Battling to keep his fever and acute bronchial pneumonia under control, Shin’ichi gave encouragement to Wakayama members in Dec 1969.

“What’s my temperature?” Shin’ichi asked.

“It’s dropped to 37.8°C (100°F),” the doctor replied.

Shin’ichi’s face lit up. “I can go to Wakayama then.”

“Mmm . . . ,” the doctor said doubtfully as he placed his stethoscope against Shin’ichi’s chest. His face clouded over. He could still hear abnormal sounds coming from the patient’s lungs. Lifting his head, he continued: “I can’t prevent you from going…”

A broad smile spread across Shin’ichi’s face: “That’s great!”

“Keep in mind, your minor improvement is barely being sustained by the antibiotics injections, and really you should be having complete bed rest.”

“I understand. I’ll be careful.”

But when the accompanying leaders heard update that Sensei is going, they were deeply concerned. They know that if he says he is going, you can bet he will. But he is pushing himself beyond his limits. Morita said, “Why don’t we ask him one more time to cancel his trip? As disciples, we cannot stand by and do nothing while sensei sacrifices his own well-being. I think we should say something, even if he scolds us for it.” So the leaders went to see Sensei and entreat him to stay in bed at least for today.

When Morikawa arrived, he said to Shin’ichi, who was still resting: “Sensei, I need to speak with you. Let me come right to the point. I entreat you to please stay in bed, at least for today.”

Shin’ichi sat up and fixed a steady gaze on Kazumasa Morikawa. In the next moment, his determined voice rang out: “Isn’t it the greatest honor as a Buddhist to die while in the midst of the struggle for kosen-rufu? I intend to keep going until I’ve used every last ounce of my strength. So let’s go to Wakayama!”