Temple 86 Shidoji - 志度寺
Perhaps the most lush and jungle like gardens to be found at any temple along the pilgrimage route are at Temple 86, Shidoji - 志度寺 - The Temple of Fulfilling One’s Wishes. This temple is associated with some of the earliest Fujiwara family history. The Fujiwaras were one of the most powerful families in ancient Japan. I recount the legend of a famous pearl diver who retrieved a pearl from the Dragon King’s lair on the condition that her son take over the Fujiwara family. Her son was Fujiwara Fusasaki. The tomb to this pearl diving mother and some of her ancestors is still maintained on the temple grounds. There is also a national treasure of a naked grandmother statue in one of the buildings. This video also stops by the Okunoin (rear/back/outer temple) of Shidoji as it is on the route between temples 85 and 86. お遍路四国八十八ヶ所 T86志度寺