Glossary

Hakue or byakue (白衣), literally white gear. It is the white jacket of Shikoku pilgrim (Henro). There is some with short sleeved or even sleeveless. (more…)

Henro (遍 路) refers to the pilgrim who travels along the path of the 88 temples in Shikoku but the term henro is also used to designate the Shikoku pilgrimage in abbreviation of Henro michi.

Henro Goya 遍路小屋

Huts built by local authorities to allow shikoku pilgrims to rest. Some aruki henro spend the night in a very basic comfort. These are often shelters composed simply of a roof and a bench.

Henro*korogashi (遍路ころがし) are very difficult passages encountered during the Shikoku pilgrimage. henro korogashi means “Place where pilgrims fall over”. You can find Henro-korogashi on the path to the temples : 12, 20, 21, 27, 60, 66, 81 et 82.

Henro michi (遍 路 道) is the pilgrim’s trail in Shikoku. Often the pilgrimage of Shikou is simply referred to by this term. But it is also the “way” of the pilgrim, in a sense a little more spiritual.

Honbō (本坊) is the main building where the monks sleep in a Buddhist temple. On the henro trail, this term also describes the building which is used as hotel( shukubō )

The term hondō (本堂), literally means “main hall”. It enshrines the most important objects of veneration. This word became commun durind the Heian period and the developpement of Bhuddhism Shingon and Tendai.

Honzon (本尊) is the image of the revered Buddha or Bodhisattva (bosatsu) in the main temple (Hondō) .This image takes the form of a sculpture. There is usually only one honzon per temple except at Temple 37, Iwamoto-ji.