Honmichi (Tenrikyo offshoot, Onishi Aijirō)
Tenrikyo schism organised by Onishi Aijirō in 1925 (and twice suppressed for lèse-majesté in 1928 and 1938) on the basis of the living-Kanrodai revelation. ~300,000 adherents at peak; today substantially smaller.
CLCI radar
BITE breakdown
0 — Tenrikyo schism (1913→1925) suppressed twice under Imperial Japan for lèse-majesté; living-Kanrodai doctrine.
In context
Onishi Aijirō broke from Tenrikyo in 1913 and formally organised Honmichi ('Original Way') in 1925. The movement criticised the Imperial system, was prosecuted twice under the Peace Preservation Law (1928 and 1938) for lèse-majesté, and recovered after the 1945 disestablishment. Doctrine combines Tenrikyo cosmology with the living-Kanrodai pillar claim. Honbushin (separate entry) later split from Honmichi over succession.
Lifton's 8 criteria of thought reform
Robert Jay Lifton's 1961 framework, complementary to BITE. Criteria this group exhibits according to the cited sources.
- Milieu ControlRestricting communication and information so the group controls what members see, hear, and discuss.
- Sacred ScienceThe group's doctrine is presented as the absolute, unquestionable truth — beyond critique.
- Doctrine Over PersonPersonal experience or memory is overridden when it conflicts with the group's narrative.
- Mystical ManipulationEngineering experiences that appear spontaneous but are designed to demonstrate the group's higher purpose.
This profile is in progress — history, deeper BITE evidence and survivor voices are still being added. Contributions welcome via GitHub.
Timeline
- 1913Onishi begins living-Kanrodai teaching
- 1925Honmichi formally organised
- 1928First state suppression
- 1938Second state suppression
- 1945Reorganises after the war
Sources
- Trevor Astley, 'A New Religious Movement in Japan: Honmichi' (1995)
- Helen Hardacre academic work
We cite sources by name and outlet rather than fabricating links. Search the source title plus the group name to find the original.