Day 51: Main Temples 80, 79, 81, and 82

Breakfast at Ebisuya. They cooked the eggs for us. The Japanese guests got raw eggs. Connor was disappointed he did not get a raw egg.

*Hondo* – Kokubunji (Temple 80 – “Official State Temple”)

*Daishido* – Kokubunji. It was under reconstruction, so the *honzon* (“main image”) was displayed in the stamp office.

It is the 1,250 anniversary of the birth of Kukai/Kobo Daishi. There are big and little celebratory commemorations along the pilgrim path.

On the way back to Temple 79. Caution for wild animals crossing the road.

The *Hondo* and *Daishido* at Tennoji (Temple 79 – “Emperor’s Temple”)

Tennoji is part of a larger Shinto shrine complex.

Climbing to to Temple 81. Seto Bridge linking Shikoku to Honshu in the distance.

*Hondo* – Shiromineji (Temple 81 – “White Peak Temple”)

Keiko developed cancer at only three year’s of age and would eventually succumb to that cancer three years later at the age of six. Keiko’s father would go on to promote the “Lessons of Life” campaign all over Japan in support of research into childhood cancers and their treatments. On the 23rd anniversary of Keiko’s death, her father undertook the Shikoku 88 Temple pilgrimage in order to pray for her soul. Unbeknownst to him, several of his friends set up a rest area with refreshments and messages of support addressed to him on the path between Temple 81 and 82. It has now become a permanent ossettai for pilgrims maintained by the people of Kagawa.