A 100year history of foreigners and the shikoku pilgrimage. These items can be purchased at temples and specialized shops in shikoku or on the internet. As we walk beside him through these pages, we hear of the origins of the sacred route, its history, and its rituals. In japans feudal past, the island of shikoku was divided into four regions hence the name shi four and koku region. Kochi prefecture, kochiken is located on the island of shikoku. This book has detailed maps about all of the temples and small sections about their history, as well as things. The henro michi, the traditional pilgrims route, is nearly 900 miles long and includes 88 buddhist temples associated with kobo daishi, the 9th century founder of. Fba items qualify for free shipping and amazon prime. While highminded scholars often called for reforms, their memoranda carried little weight with an idle aristocracy.
How do the residents of shikoku view the pilgrimage and pilgrims. A wonderful free e book introducing every aspect of the pilgrimage. A 20minute ride gets you to the yashima station and the shikoku mura exhibit of old structures that have been brought there from all across japan plus a ropebridge entrance thats a railgripping challenge, avoidable if you prefer. For the visit to be official pilgrims carry a special book that is stamped at each temple. Japan 100 hidden towns is a travel guidebook to japan offthebeatentrack the lesser known towns, where quiet, bucolic ways of life, and proudly maintained local history and traditions can be found. It is a polytheistic faith, emphasizing the divinity of the natural world. The japanese island of shikoku is the birthplace of the most revered figure in japanese buddhism, the monk and teacher kobodaishi, who brought a populist form of buddhism to japan from china in. As large parts of the seto inland sea fall under the administrations of ehime and kagawa prefectures in north shikoku, we are including it in this section. An english translation of musume junreiki is a very personal and individual account of the thoughts of a 24 year old japanese woman. Another and perhaps more widely known book was a henro pilgrimage guide to the 88 temples of shikoku island, japan published by bishop taisen miyata in the united states in 1984. Although the establishment of the shikoku pilgrimage is widely accredited to kukai, its development and popularity originate from the collective efforts of various historical figures.
Mar 11, 2020 takamatsu surrounded by steep mountains in the lowest part of japans shikoku island, iya valley was once called the hidden land. For instance, in 1931, alfred bohner, a german, wrote a book about the henro titled two on a pilgrimage. History in japans feudal past, the island of shikoku was divided into four regions hence the name shi four and koku region. A great book with historical information on the 88 main temples on the pilgrimage. History of the shikoku pilgrimage shikoku pilgrimage j. This is one of six native japanese dog breeds other five being the akita inu, shiba inu, kai ken, kishu inu, and the hokkaido dog. The native religion of japan is shinto, which developed in prehistoric times. The pilgrimage is traditionally completed on foot, but modern pilgrims use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles, or. A henro pilgrimage guide to the 88 temples of shikoku island, japan. History of shikoku lonely planet travel information. Japan lies close enough to the mainland of asia to have been strongly influenced by china. Shikoku is the second smallest main island after okinawa.
The pilgrimage is also one of the few circularshaped pilgrimages in the. A popular and distinctive feature of the islands cultural landscape, and with a long history, large numbers of pilgrims, known as henro, still undertake the journey for a variety of ascetic, pious, and tourismrelated purposes. The book provides detailed maps, topographic information, bus routes, as well as information on temple etiquette, dress, and history. Dont miss opportunities east of the city, best accessed via local train line. Shikoku island is the smallest of japans four main islands. The 1200km8week long pilgrimage route on the japanese island of shikoku. Foreigners have been interested in the henro for a very long time. Secrets of shikoku self guided adventure inside japan tours. Distinctly different from mainland japan in many ways, shikoku evokes a more rural and serene feel. It is separated from honshu by the inland sea north and the kii strait east and from kyushu by the bungo strait west. May 22, 2019 heres our pick of the best onsen ryokans in shikoku, japan. Mar 15, 2019 moreover, in some parts of japan, including in shikoku, the deceased are dressed in pilgrims clothing and placed in a casket with the pilgrim book, representing the passport into the next realm of death. Ian readers longawaited book is a masterful study of the shikoku pilgrimage, the. Journeys on the shikoku pilgrimage is a fascinating and moving account of the authors pilgrimage on the japanese island of shikoku.
The purpose of this book is to alleviate the anxiety that nonjapanese. Apr 14, 2020 looking to get inspired on your trip to shikoku. The shikoku japan 88 route guide is the indispensable companion for all walking henro. For the locals, providing help or gifts to a pilgrim is a customary way to accumulate good will and to vicariously participate in the pilgrims journey. Dive into a fascinating journey through several thousand years of history, as you plan. Apr 08, 2017 videodiary of my second full circle ohenro. Shikoku l, literally four countries is japans fourth largest island, southwest of japans main island honshu. Shikoku consists of as four prefectures and is one of the four islands that make up japan. The shikoku pilgrimage or shikoku junrei is a multisite pilgrimage of 88 temples associated with the buddhist monk kukai on the island of shikoku, japan. This sea region, besides being one of the driest and sunniest areas of japan, is a treasure trove of history, art, charming islands, spectacular views and modern art and architecture. In kotohira youll follow the pilgrims skywards as you climb the steep steps of konpirasan, shikoku s most famous shrine. The provinces of awa, tosa, iyo and sanuki became the modernday prefectures of tokushimaken, kochiken, ehimeken and kagawaken. Shikoku, the smallest of the four main islands of japan. In this wise and compassionate book, sibley vividly captures life on the.
Shikoku has historically been rather isolated and therefore it has kept the original characteristics of japan for a longer period, especially in regards to vegetation and some architectural techniques. At the same time, the waters surrounding the japanese islands long served as a barrier against invasion. The island is thought of as a rural backwater, with few mustsee attractions, but a visit there can wash away those doubts. The japanese island of shikoku is the birthplace of the most revered figure in japanese buddhism, the monk and teacher kobodaishi, who brought. The birthplace of revered ascetic and founder of the shingon buddhist sect kobo daishi 774835, shikoku is synonymous with natural beauty and the pursuit of spiritual perfection. Sep 28, 2016 the shikoku dog shikoku inu or kochi ken is a spitz type hunting and working dog originating from the kochi prefecture on the shikoku island, japan. A third book the 1918 shikoku pilgrimage of takamure itsue. Fulfillment by amazon fba is a service we offer sellers that lets them store their products in amazons fulfillment centers, and we directly pack, ship, and provide customer service for these products. The shikoku pilgrimage, with its long history and great significance, is deeply engrained in the culture of the island. The 10 best shikoku hotels where to stay in shikoku, japan. The smallest of japans big four, it lies to the south of honshu. Other special items that are recommended include a rosary, candle, incense, name slip, a stole simplified priest clothing, a textbook with the sutra hannya shin gyo written in it, and a book for temple stamps.
Immerse yourself into worldclass art, exciting history, and mindbending science. True to its name, shikoku is divided into four prefectures. Shikoku, island, the smallest of the four main islands of japan. The henro pilgrimage route on the island of shikoku is celebrating its 1,200year anniversary in 2014. The shikoku pilgrimage a tradition of charitable giving. Shikoku dog breed info characteristics traits personality. The first such book is attributed to a priest named yuben shinnen d. The entrenched interests of the regional nobility prevented the proper functioning of a government built upon ethical practice. Crossing a series of bridges and snaking past tiny rural communities, this is a great way to explore a very different side of japan and enjoy some fabulous views at the same time. A secluded, resort style ryokan by great forest in okudogo. Of the several hundred thousand people who do it each year, only a few thousand walk. One of the most fascinating descriptions of the lost shikoku is by the japanologist alex kerr.
Japan s geographical location has played an important role in its history. Today people from all over japan and the rest of the world are walking the circuit of 88. Linking honshu main island with shikoku via six tiny islands, the shimanami kaido is without doubt japans most impressive cycle route. Long isolated from the outside world, its remoteness. As we walk beside him through these pages, we hear of the origins of the sacred route, its history. Jpilgrim your complete guide to the shikoku pilgrimage. Since 1970, the american writer lived in a remote mountain village near oboke for many years. The smallest of the four principal islands that makes up japan. Shikoku, literally four countries is japans fourth largest island, southwest of japans main island honshu. Located on the island of shikoku, this charming city is home to the elegant ritsurin garden, takamatsu castle and shikoku mura.
But, according to its entry, this book analyzes the 88temple pilgrimage on shikoku island, japan, regarding its religious, historical, and sociological. Statlers japanese pilgrimage, the 1918 shikoku pilgrimage of takamure itsue, and lisa dempsters neon pilgrim. A visit to shikoku offers a wonderful chance to see a side of japan rarely experienced by travellers, most of whom stick to the wellworn and wellloved sites of japan s main island. Meaning and practice in shikoku in this wise and compassionate book, sibley vividly captures life on the buddhist pilgrims road of shikoku, japan. This is a great destination if you want to escape from the hectic city life and slow down your pace of life. A 3day shikoku island itinerary for the timestrapped.
The shikoku pilgrimage is the oldest and most popular pilgrimage in japan. Nov 24, 2016 the above 3day itinerary offers you a glimpse of how shikoku island is like. Tosa and its local hero sakamoto ryoma played an important historical role towards the end of the edo period. Nov, 2014 the henro pilgrimage route on the island of shikoku is celebrating its 1,200year anniversary in 2014. The island is divided into the prefectures of ehime, kagawa, kochi, and tokushima.
Most japanese buddhists belong to the mahayana school, which came to japan from baekje korea in the sixth century. Shikoku, literally four provinces is one of the five main islands of japan. Id armed myself with shikoku japan 88 route guide, the definitive englishlanguage guide. Written by volunteers and periodically updated, the book contains a short introduction to the shikoku pilgrimage and detailed maps of the entire route along with a wealth of useful information to help you navigate the island and find places to eat, sleep and much more. Ian reader, lancaster university, author of making pilgrimages. Check out the best museums in shikoku to visit in 2020. Shikoku is famous for the shimanami kaido that allows bicycle access across islands of the seto inlet, the whirl pools of naruto and kagawas famous shrine, kotohiragu. The city is the gateway to the setouchi triennale art fes.
Shikoku is also one of the countrys regions, which includes nearby islands associated with its constituent prefectures. This is a buddhist pilgrimage around the circumference of the japanese island of shikoku. A popular and distinctive feature of the islands cultural landscape, and with a long history, large numbers of pilgrims, known. Explore shikoku holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. A complete guide to shikoku contains the following books in one complete boxset. This is the fourth book ive read about the pilgrimage. Takamatsu is the capital of japans smallest prefecture, kagawa. Some do the pilgrimage simply to discover japan, but others undertake it.
1143 1054 1518 692 1091 1017 824 517 1306 410 941 35 410 1542 1012 790 256 1166 569 108 1332 870 387 1159 768 682 1034 1327 547 566 732 537 763 451 371 737 622