Category: Kōchi Prefecture #24-#39

Each Day – Saturday, March 30, 2019

  • Saturday, March 30, 2019, Day 17
  • Temples #38 & 39
  • Sukumo City, Japan
  • Weather: 55-60 overcast & brief light rain
  • Miles 86.6 (walk, 3 trains, 2 buses) / Total Miles 304

Each day brings new acquaintances whose faces may randomly appear in the coming weeks. Waiting for the train, Arnold and I meet henro Joseph from India. As a child, he dreamed Sai Baba told him he would go on a pilgrimage which was a circle. Walking 88 Buddhist Temples, he will walk a circle around the island of Shikoku.

  1. Joseph and Arnold
  2. Temple #38
  3. Fish from Temple #38

Scroll – Saturday, March 30, 2019

  • Saturday, March 30, 2019, Day 17
  • Temples #38 & 39
  • Sukumo City, Japan
  • Weather: 55-60 overcast & brief light rain
  • Miles 86.6 (walk, 3 trains, 2 buses) / Total Miles 304

Henros may choose to have the temple stamp on a prepared scroll. I have seen these framed scrolls hanging in places of honor in temples and homes.

  1. Scroll
  2. Temple #38
  3. Temple #38

Stamp Book – Friday, March 29, 2019

  • Friday, March 29, 2019, Day 16
  • Temple #37
  • Shimanto Town, Japan
  • Weather: 55-65 overcast
  • Miles 34.1 (walk & train) / Total Miles 217.4

At the end of each temple visit, henros present stamp books for red stamps and pen and ink lettering. It documents your visit. It’s a most special book. Many Japanese are cremated with their stamp book.

I thank all the temple people who tenderly and skillful write in in the countless stamp books day after day.

    Video of stamping book
    Ceiling of Temple 37’s with individual painted community tiles. Yes, that’s Marilyn Monroe 4 Temple 37’s
    Shukunō with onsen, laundry, dinner, breakfast, morning temple service, and reservations service for tomorrow’s accommodation.

Jefferson’s Nickel – Friday, March 29, 2019

  • Friday, March 29, 2019, Day 16
  • Temple #37
  • Shimanto Town, Japan
  • Weather: 55-65 overcast
  • Miles 34.1 (walk & train) / Total Miles 217.4

Alone the costal mountain road on the Yokonami Peninsula, I met a couple who had parked at view point. After a bit of welcomed conversation, I offered them an o-settia. I carry a newly minted roll of nickels with the images Thomas Jefferson and Monticello. Using the app google translate, I explain Thomas Jefferson was America’s third president. His home was named Monticello. I work at Thomas Jefferson’s home. The couple was delighted. I continued walking down the road when I heard shouting. The man was running with outstretched arms holding two beautiful oranges, an o-settia for me. It feels so good to be giving and receiving these daily gifts.

This couple got it. Unfortunately many receivers of my USA nickel think I work at the president’s home, the White House.

  1. View
  2. Sign 3
  3. View

Prayer Slips – Thursday, March 28, 2019

  • Thursday, March 28, 2019, Day 15
  • Temple #34, #35, & #36
  • Kōchi City, Japan
  • Weather: 50-65 degrees with blue skies
  • Miles 20.8 / Total 183.3

Ideally prayer slips are filled out before you visit the temples. Even in Shangri-La details can slip to the last moment.

  1. Prayer slips tied to Japanese Maple tree
  2. Ohenro filling out prayer slip
  3. Steps from Temple #36