Kansai Kannon Pilgrimage
The Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage (西国三十三所 Saigoku Sanjūsan-sho?) is a pilgrimage of thirty-three Buddhist temples throughout the Kansai region of Japan, similar to the Shikoku Pilgrimage. In addition to the official thirty-three temples, there are an additional three known as bangai (番外?). The principal image in each temple is Kannon, known to Westners as the Goddess of Mercy; however, there is some variation among the images and the powers they possess.
It is traditional for pilgrims to wear white clothing and conical straw hats and to carry walking sticks. While the route was historically traveled by foot, today pilgrims usually use cars or trains. Pilgrims record their progress with a prayer book (納経帖 Nōkyō-chō?), which the temple staff mark with red stamps and Japanese calligraphy indicating the temple number, the temple name, and the specific name of the Kannon image. Some pilgrims receive the stamps and calligraphy on wall scrolls (for a decorative hanging) and on their white coats (to be cremated in) as well.
The goeika songs of the 33 temples are widely known and frequently grouped together.
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