Saichiro Fujita
Encyclopedia
Saichiro Fujita a native of Yamaguchi Prefecture
, was the second Japanese to become a member of the Bahá'í Faith
from Japan. He was also distinguished by serving for many years at the Bahá'í World Centre
through many of the heads of the religion from the time of `Abdu'l-Bahá
, Shoghi Effendi
, the period of the Custodians
, and then the Universal House of Justice
.
While attending school in Oakland, California
he joined the religion in 1904-5. Later he met `Abdu'l-Bahá during his journeys to the West
in 1912. Initially Fujita was living in Cleveland working for a Doctor Barton-Peek, a female Bahá'í, but failed to meet `Abdu'l-Bahá as he came through. Later on `Abdu'l-Bahá's next trip west Fujita caught up with him when he reached Chicago at the home of Corinne True and from there traveled with `Abdu'l-Bahá to the west coast and back. During the trip there was an incident similar to the well known one of Louis George Gregory
in that at a dinner a place at the table was not set for Fujita and `Abdu'l-Baha asked for a place be set.
Fujita was separated from `Abdu'l-Bahá when he left the United States until 1919 when `Abdu'l-Bahá offered an invitation for him to server the interests of the religion in Haifa at the Bahá'í World Centre as it came to be called. During his lifetime two tablets were addressed to Fujita specifically by `Abdu'l-Bahá. Siegfried Schopflocher, who would later be appointed a Hand of the Cause, converted to the Bahá'í Faith during a meeting with Fujita in 1921 shortly after the death of `Abdu'l-Bahá.
From his arrival in Haifa Fujita would serve the rest of his life there except during the tensions of World War II. At the end of WWII contact was re-established with Fujita after some searching by Michael Jamir and later Fujita was able to return to continue to serve at the Bahá'í World Center.
He attended the first Asian Regional Teaching Conference, held in Nikko, Japan
, 1955.
Until his death in 1976 he continued to server in Haifa.
His is buried in Haifa.
Yamaguchi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Yamaguchi, in the center of the prefecture. The largest city, however, is Shimonoseki.- History :...
, was the second Japanese to become a member of the Bahá'í Faith
Bahá'í Faith
The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories....
from Japan. He was also distinguished by serving for many years at the Bahá'í World Centre
Bahá'í World Centre
The Bahá'í World Centre is the name given to the spiritual and administrative centre of the Bahá'í Faith. The World Centre consists of the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh near Acre, Israel, the Shrine of the Báb and its gardens on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, and various other buildings in the area...
through many of the heads of the religion from the time of `Abdu'l-Bahá
`Abdu'l-Bahá
‘Abdu’l-Bahá , born ‘Abbás Effendí, was the eldest son of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith. In 1892, `Abdu'l-Bahá was appointed in his father's will to be his successor and head of the Bahá'í Faith. `Abdu'l-Bahá was born in Tehran to an aristocratic family of the realm...
, Shoghi Effendi
Shoghi Effendi
Shoghí Effendí Rabbání , better known as Shoghi Effendi, was the Guardian and appointed head of the Bahá'í Faith from 1921 until his death in 1957...
, the period of the Custodians
Custodians
The Custodians is terminology in the Bahá'í Faith, which refers to nine Hands of the Cause assigned specifically to work at the Bahá'í World Centre in attendance to the Guardian of the Faith...
, and then the Universal House of Justice
Universal House of Justice
The Universal House of Justice is the supreme governing institution of the Bahá'í Faith. It is a legislative institution with the authority to supplement and apply the laws of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith, and exercises a judicial function as the highest appellate institution in the...
.
While attending school in Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
he joined the religion in 1904-5. Later he met `Abdu'l-Bahá during his journeys to the West
`Abdu'l-Bahá's journeys to the West
`Abdu'l-Bahá's journeys to the West were a series of trips `Abdu'l-Bahá undertook starting at the age of 67 from Palestine to the West from 1910 to 1913. `Abdu'l-Bahá was imprisoned at the age of 8 and suffered various degrees of privation most of his life...
in 1912. Initially Fujita was living in Cleveland working for a Doctor Barton-Peek, a female Bahá'í, but failed to meet `Abdu'l-Bahá as he came through. Later on `Abdu'l-Bahá's next trip west Fujita caught up with him when he reached Chicago at the home of Corinne True and from there traveled with `Abdu'l-Bahá to the west coast and back. During the trip there was an incident similar to the well known one of Louis George Gregory
Louis George Gregory
Louis George Gregory was a prominent member of the Bahá'í Faith. In 1951 he was posthumously appointed a Hand of the Cause, the highest appointed position in the Bahá'í Faith, by Shoghi Effendi.-Early years:He was born on June 6, 1874 to African-American parents liberated during the Civil War...
in that at a dinner a place at the table was not set for Fujita and `Abdu'l-Baha asked for a place be set.
Fujita was separated from `Abdu'l-Bahá when he left the United States until 1919 when `Abdu'l-Bahá offered an invitation for him to server the interests of the religion in Haifa at the Bahá'í World Centre as it came to be called. During his lifetime two tablets were addressed to Fujita specifically by `Abdu'l-Bahá. Siegfried Schopflocher, who would later be appointed a Hand of the Cause, converted to the Bahá'í Faith during a meeting with Fujita in 1921 shortly after the death of `Abdu'l-Bahá.
From his arrival in Haifa Fujita would serve the rest of his life there except during the tensions of World War II. At the end of WWII contact was re-established with Fujita after some searching by Michael Jamir and later Fujita was able to return to continue to serve at the Bahá'í World Center.
He attended the first Asian Regional Teaching Conference, held in Nikko, Japan
Nikko, Tochigi
is a city in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Approximately 140 km north of Tokyo and 35 km west of Utsunomiya, the capital of Tochigi Prefecture, it is a popular destination for Japanese and international tourists...
, 1955.
Until his death in 1976 he continued to server in Haifa.
His is buried in Haifa.