The locations of the city temples in Imabari make it convenient to visit them all in one day… if you want. I visited the other temples in the last post. Let’s walk together on the pilgrimage path. We’ll visit the rest of the temples in and around Imabari city in Ehime Prefecture on the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage.
- Temple 58 Senyu-ji
- Temple 59 Kokubun-ji
58 Senyu-Ji
Temple Of The Secluded Hermit
Are the temple main hall curtains burgundy or purple? Maybe it is the sun!
No editing today – I like them, so I’ll leave them as they are.
Buddha’s feet mark the pilgrimage path.
Here are two ohenros that I met earlier on the trail. Mr ohenro was from the U.S. We had not seen each other for many days. We were all glad to meet again!.
These elderly ohenros (look who’s talking) were walking a portion of the trail. ‘Til we all meet again on the pilgrimage path.
Protective Nio guardians in fiercely animated stances “welcome” all visitors who enter through the temple gate.
Torii gates dot the pilgrimage path in the woods and in cities. Some are associated with larger temples and shrines. Many mark entrances to cemeteries.
Visiting city temples does not mean forests are not close. There are all kinds of trees including bamboo groves on the pilgrimage path. It is uplifting and refreshing to simply see the trees when the sun is beaming overhead.
Guard rail stickers point the way to temple 59.
59 Iyo Kokubun-Ji
State Temple Of Iyo Province
Stone steps lead to the temple grounds.
Finally, the top. And the main hall.
The belfry.
Kobo Daishi.
Kobo Daishi stands next to a medicine jar that reflects healing powers of the temple diety, Yakushi Nyorai.
Incense burner (JĹŤkĹŤro) in front of the main hall,
Praying pilgrims at the main hall.
The fountain with a medicine jar spigot for ablutions.
The Daishi Hall is topped with a flaming ball.
Route decision
A placard posted at the temple shows a recommended route of travel for pilgrims. The graphics display an efficient way for reaching temples 60 through 63.
The poster addresses the issue of navigation. For instance, the path to temple 60 passes temples 61, 62, and 63 on the way. So after the visit to temple 60, the route would have to be backtracked. to get to the other temples.
To avoid extra walking, the advice is to walk in this order after temple 59: first to temple 61, followed by temples 62, temple 63, and finally 60. Almost a straight line!
Flexible Pilgrimage path
Due to many ohenro walking paths all over the island, this issue is not uncommon. Ultimately, you will get to where you are going.
But first…
Port City Art
I returned to Imabari City! It is a major shipbuilding city outlooking the Seto Sea. Port facilities are extremely busy here.
One of the sights of Imabari city is a big ship’s propeller sculpture facing the port.
The city has ferry ports for getting to Omishima, Hiroshima, other Seto Inland Sea islands off the northern coast of Shikoku island and beyond.
See you next time at the temples in the “60’s”.
Baadaye and Mata Ne
Shirley J 🌸
This and several posts this summer will chronicle my pilgrimage in Japan where I am walking the 1200 kilometer-long Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. Read my announcement here.
I am excited, and I am here, still walking. And just know this, I will return to tell the tale!
T58-59
2 thoughts on “🌸 Noire Henro-san: Route of Worship”
It seems like not very long ago that you weren’t even halfway, and suddenly here you are in the 60s.
This is another thing I hear on the path. Isn’t it always that way in most things we do, whether it’s a road trip, a book, or even a year? Thanks for reading!