The Japanese word kakisage was used to refer to transcripts of the Divine Directions that were delivered through the Honseki, Izo Iburi. Later, these transcripts--that is, those whose authenticity was confirmed--were compiled as the Osashizu, The Divine Directions, which is one of Tenrikyo's Scriptures.

The term under discussion in this article, however, normally refers, not to the Divine Directions, but to the text that is given to the new recipients of the truth of the Sazuke when they attend the Post-bestowal Lectures. Although there are two versions of this text--the one given to those below the age of thirty being slightly longer because of additional material than the other--they are both referred to as the Kakisage.

The Kakisage was compiled and authorized in July 1890. Prior to that, those receiving the truth of the Sazuke were presented with transcripts of the Divine Directions that were specifically delivered to them. Those Divine Directions thus varied from recipient to recipient. By around 1890, however, the Divine Directions delivered to bestow the truth of the Sazuke were almost identical to one another. It was this version that was adopted as the Kakisage to be presented to those attending the Post-bestowal Lectures. We may note in passing that, if an additional Divine Direction was delivered when the truth of the Sazuke was bestowed, a transcript of it was given to the recipient in addition to the Kakisage. At present, only the Kakisage is given to those receiving the truth of the Sazuke.

The Kakisage teaches a basic stance of mind that ought to be maintained by those who have received the truth of the Sazuke and aspire to spread the teachings in their communities. In particular, the Kakisage emphasizes that maintaining the mind of true sincerity in the course of daily life is the key to tapping into God the Parent's free and unlimited workings. The longer version of the text also teaches giving sufficient attention to their occupations and practicing filial piety.