Pat's Blog

Lots of books have come out in the last few years on the Henro Pilgrimage of the 88 temples and I’ve read a couple and they fall way short of the classic; ‘A Japanese Pilgrimage’ written by Oliver Statler. Somewhat dated, it is not only a book about Japanese culture accurately and sensitively crafted but the spiritual journey of the American author also and his struggle with his inner darkness.

A rambling, impressionistic portrait, thoroughly researched and it's a great read still … the best if you can get a copy, and puts to shame some of the recent knockoffs in the bookstores these days. Alan Booth (‘Roads to Sata’. ‘Looking for the Lost’) was another author, walker, rambler, with this same wonderful quality in a more recent context. These are three books well worth reading.

JC’s been off my back lately and let me have a shot at a small part of the Henro Trail that I know well on Goshiki Dai (the plateau of five colors) close to Takamatsu. About 400 meters high and right on the border of Takamatsu and Sakaide City, the Goshiki Dai plateau is accessible by rental bicycle (get an electric one, they’re great!) only if you have strong legs. The trail itself is a bit tricky to find so you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for the Sakaide sign which I took a picture of for you and its right about there on the right, the trail starts.







The trail markers are in Japanese but easy to figure out as they’ll point you towards Shiramine Temple 3.1 kilometers away. This is a great trail anytime of the year and wanders up and down two big gullies. Watch out for the leaves, as they can be slippery.



On my ramble I came across a group of school kids and a teacher staying at a nearby youth training camp facility and they were very intent on practicing their English.

It was and is an easy walk and there are signs to guide the pilgrims on the way.



My colleague and friend Chris McCabe took a group of foreign residents on a Henro walk here recently as a part of his Facebook, K-FUN activity
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kagawa-Foreigners-United-Network-K-FUN/288078602287





People of all ages, all walks of life take this path weaving through the remote, mountainous and at times lonely interior of Shikoku. A time to meditate on the great mystery; the meaning of birth and death. Pray and reflect on oneself. (Something I’m often asking JC to do …)

Here are a few of the people I met on the Goshiki Dai plateau and at the Negoro temple right near the start of this path.





Tim’s Takamatsu page has the best shots I think.
http://www.timwerx.net/albums/negoro/index.htm

Keep all those cards and letters comin’ in. I’ll be back soon with a report on the Takamatsu Winter Festival which starts this week. I’ll also be taking a deeper look at the henro trail in January and have lined up some classy photos and an interesting foreigner who’s walked it in its entirety. So don’t go away and have a happy holiday season.