{Shikoku Hachijūhachikasho Meguri}

--BOOKS & PAPERS ABOUT THE PILGRIMAGE--

-GUIDEBOOKS-

• A Henro Pilgrimage Guide to the 88 Temples of Shikoku Island, Japan. A 160 page book written by Bishop Taisen MIYATA of the Los Angeles Kōyasan Buddhist Temple. Contains some general information about the pilgrimage but most of the book is detailed information on each of the 88 temples. It also contains the Heart Surta (which is recited at each temple) in both Japanese Romaji and English. Either this book or David Moreton's book immediately below is a definite should read, and maybe one of the books you should carry with you in order to read the information about each temple as you visit it, especially if you don't have the ability to read the Japanese books that are available.
  Bishop Taisen Miyata
  Los Angeles Kōya-san Buddhist Temple
  342 First Street
  Los Angeles, Ca, 90012

• A Journey of the Soul: The Shikoku Pilgrimage and its 88 Temples, by Tatsuo MURO and David MORETON. A great book with information on the 88 main temples on the pilgrimage. Very much like Miyata-san's book above, it has one page on each of the temples with a short history and what to find there. Well worth owning. Either this book or Taisen Miyata's book immediately above is a definite should read, and maybe one of the books you should carry with you in order to read the information about each temple as you visit it, especially if you don't have the ability to read the Japanese books that are available.
  Tatsuo Muro and David Moreton
  Moreton's web site.

• AWA Henro: A Bilingual Guidebook for Pilgrims in Tokushima. Published by AWA88. Who says that Kōbō Daishi isn't alive and out there watching over us. I didn't think i'd ever see a copy of this book as it is out of print with no plans for a reprinting. Then Kōbō showed up in the form of someone living in Tokushima and here i am with my own copy. Thanks Fiona. This bilingual book (English/Japanese) contains a wealth of information about each of the 23 temples in Tokushima Prefecture, numerous other temples in the prefecture, about the origin, history, and lore of the pilgrimage in general, and an overview of the Buddhism and its symbolism needed to understand it all. Well worth looking for a copy.
  The Office of AWA88
  Nakatori-machi 2-32
  Tokushima-ken, 770, Japan

• Shikoku 88 Kasho Shōsai Chizu Chō. A great little book (written in Japanese) much like a combination of Miyazaki-san's map book and Miyata-san's information book on each of the temples. It contains maps for the entire circuit with less detail than Miyazaki-san's, but enough to get you around the island. This book, however, was written for those who are driving the pilgrimage and i don't recommend it for walkers. Like Miyata-san's, this book gives you a few paragraphs of information on each of the temples, but also comes with color pictures and sketches of the layout of the temple compounds so you know which building is what. Also like Miyazaki-san's, this book has a good listing of minshuku, ryokan, and hotels you can possibly stay at.
  Zasshi Shikoku
  Nariai-machi 772-7
  Takamatsu-shi
  Kagawa-ken
  Yubin Bango 761-8082
  Japan
  (087) 885-1939

• Shikoku Henro: Hitori Aruki Dōgyō Ninin (Shikoku Pilgrim: Walking Alone, Two Fellow Pilgrims). A two volume set. Either volume 2, the maps themselves, or the English maps below, is a 100% must buy if you are walking. Written in Japanese, this set is called by many the Henro Bible. Originally led by MIYAZAKI Tateki, and now by his son, it was written and prepared by members of the the Cooperative Society to Preserve the Henro Trail for the person who intends to walk the pilgrimage. Volume one, while not necessary if you don't read Japanese, contains a wealth of information about the pilgrimage, what you need to buy and carry with you when you walk, medical information, time and distance between temples, and the footnotes for information on the maps contained in volume two.

  Volume two of Shikoku Henro Hitori Aruki Dōgyō Ninin is the map book that leads you from temple to temple and around the island. It contains all the necessary maps needed to make the trip and at least this volume is invaluable to all walkers of the pilgrimage. Even though all the writing is in Japanese, this shouldn't be a problem once you take the time to figure out how it is laid out - a time consuming but easy task. I offer some advice on this process on other pages in this web site. Volume two also contains about a dozen pages with the names, addresses, and phone numbers of minshuku, ryokan, hotels, and other places to stay. It is a great reference and all you probably need.

  Volume 1 on the left. Volume 2 (maps) on the right.

  An example of one of the pages in the mapbook.

  You can buy the books at several temples or online at the Henro Michi Hozon Kyoryoku Kai website. The current edition was published in February 2007 and costs (with shipping) ¥3,790 for the set, or ¥2,710 for just the map book. My recommendation is to order them and have them sent to you before leaving so that you can study them at home.
  Available at Temples 1, 6, 10, 21, 24, 26, 37, 40, 51, 54, and 75. And, several book stores listed on the web site below.
  Available online at www.iyohenro.jp (Japanese)
  

  The website is in Japanese, but on the order page it says that the pricing listed is only for purchases inside Japan. It goes on to say that if you live outside of Japan, you need to contact them for cost and shipping information. The below contact info is listed, so you should be able to call, fax, or write them a letter. My guess is that they will find someone who can read an English letter or fax. My second guess is that they will tell you to send cash or an international money order. They would then send the book after they receive the money.
  --------------------
  Henro Michi Hozon Kyoryoku Kai
  Matsuyama-shi
  Ehime-ken
  Japan 791-8075
  TEL/FAX: 089-951-2506
  

  Be sure to tell them if you want the map book only, or the 2-book set, which includes both the map book and the kaisetsu book (explanation/commentary/extra information book).

• Shikoku Japan 88 Route Guide. An excellent guidebook in English. The book includes 45 pages of general (but helpful) information about the pilgrimage plus all the maps you will need to get around the island, including the main 88 temples, the 20 bangai temples, Mt.Ishizuchi, and Mt. Kōya. The maps also include lodging, grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants, gas stations, rest areas, public toilets, and much, much more. Either this volume or the Japanese maps above is a 100% must buy if you are walking.

  This book is smaller than the Japanese maps mentioned above (B6 vs A4), but that really isn't a factor. I admit i prefer the larger maps because they are easier to use without having to physically hold the book open, but it is really a trivial point.

  An excellent book and i both use it and highly recommend it.

  (Note that the publishers say a Korean version is also available.)

  Guidebook Cover

  Table of Contents Contents: 1–2 Legend: 3–4 Index Map: 5–12 Shikoku Japan: 13–14 What is the Shikoku Pilgrimage: 15–16 Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi): 17–18 Useful Information: 19–24 Proper etiquette at a temple: 25–26 Oaths and Commandments: 27 Basic Information of Buddhist Statues: 28–30 Pilgrim Attire and other items: 31–32 What to Take: 33 Pilgrim Glossary: 34–38 Access: 39–42 Maps: #1– #74a Going to Kōya-san: Map #74b Practical Phrases: 43–44 List of Public Information Associations: 45

  Example map page. (Click to enlarge)

  The guidebook is available at Temple 1, in the henro supplies store, or at the following online sites:

  These prices are for purchases from outside of Japan:
  Online Site	Book	Shipping	Total	Payment Method	Ships From
  Amazon Japan	¥1,600	¥2,700++	¥4,300++	Credit Card	Japan
  Henro Michi Hozon Kyoroku Kai	20€ or US$30	Included	20€ or US$30	Cash	Japan
  Buyodo Publishing	¥1,600	¥600	¥2,200	PayPal	Japan
  David Moreton	¥1,600	¥600	¥2,200	PayPal	Japan
  From me, through this web site (via Priority Mail)	US$13.33	$6.01 (US) $14.33 (Canada/Mexico) $18.49 (All Other)	$19.34 (US) $27.66 (Canada/Mexico) $31.82 (All Other)	PayPal	Chicago, IL USA

  The US Postal Service raised their postage rates on 1/22/2012 — a whopping $3.00 for international packages, excluding Canada/Mexico. Wow. With the yen at all time highs (which affects the $13.33 i have to pay for the book) it may be getting to the point where i won't be able to sell the book through the web site anymore; it will be too expensive. There is no FedEx office in my town or i'd talk to them. I have a dozen books left in stock, so i'll see how those sell before buying anymore.

• The Traveller's Guide to Japanese Pilgrimages. Written by Ed READICKER-HENDERSON this gives the bare-bones basics of three separate pilgrimages in Japan. About half the book is devoted to the Shikoku pilgrimage and includes anything from a few paragraphs to a page on each of the 88 temples.
  Weatherhill, 1995

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