Why Ikeda joined the Soka Gakkai: They hadn't invented thundershirts yet

[Ikeda:] As I disliked Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, I opposed quite a bit. However, I was reasoned down, and I had no excuse but to take faith in Nichiren Buddhism. I felt so aggravated….[After receiving the Gohonzon and] coming home, I did not chant for three days. On the third day, it thundered strongly. I heard the thunder rumbling in the sky on top of me and I felt it was aiming for me. Accidentally, Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo popped out of my mouth. - Iichi Oguchi, From Psychology of One’s Faith and Religion, vol. 4, pp. 57-58

O_O

This actually fits perfectly with the image we've been uncovering of Ikeda the thug who first met Toda when he started collecting the overdue accounts of those who'd been issued loans by the loan-shark Toda.