Mimilocco
NEWS2024.10.29
Kumano Kodo : Kumano Pilgrimage
In early October, I spent three days walking the Nakahechi pilgrimage route of the Kumano Kodo.
This pilgrimage path was once traveled by historical figures such as Emperor Gotoba, Tekika Fujiwara and Izumi Shikibu on their sacred journeys to Kumano more than 1000 years ago .
With thoughts of these royals and nobles of old, I set out for Kumano Sanzan (three mountains).
Although some sections of the trail are steep and challenging, the sunlight filtering through the mountain trees and the gentle sound of flowing streams gave me the moments of peace and encouragement along the way.
By the way, the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain is widely known.
Those who complete both Kumano Kodo and the Camino de Santiago are recognized as Dual Pilgrims and are given a certificate and a commemorative pin.
Most of the people I encountered along the trail were from other countries, each carrying their shared pilgrimage passports for both Kumano and Santiago.
They collected the stamps from the checkpoints along the route. Inspired by them, I picked up my own passport and gathered stamps at each stop, while dreaming of one day completing the other side of this journey in Spain on the Camino de Santiago.
