Author Archives: Bill

——————————————————————————————————Once, when Kukai was climbing to Yashimaji (Temple 84), he saw some pears and asked an old peasant there if he might have one. The peasant replied the pears were not fit for eating even though he knew this to be a lie and that the pears were ripe and ready to be eaten. KukaiContinue reading “Day 53: Main Temples 84, 85, and 86”

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’sContinue reading “Day 51: Main Temples 80, 79, 81, and 82”

We went back to Zentsuji (Temple 75) this morning as we knew we wanted to take a lot more pictures of this temple complex. It was overcast and rainy yesterday and we knew we wanted to spend more time here. It’s the largest temple complex of the 88 temples covering over two city blocks. ThereContinue reading “Day 49: Main Temple 75 (continued) and Bekkaku Temple 17”

We found a restaurant that served craft beer with our dinner this evening. I’m not saying it’ll affect my writing, but I’m not saying it won’t affect my writing either. I leave it to the wisdom of my readers. Since we didn’t have time to complete Kaiganji (Bekkaku Temple 18) yesterday, it was our firstContinue reading “Day 48: Bekkaku Temple 18 (continued), Main Temples 72, 73 (and inner sanctuary), 74, and 75”

The path leading to the top of mountain was a bit messy, but, in the end, had me declare, “Dame, my butt!” But then we hit the path descending the other side. It became dame-ier and dame-ier. Just sections of the path cut away by draining rainwater, heavy pre-set concrete stairs washed down at oddContinue reading “Day 47: Main Temples 70 and 71, Bekkaku Temple 18”

We ended up “cheating” a little this morning. We had been planning to request a tsuyado (free temple stay) at Temple 66 as it is the highest temple along the pilgrimage and there are no lodging nearby, even after you get to the bottom. I had been in communication with Vincent whom we’d walked withContinue reading “Day 45: Main Temple 66”

Honestly, I would write longer posts if could get a standard table with chair. I’ve been writing these last few posts sitting on a tatami mat floor with my iPad on a small coffee table. It’s not a comfortable position for me. I’m currently laying on my side typing on my iPhone. I type forContinue reading “Day 44: Bekkaku Temple 15”