Shikoku Pilgrimage


The Shikoku Pilgrimage or is a multi-site pilgrimage of 88 temples associated with the Buddhist monk Kūkai on the island of Shikoku, Japan. A popular and distinctive feature of the island's cultural landscape, and with a long history, large numbers of pilgrims, known as, still undertake the journey for a variety of ascetic, pious, and tourism-related purposes. The pilgrimage is traditionally completed on foot, but modern pilgrims use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles, or motorcycles, and often augment their travels with public transportation. The standard walking course is approximately long and can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete.
In addition to the 88 "official" temples of the pilgrimage, there are 20 temples, which are officially associated with the Shikoku Pilgrimage. To complete the pilgrimage, it is not necessary to visit the temples in order; in some cases, pilgrims complete the journey in reverse, a practice known as.
is the Japanese word for pilgrim, and the locals along the route address the pilgrims as. They are often recognizable by their white clothing, sedge hats, and kongō-zue or walking sticks. Alms or osettai are frequently given to pilgrims by Shikoku's residents.
Before reaching Temple 88, walking and bicycle pilgrims can receive a "Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage Henro Ambassador" certificate from the Maeyama Ohenro Koryu Salon. At Temple 88, one can purchase a pilgrimage completion certificate called a, meaning "fulfillment of one's wishes." Many pilgrims also begin and complete the journey by visiting Mount Kōya in Wakayama Prefecture, which was settled by Kūkai and remains the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism. The walking trail up to Kōya-san still exists, but most pilgrims use the train.

History

Background

have played an important part in Japanese religious practice since at least the Heian period. Typically centred upon holy mountains, particular divinities, or charismatic individuals, they are usually to Buddhist sites although those to the shrines of Kumano and Ise are notable exceptions.

Kōbō Daishi

, born at Zentsū-ji in 774, studied in China, and upon his return was influential in the promotion of esoteric Buddhism. He established the Shingon retreat on Kōya-san, was an active writer, undertook a programme of public works, and during visits to the island of his birth is popularly said to have established or visited many of its temples and to have carved many of their images. He is posthumously known as Kōbō Daishi.

Development

The legends and cult of Kōbō Daishi, such as the episode of Emon Saburō, were maintained and developed by the monks of Kōya-san who travelled to expound Shingon and were active, along with other hijiri, in Shikoku. In the Edo period, the policy of restricted and regulated the movement of ordinary people. Pilgrims were required to obtain travel permits, follow the main paths, and pass through localities within a certain time limit, with the book of temple stamps or nōkyō-chō helping to provide proof of passage.

Practice

Stages

literally means "four provinces", those of Awa, Tosa, Iyo, and Sanuki, reorganized during the Meiji period into the prefectures of Tokushima, Kōchi, Ehime, and Kagawa. The pilgrim's journey through these four provinces is likened to a symbolic path to enlightenment, with temples 1–23 representing the idea of awakening, 24–39 austerity and discipline, 40–65 attaining enlightenment, and 66–88 entering nirvana.

Equipment

The pilgrim's traditional costume comprises a white shirt, conical Asian hat, and staff. This may be supplemented by a stole. The henro also carries a bag containing name slips, Buddhist prayer beads, a booklet to collect stamps/seals, Japanese incense, and coins used as offerings. The more religiously-minded henro may also carry a book of sutras and set with a bell.

Rites

Upon arrival at each temple the henro washes before proceeding to the Hondō. After offering coins, incense, and the osame-fuda, the Heart Sutra is chanted along with repetition of the Mantra of the main image and the Mantra of Light. After kigan and ekō, the henro proceeds to the shrine of Kobo Daishi. Coins and a fuda are similarly offered, and again the Heart Sutra is chanted, along with repetition of the Gohōgō Mantra, namu-Daishi-henjō-kongō.

UNESCO World Heritage Bid

Since 2010, Shikoku's prefectural governments, NPO members, and local leaders have worked toward achieving UNESCO World Heritage status for the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Currently, it is recognized as a "Provisional Candidate" by Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, or a cultural asset which has not yet been added to Japan's World Heritage Tentative List but which should 'proceed with preparations.'

Imitative versions

Attesting to the popularity of the Shikoku pilgrimage, from the eighteenth century a number of smaller imitative versions have been established. These include a circuit on Shōdo Island northeast of Takamatsu; a course on the grounds of Ninna-ji in Kyoto; a route on the Chita Peninsula near Nagoya; and circuits in Edo and Chiba Prefecture. Outside Japan, another version is on the Hawaiʻi on the island of Kauai.

List of Main 88 Temples

Collectively, the 88 temples are known as.
No.TempleHonzon LocationCoordinatesImage
1Ryōzen-ji Shaka NyoraiNaruto, Tokushima75px
2Gokuraku-ji Amida NyoraiNaruto, Tokushima75px
3Konsen-ji Shaka NyoraiItano, Tokushima75px
4Dainichi-ji Dainichi NyoraiItano, Tokushima75px
5Jizō-ji Enmei Jizō BosatsuItano, Tokushima75px
6Anraku-ji Yakushi NyoraiKamiita, Tokushima75px
7Jūraku-ji Amida NyoraiAwa, Tokushima75px
8Kumadani-ji Senju KannonAwa, Tokushima75px
9Hōrin-ji Shaka NyoraiAwa, Tokushima75px
10Kirihata-ji Senju KannonAwa, Tokushima75px
11Fujii-dera Yakushi NyoraiYoshinogawa, Tokushima75px
12Shōsan-ji Kokūzō BosatsuKamiyama, Tokushima75px
13Dainichi-ji Jūichimen KannonTokushima, Tokushima75px
14Jōraku-ji Miroku BosatsuTokushima, Tokushima75px
15Awa Kokubun-ji Yakushi NyoraiTokushima, Tokushima75px
16Kannon-ji Senju KannonTokushima, Tokushima75px
17 Yakushi NyoraiTokushima, Tokushima75px
18Onzan-ji Yakushi NyoraiKomatsushima, Tokushima75px
19Tatsue-ji Jizō BosatsuKomatsushima, Tokushima75px
20 Jizō BosatsuKatsuura, Tokushima75px
21Tairyū-ji Kokūzō BosatsuAnan, Tokushima75px
22Byōdō-ji Yakushi NyoraiAnan, Tokushima75px
23Yakuō-ji Yakushi NyoraiMinami, Tokushima75px
24Hotsumisaki-ji Kokūzō BosatsuMuroto, Kōchi75px
25Shinshō-ji Jizō BosatsuMuroto, Kōchi75px
26Kongōchō-ji Yakushi NyoraiMuroto, Kōchi75px
27Kōnomine-ji Jūichimen KannonYasuda, Kōchi75px
28Dainichi-ji Dainichi NyoraiKōnan, Kōchi75px
29Tosa Kokubun-ji Senju KannonNankoku, Kōchi75px
30Zenrakuji Amida NyoraiKōchi, Kōchi75px
31Chikurin-ji Monju BosatsuKōchi, Kōchi75px
32Zenjibu-ji Jūichimen KannonNankoku, Kōchi75px
33Sekkei-ji Yakushi NyoraiKōchi, Kōchi75px
34Tanema-ji Yakushi NyoraiHaruno, Kōchi75px
35Kiyotaki-ji Yakushi NyoraiTosa, Kōchi75px
36Shōryū-ji Fudō MyōōTosa, Kōchi75px
37Iwamoto-ji Five BuddhasShimanto, Kōchi75px
38Kongōfuku-ji Senju KannonTosashimizu, Kōchi75px
39Enkōji Yakushi NyoraiSukumo, Kōchi75px
40Kanjizai-ji Yakushi NyoraiAinan, Ehime75px
41 Jūichimen KannonUwajima, Ehime75px
42Butsumoku-ji Dainichi NyoraiUwajima, Ehime75px
43Meiseki-ji Senju KannonSeiyo, Ehime75px
44Daihō-ji Jūichimen KannonKumakōgen, Ehime75px
45 Fudō MyōōKumakōgen, Ehime75px
46Jōruri-ji Yakushi NyoraiMatsuyama, Ehime75px
47Yasaka-ji Amida NyoraiMatsuyama, Ehime75px
48Sairin-ji Jūichimen KannonMatsuyama, Ehime75px
49Jōdo-ji Shaka NyoraiMatsuyama, Ehime75px
50Hanta-ji Yakushi NyoraiMatsuyama, Ehime75px
51Ishite-ji Yakushi NyoraiMatsuyama, Ehime75px
52Taisan-ji Jūichimen KannonMatsuyama, Ehime75px
53Enmyō-ji Amida NyoraiMatsuyama, Ehime75px
54Enmei-ji Fudō MyōōImabari, Ehime75px
55Nankōbō Daitsū-chishō ButsuImabari, Ehime75px
56Taisan-ji Jizō BosatsuImabari, Ehime75px
57Eifuku-ji Amida NyoraiImabari, Ehime75px
58Senyū-ji Senjū KannonImabari, Ehime75px
59Iyo Kokubun-ji Yakushi NyoraiImabari, Ehime75px
60Yokomine-ji Dainichi NyoraiSaijō, Ehime75px
61Kōon-ji Dainichi NyoraiSaijō, Ehime75px
62Hōju-ji Jūichimen KannonSaijō, Ehime75px
63Kichijō-ji BishamontenSaijō, Ehime75px
64Maegami-ji Amida NyoraiSaijō, Ehime75px
65Sankaku-ji Jūichimen KannonShikokuchūō, Ehime75px
66Unpen-ji Senju KannonMiyoshi, Tokushima75px
67Daikō-ji Yakushi NyoraiMitoyo, Kagawa75px
68Jinne-in Amida NyoraiKan'onji, Kagawa75px
69Kannon-ji Shō KannonKan'onji, Kagawa75px
70Motoyama-ji Batō KannonMitoyo, Kagawa75px
71Iyadani-ji Senju KannonMitoyo, Kagawa75px
72Mandara-ji Dainichi NyoraiZentsūji, Kagawa75px
73Shusshakaji Shaka NyoraiZentsūji, Kagawa75px
74Kōyama-ji Yakushi NyoraiZentsūji, Kagawa75px
75Zentsū-ji Yakushi NyoraiZentsūji, Kagawa75px
76Konzō-ji Yakushi NyoraiZentsūji, Kagawa75px
77Dōryū-ji Yakushi NyoraiTadotsu, Kagawa75px
78Gōshō-ji Amida NyoraiUtazu, Kagawa75px
79Tennō-ji Jūichimen KannonSakaide, Kagawa75px
80Sanuki Kokubun-ji Jūichimen & Senjū KannonTakamatsu, Kagawa75px
81Shiromine-ji Senju KannonSakaide, Kagawa75px
82Negoro-ji Senju KannonTakamatsu, Kagawa75px
83Ichinomiya-ji Shō KannonTakamatsu, Kagawa75px
84Yashima-ji Jūichimen & Senjū KannonTakamatsu, Kagawa75px
85Yakuri-ji Shō KannonTakamatsu, Kagawa75px
86Shido-ji Jūichimen KannonSanuki, Kagawa75px
87Nagao-ji Shō KannonSanuki, Kagawa75px
88Ōkubo-ji Yakushi NyoraiSanuki, Kagawa75px