Tenrikyo offshoots (Honmichi, Honbushin)
Splinter movements from the parent Tenrikyo (Honmichi 1925, Honbushin 1961, others). Distinctive prophetic-succession claims and moderate-control patterns.
CLCI radar
BITE breakdown
0 — Tenrikyo splinter groups; moderate-low control with distinctive succession claims.
Profile facts
In context
Honmichi (founded by Onishi Aijiro 1925) and Honbushin (founded by Onishi Tama 1961) are the largest Tenrikyo splinter groups, both rooted in alternative prophetic-succession claims. Moderate-low control compared to NRMs; distinctive Japanese-religious devotional life.
Key control doctrines
- Alternative Tenrikyo prophetic succession
- Hereditary leadership
Recovery resources
See the full curated list at /resources.
Evidence by BITE axis
- Substantial donations expected
- Distinctive ritual practice
- Founder's writings authoritative
- Distinctive prophetic-succession framework
- Family pressure to maintain identity
Timeline
- 1925Honmichi splinter from Tenrikyo
- 1961Honbushin splinter
Sources
- Birgit Staemmler academic work search ↗
We cite sources by name and outlet rather than fabricating links. Where a source includes its own URL, the open ↗ link opens it directly; otherwise search ↗ runs a Google Scholar query for the cited title — useful for verifying academic sources. For news outlets, search the outlet's own archive.
Change history
Substantive edits logged per the score-updates policy.
- 2026-05-20Source-density flags derived from existing free-text sources[]: academic sources. Heuristic auto-flag; subsequent editorial pass will populate structuredSources[] with reliability tiers.
- 2026-05-20Score band scheme migrated from 4 bands to 5 (Minimal 0–5 / Low 6–12 / Moderate 13–20 / High 21–30 / Extreme 31–40). No CLCI value changed; the new Minimal band was carved out of the bottom of the previous Low band.
Relevant hubs
Curated entry points on CLCI Hub for situations connected to this group.
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Frequently asked questions
Q.Is Tenrikyo offshoots a cult?
CLCI Hub deliberately avoids the binary label "cult." Instead it places groups on a transparent 0–40 spectrum of documented control using Steven Hassan's BITE model (Behaviour, Information, Thought, Emotional). Tenrikyo offshoots scores 20 out of 40 — "Moderate Control", at low confidence. The score describes documented control patterns, not a judgement of members' sincerity or beliefs; many members do not personally experience the patterns listed.
Q.What is Tenrikyo offshoots's CLCI score?
Tenrikyo offshoots scores 20 out of 40 on the Cult-Like Control Index, which falls in the "Moderate" band. That total is the sum of four BITE axes — Behaviour 5, Information 5, Thought 5, Emotional 5 — plus a signed modifier of +0 for aggravating or mitigating factors.
Q.Why does Tenrikyo offshoots score 20 on the CLCI?
The score reflects publicly documented patterns including: Substantial donations expected; Distinctive succession-claim doctrines; Hereditary leadership. These map onto the BITE axes of behaviour, information, thought, and emotional control, and a signed modifier of +0 is applied for factors such as financial demands, leadership accountability, and exit costs. Every claim is backed by the citations in the Sources section on this page.
Q.How reliable is the Tenrikyo offshoots rating?
This profile is rated Low confidence. Low confidence means the available evidence is fragmented or largely anecdotal, so the score may change as more documentation emerges. CLCI scores are not fixed — they are revised whenever new public evidence appears, and groups that reform can score lower over time.
Q.Where can I get help regarding Tenrikyo offshoots?
If you or someone you care about is affected by Tenrikyo offshoots, start with the Recovery resources listed on this page. General cult-aware support is available from the International Cultic Studies Association (icsahome.com) and the Freedom of Mind Resource Center (freedomofmind.com). CLCI Hub is an educational resource, not a crisis service — if anyone is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services.
Found something wrong on this profile?
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