Kobo Daishi, born 774, founded Shingon Buddhism and established the Shikoku 88-temple 750-mile pilgrimage, among many accomplishments. Today I walked between temples 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75 (Zentsuji) his birthplace. I’ve now walked to 31 of the temples, sometimes more than once. The photo shows purification stations, one for each temple.
Tag: Shikoku 88
Temple Plumbing 2024
Posted Temple Plumbing 2024 about four temples on the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage I visited this year.
Temple Plumbing 2024
On my Shikoku 88 temple visits, I have a tradition of photographing the temizuya (purification stations). Here’s the crop from my most recent trip to Japan.
Should’ve Turned Left at the Torii Gate
I mistakenly ended up at what I thought was Temple 83. Buddhist temples often incorporate Shinto elements, but this particular place felt excessively Shinto, with a plethora of kami (deities, spirits, etc.) on display. The vibe was almost like a scene straight out of an anime theme park. Eventually, I realized the temple was right next door. Oops!
It’s the Journey
On my walk to temples 25 and 26, I exchanged konnichiwa greetings with actual Shikoku 88 (temple) pilgrims. Two dragons guarded the purification basin at Kongochoji, temple 26.
A Good Place for Introverts
Rode a rural train to the end of the line, then boarded a rural bus that took me all the way to the sparsely populated tip of the Muroto Peninsula. Climbed to temple 24 of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage. Now, I’m settled into a ryokan, a traditional old-fashioned inn, bathed, wearing a yukata, ready for dinner. Later, I’ll be crashing out in this room on a futon on the tatami mats.
Shikoku 88 Temples 80-82
For most of today: A hot steamy hike through mountain forests following part of the Shikoku 88 (temple) Pilgrimage. Visited temples 80, 81, and 82.
Temple Plumbing 2022
I hiked to two temples of an 88-temple pilgrimage and photographed the plumbing.
Temple Plumbing 2019
Whenever I visit the island of Shikoku, Japan, I like to walk to some of the 88 temples of the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage. This year, my partner and I walked to temples in the Matsuyama area, following in the footsteps of many pilgrims over the centuries. I also followed in my own footsteps as I…… Continue reading Temple Plumbing 2019
Temples 52 and 53
Explored on foot, helped by two trains. Shikoku 88 temples (52, 53), pilgrims, a castle, a museum designed by Tadao Ando all about a novel, a convenience store, pre-schoolers shouting “hello” and “konichiwa,” houses and gardens, kind people, rice fields ready for harvest, … .