the practice of the Art of Divine Light, our young children took turns giving him Divine Light every morning and then we would
all exchange Divine Light in the evening! After one year of follow up for his coronary heart disease, his heart test came back normal!
Our cardiologist was baffled; normally, such heart condition worsen over time, and he thought miraculous new coronary pathway must have developed for the cardiac test, to come back normal. Since his diagnosis in 1994, my husband has never been hospitalized! We have been practicing three Pillars of Truthfulness: receiving, giving, and dedicating Truthfulness! Today, 30 years after his diagnosis, my husband has turned 90 in June 2025, still strong for his
age walking, driving, and traveling. We are deeply grateful to Su-God for this!
Due to a tumor in my breast, I experienced weight loss, reduced stamina, and developed lymph nodes in my neck. The doctor indicated it was a warning sign of cancer. Having worked as a nurse for many years, I understand the importance of modern medicine. However, I have realized that medication is only a symptomatic treatment and does not address the root cause, and that side effects can lead to further chronic conditions.
I have learned that diseases, poverty, and suffering occur to cleanse the impurities accumulated in our souls, as part of God’s great love. Through breast cancer, I became aware of my own spiritual impurities and karma; and felt that God was guiding me to become a clearer soul. Every day, I sincerely apologized to God for my spiritual impurities. My family, having witnessed the miracles of Divine Light, listened to my thoughts and respected my decision. With the support of my family, I decided that I would not undergo surgery or chemotherapy, but would practice Divine Light instead.
However, thinking of my family, I felt very anxious. I cried and prayed to God in front of the Altar, worried about my young children! I felt God’s Presence embracing me, as if saying, “Do not worry, I will be always with you and your children. “! It was a blissful moment, and I felt at peace, filled with deep gratitude! After one month of daily Divine Light and Divine Service, all my symptoms disappeared!
We are taught that “A soul who has a Divine relationship saves others souls, who
also have a Divine relationship,” and through the Divine Light practice, I have witnessed numerous miracles. I am moved by a deep desire to share this beautiful work of salvation, driven by my love for God, family, friends, and colleagues. Through various experiences, I have come to realize that it is not me, but God who guides others, and that I should entrust all results to Him. Since then, I have found deeper joy and peace by serving God and others, without seeking anything in return, simply through prayer and offering Divine Light.
The Heart of service in assisting with the fulfillment of the Divine Plan
Expanding the Divine Light and Teachings, and enshrining Goshintai in my hometown in the Philippines, have been my lifelong dream! I have always felt that the highest form of service I could offer to God, is through the practice of the Art of Divine Light and assisting in the fulfillment of the Divine Plan.
Each time I visit the Philippines, I give Divine Light to 10 up to 13 family members daily! Over time, with help of the Baguio Kamikumites, we were allowed to guide 5 family members.
In 2018, a strong urge to visit my dying cousin led to a Divine Arrangement. She asked me to give her Divine Light from America! On that urgent visit, I decided to build a room for Divine Light on my vacant property in the Philippines!
Director of Baguio Center mentioned plans to reopen a Contact Branch in Quezon City!
To support this, I offered the building for this purpose, which, to our delight, was approved by Oshienushi-sama!
The Quezon City Contact Branch opened in March 2019, just before the pandemic lockdowns, marking perfect timing and Divine Arrangement!
My brother, a Kamikumite, managed the construction beautifully with great care and skill in my absence! God has been blessing him with good health, despite his health challenges. He turned 91 this year, still strong with a sharp mind. This is
all thanks to his daily practice of Divine Light and Divine Service in managing the construction of the Quezon City Contact Branch! Su-God has been blessing him and his family, for which, I am deeply grateful! I pray that Quezon City Contact Branch will have a full time Doshi for further expansion!
In America, our permanent home, expanding the Divine Light and Teachings has become my husband’s and my priority! Our home with Goshintai became a temporary spiritual center! Our home was open for divine light activities every day for three years! Our goal was to practice Divine Light with each member, and share Oshienushi-sama’s monthly teachings! Our membership grew to 20 Kamikumites, and we prayed for a permanent Divine Light Center! The Doshi guided us, saying “Su-God will allow humanity to build Su-za on the land where human spirits are purified and spiritual clouds have vanished.”! He searched for places in Chicago where major disasters had occurred and identified three.
We held a ceremony for consoling the spirits of those who died in these disasters. We have been transmitting the Divine Light, starting from our home in Chicago, expanding throughout the city, and ultimately spreading across the world.
In March 2020, the Chicago Contact Branch opened. With deep gratitude to Su- God and Oshienushi-sama, we witnessed this great blessing. Soon after, I was appointed as director and began serving God in this role.
Few days after its Inauguration, America went into lockdown due to the COVID- 19 pandemic! Another perfect timing! The Chicago Contact Branch has been the Pillar of Divine Light and the contact point for all our activities and expansion efforts during the pandemic! We thank God for the Divine Light, Guidance, and Protection that helped us overcome the severe cleansing humankind had ever experienced. This year, 2025, marked the 5th Anniversary of Chicago Contact Branch! From the initial opening, we have doubled our membership, and we are now just one step away from upgrading to a dojo.
Looking back, I wasn’t able to become a Catholic nun, but through God’s guidance, I have been able to serve God in the role of Director, through
divine work, and serve others through my work as a nurse. The dream I had as a child has now become a reality! This dream has now turned into a new goal: to serve God with my loved ones, which has become the driving force in my life and the light of my life.
Additionally, I am proud that our children and grandchildren have been granted the Divine Pendant and are actively serving at the contact branch. The path we have walked together with God, as three generations of Kamikumites, will be passed down to our children, grandchildren, and future generations, and I am confident their lives will shine brightly.
Our goals are as follows:
- Expansion of Divine Light and Teachings – To promote the Chicago Contact Branch to a Dojo this year.
- Nurturing members – To help members become genuine Kamikumites.
- Nurturing our youths – To nurture our young people and pass the torch of expanding the Divine Light and Teachings in the Midwest region of America.
Oshienushi-sama, thank you for leading us powerfully on the sacred path. Thank you for allowing us to serve through the practice of the Art of Divine Light and the Righteous Laws of the Universe!
In our retirement, my husband and I have nothing in our hearts but love, gratitude, joy, peace, happiness, and a heart dedicated to serve for the expansion of Divine Light and Teachings, in order to help accomplish the Divine Plan.
Mioya Moto Su Mahikari Ohomikami-sama, Oshienushi-sama, thank you very much for your blessings today.
Representing All Kamikumites,
Estelita L Mesina, from Chicago Contact Branch
United States-Canada Guidance Division