This is Temple 83 of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. This temple was only a 90 minute walk from my apartment, all on flat land. The temple grounds for this one was smaller than the other three I visited, but still interesting.
Temple 83 is located next to the Shinto Shrine, Tamura Jinja. I read that there is a hole in the ground under the stone hut which houses the Yakushi Nyorai statue which leads to hell, and that the sound of hell can be heard here. What is that about? I didn't hear anything.
When I told people I was planning to go to this temple, I was told it is haunted, there are ghosts, it is scary. I was even told not to go. Many Japanese people are very superstitious. I don't consider myself superstitious, but I have to say it was a weird day. It was a little rainy and visibility wasn't good - kind of spooky.
I mapped out my route with google maps on the iPad. As I started my walk up the mountain, the little blue dot (me) was moving all around and I couldn't tell which road I was on. Then -- the dot disappeared and I got the message "current location undetermined". Was I in the Twilight Zone, or what? The road was steep and I was leaning forward, looking at the ground when I felt something drip from my nose. I saw a drop of blood on the ground! I never get nose bleeds! What was going on? The nose bleed stopped as quickly as it started. Next, I see this ghost swing set on the side of the road, in the middle of nowhere. How weird.
The legend is that a cow monster was living in the area bothering everyone. An expert archer named Kurodo Takakiyo Yamada prayed for 17 days, then shot and killed the monster. Afterward he gave the monster's horns to Negoro-ji. There is a statue at the entrance to the temple of this monster and two other monsters guarding the gate to the temple grounds.
The temple grounds and buildings are very beautiful and there were pilgrims, so not everyone avoids the place, but it was a weird day.
People who hike the entire 88 Temples take months to do it. There are bus tours that also take people around. I'm happy to go to the ones in my area for now, although I would like to do the entire route if I had the chance.
On my day off last week, I walked to Shiramine-ji and back home again - 15 miles! This is one of the Shikoku 88 Temples and is at the top of Shiramine yama (mountain). Kurkai built this temple and founded the Shingon Sect. Emperor Sutoku was cremated in this temple.
This is not my religion so I don't understand the reason and ritual of this pilgrimage, but I am fascinated by it. The pilgrims wear white shirts and sometimes white pants, and a cone straw hat. They carry a white bag with their pilgrim book in it and a wooden stick with a bell. I like the smell of the incense burning at the temples. It seems to give a calm feeling.
Getting here was a lot of uphill, a lot of steps. Right away I noticed this temple had a lot of little cat statues everywhere. I have no idea what that's about. The temple ground covered a large area with many buildings set into the side of the mountain. Did I mention there were a lot of steps?
Next, Temple 82!
