pilgrimage; Shikoku pilgrimage
Specifically refers to the pilgrimage circuit of 88 temples on Shikoku (四国八十八箇所). Often used in compounds like 遍路道 (pilgrimage route) or お遍路さん (pilgrim).
See also: 四国八十八箇所
来年、四国遍路に出るつもりです。
I plan to go on the Shikoku pilgrimage next year.
pilgrim; Shikoku pilgrim
Refers to a person undertaking the Shikoku pilgrimage. Often seen with honorific prefix お (お遍路さん).
道でお遍路さんを見かけた。
I saw a Shikoku pilgrim on the road.
遍路 refers to a fixed pilgrimage route (like Shikoku's) or the person walking it, while 巡礼 is the broader word for any pilgrimage or pilgrim.
Standard kanji spelling for the Shikoku pilgrimage and its pilgrims.
Kana spelling is sometimes used in casual or explanatory contexts.
Derived from the practice of circumambulating the 88 temples of Shikoku. The kanji 遍 (everywhere) and 路 (path) reflect the circuitous nature of the pilgrimage.