Pilgrims, or henro as they are known in japan, typically start their journey at temple 1 which is located in the ne portion of the island just outside the city of tokushima. Traveling temples in only one prefecture shikoku is divided in to four prefectures is called ittkokumairi. The episode on the shikoku pilgrimage, which features the group from the 20 mountain hiking. Thinking about walking the shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. History of the shikoku pilgrimage shikoku pilgrimage j. I took out my signature book to verify whether all the pages were signed.
This will be the first leg of my two month pilgrimage through the 88 temples of shikoku. Overnight, while we were sleeping, britain voted to leave the european union and our investment account, along with all of the us financial markets, drastically plummeted. Many of the temples are said to have been founded or restored by the revered monk and scholar kukai, better known by his posthumous title. My first night, i check in to the sen guesthouse and sit in the common room, each chair packed, and the. The more religiously minded henro may also carry a book of sutras, kyobon and goeika set.
Wall postermap the shikoku tourism promotion association is making available a. If you look at a map of shikoku with the temples shown on the map, you will see these 10 temples are very close together, heading generally west from tokushima. The camino is the only long distance pilgrim route ive done, and if i were to do another it would be the 88 temples, so thanks for your blog info. Dec 01, 2015 the pilgrims 88temple walk in shikoku. A pilgrimage trail to 88 temples in shikoku, japan. The island is also the setting for an ancient walking trail, the challenging shikoku 88 pilgrimage. I visited a few of the 88 temples on shikoku when i lived in japan. I also want to get the book stamped at each temple. The 88 temple pilgrimage section hikers backpacking blog. In koyasan we stayed for two nights at yochiin temple, called a shukubo temple, because it accepts guests for overnight stays. The 88 temple pilgrimage traces the route that a monk named kukai walked in his youth during a period of asceticism and search for truth. Shikoku 88 temples foot pilgrimage temple 111 tali. A wonderful free e book introducing every aspect of the pilgrimage. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
The shikoku japan 88 route guide is the indispensable companion for all walking henro. The shikoku pilgrimage is completed by visiting all 88 temples around the island. Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage hiking tour in japan mountain. Shikoku 88 temples pilgrimages september 23, 2011 now the editor of this page, just after his own 1st complete of pilgrimage, is writing about several notes about the short history about each temple of 88, and about goeika, a short hymn or poem introducing each temple on the road, translated in my poor english in my own pc. You can also buy either book at many of the temples, including the first temple, but id.
He became known as the father of the shikoku henro and his book, which contained detailed notes on all 88 temples, remained a bestseller until around the time of the meiji era 18681912. Japan goshuin stamps 88 temples shikoku pilgrimage kimono white vest cotton vtg. The 88 temples of the shikoku pilgrimage are extraordinary in their diversity. The shikoku pilgrimage is a multisite pilgrimage of 88 temples associated with the buddhist monk kukai kobo daishi on the island of shikoku. Theyre found in cities, towns and villages, among forests and agricultural land, on coasts and inland, at the foot and on top of mountains. The coordinates of the temples were taken from the.
Katsan, omedetou gozaimasu on your 88 temples completion. Spanning one to two months, 38 townsvillages and four prefectures, the pilgrimage will give travellers a comprehensive and stunning insight into a notsocosmopolitan part of japan. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page. We are traveling the shikoku pilgrimage, following the signs for henro pilgrims, on a 1,200kilometer circuit that runs between 88 temples on the island of shikoku. It contains maps for the entire circuit with less detail than miyazakisans, but enough to get you around the island. English language guidebook with all the maps you need to get around the island. A henro pilgrimage guide to the eightyeight 88 temples. Shikoku japan 88 temples foot pilgrimage visiting temples 59 64. The first reference to the shikoku pilgrimage appears in documents from around the 12th century.
During the beginnings of the shikoku pilgrimage, temples on the island mainly worshipped the buddhas and bodhisattvas, not kobo daishi. Kukai born in 774, is credited founding the shingon sect of japanese buddhism and for creating kana, the phonetic script that forms the basis of hirigana and katakana. In it he wrote about osettai, the local charitable tradition of offering aid in various forms to support the pilgrims, and how this tradition resonated with christian beliefs. The cave here has statues from each of the 88 temples. Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage day 1 temple 1 to 10 samurai. I visited a few of the 88 temples on shikoku when i. It consists of a circuit of eightyeight temples around the perimeter of shikoku, the smallest of japans four main islands. Written by volunteers and periodically updated, the book contains a short introduction to the shikoku pilgrimage and detailed maps of the entire route along with a wealth of useful information to help you navigate the island and find places to eat, sleep and much more. The book says a lot about how deepbinding friendships can be made on the road, and how important the sense of karma can be for those who have walkedand sufferedtogether.
Addresseslocations of temples and bus timetables can be viewed. We started our pilgrimage with a visit to the mountains of koyasan, the heart of esoteric shingon buddhism. A bibliography of resources in english naomi zimmer lis 705, fall 2005 the most widely known work in english about the shikoku pilgrimage is undoubtedly oliver statlers 1983 book japanese pilgrimage, which combines a personal account of statlers pilgrimage in shikoku with. This map shows all of the 88 temples for henro of shikoku. Jun 26, 2015 after a conversation with tim and suse about some island in japan that has a 1200km pilgrimage to 88 temples, i was madly researching the island of shikoku. The emphasis on spiritual awakening and camaraderie among pilgrims was something i could really relate to. Covering 1,100 kilometres 860 miles, the shikoku pilgrimage, is a circuit that actually begins in the small town of koya san, in the mountains of wakayama prefecture on honshu island. Fourthteen of the current 88 temples changed their locations in the midsixteenth century. The 88 temple pilgrimage trail circles around the outskirts of the entire island.
Dec 04, 2017 the entire pilgrimage stretches around the perimeter of shikoku and visits 88 temples. A pilgrimage to the 88 temples in shikoku island mayumi. A henro pilgrimage guide to the eightyeight 88 temples of. The henro michi, the traditional pilgrims route, is nearly 900 miles long and includes 88 buddhist temples associated with kobo daishi, the 9th century founder of. Journeys on the shikoku pilgrimage jun 27, 2019 books on asia rated it it was amazing a very wellwritten account of one persons journey walking the shikoku pilgrimage. Large numbers of pilgrims known as henro in japanese still undertake the journey for a variety of reasons if you ask 100 people why they are doing it, you. A henro pilgrimage guide to the eightyeight 88 temples of shikoku island, japan. It is believed if you pat the head of the turtle your wish will come true. Visit daishoin temple, miyajima, hiroshima prefecture. No right way to complete shikokus 88temple pilgrimage. I was thinking of bringing a small tent and camping about of the time. A henro pilgrimage guide to the eightyeight 88 temples of shikoku island, japan miyata, taisen on. It was hard to believe that i had experienced 88 temples.
Pilgrims on the 88 temple pilgrimage are said to be following in the footsteps of kobo daishi. I was thinking about hiking the 88 temple pilgrimage in fall, maybe september. It is made up of 88 buddhist temples scattered around shikoku island, the smallest of japans four main islands. Some are inconspicuous and hidden, while others are marked by tall pagodas and golden roof ornaments. One can also visit temples in reverse order gyaku uchi. Camino book the way of the 88 temples journeys on the. The map is called, appropriately, the 88 temples of shikoku henro. Shikoku region, which is also called shikoku island is the smallest of the four main japanese islands. A great little book written in japanese much like a combination of miyazakisans map book and miyatasans information book on each of the temples. Shikoku in japanese literally means four countries, contains four prefectures. It originated from the name of the wooden name slips that were once used, and pilgrims would nail these to the temple they. Japanese 88 temple shikoku pilgrimage book of stamps nokyocho small. After living in tokyo for 5 years, japan is a very special place for our family. Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage day 1 temple 1 to 10 my plan for today on the shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage was to visit temples 1 though 10.
The trail connects 88 buddhist temples and the full walk covers more than a thousand kilometres. Temples have since been added and removed from the pilgrimage route. Visiting a temple is called uchi among shikoku pilgrims. In the modern age with the development of roads, increasingly more people. The shikoku pilgrimage and its 88 temples, by tatsuo muro and david moreton. This itinerary to 88 temple pilgrimage is a usable article. Pilgrimage on shikoku island shikoku japan 88 route guide. However, the temples has a private onsen, or bathhouse, that is more extravagant than the guesthouses. Every henro, or pilgrim, is said to follow in the footsteps of kobo daishi, the ninthcentury ascetic who founded the shingon sect of. What is the 88 temples pilgrimage in japan and how did you decide you wanted to do it. Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage slide show for ipad and iphone.
One can choose to walk clockwise from temple 1 to temple 88 or in the opposite direction which can be challenging as its more difficult to see. Journeys on the shikoku pilgrimage is a fascinating and moving account of the authors pilgrimage on the japanese island of shikoku. Shikoku pilgrimage circuit consists of 88 buddhist temples in the shikoku region. In recent years, the shikoku pilgrimage has become very popular. The shikoku pilgrimage is the most famous pilgrimage in japan. How to walk the 88 temples pilgrimage in japan the ramble.
You need to book here too, to be sure to get food and a bed futon. A different camino, the shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage camino. The temples were all visited or founded by the first pilgrim, kukai. Very much like miyatasans book above, it has one page on each of the temples with a short history and what to find there. It explains how to get there and touches on all the major points along the way. The henro michi, the traditional pilgrims route, is nearly 900 miles long and includes 88 buddhist temples associated with kobo daishi, the 9th century founder of shingon buddhism. As indicated in the map below the temples are numbered and each has a name. All of these items can be purchased in a formal sense at mount koya or at ryozenji, the first temple.
It should be noted that many pilgrims who begin the pilgrimage on foot do not finish it. I will be starting on the 30th of august and be doing one. Japanese signs and their translations pilgrim accommodation list of the 88 temples in english and japanese glossary getting to shikoku and sim card phone rental. This pilgrimage circuit covers eighty eight buddhist temples of the shikoku region of western japan.
Oct 19, 2017 visit daishoin temple, miyajima, hiroshima prefecture. A pilgrimage trail to 88 temples in shikoku, japan click on a course to see the detailed route map. The entire pilgrimage stretches around the perimeter of shikoku and visits 88 temples. In addition, most pilgrims carry a book called nokyocho or shuincho, to collect red ink stamp shuin by each temple you visit. Shikoku, in japanese literally means four countries, is the smallest of the four main islands of japan. The 88 temple pilgrimage is a 1,200kilometre route around the perimeter of shikoku island. Japanese 88 temple shikoku pilgrimage book of stamps nokyocho. Be sure to watch the shikoku pilgrimage episode of the sixpart pbs documentary series, sacred journeys. You wont have the fun of filling your temple book with stamps, but youll save time and blisters. Jul 14, 2016 the island is also the setting for an ancient walking trail, the challenging shikoku 88 pilgrimage. The office where you can have your pilgrimage book nokyocho stamped. The 88 temple shikoku pilgrimage crosses all four prefectures and is a popular way to escape the rigors of everyday life. Shikoku 88 temples foot pilgrimage temple 111 tali landsman.
Compelled to seek something more than what modern society. Visiting all temples in one prefecture ikkoku uchi is a useful way of experiencing the pilgrimage. You can also buy either book at many of the temples, including the first temple, but id recommend getting it before day one so you can study it a bit. A different camino, the shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. Japanese 88 temple shikoku pilgrimage book of stamps. The debate as to why these 88 temples were chosen, out of the many more who claimed to be associated with kukai and the pilrgimage, continues today. What to know about the shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage in japan. Kodansha, 1973 buddhist pilgrims and pilgrimages 275 pages. Buy shikoku japan 88 route guide 4th edition by isbn. It includes 88 official temples and numerous other sacred sites where kukai kobo. Sep 26, 2011 we just got a note from a friend heading out on the 1200 km shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage in japan. Shikoku, the smallest of the four main islands in japan, is home to the longest pilgrimage in japan. The present pilgrimage consisting of the 88 temples is thought to have formed between the late 16th and 17th century.
Japans famous henro pilgrimage trail stretches over about 1,200 kilometers, tracing the circumference of the southern island of shikoku. Sibley describes the 870mile walk as often brutally difficult, yet as he encountered stunning pacific vistas, had his nokyocho book stamped at each temple, and. As i write this blog entry, i am sitting at the tokushima airport gate 4 waiting for my long journey back to canada. These items can be purchased at temples and specialized shops in shikoku or on the internet. The henro michi is one of the oldest and most famous pilgrimage routes in japan. Very much like miyatasans book above, it has one page on each of. In this inspiring and beautiful book, gertraud wild weaves together the 1,200 plus kilometer 88 temple way pilgrimage in shikoku, japan with the history and. At temple 2, i walked back to the giant tree that stands in a place of honor in the courtyard before the staircase to the hondo. The 88 temple pilgrimage henro michi around shikoku island, japan may not be as wellknown as pilgrimage routes in europe, but it is a. Calligraphy and stamps from the shikoku 88temple pilgrimage november 10, 20 hidden japan p ilgrims who follow in the footsteps of kobo daishi around shikoku record their journey by collecting these goshuin, single sheets of paper, or in book form nokyocho, from each of the temples along the way. He walked 1400 km over 50 days visiting all the 88 temples. The majority of pilgrims called o henro visit by bus or car, not on foot. Sep 22, 2014 katsan, omedetou gozaimasu on your 88 temples completion.
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