Bishamonten (Sanskrit"Vaiśravaṇa") has been one of Japan's most popular deities since Buddhism's arrival in the 6th century. Dressed in a warrior's armor, he holds a spear in his right hand and a Stupa or "Treasure Tower" in his left.

An image of Kannon from the Chichibu Kannon Pilgrimage Route Kanzeon (more commonly Kannon), the Bodhisattva of Compassion, is the...

The first deity we encounter on the pilgrimage is the one who started it all.

Last year, I put together an English shidai, a liturgical manual, and accompanying video to help non-Japanese people get a handle on the...