|
The pilgrimage to the shrines of Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano
Hayatama Taisha and Kumano Nachi Taisha was a popular endeavor
in the Feudal Period. The Kumano Pilgrimage, or also known
as "The Pilgrimage of the Ants" is very popular because
of the belief that a difficult journey with many hardships
would expunge all one's sins, and many people took steep
ancient paths to Kumano.
Pilgrimages to the three shrines of Kumano were taken along
a number of routes, but the most popular among those who
believed a hard journey led to salvation was the Nakahechi,
which follows a number of difficult mountain paths. Nakahechi
has many ruins of "Oji", small shrines where travelers could
stop over and have a view of the distant Kumano mountains.
This preserved path is one of the three oldest roads in
Japan.
|
