History JESUS BAND

[Introduction]

　With the contradictions of society depriving people of their right to a certain standard of living, with the gap between rich and poor widening, Toyohiko Kagawa was grieved by a gap between the reality and his own ideal as a theological student. He started engaging in missionary work standing by the roadside in Shin-Ikutagawa, Kobe. Subsequently, he became painfully aware of the helplessness of missionary work based only on compassion; when suffering a disease, catching a glimpse of the mortality himself, he determined to live in the regional community along with the people living there. This was the real moment when “Jesus Band” was established. It was in 1909 (Meiji 22) when Toshihiko Kagawa was 21 years old.

December 24	1909	Toyohiko Kagawa rented a 5-mat-room in Shin-Ikuta and commenced his missionary activities and charity work. The funding of the activities and the work was covered by his own scholarship, the fee for translation and manuscript, and wages as well as contributions from understanding insiders and outsiders involved in church.

December 27		A Christmas service took place in the saloon of Awaya (an expensive lodging house )

January 2	1910	The first chapel, or the rented 5-mat-room used as a houseand for engaging in missionary work (6-221 Kita Honmachi, Fukiai-ku, Kobe) was named “Kyureidan”.

April		Increased the number of his rented rooms and converted them to a 17-mat-saloon. Continued the activities of free lodging, free meals, and fostering children.

August		Took 80 children out for swimming in the ocean at Akashi.

October		Masaru Takeuchi paid a visit to “Kyureidan”. The young began to be engaged in the activities as assistants.

January	1911	The activities of continuation school, receiving the sick, and free dispensation of medicine were added to the existing ones.

November	1912	Opened a simple restaurant, “ Tengoku-ya” (closed after 3 months.)

May	1913	Toyohiko Kagawa married Haruko Shiba.

March	1914	Changed the appellation from “Kyureidan” to “Jesus Band”.

July		World War I broke out.

August		Toyohiko Kagawa went to the US to study. Masaru Takeuchi started living in the mission work place and succeeded Kagawa in his activities of “Jesus Band”

	1915	The younger generation including Masaru Takeuchi continued the activities.

	1917	Moved their mission work place to a two-story building with a totalfloorage of 15 tsubo (5-5 Azuma-dori, Fukiai-ku, Kobe).

May		Toyohiko Kagawa returned to Japan.

August		“Yuai Kyusaisho” was set up on the second floor of the building.

November		Taisho Toothbrush Factory was started (6-12 Higure-dori)

	1918	A children’s hall, Attaeruroi (phonetic) was established.

August		The rice riot escalated throughout the whole country.

July	1919	Gen Majima started up his practice and treatment in the “YuaiKyusaisho”.

		A branch of “Yuai Kyusaisho” was established in Ban-cho, Nagata-ku, Kobe and he started his practice.

October	1920	Toyohiko Kagawa published “Shisen-wo Koete”, or “Crossing the Verge of Death” (phonetic).

July	1922	An incorporated foundation, “Jesus Band” was founded with the authorization of the Home Minister. Toyohiko Kagawa became the first chairperson of the board.

September	1923	The Great Kanto Earthquake occurred. In order to engage in the rescue operation of the Great Kanto Earthquake, Toyohiko Kagawa set up his base of operations in Tokyo. The younger generations managed by Masaru Takeuchi remained and continued the activities in Kobe.