After visiting Kannon-ji, temple 3 of the Shodoshima Pilgrimage located in Sakate Town I headed up the mountainside towards the Okunoin, inner sanctuary, passing Beat Takeshi's artwork on the way.
Getting close to the Okunoin I came to a fairly new temple structure with lines of Kannon statues. Apparently this was a Daishi-do, a hall dedicated to Kobo Daishi, the focus of this 88 temple pilgrimage.
I am guessing it must be associated with Kannonji. As well as the line of largish statues there were plenty of small ones too...
As at many sacred sites in Japan there were small collections of statues and figures of all kinds, some very "folksy".....
Beyond special, very few gods or goddesses inspire such devotional acts. Sadly most often the church, shrine or temple have their hand out for the root of all eval; money!
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