20Apr08:Impressions about Shikoku 88-Temple Circuit Experience (4)
「The 88 temple walk is a valuable part of not only Japanese but also world heritage.」
I was lucky enough to experience a part of the 88 temple pilgrimage that circles the island of Shikoku. I have had a great interest in this historic pilgrimage and have wanted to walk along the route for a long time. I think it is a very beautiful and spiritual part of Japanese heritage.
On the route that we took, from kokubunji to negoroji we were able to enjoy some of the most beautiful and difficult parts parts of the pilgrimage. I was able to see some amazing views from the mountain tops. At one of the resting places I was able to see many wild birds and even feed them some seeds. The first section of the walk was very difficult as it was up a steep hill. While I was walking up this hill I thought how amazing it is that may henro are retired people who continually walk the pilgrimage around and around again. Their dedication shows how much the route means to them, and how important it is to Japan to make sure that this heritage is protected.
I am currently working as an English teacher on the JET programme. Once I have finished this job I intend to come back to Shikoku and walk the entire pilgrimage in one go. I have wanted to do this since I learned about the pilgrimage. I was very glad to be able to experience at least in part how wonderful yet arduous some parts of the walk around Shikoku can be. In university I took a course in Cultural Heritage Management, and was able to travel around Britain and view many UNESCO World Heritage sites. I got the same feeling of importance from the 88 temple walk experience as I did from many of the heritage sites that I've visited.
The 88 temple walk in my opinion is a valuable part of not only Japanese but also world heritage and should be recognized as such. I hope that the tradition of the 88 temple pilgrimage will continue on for many years. By Matthew Wright
By Matthew Wright
「What osettai means to the pilgrims.」
Before this day I had never had a pilgrimage experience, therefore I was happy this opportunity arose. We started early on Sunday morning at Kokobunji. Just before we began walking we were greeted by some local people, offering what I learned to be osettai. I was touched by the kindness that the people of Kagawa showed pilgrims as they went on their walk around Shikoku's 88 Temples. However, it was not until 5pm that I really appreciated what osettai may mean to the pilgrims, and truly realised the kindness they showed.
After filling up on piping hot coffee and delicious yaki-imo, our pilgrim experience began. As we climbed the mountain to the second temple, we had time to reflect on the beautiful land of Kagawa that was spread out below us. The natural beauty that surrounded the walk was breath-taking, and really gave you reason to pause and reflect on the elements of life.
