Shikoku 88
Introduction
During April and May 2018, I spent almost 8 weeks in Japan. The first 32 days were spent following the route of Kõbõ Dashi, accredited with founding the Shikoku pilgrimage. I visited 88 temples, walking more than 700 kms of the 1200 km route, and using public transport for the rest.
Read about the island of Shikoku, the 88 temple route, pilgrim attire, temple etiquette, gifts, Nõkyõchõ and Osame-fuda and not least Kobo Daishi, who one walks with on the the 1.200km route.
Shikoku March 17, 2018 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… Read more >
Kõbõ Daishi (Kukai) March 18, 2018 Kukai, known posthumously as Kõbõ Daishi, was born in 774 into the Saeki clan, a declining aristocratic family, in Zenutsuji, Kagawa provice (Shikoku). He is one of the most well known figures in Japanese history and is accredited with many great deeds. He was a Japanese Buddhist monk, civil servant, scholar, poet, and artist who… Read more >
Shikoku 88 temple route March 24, 2018 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… Read more >
Pilgrim Attire April 4, 2018 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… Read more >
Nõkyõchõ and Osame-fuda April 5, 2018 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… Read more >
Temple etiquette April 6, 2018 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… Read more >
Shrine etiquette February 25, 2019 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… Read more >
Nõkyõchõ – the stamp book February 26, 2019 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… Read more >