The idea of the pilgrimage is Enma Daio (King Yama)
718 years
Tokudo Shonin, a priest of Hase Temple in Nara, met King Yama in the netherworld when he was in a state of suspended animation due to illness. King Yama told him to create 33 sacred sites for the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva(Kannon) to save people in distress, and he bestowed 33 treasure seals on them.
After returning to this world, Tokudo Shonin laid the foundation for the 33 sacred sites of the Kannon, which were selected by King Yama. However, it was not accepted by the people of the time.
Then, about 270 years later
Emperor Kazan made a pilgrimage to the sacred sites of the Kannon, and the pilgrimage to The 33 Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage in the western part of Japan, which had ceased to exist, was revived.
- Tokudo Shonin 徳道上人
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Date of birth and death unknown.
He was a monk of the Nara period who built Hase Temple in Nara, gave people pious beliefs, and spread Buddhism.
- Emperor Kazan 花山天皇
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He became the 65th Emperor Hanayama in 984, but resigned the throne after only two years, becoming emperor emeritus at the young age of 19.
Hieizan, and after training on Mt. Nachi, he made a pilgrimage to the sacred sites of the Kannon and reestablished the pilgrimage to the 33 sacred sites of the Kannon in the western part of Japan.
