Kakuta Haruo---Decoding Japan---: Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in My Order

Not being a mountain ascetic, I took Shoshazan Ropeway to climb Mt. Shosha. Walking out of the termina, I found a bus service to go to the Main Hall of Engyo-ji Temple, but I chose, this time, to walk to the central part of the temple. I passed by Kokoronokane, the temple bell hall, and Niomon, the temple gate. The path to Manido, the main hall, from the gate was much longer. I found the Hazuki Shop at the foot of the steps to the main hall, but I skipped it for a while. I climbed the steps and arrived at the main hall.

Mani might be the contracted form of Chintamani, a wish-fulfilling jewel. Visiting the hall could fulfill my wishes. After the prayer, and after enjoying the panoramic view from its balcony, I returned to Hazuki Shop and had oden and a rice ball. It was a ball rather than a triangle. Anyway, the rice was very delicious. I was ashamed of my being a poor cook of rice. The deliciousness helped me make up my mind to visit other halls.

I, however, tried to walk as horizontally as possible. The horizontal route brought me to Daikokudo, Mahakala Hall and then to a crossroads. On my right, over a steep hill, I found an old dignified building. The dignity pulled me up to the building. No, there were 3 halls: Jogyodo, Jikido, and Daikodo clockwise. Monks used to train themselves in Jogyodo, had meals in Jikido, and listened to lectures in Daikodo. From the balcony of Jikido, I saw another old divine building. The scene finally led me to Kaizando, where the founder of the temple is enshrined. I walked into the very depth of the temple.

I went down the mountain with my mind filled and my stomach empty again. I knew there was a Japanese sweetshop near the ropeway station. What I had wasn’t a sweet but a bowl of boiled rice with chicken and an egg.