Kurozumi Munetada

(December 22, 1780 – 1850) was a Japanese Shintō priest and the founder of Kurozumikyō, one of the earliest Sect Shintō movements. After a period of illness and bereavement, he experienced a mystical union with the solar deity Amaterasu during the winter solstice of 1814. From 1815 onwards, he preached and performed divine healings throughout western Japan.

Biography Kurozumi was born in in , (in present-day Okayama Prefecture). He was the third son of Shinto priest of and later used the stylistic name . His health resumed, and he began preaching and performing divine healings. As a result, he gained many followers from various social classes.

Teachings and practices Kurozumi taught devotion to as the supreme source of life and light, expressed through gratitude, cheerful sincerity, and daily moral discipline. Practice centers on daily sunrise worship, called , and on cultivating a "bright heart" of thankfulness in ordinary life, as summarized in the 7-article ("principles of everyday household life").

Disciples and early followers Many of Kurozumi's early followers were from the samurai class. A cohort known as the "six high disciples" — , , , , , and — played major roles in spreading the religion and helping to systematize the movement. After the Meiji Restoration, the religious group received official recognition as in 1872 and as in 1876. Kurozumi's grandson served as the organization's first (director).

Munetada Shrines and religious headquarters Kurozumi Munetada is venerated at a few different major shrines. in , Kyoto (located just to the east of Kyoto University's main campus) was established in 1862 by disciples such as . It was designated the sole imperial by Emperor Kōmei in 1865. A second shrine, in the downtown area of Okayama (established 1885), stands near the founder's birthplace. Today, the headquarters of Kurozumikyō, where Kurozumi Munetada is also venerated, are located on in Okayama.