View from TAKAHARA
In July of 2004 the three sacred sites of Koyasan, Yoshino & Omine, and the Kumano Sanzan (the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano) along with the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes that connect them, were registered on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list as the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". Obscure KUMANO came to be known to the world this way.
The Kumano Sankeimichi, locally known as the Kumano Kodo, is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes across the Kii Peninsula and an integral part of this World Heritage site.
One of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes was the Nakahechi route.
Starting in the 10th century, the Nakahechi route was extensively used by the imperial family, particularly retired emperors, on pilgrimage from Kyoto. With them came lots of aristocrats. This route came to be recognized as the official pilgrimage route. From the 11th to 13th, the nobles took this route and repeated their visits more than 100 times in total.
Oji subsidiary shrines of the Kumano deity lined the route. Many still remain but others are only in ruins. But you will feel the vibration from the past.
In addition to these small shrines, local shrines or temples stand along the pilgrimage route. They can be good destinations for your walk and spice up your trekking.
Pics here are from the TAKAHARA district on the hill in Nakahechi. TAKAHARA is nicknamed 'misty mountain village' because of its foggy climate. There stands the old shrine TAKAHARA KUMANO SHRINE.
Many start their Nakaheji route walk at Takijiri-oji. It will take two hours from Takijiri to the shrine on the hill.
TAKAHARA KUMANO shrine close-up
Guardian animals and its butt
Camphor trees sour on the grounds of the shrine
You can dine or stay here
And the room with two beds and a great view
KUMANO kodo sign
No comments:
Post a Comment