Okubo-Ji Shikoku

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Ookuboji　大窪寺　Okubo-Ji
香川県さぬき市多和字兼割96

Visiting in 2002, with a bit of "Daruma Hunting".

This is the very last one of the 88 henro pilgrim temples in Shikoku. Pilgrims come here with a full heart, leaving their walking stick kongō-zue as a sign of gratitude to Kobo Daishi, who has walked with them and protected them on the long pilgrimage.





The temple bell and little pilgrim's bells have even been selected as one of the 100 Soundscapes of Japan by the Ministry of the Environment.




Okubo-Ji is located at the foot of two high mountains, symbolizing the two important Mandalas of Esoteric Buddhism.
Mount Nantai is 776 meters high.

The main deity is Yakushi Nyorai 薬師如来, Buddha of healing.

The sacred mantra is
おん ころころ せんだり まとうぎ そわか on korokoro sendari matoogi sowaka

The pilgrim's song is
諸病なかれと願いつつ まいれる人は大窪の寺

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::








The compounds are huge, with many interesting buildings and other monuments, and a huge Gingko-Tree shadowing it all.





Even the komainu guardian dog is enjoying the cherry blossoms.


::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Since it is the last temple of the pilgrimage, you put the walking stick, which is an incarnation of Kooboo Daishi himself, at a special place to rest there.




People also offer small statues of Kobo Daishi to express their thanks.







. Kobo Daishi, Kukai 弘法大師　空海 .


::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::



. 不動明王 Fudo Myo-O, Acala .




The Five Great Wisdom Kings, Godai Myo-O - 五大明王

. The Five Great Elements of the Universe - 地水火風空の五大 .

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


The view down the steep valley to the pink cherry blossoms was just breathtaking. On the stone stairway up to the temple was a simple little stone statue of a Hime Daruma (Daruma as a Princess) - at least that is what the statue looked to me.




. My Photo Album - Takamatsu 2002 .



Okubo-Ji -
this pilgrim bows
in gratitude


::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Since Temple 88 is the last, it signifies your wish has been granted, your vow fulfilled
結願 kechigan, ketsugan .



And on the body of this wooden Daruma is a large sign saying: Kechigan Daruma!
So here again we find a natural combination of Kobo Daishi and Daruma Daishi on the Shikoku Pilgrimage.
These impressive Darumas are made by Mr. Fujii Hiroyuki, Samukawa-Choo Ishida-Nishi 2585-2. 藤井博行　寒川町石田西2585‐2 .The kind lady at the store even checked the telephonebook, but Mr. Fujii was not listed.

. Daruma Hunting in Takamatsu, April 2002 .


::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


- Two short Haiku Henro Trips, Summer 2005


Henro Pilgrims in Shikoku
. Temple 88 Ookuboji　大窪寺　Okubo-Ji .

. 四国お遍路さん Pilgrims in Shikoku . - General Information

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. Japan - Shrines and Temples - ABC .


[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　. TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::