Kukai Ishibumi, Japanse Gegraveerde Steen

Engraved In Japan, engraved stones called Ishibumi (碑) can be found in many places. The text on these stones can be about all kinds of subjects, such as the place where it stands. The main function of these Ishibumi stones is to pass on knowledge to future generations. Because of this, these Ishibumi stones are also known as memorial stones in English.

This particular Ishibumi is adorned with beautifully carved Japanese symbols that refer to centuries-old pilgrimage traditions. The central symbols are Dōgyō Ninin (同行二人), which can be translated as: two people traveling together. The two symbols at the bottom left are read as Kūkai (空海). This is the famous monk, also known as Kōbō Daishi, who founded Shingon Buddhism. In the context of the pilgrimage, this has a deeper meaning: the pilgrim and Kōbō Daishi travel together. Even when a pilgrim walks alone, Kōbō Daishi is believed to accompany him or her in a spiritual sense. It is one of the most famous expressions associated with the Shikoku Henro pilgrimage.

The thinner hiragana characters on the right form the text: Namu amida butsu (なむあみだぶつ). This is a very well-known expression in Buddhism that means: I seek refuge in Amida Buddha.