Day 41: Osettai



Today the weather was cloudy and humid. Temperatures were already at 20 degrees Celcius at 6:00 a.m. in the morning. During the day it was very warm at 26 degrees Celcius. There was some slight rain.

I walked 28 km from Kannonji to Zentsuji (total: 918 km) and mastered 400 meters of altitude mostly at temple 71 Iyadaniji.

But today I would like to talk about the custom of ossetai. People of Shikoku have great respect for O-Henro pilgrims and it is an old tradition to support them by providing small token or favors. These may come e.g. in form of meals, fruits, car rides or even money

In Saiyo City a man approached me and gave me 300 yen accompanied with a message as an ossetai.

Osettai


Getting an osettai in the mountains around Cape Ashizuri

In the mountains around Cape Ashizuri a small car serves the people with some basic food articles. An old woman was buying for me a box of 8 Yakult bottles as an ossetai.

Just a few days ago a car stopped by and handed out some chocolate to me.

Getting some chocolate as ossetai

Mostly I got fruits: mikans and kaki, much more than I could actually eat, so the weight of my back pack increased for some time. A few times I got also money, where I felt ashamed, but an ossetai can never be refused.

During my walk, I got so many ossetais, that I am really overwhelmed, how friendly the people in Shikoku are.

Directions for part of the walk


At Motoyamaji early in the morning

Iyiadaniji temple (old steep stone steps)


Vanessa and Meridith walking down from Iyandaniji through bamboo forest

Joint breakfast with Vanessa and Meredith in the morning

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