Recouping – Sunday, March 31, 2019

  • Sunday, March 30, 2019, Day 18
  • Temples #40 Sukumo City, Japan
  • Weather: 45-50 overcast becoming partially sunny
  • Miles 18 / Total Miles 322

Strong headwinds added extra exertion to today’s walk. Arrived at Temple #40 feet weary. Hot tub was followed up with a good rest.

  1. O-Settia Orange
  2. A favorite snack, sugar coated ginger slices.
  3. ~The other half of me

Highway 56 – Sunday, March 31, 2019

  • Sunday, March 30, 2019, Day 18
  • Temples #40
  • Sukumo City, Japan
  • Weather: 45-50 STRONG WINDS overcast becoming sunny.
  • Miles 18 / Total Miles 322

Signage was weak at best after Temple #39. A couple saw me pondering with guide book in hand and pulled off the road to help. They indicated stay left on highway 56. They were recommending the car route whereas I wanted the walking route that avoided highways. An ohenro joined us. He motioned to stay on highway 56 so we did…all 27km with cars zipping at our side and with many long tunnels. Strong headwinds felt as if I was dragging an anchor. Arrived at Temple #40 feet weary; but, pleased to have taken an alternate route successfully.

  1. O-Henro Ishihara S., Japanese, walking Highway 54
  2. O-Henro Ishihara S., Japanese, walking Highway 54
  3. O-Henro Ishihara S., Japanese, walking Highway 54

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