🌸 Noire Henro-san: Discount-Free

Time is getting short. The end of my pilgrimage in Japan is near. The location of Yashima-ji temple feels like the “flat earth” that early man feared falling off of. I feel grateful that I am here, in this place, at this time in the history of the world, and at this point in my life, I am glad I did not discount my desire or my dreams even as an “elderly” ohenro.

If what we need to dream, to move our spirits most deeply and directly toward and through promise, is discounted as a luxury, then we give up the core — the fountain — of our power, our womanness; we give up the future of our worlds.

– Andre Lorde

In any endeavor in life, if it leads you to enlightenment (which we are trying to find) it is dojo.

Still wishing and walking in Kagawa prefecture – dojo Kehan. On Shikoku, it is where ohenro practice and train – “a place of the way”.

Walk with me.

84 Yashima-ji

Temple of the Roof Island

The temple is located on a flat lava formation at the top of Mt Yashima. It looks out over the Seto Inland Sea.

Overcast skies and the wind sweeping from the sea across the plateau is sobering. The skies are ominous.

Temple plaque: Yashima-ji s known as the historic site of the ancient battlefield of Genpei.

The Tale of the Heike is an account of the struggle between the Taira and Minamoto clans for control of Japan at the end of the 12th century in the Genpei War (1180–1185).

Temple gate.

Close up.

Daishido.

The temple precinct includes a modern art museum. Many temple treasures are preserved and exhibited, including the main treasures, Genpei Rise and Fall picture scroll, “Genji’s White Flag”, and the Yashima Battle Screen.

Stone pagoda.

Tanuki

These mischievous creatures appear at temples and all over Japan.

They are believed to be able to change shape and play tricks on people. When Kukai needed help finding the temple, a tanuki disguised as an old man guided him here.

The main temple hall.

The belfry holds a samurai bell from the 12th century.

The temple fountain.

Shitenmon Temple Gate.

Shitenmon gate.

Deep thought

This has been a long, old path to walk. I know I will make it to the end. I never doubted that I would. Still, it is exciting and frightening.

See you next time.

Baadaye and Mata Ne (またね)

Shirley J ♥️

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.

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