From Tosa to Iyo. I climb the pilgrimage route across the former country. It’s very hot. Matsuo Pass is a steep place, but the vivid red bayberry fruit and the view of Sukumo Bay from near the pass are healing.
That is the 39th temple of Shikoku 88temple pilgrimage,and the last sacred ground of Tosaji “training hall”. The bell that the red turtle that was in the precinct came back from the Ryugu is still there. The lord is Yakushi Nyorai which is said to have been carved by Gyoki. This temple was also built by Gyoki by the order of Emperor Shomu.
After praying at Kongofukuji, I head for Cape Ashizuri. On the way, I met a statue of Mr.John Manjiro. He was a great man born in Tosa at the end of the Edo period. He made a great contribution to the opening of Japan to the world. His hometown Tosashimizu City is promoting him as a hero in NHK’s historical drama series.
That is the 38th temple of Shikoku 88temple pilgrimage. The lord is the Senjukanzeonbosatsu that is reported to have been created by Kobo Daishi. It was also built by Kobo Daishi under the order of Emperor Saga. It was hard to walk in the scorching heat as the temple was 80 kilometers away from the No. 37th temple, Iwamotoji. It is located in the southernmost of Shikoku 88temple pilgrimage,and the climate is subtropical. It is also close to Ashizuri Cape. The whiteness of water lilies in the precincts was beautiful.
That is the 37th temple of Shikoku 88temple pilgrimage. The lord are the Five Buddhas of Fudo Myoo, Sho Kanzeon Bosatsu, Amida Nyorai, Yakushi Nyorai and Jizo Bosatsu. It was built by Gyoki Bosatsu by the order of Emperor Shomu. The ceiling of the main hall is decorated with 575 pictures drawn by ordinary citizens. I stayed at a Shukubo and had dinner at a nearby Izakaya. I orderd Japanese sake Tosazuru and a beating of Utsubo. It was so delicious.
That is the 5th temple of Shikoku exceptional Sacred Sites. The Lord is the Kobo Daishi.The founder was also Kobo Daishi. It is the only exceptional Sacred Site in Kochi Prefecture.Before paying a visit to Daizenji, I ate “Nabeyaki Ramen”, a specialty of Suzaki, for lunch. Since my body was cold due to the heavy rain, the warm and strong taste was delicious.
That is the 36th temple of Shikoku 88temple pilgrimage. The lord is Namikirifudomyoou.Kobo Daishi opened this temple.In the heat wave, I walked 14 kilometers from Kiyotakiji and finally reached Usa. The Yokonami Peninsula where Syoryuji is located and the Pacific Ocean seen from Tsukaji Pass were beautiful.It is said that Asashoryu, a former yokozuna, trained on the long stairs of Syoryuji Temple in his high school days.
That is the 35th temple of Shikoku 88temple pilgrimage. The lord is Yakushinyolai.Gyoki opened this temple.This temple is located in the middle of Mt. Io, and you can see the rural landscape at the foot of the mountain, the city of Tosa, the Niyodogawa River and the Pacific Ocean from the precincts that is around 130 meters above sea level.
That is the 34th temple of Shikoku 88temple pilgrimage. The lord is Yakushinyolai.Kobo Daishi opened this temple.The name of the temple is said to have come from the fact that Kobo Daishi sowed the five grain seeds he brought back from Tang into the temple grounds when the temple was founded. Many seeds were still sold. The temple is surrounded by a countryside, reminiscent of the old days.
During the pilgrimage, I visited Kochi Castle. It is the only castle in Japan where honmaru is completely preserved. One of 100 famous castles in Japan. The castle tower is not big, but it is graceful.