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.