地域観光資源の 多言語解説文データベース

Pilgrimage Manners

There are very few absolute rules to follow along the Shikoku Pilgrimage, but it is recommended that pilgrims familiarize themselves with the basic manners of the road. One specific custom is to carry one’s staff aloft when crossing bridges so as not to make noise. This is done to acknowledge the travails of Kobo Daishi, the priest considered the founder of the pilgrimage, who is believed to have slept under bridges on his journeys around Shikoku. More broadly, pilgrims should understand that many of the temples and trails on the pilgrimage are located in the midst of local communities. Residents appreciate pilgrims who avoid littering, intruding on private property, and making noise, especially during early morning or late night hours. In exchange, local people may offer pilgrims food, drink, small gifts, or accommodation for the night. This custom, called osettai, has roots that go back centuries. In medieval times, villagers gave alms to mendicant priests undertaking the pilgrimage. When ordinary people began treading the route in the Edo period (1603–1867), local residents would feed them, provide for those who fell ill, and bury those who died far from home. While no longer as widespread as it once was, the osettai tradition is still maintained by the people of Shikoku.

四國遍路朝聖的注意事項

四國遍路朝聖中很少有必須遵守的規則，但對朝聖者而言，至少應當熟悉旅程中的基本禮儀。其中一個特別的習俗是在過橋時手杖不要接觸地面，以免發出聲音。這樣做是為了向弘法大師的苦行致敬，據說這位被認為開創了四國遍路的佛學大師曾在環遊四國時露宿橋下。此外，四國遍路上的許多靈場和路線都位於當地城镇或村落，因此朝聖者應當避免亂扔垃圾、闖入私人領地，尤其在清晨或深夜切勿大聲喧嘩，這樣才能獲得當地居民的認可。作為回報，當地居民會為朝聖者提供食物、飲料、小禮物或是住宿。這種風俗被稱為「接待」，是四國傳承已久的傳統。中世紀時，村民們就已向朝聖的托缽修行僧給予施捨。江戶時代（1603-1867），當更多普通人開始踏上四國遍路時，當地居民依然為朝聖者提供食物，照顧病倒的人，埋葬那些死於朝聖途中、遠離家鄉的人。雖然如今「接待」之風不再像過去那樣廣泛，但四國島民依然保持著這個傳統。

四国遍路巡礼的注意事项

四国遍路巡礼中很少有必须遵守的规则，但对巡礼者而言，至少应当熟悉旅程中的基本礼仪。其中一个特别的习俗是在过桥时手杖不要触地，避免发出声音。这样做是为了向弘法大师的苦行致敬，据说这位被认为开创了四国遍路的佛学大师曾在环游四国时露宿桥下。此外，四国遍路上的许多灵场和路线都位于当地社区之中，因此巡礼者应当避免乱扔垃圾、闯入私人领地，尤其在清晨或深夜切勿大声喧哗，这样才能获得本地居民的认可。作为回报，本地居民会为巡礼者提供食物、饮料、小礼物或是住宿。这种风俗被称为“接待”，是四国传承已久的古风。中世纪时，村民们就已向朝圣的托钵修行僧给予施舍。江户时代(1603-1867)，当更多普通人开始踏上四国遍路时，本地居民依然为巡礼者提供食物，照顾病倒的人，埋葬那些死于朝圣途中、远离家乡的人。虽然如今“接待”之风不再像过去那样盛行，但四国岛民依然保持着这个传统。