While making a pilgrimage to Shikoku, Koyasan, Kyoto and Nagoya, I enjoyed great local food and sake. These healed my exhausted body on the pilgrimage and provided me with nourishment and energy for the next day. I would like to introduce to you some of the local foods that supported my pilgrimage with the Kongo walking stick.
In return for the completion vows of the 88 Shikoku sacred sites and the Bekkaku- 20 sacred sites, I visited Okunoin Temple of Mt. Koya and Toji Temple, and visited Osu Kannon Temple in Nagoya to conclude my pilgrimage. Osu kannon Temple is the Bekkaku-honzan (special head temple) of the Chizan school of the Shingon Sect and the principal image is Sho Kannon. I have a special feeling because I used to live nearby and visit the shrine almost every week. When I looked up at the sky after praying, I was surprised to see a very big and beautiful sunset. That seemed to be celebrating the end of my journey. In the evening,I had a meal after the trip. I can enjoy nostalgic dishes and sake at “Daijin”, a long-established izakaya representing Nagoya, and “Shanghai taste”, a Chinese restaurant of Shanghai couple. The next day, I had lunch at “Tenmaya” on Monzen-machi-dori Street, tasted cold kishimen noodles and dengaku, and then went home. I entered Tokushima on May 20, and my 84 days pilgrimage to this day on August 11 was finally finished. I am deeply grateful to the many people who supported me.
It’s time to say goodbye to Shikoku. Since coming to Tokushima from Haneda on May 20, it has been a 76 day walking Henro trip until today, August 3. After visiting 88 sacred places and 20 sacred places of special status, I felt so happy. I’m going to Koyasan and Toji temple for the prayer of thanksgiving. I took an early morning ferry from Tokushima Port and saw the mountains of Shikoku leaving from the deck. Goodbye, Shikoku. Thank you, Shikoku.
I went to Ryozenji to pray for the completion of 88 sacred places. I headed to Ryozenji, the first fudasho, after I met the vow of the special reijo (sacred ground) at Otakiji. I was welcomed by sunflowers in the mountains of Awa City, where the weather was clear. I had lunch at an udon restaurant near the third temple, Konsenji. There was a autograph of Angela Aki in the store. Cold udon was especially delicious for the body that was dazed by the heat. Arriving at Ryozenji, I finally connected the circle of Fudasho. I prayed and received bracelet nenju at Nokyosho to celebrate Kechigan. I can’t believe I could walk all around Shikoku. Today’s inn is near the pier of Tokushima Port. Tomorrow I’m going to take a ferry to Koyasan Okunoin for thanksgiving. Today was my last day in Shikoku. I ate Tokushima ramen near JR Tokushima Station and saw Mt. Bizan at dusk. It had a beautiful silhouette.
That is the 20th temple of Shikoku exceptional Sacred Sites.Its principal image is Nishiteru daigongen and its founder was Gyoki. This temple is also known as the So-Oku-no-in of the 88 sacred sites in Shikoku. From Okuboji, I entered the mountains of former Shionoe-cho and bypassed Kabagawa Dam, which was under construction. I kept climbing the slope of Mt. Otaki (946 meters above sea level) until he finally reached Otakiji near the top of the mountain. I can see the mountains of Mima City, Tokushima Prefecture from the temple grounds. Along with the 88 sacred places, all the special sacred places were finally completed. Tomorrow, I’m going to Ryozenji, the first fudasho of the 88 sacred places in Shikoku.
That is the 87 th temple of Shikoku 88temple pilgrimage.The principal image is the Sho Kanzeon Bosatsu.The temple is said to have been founded by Gyoki.The denominations of this temple are changing. Originally a member of the Hosso sect, Kobo Daishi converted to the Shingon sect and is now a member of the Tendai sect. After Shizuka Gozen divorced MINAMOTO no Yoshitsune, she became a Buddhist priest in this temple. Separated from the soothing Seto Inland Sea view, I head for the Shikoku Mountains along the JR Kotoku Line from Shidoji. I arrived through a peaceful countryside. A fine pine tree and a clean temple. There is monuments with a Santoka verse.
That is the 86 th temple of Shikoku 88temple pilgrimage.The principal image is the eleven faces and one thousand hands Kanzeon Bosatsu.The temple is said to have been founded by the nun OSHI Sonoko,was founded 626 years ago.From the front fudasho Yaguriji Temple, go down Mt. Gokenzan and follow the Shido Bay beach along with the Kotoden Shido Line. The view of the Seto Inland Sea in summer is breathtaking. I passed in front of the former residence of Gennai HIRAGA, a genius of the Edo period, and arrived at Shidoji Temple.The grounds are covered with thick trees except for the temple and passageway, and it is a rare appearance among the temples of fudasho.
That is the 85 th temple of Shikoku 88temple pilgrimage.The principal image is the Sho Kanzeon Bosatsu.The temple is said to have been founded by Kobo Daishi.This temple is situated halfway up Mt. Goken on the eastern side of Yashima and Dannoura.From Yashimaji, I walked in front of Kotoden Yashima Station, which has a retro appearance, and went up the Henro Road where the movie “Otokowa Tsuraiyo” (46th) was filmed. A statue of Daishi called Omukae Daishi welcomed him. The view of the Sanuki Plain from this temple is superb. In front of Nokyosho (the place to get the temple stamp), other pilgrims encourage me by saying, “It’s almost done.” I protected myself from the heat under a big linden tree.
That is the 84 th temple of Shikoku 88temple pilgrimage.The principal image is the eleven faces and one thousand hands Kanzeon Bosatsu.It is said to have been founded by Ganjin. I walked through a rural area and a long shopping street in Takamatsu city and took the pilgrimage route along the Seto Inland Sea. After crossing the Kotoden railway line, continue climbing the Yashima mountain until the Sanmon gate. The temple was large and there were many visitors came from China. After paying a visit to the shrine, I saw the beautiful Sanuki Plain and Setouchi from the observation deck and enjoy the nostalgic kawara throws. At night, I enjoyed local sake and bone-in chicken thigh, which is a specialty of Kagawa.It was really delicious.
That is the 83 th temple of Shikoku 88temple pilgrimage.The principal image is Sho Kanzeon Bosatsu. This temple was originally founded by Gien as a temple of the Hosso sect, one of the Nanto rokushu (the six sects of Buddhism which flourished in ancient Nara), but Kobo Daishi later developed the precincts and converted to the Shingon sect. The procession started at Kozaiji, which is No. 19 of the Bekkaku-reijo (special sacred ground), and proceeded along the Kotogawa River to arrive. White clouds dazzle the midsummer blue sky. When I lived in Kagawa Prefecture, I lived very close to this temple, and I really missed it. I also visited Tamurajinja Shrine, which is associated with Ichinomiyaji Temple. I relaxed myself at the nearby hot spring facility “Natural Hot Spring Kirara” and enjoy Sanuki Udon. Next is Yashima.
