[Koyasan] Koyasan, a sacred site: A day exploring Kukai's philosophy and the Japanese view of life and death.

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The tour we will be introducing today is

Mount Koya, a sacred site: A day exploring Kukai's philosophy and the Japanese view of life and death.

This tour takes you on a full-day journey through the world of Bizen ware, embodying the Japanese aesthetic of "wabi-sabi." Starting from Okayama City, we begin by exploring its history and philosophy at the Bizen City Museum of Art, before heading to an actual pottery studio. At the charming thatched-roof gallery, Yozankyo, in addition to viewing the artwork, you'll tour the climbing kiln and learn about the production process, experiencing the serendipitous beauty created by earth and fire. From viewing to understanding, and then immersing yourself in the actual space, this special tour will draw you into the profound charm of Bizen ware.

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1

Danjo Garan

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2

Kongobuji Temple

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Okunoin

Oku is the site of the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi Kukai and is one of the two major sacred sites of Koyasan, along with Danjo Garan. It is considered the center of faith at Koyasan. It is believed that Kobo Daishi entered eternal meditation in this place in 853 at the age of 62 and has continued eternal meditation here for 1200 years since then.

The approach to the mausoleum, lined with cedar trees over 700 years old, stretches for approximately 2 kilometers from Ichinohashi Bridge to the mausoleum, and is lined with more than 200,000 memorial towers and tombstones. Here you will find tombstones of people from various social strata, including royalty, feudal lords, literary figures, and commoners, as well as those of Honen, Shinran, Date Kenshin, Oda Nobunaga, Date Masamune, Takeda Shingen, and members of the Toyotomi family. Walking along the approach allows you to feel the history and deep faith of many people.

To visit the inner sanctuary, you cross the first bridge and proceed along the path, admiring the gravestones lining the way. After crossing the middle bridge, passing the Mizumuke Jizo, and crossing the Gobyobashi bridge, you finally enter the sacred area where the mausoleum is located. In the Lantern Hall, which serves as the worship hall for Kobo Daishi's mausoleum, many lanterns are dedicated with prayers, and their light creates a solemn atmosphere. Further on, you will find Kobo Daishi's mausoleum. Here, by quieting your mind and offering a sincere prayer filled with your wishes and gratitude, you may feel the presence of Kobo Daishi close by. When you cross the Gobyobashi bridge again to return, it is believed that Kobo Daishi gently sees off the visitors.

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