Category Archives: Shikoku (Four States or Provinces)

    A-gyō and Un-gyō, the guardians of Shigon temples (temples 41, 42)     In every temple gate of the Shingon sect, a pair of wrath-filled muscular guardians, called Kongō-rikishi, are standing at the entrance to ward off evil and protect the temple grounds.  The statue on the right with an open mouth is called A-gyō, A- figure, representing the vocalization of “a”. The left statue, called Un-gyō, Un- figure, has a closed mouth and represents the sound “hum.” Both symbolize birth and death, similar to Alpha and Omega in Christianity and signify “all creation”.             The Niōmon or entrance gate to Butsumokuji, temple 42   The statue of Kōbō Daishi welcoming every Ohenro stands in the background. The statues of A-gyō and Un-gyō, two wrath-filled muscular guardians, are placed left and right behind the wooden fence of the entrance gate. They are a manifestation of the Bodhisvattva Vajrapāni and according to Japanese tradition, traveled with Gautama Buddha to protect him.           A-gyō with open mouth         … Continue reading →

    Ehime Prefecture, Place of Enlightenment, Temples 40 – 65   Coming to Ehime Prefecture (temples 39, 40)   Weather changes fast at the Pacific Ocean.  It was rainy all day, however, I did not mind.  The rain was warm and soft and made the vegetation vivid green.           Temple area of Kanjizaiji (temple 40), first temple in Ehime Prefecture         Eight Buddhas in a row for twelve zodiac years splashed by a woman with water for having good luck.             Dainichi Nyorai, the Cosmic Buddha (Dainichi, lit. “Great Sun”), serves as a patron for people born in the Zodiac Years of Sheep and the Monkey. He is the center of Shingon Buddhism. Binzuru (Pindola Bharadvaja), one of the four Arhats asked by Buddha to remain in the world to propagate Buddhism   Each one was connected with one of the four compass directions.  He is depicted with extremely long eyebrows.  It is believed that he has curative powers.  Sick people rub the part of his body corresponding to their sick part to get cured.  He often wears red bibs and caps, as he also watches over the health of babies.           … Continue reading →

    Kongōfukuji (temple 38) and Cape Ashizuri-Misaki       It was a gorgeous day when I arrived in Kongōfukuji, the temple of eternal bliss, At the most sourthern area of Shikoku. I could have stayed hours in this place. With no wind at all, … Continue reading →

  Beauty everywhere (temples 36,37)   There were many moments during my pilgrimage where I was thinking that it could not become more beautiful – that this moment was the pivotal point, unsurpassable – and yet, beauty appeared over and … Continue reading →

  Jizō Bosatsu, guardian of children and travellers ( temple 34 – 35)     Jizōs and Kannon are the most popular figures in Japan.  Jizōs are everywhere, not only in temples, but also along walkways and streets and, as … Continue reading →

  Kuniko–san, a good friend to walk with (temples 28 – 33)   On my pilgrimage, occasionally I met women who did the pilgrimage alone.  One of them was Kuniko-san, a Japanese woman who could talk English well enough to … Continue reading →

  Beauty of Impermanence (temples 25 – 27)       Along the shore of the Pacific Ocean, weather can be severe.  When I left Cape Muroto, for miles I walked in heavy rain. It did not bother me, because … Continue reading →

  Kochi Prefecture, Place of Ascetic Training, temples 24 – 39   Great Sky, Great Ocean – Cape Muroto and Hotsumasakiji (temple 24) The path along the shore of the Pacific Ocean on road 55 to Cape Muroto is a … Continue reading →

  Arriving at the Pacific Ocean (temple 23)     This day was the last day in the Tokushima Prefecture.           The day I arrived at the Pacific Ocean, I stayed overnight at the Minshuku Yuki-so, … Continue reading →

  Daigongen Shrine or Shrine for the Cat God (temples 20 – 22)     Kakurinji (temple 20) and Taiyūji (temple 21) are two mountain temples separated by a valley and with the Naka River flowing through them.  Huge cedar … Continue reading →