Shikoku Pilgrimage
The Shikoku Pilgrimage (四国遍路 Shikoku Henro?) or Shikoku Junrei (四国巡礼?) is a multi-site pilgrimage of 88 temples associated with the Buddhist monk Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi) 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 henro (遍路?)) still undertake the journey for a variety of ascetic, pious, and tourism-related purposes.
In addition to the 88 "official" temples of the pilgrimage, there are over 200 bangai — temples not considered part of the official 88.
To complete the pilgrimage, it is not necessary to visit the temples in order; in some cases it is even considered lucky[citation needed] to travel in reverse order.
The pilgrimage is traditionally completed on foot, but modern pilgrims use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles, or motorcycles.
The walking course is approximately 1,200 km long and can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete.
"Henro" (遍路?) is the Japanese word for pilgrim, and the inhabitants of Shikoku call the pilgrims o-henro-san (お遍路さん?), the o (お?) being an honorific and the san (さん?) a title similar to "Mr." or "Mrs.".
They are often recognizable by their white clothing, sedge hats, and kongō-tsue or walking sticks.
Alms or osettai are frequently given.
Many pilgrims begin and complete the journey by visiting Mount Kōya in Wakayama Prefecture, which was settled by Kūkai and remains the headquarters of the Shingon sect of Buddhism.
The 21 km walking trail up to Koya-san still exists, but most pilgrims use the train.
Attesting to the popularity of the Shikoku pilgrimage, from the eighteenth century a number of smaller imitative versions have been established. These include a 150km circuit on the island of Shōdoshima, northeast of Takamatsu; a 3km course on the grounds of Ninna-ji in Kyoto; a route on the Chita Peninsula near Nagoya; and circuits in Edo and Chiba Prefecture.
History
Background
Pilgrimages 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
Kūkai, born at Zentsū-ji (Temple 75) in 774, studied in China, and upon his return was influential in the promotion of esoteric Buddhism.
He established the Shingon retreat of 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 tochi kinbaku (土地緊縛?) 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
Shikoku literally means four provinces, those of Awa, Tosa, Iyo, and Sanuki, reorganised 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 (発心 hosshin?), 24-39 austerity and discipline (修行 shugyō?), 40-65 attaining enlightenment (菩提 bodai?), and 66-88 entering nirvana (涅槃 nehan?).
Equipment
The pilgrim's traditional costume comprises a white shirt (白衣 oizuru?), conical Asian hat (すげ笠 suge-kasa?), and kongō-zue (金剛杖?).
This may be supplemented by a wagesa (輪袈裟?).
The henro also carries a bag (ずだ袋 zuda-bukuro?) containing name slips (納札 osame-fuda?), prayer beads (数珠 juzu?) (also known as nenju (念珠?)), a nōkyō-chō (納経帳?), incense sticks (線香 senkō?), and coins used as offerings (お賽銭 o-saisen?).
The more religiously-minded henro may also carry a book of sutras (経本 kyōbon?) and go-eika (ご詠歌?) 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 (般若心経 Hannya Shingyō?) is chanted along with repetition of the Mantra of the main image (本尊 honzon?) and the Mantra of Light (光明真言 Kōmyō Shingon?).
After kigan and ekō prayers, the henro proceeds to the Daishidō.
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.
The 88 Temples
Collectively, the 88 temples are known as Shikoku Hachijūhakkasho (四国八十八箇所?) or simply the Hachijūhakkasho (八十八箇所?).
| No. | Temple | Honzon (main image) | City/Town/Village | Prefecture | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryōzen-ji (Naruto)|Ryōzen-ji (霊山寺) | Shaka Nyorai | Naruto, Tokushima|Naruto | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 2 | Gokuraku-ji (Naruto)|Gokuraku-ji (極楽寺) | Amida Nyorai | Naruto, Tokushima|Naruto | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 3 | Konsen-ji (Itano)|Konsen-ji (金泉寺) | Shaka Nyorai | Itano, Tokushima|Itano | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 4 | Dainichi-ji (Itano)|Dainichi-ji (大日寺) | Dainichi Nyorai | Itano, Tokushima|Itano | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 5 | Jizō-ji (Itano)|Jizō-ji (地蔵寺) | Enmei Jizō Bosatsu | Itano, Tokushima|Itano | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 6 | Anraku-ji (Kamiita)|Anraku-ji (安楽寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Kamiita, Tokushima|Kamiita | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 7 | Jūraku-ji (Awa)|Jūraku-ji (十楽寺) | Amida Nyorai | Awa, Tokushima|Awa | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 8 | Kumadani-ji (Awa)|Kumadani-ji (熊谷寺) | Senjū Kannon | Awa | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 9 | Hōrin-ji (Awa)|Hōrin-ji (法輪寺) | Shaka Nyorai | Awa | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 10 | Kirihata-ji (Awa)|Kirihata-ji (切幡寺) | Senjū Kannon | Awa | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 11 | Fujii-dera (Yoshinogawa)|Fujii-dera (藤井寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Yoshinogawa | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 12 | Shōsan-ji (Kamiyama)|Shōsan-ji (焼山寺) | Kokūzō Bosatsu | Kamiyama | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 13 | Dainichi-ji (Tokushima)|Dainichi-ji (大日寺) | Jūichimen Kannon | Tokushima | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 14 | Jōraku-ji (常楽寺) | Miroku Bosatsu | Tokushima | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 15 | Awa Kokubun-ji (阿波国分寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Tokushima | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 16 | Kannon-ji (観音寺) | Senjū Kannon | Tokushima | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 17 | Ido-ji (井戸寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Tokushima | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 18 | Onzan-ji (恩山寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Komatsushima | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 19 | Tatsue-ji (立江寺) | Jizō Bosatsu | Komatsushima | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 20 | Kakurin-ji (鶴林寺) | Jizō Bosatsu | Katsura, Tokushima|Katsuura | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 21 | Tairyūji (太竜寺) | Kokūzō Bosatsu | Anan, Tokushima|Anan | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 22 | Byōdō-ji (平等寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Anan, Tokushima|Anan | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 23 | Yakuō-ji (薬王寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Minami | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 24 | Hotsumisaki-ji (最御崎寺) | Kokūzō Bosatsu | Muroto | Kōchi Prefecture | |
| 25 | Shinshō-ji (津照寺) | Jizō Bosatsu | Muroto | Kōchi Prefecture | |
| 26 | Kongōchō-ji (金剛頂寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Muroto | Kōchi Prefecture | |
| 27 | Kōnomine-ji (神峰寺) | Jūichimen Kannon | Yasuda | Kōchi Prefecture | |
| 28 | Dainichi-ji (大日寺) | Dainichi Nyorai | Kōnan | Kōchi Prefecture | |
| 29 | Tosa Kokubun-ji (土佐国分寺) | Senjū Kannon | Nankoku | Kōchi Prefecture | |
| 30 | Zenrakuji (善楽寺) | Amida Nyorai | Kōchi | Kōchi Prefecture | |
| 31 | Chikurin-ji (Kōchi)|Chikurin-ji (竹林寺) | Monju Bosatsu | Kōchi | Kōchi Prefecture | |
| 32 | Zenjibu-ji (禅師峰寺) | Jūichimen Kannon | Nankoku | Kōchi Prefecture | |
| 33 | Sekkei-ji (雪蹊寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Kōchi | Kōchi Prefecture | |
| 34 | Tanema-ji (種間寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Haruno | Kōchi Prefecture | |
| 35 | Kiyotaki-ji (清滝寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Tosa, Kochi (city)|Tosa | Kōchi Prefecture | |
| 36 | Shōryū-ji (青竜寺) | Fudō Myōō | Tosa, Kochi (city)|Tosa | Kōchi Prefecture | |
| 37 | Iwamoto-ji (岩本寺) | Five Dhyani Buddhas|Five Buddhas | Shimanto | Kōchi Prefecture | |
| 38 | Kongōfuku-ji (金剛福寺) | Senjū Kannon | Tosashimizu | Kōchi Prefecture | |
| 39 | Enkō-ji (延光寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Sukumo | Kōchi Prefecture | |
| 40 | Kanjizai-ji (観自在寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Ainan | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 41 | Ryūkōji (竜光寺) | Jūichimen Kannon | Uwajima | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 42 | Butsumoku-ji (佛木寺) | Dainichi Nyorai | Uwajima | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 43 | Meiseki-ji (明石寺) | Senjū Kannon | Seiyo | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 44 | Daihō-ji (大宝寺) | Jūichimen Kannon | Kumakōgen | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 45 | Iwaya-ji (岩屋寺) | Fudō Myōō | Kumakōgen | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 46 | Jōruri-ji (浄瑠璃寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Matsuyama, Ehime|Matsuyama | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 47 | Yasaka-ji (八坂寺) | Amida Nyorai | Matsuyama, Ehime|Matsuyama | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 48 | Sairin-ji (西林寺) | Jūichimen Kannon | Matsuyama, Ehime|Matsuyama | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 49 | Jōdo-ji (Matsuyama)|Jōdo-ji (浄土寺) | Shaka Nyorai | Matsuyama, Ehime|Matsuyama | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 50 | Hanta-ji (繁多寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Matsuyama, Ehime|Matsuyama | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 51 | Ishite-ji (石手寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Matsuyama, Ehime|Matsuyama | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 52 | Taisan-ji (太山寺) | Jūichimen Kannon | Matsuyama, Ehime|Matsuyama | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 53 | Enmyō-ji (Matsuyama)|Enmyō-ji (円明寺) | Amida Nyorai | Matsuyama, Ehime|Matsuyama | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 54 | Enmei-ji (延命寺) | Fudō Myōō | Imabari | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 55 | Nankōbō (南光坊) | Daitsū-chishō Butsu | Imabari | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 56 | Taisan-ji (泰山寺) | Jizō Bosatsu | Imabari | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 57 | Eifuku-ji (栄福寺) | Amida Nyorai | Imabari | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 58 | Senyū-ji (仙遊寺) | Senjū Kannon | Imabari | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 59 | Iyo Kokubun-ji (伊予国分寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Imabari | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 60 | Yokomine-ji (横峰寺) | Dainichi Nyorai | Saijō, Ehime|Saijō | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 61 | Kōon-ji (香園寺) | Dainichi Nyorai | Saijō, Ehime|Saijō | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 62 | Hōju-ji (宝寿寺) | Jūichimen Kannon | Saijō, Ehime|Saijō | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 63 | Kichijō-ji (吉祥寺) | Bishamonten | Saijō, Ehime|Saijō | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 64 | Maegami-ji (前神寺) | Amida Nyorai | Saijō, Ehime|Saijō | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 65 | Sankaku-ji (三角寺) | Jūichimen Kannon | Shikokuchūō | Ehime Prefecture | |
| 66 | Unpen-ji (雲辺寺) | Senjū Kannon | Miyoshi | Tokushima Prefecture | |
| 67 | Daikō-ji (大興寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Mitoyo | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 68 | Jinne-in (神恵院) | Amida Nyorai | Kan'onji | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 69 | Kannon-ji (観音寺) | Shō Kannon | Kan'onji | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 70 | Motoyama-ji (本山寺) | Batō Kannon | Mitoyo | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 71 | Iyadani-ji (弥谷寺) | Senjū Kannon | Mitoyo | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 72 | Mandara-ji (曼荼羅寺) | Dainichi Nyorai | Zentsūji | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 73 | Shusshakaji (出釈迦寺) | Shaka Nyorai | Zentsūji | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 74 | Kōyama-ji (甲山寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Zentsūji | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 75 | Zentsū-ji (善通寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Zentsūji | Kagawa Prefecture | Image:Zentsu-ji in Zentsu-ji City Kagawa pref23s5s4500.jpg| |
| 76 | Konzō-ji (金倉寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Zentsūji | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 77 | Dōryū-ji (道隆寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Tadotsu | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 78 | Gōshō-ji (郷照寺) | Amida Nyorai | Utazu | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 79 | Tennō-ji (天皇寺) | Jūichimen Kannon | Sakaide | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 80 | Sanuki Kokubun-ji (讃岐国分寺) | Jūichimen & Senjū Kannon | Takamatsu | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 81 | Shiromine-ji (白峯寺) | Senjū Kannon | Sakaide | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 82 | Negoro-ji (根香寺) | Senjū Kannon | Takamatsu | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 83 | Ichinomiya-ji (一宮寺) | Shō Kannon | Takamatsu | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 84 | Yashima-ji (屋島寺) | Jūichimen & Senjū Kannon | Takamatsu | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 85 | Yakuri-ji (八栗寺) | Shō Kannon | Takamatsu | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 86 | Shido-ji (志度寺) | Jūichimen Kannon | Sanuki, Kagawa|Sanuki | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 87 | Nagao-ji (長尾寺) | Shō Kannon | Sanuki, Kagawa|Sanuki | Kagawa Prefecture | |
| 88 | Ōkubo-ji (大窪寺) | Yakushi Nyorai | Sanuki, Kagawa|Sanuki | Kagawa Prefecture |
