, also called Ryūsen, is the founder of the Okinawan

Ryukyuans

The are the indigenous peoples of the Ryukyu Islands between the islands of Kyūshū and Taiwan. The generally recognized subgroups of Ryukyuans are Amamians, Okinawans, Miyakoans, Yaeyamans, and Yonagunians. Geographically, they live in either Okinawa Prefecture or Kagoshima Prefecture...

 Ijun

Ijun

is a Shinto-derived religion founded by Takayasu Ryūsen in Okinawa. This modern religion started in 1972 and in 1980 became registered under the Religious Corporations Law...

 religion.

Takayasu was born in the Okinawan city of Naha in 1934. Since early childhood he played children's roles in the Okinawan theatre. His first spiritual experience, as related by himself, was while being evacuated to Taiwan

Taiwan

Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...

 near the end of World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, he experienced sharp physical pain as Okinawa was bombarded by warships. After the war he started to show interest in religious activities and in 1972 created the movement known today as Ijun.

Takayasu also developed a new concept of deity and a new system of belief. In 1992 Takayasu changed his given name from Rokurō to Ryūsen.