Kukai

Kūkai (774-835), born in Shikoku in the province of Sanuki (Kagawa), founder of the Shingon school. He was a Buddhist monk who played an important role in spreading Buddhism in Japan. A great man of letters, a philosopher and a poet, he is still extremely famous in Japan.

He is at the origin of the Shikoku pilgrimage: the henro michi. At his death he received the name Kōbō-Daishi, the Great Teacher who spread the Law.

To learn more: Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai), the initiator of the pilgrimage of the 88 temples of Shikoku