What is the purpose of the Shikoku pilgrimage?
It has a history dating back over 1,200 years. Shikoku Pilgrims, known as ohenro-san, undertake the journey around Shikoku island to atone for sins, to pray for health and success, in pursuit of enlightenment, and to experience the mysteries of Japan’s least developed island.
How many people do the Shikoku pilgrimage each year?
200,000
Shikoku: At a Glance
| Religion: | Buddhism |
|---|---|
| Frequency: | Year round |
| Duration: | About 45 days on foot |
| Annual participants: | 200,000 |
| Geographical size: | 750-mile pilgrimage around the island of Shikoku |
Who created the Shikoku pilgrimage?
Kukai
Starting around 1,300 years ago, this dangerous but promising place attracted a succession of three unorthodox religious zealots the last of whom, Kukai, is regarded as the founder of the pilgrimage.
When was Buddhism introduced to Japan?
sixth century
Traveling along this route, Mahayana Buddhism was introduced to Japan from Korea in the sixth century (traditionally, in either 538 or 552, as part of a diplomatic mission that included gifts such as an image of Shakyamuni Buddha and several volumes of Buddhist text).
Where does the Shikoku Pilgrimage end and why?
The Shikoku Pilgrimage route Given that the pilgrimage is a loop, there’s no strict beginning or end, but if you were to go from temple number 1 to number 88, you’d start with Ryozenji (霊山寺) in Tokushima, and finish at Okuboji (大窪寺) in Kagawa.
Why is Shikoku called Shikoku?
Shikoku 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.
What is the 88 temple pilgrimage?
The Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgramage is one of the few circular-shaped pilgrimages in the world. It includes 88 “official” temples and numerous other sacred sites where Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi) is believed to have trained or have spent time during the 9th Century.
What were the three questions that Shinto failed to answer but that Buddhism addressed?
Whereas Shinto was generally life-affirming and flexible about human conduct (except in matters of purity), Buddhist philosophy provided a moral framework for the universe and addressed questions about death, reincarnation, and punishment for wrongdoing that Shinto failed to answer in detail.
Can you do a pilgrimage?
Pilgrimages frequently involve a journey or search of moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person’s beliefs and faith, although sometimes it can be a metaphorical journey into someone’s own beliefs.
What food is Shikoku famous for?
Taste the Best of Shikoku Food with These 8 Picks
- Sanuki Udon. Sanuki Udon noodles from Kagawa prefecture are possibly the most famous of Shikoku’s regional foods, and are one of Japan’s three most famous types of udon.
- Tokushima Ramen.
- Katsuo no Tataki.
- Botchan Dango.
- Imotaki.
- Uwajima Tai Meshi.
- Sobagome Zosui.
- Honetsuki-dori.
What is the main city in Shikoku?
Matsuyama
The largest city is Matsuyama (population: 509,835) and is the capital of Ehime Prefecture. Shikoku is the main island with the third largest population density, at 204.55 inhabitants per square kilometre (529.8/sq mi)….Population.
| City(-shi) | Inhabitants |
|---|---|
| Matsuyama | 509,835 |
| Takamatsu | 418,994 |
| Kōchi | 332,059 |
| Tokushima | 321,654 |
How long is the route of the Shikoku Pilgrimage?
It’s a 1,200-kilometer-long journey and one of the world’s very few pilgrimage loops (not trails). According to Japanese legend, the loop follows the journey of Japanese Buddhist monk Kukai (known as Kobo Daishi after his death), who is believed to have trained or have spent time along the route during the 9th century.
What do they call the Pilgrims in Shikoku?
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.”.
Do you have to go to all the Shikoku temples?
To complete the pilgrimage, it is not necessary to visit the temples in order; in some cases it is even considered lucky to travel in reverse order. 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.”.
What do people wear on the Shikoku Pilgrimage?
They are often recognizable by their white clothing, sedge hats, and kongō-zue or walking sticks. Alms or osettai (おせったい) 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 Shingon Buddhism.