This is a true story of a boy who once died but he was born again to another family.
About 200 years ago, Atsutane Hirata (1776-1843), one of the greatest Japanese scholars, had interest on an afterlife.
Atsutane Hirata (1776-1843)
Hirata is conventionally ranked as one of the Four Great Men of Kokugaku (nativist) studies of Japan, and one of the most significant theologians of the Japanese Shinto religion.
Hirata had a great interest in the spirit world.
What will happen to us after death?
Thus, Hirata collected evidences of the spirit world from all over Japan.
On June 1823, Hirata published “Chronicle of the Rebirth of Katsugoro” based on his interviews with a boy, Katsugoro Koyata (1814-1869).
Katsugoro was a son of a farmer of Tama District, Musashi Province (in present-day Higashinakano, Hachioji city, Tokyo) Japan.
Amazingly, Katsugoro had a strange memory of his previous life before birth.
On November 1822, one night, Katsugoro said to his family,
Before birth, I was a child named Tozo of a family living in a Hodokubo village.
But when I was 6, I died from smallpox.
Then, Katsugoro told his family his amazing experiences after death to rebirth.
If you are interested in Katsugoro’s amazing confession about his rebirth, please click the link below.
After death, Katsugoto had an amazing after-death experience.
If you are interested in Katsugoro’s amazing after-death experience, please click the link below.
Then, after Katsugoro stayed in the another world for three years, he was reborn to another family.
If you are interested in Katsugoro’s amazing memory just before birth, please click the link below.
Here, I would like to introduce Katsugoro’s amazing reunion with the family of his previous life.
A Reincarnated Japanese Boy Wanted to Meet the Family of His Previous Life
In the former post, I introduced the story that Katsugoro’s family got a visit from the messenger of Hanshiro living in Hodokubo village.
According to Katsugoro, he had lived in Hodokubo village before birth and Hanshiro was his step father in his previous life.
After the visit of the messenger from Hodokubo village, Katsugoro cried every night.
In the next morning, his family asked Katsugoro why he cried last night.
But Katsugoro always said,
I don’t remember anything about last night.
Nevertheless, Katsugoro cried every night.
The grandmother could not just stand by, so she gave the parents a proposal that they should take Katsugoro to Hodokubo village.
She said to the parents.
Recently, Katsugoro cried every night.
I think it is because that he wants to see Hanshiro again.
To hear her proposal, the parents exchanged questioning looks half in doubt.
Katsugoro’s father, Genzo opposed the grandmother.
Do you believe Katsugoro’s story, mom?
Don’t take what 8-year-old boy says seriously!
There is no way Katsugoro was reborn.
I think that’s utter, complete nonsense!
The grandmother nodded.
I see your point.
Just as you said, Katsugoro’s story would not be true.
But he wants to meet Hanshiro’s family.
So, I will take him to Hanshiro’s house, though it may wind up with nothing.
Genzo was surprised to hear her words.
No! We shouldn’t do such a foolish thing!
If Katsugoro’s story proven to be false, we would become the laughingstock of the village!
Please don’t say something like that, mom!
However, the grandmother was so determined.
She said,
I understand what you mean, Genzo.
But you know, I’m too old and I may not have long to live.
So, even if the people in the village would laugh me for believing 8-year-old boy’s story, I don’t care about it at all.
In any case, I will take Katsugoro to Hanshiro’s house, because I want to fulfill my grandson’s wish.
Thus, finally, Genzou accepted his mother’s proposal.
Katsugoro Was Familiar With Hodokubo Village He Had Never Visited
On January 20, 1823, Katsugoro and his grandmother left for Hodokubo village.
Hodokubo village was located across a mountain from Nakano village where Katsugoro’s family lived.
The difference in elevation of the mountain is over 100 m (330 feet) and Hodokubo village was about 6 km (3.7 miles) away from the Katsugoro’s house.
Thus, it took well over an hour from the Katsugoro’s house to Hodokubo village on foot.
200 years ago in Japan, it was difficult for 8-year-old child to walk and back alone on the unpaved bumpy mountain road.
Thus, the grandmother took Katsurogo by the hand along the way.
After a while, they arrived in Hodokubo village.
It was their first visit to Hodokubo village.
Therefore, the grandmother did not have the slightest idea where Hanshiro’s house was.
She was at a loss about where to go.
Oh, my goodness!
I’m not uncertain about where to go.
If I knew this is going to happen, I should have asked that messenger where Hanshiro’s house is!
But, suddenly, Katsugoro walked ahead of her.
He said to the grandmother.
Grandma, follow me!
Then Katsugoro broke into a run.
So, the grandmother followed him.
Where’s Hanshiro’s house?
Is it around here?
No! It’s just up ahead!
Although Katsugoro visited Hodokubo village for the first time, he kept on going without getting lost, as if he had always been familiar with Hodokubo village.
I wonder why he doesn’t get lost.
Katsugoro really knows much around here!
Suddenly, Katsugoro stopped in front of a house.
Here!
This is Hanshiro’s house!
Katsugoro’s Reunion with the Family of His Previous Life
The grandmother looked carefully around the house.
By the way, well before they visit Hodokubo village, Katsurogo had told the grandmother the location of Hanshiro’s house as follows.
In Hodokubo village, there is a row of three houses.
Hanshiro’s house is the middle of the houses.
And from the back door of Hanshiro’s house, there is a road running to a mountain.
To her surprise, the location and layout of the Hanshiro’s house were exactly the same as what Katsugoro once said.
Oh, my goodness!
Why is such a miracle happening?
The grandmother was blown away by the curious coincidence.
Katsurogo dashed into the house.
So, the grandmother followed him and got into the house.
Hanshiro’s family answered the door.
After a brief introduction, the grandmother told them why she came to visit them.
Then, she asked them,
So, is this Mr. Hanshiro’s house?
A man answered with a smile.
Yes. My name is Hanshiro!
And she is my wife, Shizu.
Oh, you are Mr. Hanshiro and Ms. Shizu.
I’ve been hearing a lot about you from my grandson, Katsugoro.
Then, the grandmother and Katsugoro were shown to a room.
Hanshiro asked the grandmother,
I heard about your grandson, Katsugoro second hand before.
So, could you give us more details about the rebirth of Katsugoro?
The grandmother told them the details of amazing experiences of Katsugoro’s death and rebirth.
Hanshiro listened to her with a wondering look.
When the grandmother told him the Katsugoro’s disease and death, Hanshiro showed a rueful look and cried.
It seemed that Hanshiro’s was heartbroken at the loss of his stepson, Tozo.
According to Katsugoro, Hanshiro loved him so much in his previous life.
Katsugoro’s Amazing Memory about Hanshiro’s House
After the grandmother finished the Katsugoro’s story, Hanshiro gathered Katsugoro up in his arms.
Then he gave Katsugoro a long look.
He looks a lot like our deceased son, Tozo when he was 6 years old!
At that time, Katsugoro pointed at the roof of a cigar store opposite and said,
That cigar store had no roof before.
And that tree wasn’t there.
Hanshiro and his wife were surprised to hear Katsugoro’s words, because what he said was right.
Then, Katsurogo headed straight to the kitchen and sat down on the floor.
He pointed at a wall of the kitchen.
This wall was not here before.
Then did you put a door over there?
Hanshiro’s family was surprised to hear that.
How did you know that we renovate the kitchen?
Furthermore, Katsugoro looked around the house and pointed out how the layout of the house changed compared to when he lived there in his previous life.
What he said was consistent with the fact in every detail.
It’s unbelievable!
He knows everything about our house.
I wonder why he knows even the structure of our house before he was born.
Hanshiro’s family was amazed at Katsugoro’s memory of their house.
Katsugoro Had the Same Face and Voice as the Deceased Child, Tozo
Just then, Hanshiro’s relatives got together in the house.
Among them was a sister of Kyubei.
According to Katsugoro, Kyubei was his birth father in his previous life.
When the sister of Kyubei looked at Katsugoro in the face, she gave a shout of surprise.
Oh, my goodness!
He reminds me of my brother!
Then she just broke down and cried.
Hanshiro’s wife also was surprised to look at Katsugoro.
Oh, you have the exact same face and voice as my deceased son, Tozo.
So, you must be Tozo!
Tozo came back to our house!
She said nostalgically and snuggled up to Katsugoro.
Then, Katugoro said to Hanshiro’s wife.
You are my mom!
I’m your son, Tozo!
Mom, now I’m back and home!
In the Hirata’s book “Chronicle of the Rebirth of Katsugoro,” is written that Hanshiro’s family finally recognized that Katsugoro was really their deceased son, Tozo.
This amazing story is based on an official record certified by the Japanese government.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Someday, you may have unexpected visitors.
When you open the door, you see a strange old man and a middle aged woman standing at the door.
The old man speaks to you,
Excuse us.
Is your son in?
You ask the unexpected visitors in puzzlement.
Who…Who are you?
What’s your relationship with my son?
The old man responds politely.
I’m sorry, I’ve realized we haven’t properly introduced ourselves.
My name is XX.
And she is my wife.
The woman gave you a nod without saying anything.
So, you have a sense of foreboding.
Did…Did my son do anything wrong to you?
The old man shook his head.
No, he did not anything wrong.
But we have to tell you important things.
Then, the old man put a grave look on his face.
Let me get straight to the point.
Actually, your son is the reincarnation of our deceased son!
Huh?
What do you mean?
You become puzzled by the unexpected words.
Thus, the old man explains to you.
Please allow me to explain the details.
Our son died six years ago.
But he was reborn to your family.
So, we came over to adopt your son.
Then the old man look over your shoulder at inside your house.
By the way, where’s your son?
We are looking for him.
Then you feel a growing frustration by that unreasonable development.
At last, you scream out of anger.
Hold it right there!
What are you saying?
My son is your deceased son?
I can’t believe it!
You’re crazy!
Get out of here!
I’ll call the police!
Suddenly, you hear your son’s voice behind.
Don’t worry, dad!
They are not shady, because we know each other.
You are surprised to hear unexpected words from your son.
So, you ask your son.
Do you know those crazy guys?
What’s your relationship with them?
Who are they?
Your son exchanges looks with the old man and the woman for a while.
Then he gives you a smile and say,
Dad, let me introduce you to Mr. and Ms. XX!
To tell the truth, they are my dad and mom in my previous life.
Before I was born to your family, I had lived with them as their son.
So, you are the second dad for me!
And then, you will hear from your son the shocking truth of his rebirth, just like Katsugoro!
Published on June 16, 2019
Written by OTAKUPAPA
References
- Hirata Atsutane (June 1823). “Chronicle of the Rebirth of Katsugoro“
- Hino City Local Museum (2015-2018). “The Story of Rebirth of Katsutoro“
- Katsugoro Koyata in Wikipedia.
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