Henro – A Spiritual Journey through Shikoku 「四国遍路」～回遊型巡礼路と独自の巡礼文化～　ストーリー動画

Description

Shikoku may not be the first destination that comes to mind when visiting Japan, but Japan’s fourth largest island has many unique experiences to offer. One of these is the Shikoku Henro, or the pilgrimage to 88 temples dotted around the island. Shikoku is where the famous Buddhist monk Kukai (774 - 835), posthumously known as Kobo Daishi, was born and trained. He founded the Shingon school of esoteric Buddhism and is one of the most revered religious figures in Japanese history. After Kukai’s death, monks began to travel to the sites where he is believed to have trained and over time the route became a popular pilgrimage for the general public as well. Unlike many pilgrimages where there is one final destination, the Shikoku Henro is a journey to 88 temples. The full route covers roughly 1,400 kilometers, circling the entire island. The journey can take a month or two on foot, but modern pilgrims have the option of using cars or public transportation. There are no strict rules on which temples to visit or how many in total. People make this pilgrimage for many reasons: some religious or spiritual, others just to spend time in nature or for fun. The 88 temples belong to various sects and welcome visitors of different beliefs, religions, and nationalities. However, pilgrims are asked to follow the proper etiquette when they arrive at the temples, such as washing the hands and mouth and lighting incense at the main hall. Local residents have a unique tradition, called osettai, of offering food, drink, and assistance to the pilgrims in the spirit of generosity. The Shikoku Henro experience is a combination of the pilgrimage itself and the welcoming culture that has developed in Shikoku over the ages.