Ikurō Teshima

Quick Facts: Who was Ikurō Teshima?

Subject:

Ikurō Teshima

Known for:

Founder of the Makuya religious movement, deeply devoted to biblical prophecy and Zionism.

Born:

1910

Died:

1973-12-25

Century / Era:

1910s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Abraham Ikurō Teshima (手島アブラハム郁郎, Teshima Abraham Ikurō) (1910 – 24 December 1973) was the founder of the Makuya religious movement. A native of Kumamoto, Japan, he was baptized as a Protestant at the age of fifteen, and soon afterwards joined the Nonchurch Movement started by Uchimura Kanzō. Teshima was influenced by Uchimura's writings, studying under his disciple Tsukamoto Toraji and later joining the Nonchurch Movement. Other religious figures who made a great impact on Teshima's belief and religiosity include Toyohiko Kagawa, Sadhu Sundar Singh, and Martin Buber. Teshima served as a civilian employee in Korea and China during World War II, and returned to Kumamoto in 1945.

Career & Major Achievements

Two years later, a warrant was issued for his arrest after he opposed and obstructed the destruction of a local school building. He fled to Mount Aso in central Kyūshū, where he stayed in an inn for a long period, the place where he claims to have had a face-to-face encounter with God. Teshima returned home and discovered the warrant had been retracted. His experience at Mt. Aso compelled him to begin a life of ministry. He set up a Bible study group which quickly grew into a movement known as Genshi Fukuin Undo (lit., Original Gospel Movement), and then as Makuya.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

To grasp the inner truth of biblical religion, or the "Love of the Holy Spirit" as Teshima puts it, and to extol this existential love by embodying it, living accordingly was the essence of his religious life. Teshima died on Christmas Dawn in 1973. Teshima was fervently identified with the cause of Israel, conceiving the establishment of the State of Israel and the unification of Jerusalem as a fulfillment of biblical prophecies. His group, Makuya, has sent young members to a number of kibbutzim in Israel and made pilgrimages to Jerusalem. "Over [900] Makuya students have been sent to Israeli kibbutzim to work together with the people of the Bible, and to study Hebrew and the biblical background.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1910: Birth of Ikurō Teshima — Founder of the Makuya religious movement, deeply devoted to biblical prophecy and Zionism.
2. 1945: 1945 Milestone — Teshima served as a civilian employee in Korea and China during World War II, and returned to Kumamoto in 1945.
3. 1973 (1973-12-25): Passing & Historical Legacy — Ikurō Teshima passed away on 1973-12-25, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Ikurō Teshima

“Stay as long as you can and help Israel” (1967)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ikurō Teshima

True or False: “Teshima's initial ministry was founded after he fled to Mount Aso following an arrest warrant.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): He stayed in an inn on Mt. Aso where he claimed a face-to-face encounter with God, which compelled him to begin his life of ministry.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Ikurō Teshima