Shinbashira (Tenrikyo)

For the central pillar of a Japanese pagoda, see Shinbashira.

In the Tenrikyo religion, the Shinbashira (真柱 "central pillar") refers to the "administrative and spiritual leader" of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters.^[1] The Constitution of Tenrikyo defines the position as "the one who governs Tenrikyo."^[2]

The fourth and current Shinbashira is Nakayama Zenji (中山善司), who has held the office since April 26, 1998.

List of Shinbashiras

• Nakayama Shinnosuke (中山眞之亮): Shinbashira from 1881 to 1914
• Nakayama Shōzen (中山正善): Shinbashira from 1915 to 1967
• Nakayama Zenye (中山善衞): Shinbashira from 1967 to 1998
• Nakayama Zenji (中山善司): Shinbashira from 1998 to present