Today is rainy. The sky is overcast and dark. Is it a portent of the future? How do I interpret it? One thought that keeps coming to me is that this darkness and rain are representing what I might encounter in the future. Not just here but in the life I will return to when this pilgrimage is done. Hmm, I said this pilgrimage!
Is that a sign?
Seriously, I want to keep my mind on the minutes and kilometers in front of me.
Walk with me.
86 Shido-ji
Temple of the Fulfilled Wish
Shido-ji is one of the oldest temples on Shikoku 88 pilgrimage. Parts of it were destroyed in the 14th century, but was rebuilt in the late 17th century.
A long promenade leads from the city street to the Niomon gate.
This five-storied pagoda towers over the temple gate.
The Nio guardians stand inside. Large rope sandals, a-waraji as posed outside the gate.
The temple fountain.
The main hall.
It’s a jungle in there
One thing stands out at this temple. The landscaping is more natural. It looks like a jungle in there. The rain combined withe heat gives the place a tropical feel.
Daishi hall.
Enmado hall.
Five-storied pagoda. This is as close as I could get to it with the construction fence and trees around it. Still, the structure is magical and mysterious in the jungle setting..
There seems to be a lot of construction and ongoing repair work in the precinct. Not right now in the rain, of course!
The bell tower is being repaired or undergoing maintenance. The posted sign says “Do not go in’.
This pillar with the inscription “May Peace Prevail on Earth” appears on all the temple grounds. Sometimes, depending on how busy the temple may be, you have to really pay attention to see it on the way out.
Here is a long view of the street from the temple gate.
See you next time.
Baadaye and Mata Ne (ăžăă)
Shirley J âĽď¸
This and several posts this summer chronicle my pilgrimage in Japan where I am walking the 1200 kilometer-long Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. Read my announcement here.
T86