Shikoku holy sites, day 2

Majestic pines and a variety of statues lined the approach, but this chubby fellow won the coveted '12th temple' prize. The prize being having your photo taken next to Hozumi's fingers.

I thought the horse statues opposite made for a better picture, but that shrine didn't qualify for the 88 holy sites and hence isn't featured in this blog. 可哀そうね 

The path gives up, gives way to rocks.

We're on temple #15 already, but finally learn what we should be doing after a friendly bunch decides to instruct us in the ways of pilgrimaging. A bow, a washing of hands, a ringing of the bell (to be performed with as much relish and might as you can muster) a chant to be chanted at the two relevant shrines and a final bow as you leave. We draw the line at chanting.

Hozumi gives the chant a go. It's titled 佛説摩訶般若波羅蜜多心経, or at least starts with that phrase, if anyone out there is interested.

Big feet seem to be a popular temple feature.

We say our farewells to our pilgrimage mentors, after finally getting the bell-ringing right.

I liked the green, stained appearance of this buddha.

You may notice we skipped #18 and #19, as the day was growing long and we needed to find a campsite. A mostly abandoned schoolground in the middle of nowhere near temple #20 made for a good spot with shelter, water and plug sockets so we headed straight there. We stocked up on food and spent the whole of the next day waiting out the heavy rains.

Deserted schoolgrounds make for spooky campsites.