Jan 17, 2014 - 1 min read

Kirihataji

Temple #10 of the Ohenro 88 temple pilgrimage

By C. Rio

Community writer

1 of 7

Main Gate

Some of the 330 stone steps leading to the Main Hall

This purification fountain features a simple auto fill mechanism made out of bamboo

Prayer slips

Bibs tied around temple posts to pray for the safety of a child

Fish figure on roof top to ward against fire

Stamp #10

Temple ten in the Shikoku Ohenro pilgrimage is also known as the Cut Cloth Temple. When Kobo Daishi was passing through this area, he asked a local woman for a small piece of cloth to make repairs on his clothes. However, the young woman presented him with a brand new kimono. After expressing her desires to become a saint in order to heal people, Kobo ordained her as a nun and cut her hair. As soon as the girl became a nun, she became enlightened and assumed the form of a Kannon (deity statue) herself. There are 330 stone steps on the path up to the Main Hall and seven more to the pagoda, but the views of the valley below are worth the effort. To get there, catch a Tokushima station bound bus from Kamojima station and get off at the Nijonaka bus stop. From there it is a 90 minute walk.