The Dojo of Awakening: Exploring the 23 Sacred Temples of Tokushima.
Tokushima Prefecture marks the beginning of the Shikoku Henro, known traditionally as “Awa-no-Kuni.” This category covers the first stage of the journey, featuring all sacred sites from Temple No. 1 (Ryozen-ji) to Temple No. 23 (Yakuou-ji).
In these articles, you will find detailed accounts of the spiritual “first steps,” the architectural beauty of the early temples, and the challenging mountain trails like the “Henro-korogashi” (pilgrim-fall) passes. Whether you are seeking the history of the Kobo Daishi or practical route information for the Tokushima section, let these records guide you through your own awakening on the trail.
After the flight from Tokyo to Tokushima, I used bus & train to come here. From now on, I’ll walk around 1200 Km to visit 88 sacred temples…wow! I try to follow what to do at each temple. Unfortunately the main temple is under construction, so everyone has to worship in the quite narrow space. …
During 1.4 Km short walk from No.1 Ryozen-ji, I noticed that there’re some sign posts for walking pilgrims, and it’s pretty easy to find a way to next temple. There’re pretty big Japanese sedar called Chomei-sugi (長命杉) in Gokuraku-ji. It is said that Kobo-daishi founder of Shikoku Pilgrimage planted it. There’re relatively small number of …
OK, even though my backpack is pretty heavy, I’m OK after 4 Km walk from No.1 Ryozen-ji. However, I noticed that the challenge could be that there’re actually many pilgrims using bus tour…just after arriving at this main gate, the tour bus also arrived… hmm. Precincts of Konsen-ji looks bit like Chinese style (maybe because …
Aizen-in is located along the route from No.3 Konsen-ji to No.4 Dainichi-ji. In addition to 88 sacred temples, there’re actually more temples that is somewhat connected to Kobo-Daishi. Aizen-in is one of them and it is known from its special temple stamp written by wide-brush. However, I was stuck by this small hall dedicated to …
Continue reading “Day 1: Aizen-in, inner shrine of No.3 Konsen-ji (金泉寺奥の院 愛染院)”
After leaving Aizen-in, it started to rain a lot… So I had to use foldable umbrella… but then my both hands are occupied (the other one hold Kongo-zue). I now realized that Sugegasa (Sedge hat) seems to be a good choice. This main gate is interesting, because it has the bell inside. Usually there’s separated …
Walking along the Henro route, I noticed that I’m already in the precincts in the temple 😉 So I once moved out, then once again move in from the main gate. The main gate is rather small comparing others I visited already today. At every temple, I noticed this cute young priest is standing either …
When I left the guest house around 6:30 a.m, it was quite dark and chilly outside. After a while, I noticed that I may have missed sign post, and that I probably lost the Henro route. I understood it could happen, since Henro route is old historical route, and it is sometimes apart from roadway, …
Interestingly, the main gate of Jyuraku-ji is similar as the one of No.6 Anraku-ji because of it’s Chinese style look. It’s actually pleasant to conduct religious services step by step in this chilly and quiet morning. I went to Nokyo-jyo to get the stamp, after finishing those. However, there’re no one. After calling via extension …
The main gate of No.8 Kumadani-ji is said to be one of the largest wooden main gate in all the 88 sacred temples. Interestingly, it is located bit isolated from the other buildings of the temple. Indeed, it’s not like a main gate. In addition to the old but refined main gate, I was also …
It’s pleasant to walk in such a nice view and weather. These sign post help me a lot indeed. I don’t have to check map so often while enjoying walking. The Horin-ji is dedicated to Nehan-shaka-nyorai (涅槃釈迦如来), which has lying posture. I think it’s pretty rare. It seems that it is open to public only …
I started to feel burden of my backpack… And in front of this main gate, I suddenly remembered that someone says that a certain shop at the foot of the mountain kindly takes care of the luggage for uphill to No.10 Kirihata-ji. Oh, however, it’s too late… At the last part of this 333 steps …
It is about 10 Km walk from No.10 Kirihata-ji to No.11 Fujii-dera. The uphill to No.10 Kirihata-ji was tough enough and the pain in my shoulders got worse, and I started to feel some pain in the joint of the body and the legs. Yes, I was indeed tired. I found this strange 🙂 resting …