From Mountain to Temple

 

December 1st, 2011, and day 20 of my walk along the Shikoku Pilgrimage begins at the first hint of a lightening sky.

It was not far down from my sleeping spot on the mountain before I reached civilization where a few lights were already on...

A lovely thatched house right next to one of Japan's famous porn vending machines.... maybe not the ancient-modern juxtaposition most often thought of....

The walking pilgrims route to the next temple pretty much follows the rail line, the JR Dosan Line

As was my habit, I stopped in at most shrines I passed.

This one was a Daiyamano Shrine and it was necessary to cross the railway tracks to reach it, a not so uncommon occurrence.

Behind the rather utilitarian worship hall, the honden was protected by a roof. Theer is no information on the shrine history or kami.

There has been no Autumn colour this morning other than some gingko leaves on the ground at the shrine...

There is still some mist in the Niita River valley.....

a small roadside shrine....

and then one final shrine visit before I get into the town and the next temple Iwamoto-ji...

Unfortunately, onece again, I can find no information on the shrine kami or history...

The previous post was on the previous days walk up into the mountains.

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Laying Down in the Mountains. Day 19 Shikoku Ohenro Pilgrimage

 

November 30th, 2011, and after visiting the bangai temple of Daizenji in Susaki, the route heads along the coast for a while.

It soon cuts inland and heads into the mountains...

From here ther is a choice between two routes over the mountains, the Soemimizu Trail, or the Osaka Trail. I chose the Soemimizu trail, though I cannot remember why. It seems to be the tougher.

At this elevation the colours are still full on....

One of the funky rest stops made and maintained by local people...

Whimsy is always appreciated...

As are big, old, gnarly trees....

This is one of the official henro rest huts, number 31.This one was fairly open but any roof  is welcome when it's raining.

The Soemimizu Trail gets steep in places. My pack was pretty heavy. I didn't carry a tent, but everything else needed for an overnight outdoors, including ample food and water plus a small stove and pot for boiling water. I didn't have a phone, but did carry a laptop so that when I did spend the night in accomodation I could connect....

The pilgrim trail comes to where a new expressway has been constructed. The trail is just across on the other side of the construction. They could easily have constructed a small pedestrian bridge for pilgrims, but instead made a diversion that was a very steep drop followed by a very steep climb. Boy, was I pissed.

The last view of the sea for a while...

Not sure of how high the climb is. Also not really sure of how far I walked each day. I know some people seem to obsess about exactly quantifying such things... I'm not one of them....

Looking down on the construction of one of the few sections of the new expressway that is not in a  tunnel.

In the higher elevations the autumn colours were close to the end... time to start keeping my eye out for a suitable spot to sleep tonight.....

The previous post in the series was on Bangai Temple 5, Daizenji.

If you would like to subscribe by email just leave your email address in the comments below. It will not be published and made public. I post new content almost everyday, and send out an email about twice a month with short descriptions and links to the last ten posts.

Daizenji Bangai Temple 5 Shikoku Ohenro Pilgrimage

 

Daizenji is a small Shingon temple in Susaki, Kochi Prefecture, and is the 5th of the bangai or bekkaku "extra" temples on the Ohenro pilgrimage.

In earlier times this location was a cape jutting out into the sea with two large rocks. The sea is now a kittle further away and the rocks have been buried under sediment, but in the old days when people passed around the cape at low tide they would sometimes be swept away.

The cape was also considered to be the southermost tip of Mount Ishizuchi and therefore, has some potential spiritual danger for some.

The Daishi Hall is at the base, and steep steps lead up to the bell tower and main hall.

Further up the hill is a small Ishizuchi Shrine.

When Kobo Daishi visited the spot in 815 he prayed for those travelling and a hall was built which became known as Futatsuishi Daishi.

The temple is very close to the main pilgrimage route so most pilgrims stop as no detour is needed as with some of the bangai temples.

The previous temple is Shoryuji Temple, number 36.

The previous post in this series was on my early morning walk through Susaki to get to Daizenji.

A Delightful Early Morning Walk in Susaki

 

On day 19 of my walk along the Shikoku Pilgrimage I left the northern part of Susaki where I had spent a restful night in a business hotel. I slept out a lot on the pilgrimage, stayed in Zenkanyado and Tsuyado when I could, and then every now and then splurged for a room in a hotel.

Susaki was the biggest town I had been in since leaving Kochi City and it was a glorious autumn morning as I headed towards the extra bangai temple of  Daizenji.

The things that strike my eyes and lead me to taking a snap vary wildly, though strong compositions work....

I stopped in at a couple of small shrines as I came into Susaki proper. Susaki now covers quite a wide area but the train station near my hotel last night was Onogo. I passed Oma station before arriving near Susaki Station.

As I started to ascend the slope towards the temple the views of Susaki Bay opened up

As was common on the vast majority of days while walking these pilgrimages I was filled with gratitude for what had passed and excitement at what was to come....

The previous post in this series on the delights to be found between the temples was on the walk from Uranouchi Bay to Susaki.