Jan 18, 2014 - 1 min read

Tatsueji

Temple #19 of the Ohenro 88 temple pilgrimage

By C. Rio

Community writer

1 of 7

The paintings on the ceiling of the Main Hall were done by students at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts.

Main Gate

Purification fountain

Main Hall

Statue detail

Wood carving detail

Bell tower

Temple nineteen in the Shikoku Ohenro pilgrimage is also known as the Temple of Arising Bay. Legend has it that, in the 19th century, a woman named Okyō came to Shikoku with her lover after killing her former husband. To escape the authorities, they disguised themselves as pilgrims. When they reached the hondō (Main Hall) of this temple, her hair became entangled in the bell's rope. After struggling, she got herself free but all of her hair, and part of her scalp, remained entangled in the rope, leaving her with the nun’s shaved head. Taking this as a sign from Kobō Daishi, the couple both became devout Buddhists, she becoming a nun and he a monk. Okyō's hair and scalp can still be seen at the temple in a little glass-encased shrine just off the walkway. To get there, catch a JR Mugi line train from Tokushima station and get off at the Tatsue station. From there it’s about a 5 minute walk.