Tenko Nishida
About the Author
Nishida Tenko (西田天香, 1872–1968), known in English as Tenko-San, was the Japanese spiritual teacher who founded Ittoen in 1904. Born in Nagahama, Shiga, he sought a way of living without conflict over possessions. His teaching joined repentance and non-possession with takuhatsu: humble service offered without a fixed claim to payment. The practice included cleaning household toilets as an expression of humility and a commitment to peace.
His Zange no Seikatsu appeared in 1921. Selections from his writings reached English readers as A New Road to Ancient Truth, translated by Makoto Ohashi and Marie Beuzeville Byles.
Sources: Ittoen: history and founder; Ittoen publications.
Resources by Tenko Nishida
A New Road to Ancient Truth
A New Road to Ancient Truth presents the spiritual outlook and everyday practice of Ittoen through selections from the writings and talks of its founder, Tenko-San (Nishida Tenko). Through autobiographical episodes, conversations and practical examples, he explores a life of non-possession, gratitude and service. Central to the book are sange—repentance and self-examination—and takuhatsu, humble work offered without a fixed expectation of reward.
The chapters follow Ittoen’s beginnings and consider selfless treasure, desire for possessions, the expansion of the self, the arts, family relationships and the power of sange. Makoto Ohashi’s English translation was made in collaboration with Marie Beuzeville Byles, whose substantial introduction explains the community’s beliefs and daily life. Photographs, explanatory notes, an appendix by Ohashi and a glossary provide further context.
Edition: Horizon Press, New York, 1972 (first U.S. publication; © Kosenrin Foundation, 1969). ISBN 0-8180-1310-9. The author is credited on the title page as Ittoen Tenko-San.
Digital copy: EPUB is the default format and offers reflowable text, chapter navigation and linked notes. The PDF preserves the original 194-page library scan. Printed pages 56–57 are missing from the source scan and therefore from both formats. The gap occurs in Chapter 1; no replacement text has been added. An opening note in the EPUB explains this limitation.
Bibliographic reference: CiNii Books: Horizon Press edition.
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