Survival Japanese for Pilgrims in Shikoku

Yes

No

Excuse me

Thank you (informal)

Thank you (formal)

You're welcome

Please (do the thing)

For free

Not for free

Pilgrim or pilgrimage

An honorary way to refer to another pilgrim

Walking pilgrim

Japanese monk known as the father of the Shikoku Pilgrimage

Another name for Kūkai

The honorific title for Kūkai

A phrase you may hear often that “sings the graces of Kūkai” for “bestowing light far and wide across the lands”

Pilgrimage

The Shikoku Pilgrimage

Hachijūhachi means 88, and kasho means places. This is a more formal name referring to the Shikoku Pilgrimage. An even more formal term is 四国霊場八十八ヶ所 (“shikoku reijyo hachijūhachi kasho”)

Doing the pilgrimage the “normal” way in a clockwise fashion

Doing the pilgrimage in a reverse, counter-clockwise fashion

Hand-copied sutra, or the act of hand-copying a sutra

Gifts given to pilgrims by locals as an expression of respect and good will, or to travel on their pilgrimage vicariously

The four characters are often printed on the formal pilgrim attire and accessories, and along the pilgrimage trail. “Dōgyō” means walking together, and “ninin” means two people. During the Shikoku Pilgrimage, it is said that Kōbō Daishi accompanies the pilgrim throughout his/her journey

Pilgrim sedge hat

White pilgrim vest

Long sleeved

Pilgrim staff

Bell

Rosary

Pilgrimage stamp book

Paper deity image slips from each temple

Collection book for miei

Small paper bag to hold all your miei

Paper name slip

Sutra book

Map

Candle

Incense stick

Temple

Temples of a pilgrimage

Temples outside of the official 88 temples

20 particularly notable bangai that are related to the pilgrimage

Inner sanctuaries

To visit a temple or shrine

The Mountain Gate, the most important gate of a Japanese Zen Buddhist temple

Water ablution area of a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple

The bell tower

The main hall dedicated to a Buddhist deity

The Daishi Hall dedicated to Kōbō Daishi

Head monk of a temple

Container for pilgrims' name slips

Container for pilgrims' hand-copied sutras

Monetary offertory box

Incense burnder

Candle holder or a container for candle placement

The Heart Sutra

Calligraphy stamps written for pilgrims by monks in a temple. Each stamp costs about ¥200-¥300

Office where you receive a stamp in your stampbook

The pilgrim stampbook

The red stamps in the pilgrim stampbook

Deity image slips

Tokushima Prefecture

Kochi Prefecture

Ehime Prefecture

Kagawa Prefecture

Tokushima City

Kochi, the capital city of Kochi Prefecture

Matsuyama, the capital city of Ehime Prefecture

Takamatsu, the capital city of the Kagawa Prefecture

Dogo Onsen, built in 1984 and located in Matsuyama; one of the oldest and most famous hot springs in Japan

Mount Kōya

Lodging

Japanese-style bed and breakfast

Similar to minshuku, but usually larger and more similar to a hotel. Many provide meal options as well

Paid lodging at temples for pilgrims. They are usually similar to ryokan, and will sometimes provide meal options. As they are operated by the temple, you can inquire about them at the nōkyō

Hotel

Business hotel

Free or donation-based temple lodging

Pilgrim hut or cabin

Sleeping bag

Japanese-style bath; you must wash yourself thoroughly wih soap and water before entering the bath

Laundry

Washing machine

Dryer

Laundry detergent

Spending the night without meals included

One meal included

Two meals (dinner and breakfast) included

Breakfast included

Dinner included