1.
pilgrim on the Shikoku 88-temple circuit
A person making the pilgrimage to the 88 temples associated with the Buddhist monk Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi) on the island of Shikoku.
お遍路さんが歩いている。
A pilgrim is walking along.
白い衣装を着たお遍路さんを見かけた。
I spotted a pilgrim wearing white clothing.
最近は外国人のお遍路さんも増えている。
Recently, the number of foreign pilgrims has been increasing.
2.
the Shikoku pilgrimage itself
The act of visiting the 88 temples of Shikoku, either on foot, by bus, or by car. The full walking route is approximately 1,200 km.
退職後にお遍路に出かけた。
After retiring, I set out on the pilgrimage.
四国のお遍路は全部歩くと約四十日かかる。
Walking the entire Shikoku pilgrimage takes about forty days.
母は毎年少しずつお遍路を続けている。
My mother continues the pilgrimage little by little each year.
The お prefix is honorific; the base form is 遍路. Pilgrims are respectfully called お遍路さん. The traditional pilgrim wears a 白衣 (white robe) and carries a 金剛杖 (walking staff). Along the route, locals often offer 接待 (hospitality) such as food, drink, or a place to rest. The pilgrimage can be completed all at once (通し打ち) or in sections over multiple trips (区切り打ち). Also called 四国八十八箇所 (Shikoku 88 Sacred Places).