Shikoku 88 Introduction – Following your feet

Nõkyõchõ – the stamp book

Anybody that followed me on my trip to Japan in 2018 where I visited 88 temples in Shikoku, is aware that at each temple I collected a stamp in my stamp book or Nõkyõchõ. For 300 yen, I queued up at the temple office and received 3 stamps and Japanese caligraphy. Whilst collecting them, I…

Shrine etiquette

Just as at Temples, there are a number of steps to follow when visiting a Shrine. The first thing one meets when visiting a Shrine is the Torri gate – the boundary of the shine’s consecrated grounds. The proper procedure is to bow slightly just before passing under the torii gate, and enter through either…

Temple etiquette

There are a number of steps one should follow when visiting a temple. These steps are recommended, but not compulsory. At the main gate (to ward of evil spirit’s): Stand on the left hand side of the gate, put your hands togeter, and bow once. At the wash basin (to purify oneself): Wash yopur hands…

Nõkyõchõ and Osame-fuda

The stamp book or Nõkyõchõ is your proof that you have indeed visited each of the 88 temples. After worshiping at the temple, one takes it to the office and to have it signed and stamped. It costs 300 yen (2,3 €) per temple. Name slips, or osame-fuda, are slips on which you write your name…

Pilgrim Attire

You don’t have to use any of the attire, but you will be recognised as a pilgrim if you wear the white vest. Sugegasa – the wedge hat, that is useful for blocking the sun, or raingear. Kongozue – the staff, you take Kõbõ Dashi with you when you carry the stock, and in return he…

Shikoku 88 temple route

Shikoku literally means “four provinces” and the pilgrim’s journey through the four provinces is considered to be a symbolic path to enlightenment. The theme of the Tokushima province (temples 1–23) is Awakening; the Kōchi province (temples 24–39) is Ascetic training; the Ehime province (temples 40–65) is Enlightenment; and the Kagawa province (temples 66–88) is Nirvana. The temples are primarily situated along the…

Kõbõ Daishi (Kukai)

Kukai, known posthumously as Kõbõ Daishi, was born in 774 into the Sae…

Shikoku

Shikoku, the smallest of the four main islands of Japan, and is separated from the main island of Honshu by the Inland Sea (north) and the Kii Strait (east) and from Kyushu by the Bungo Strait (west). The island is divided into the prefectures of Ehime, Kagawa, Kōchi, and Tokushima. Much of the island’s landscape…