What may surprise even experienced pilgrims, though, is that the Shikoku 88 is not the only Henro–in fact most of the Seto Inland Sea’s islands, large and small, are home to Shima-Henro, “Island Pilgrimages,” the most famous of these being the one on Shodoshima. While seasoned pilgrims will notice many similarities to the Shikoku Pilgrimage, the Shodoshima Henro is an entity unto itself, with its own unique majesty and potency. 

Like the Henro temples, the Bekkaku also feature Goeika, temple songs which poetically combine the place and scenery of temples with the experience of pilgrims and the teachings of Buddhism.

The Iroha Uta, attributed to Kobo Daishi Kukai, is one of Japan's most famous poems. Renowned for its use of each character of the Japanese hiragana syllabary, for centuries it was used as a way of ordering the characters, similar to the alphabet. Its lines contain a deep reflection on the Buddhist teaching of impermanence.

Below is my translation of the Shingon Hymn (Wasan), "Eight Petals." Longer vernacular hymns like this and others, along with short songs called Goeika, were and are important teaching tools for sharing Shingon teachings with the public.