A Deities-Buddhist Experience of the Shikoku Henro Pilgrimage —Through the Case of the Film “Kaho”—

This paper examines the pilgrims' encounters with deities and Buddhist monks through the Shikoku Henro pilgrimage experience of four pilgrims featured in the film “Kaho” A particularly noteworthy aspect of “Kaho” is its narrative structure, which revolves around the “companionship” with Kobo Daishi, the core of Shikoku Henro. However, it is important to note that the “companionship” in “Kaho” is not necessarily limited to the historical figure Kobo Daishi Kukai (空海). This principle not only to “Kaho” The “companionship” of Shikoku Henro encompasses all the deities and Buddhist monks encountered during the pilgrimage, as well as all beings with whom the pilgrims formed a connection in life. In other words, while the origin of “companionship” is clearly Kobo Daishi, the pilgrims' companions can be understood to include all deities and Buddhist monks, parents, siblings, friends, relatives, and colleagues. “Kobo Daishi” is clearly a metaphor for all such beings.