After his recovery, Bunji became a devoted believer and lived according to Kami’s wishes. On November 15, 1859, Bunji received a request (now referred to as the “Divine Call”) from Kami: “There are many people like yourself who have sincere faith in kamis but still have many problems. Help these people by performing Toritsugi (Mediation)” (Memoirs: 9:3.6). Bunji accepted this request and fully committed himself to performing Mediation at the Worship Hall of his home. This was the beginning of Konkokyo.

Many troubled people came to visit our Founder, but because he was a farmer, his new role as a Mediator went against the established norm since people belonged to a fixed social class. Though he received harsh criticisms, our Founder never wavered and his heart was always towards Kami.

From the shift of the Edo era to Meiji era, many changes occurred. In 1868, Kami allowed Bunji to have the divine title, Ikigami Konko Daijin. Moreover, he placed a banner in front of the Worship Hall that read “May there be peace throughout the world, prosperity in all countries, and safety for all people,” (Memoirs: 16:9.3) and prayed daily.

However in 1873, the Meiji government passed a law which said, “All exorcists, fortune tellers, necromancists and spiritualists lead others astray. Henceforth, such people are strictly forbidden to practice.” Because Konko Daijin did not have permission as a spiritualist, he was soon ordered to take down the Altar in his Worship Hall.