Glossary

Bentō (弁 当) means box meal. This is the snack forJapanese people when theye eat outside. It can be prepared at home or buy in specialty shops: the Bentō-ya (弁 当 屋). (more…)

Budo (道) means The Warrior's Way (Bu) implicitly in peacetime.

In Buddhism, the dojo is a place of spiritual and physical asceticism. In Budo,it’s the place where you practice your discipline.  The pilgrimage of Shikoku is divided into 4 virtual dojo, corresponding to the 4 prefectures crossed.

Emon Saburō (衛 門 三郎) is considered by the legend to be the first pilgrim when he went in search of the monk Kukai (Kōbō Daishi) to beg for forgiveness. (more…)

The furo (風呂) or exactly O-furo is the bathtub and by extension the Japanese bath. There is a strict ritual to wash himself in Japan.  (more…)

The Kamakura (Kamakura Jidai) period begin in 1185 and ended in 1333. The Name comes from the city of Kamakura (more…)

Shikoku (四 国) is the smallest of the 4 main islands of Japan. Located west of the main island, it is a place that has remained very rural. With an area of 19000 km² for a population of approximately 4 million. To know more : Shikoku introduction

The taiko (太 鼓) is a big drum on which someone strikes with sticks. Inseparable from "matsuri", festivals in Japan, Taiko is played on a very dynamic rhythm. Taiko is a very ancient art from China and Korea. Historically Taiko was played to mark the end of a war or to implore the deities for the harvest (rice) is good.

Udon is a Japanese noodle made from wheat flour. Very famous in Shikoku (especially the Sanuki Udon). The Udon was introduced in Japan by Kūkai (空 海), in the 9th century, from China. Very popular dish, the Udon can be enjoyed hot or cold (especially in summer). However, for a long time the consumption of Udon was mainly reserved for Buddhist monks (until the 17-18th century).

Yūben Shinnen (宥 辡 真 念) is a historical figure who played a very important role in the development of the pilgrimage of the 88 temples to Shikoku in the 17th century. He wrote the first pilgrimage guide: the Shikoku henro michi shirube. (more…)