Formal — to stranger
Cultural · Religion
同行二人と申しまして、お大師さまとご一緒の旅です。 — We call it 'dougyou-ninin'—it means we travel together with Kobo Daishi. (Cultural · Religion, Formal — to stranger, JLPT N3)
You
同行二人と申しまして、お大師さまとご一緒の旅です。
どうぎょうににんともうしまして、おだいしさまとごいっしょのたびです。
We call it 'dougyou-ninin'—it means we travel together with Kobo Daishi.
Romaji: Dougyou-ninin to moushimashite, Odaishi-sama to goissho no tabi desu. / Reply Romaji: Naruhodo, sore de osugata ga ohitori demo futari nan desu ne.
Reply
なるほど、それでお姿がお一人でも二人なんですね。
なるほど、それでおすがたがおひとりでもふたりなんですね。
I see, so that's why even though you appear alone, you are actually two.
Gesture & etiquette
When explaining, hold your walking stick gently with both hands as a symbol of Daishi's presence. Speak with quiet reverence—this is sacred territory. A slight bow toward the stick at the word 「お大師さま」 conveys respect.
「同行二人」 is the spiritual core of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage (お遍路): every pilgrim walks with Kobo Daishi (Kukai, 774-835) at their side, even when physically alone. The walking stick represents him. Pilgrims wear white robes and conical hats inscribed with this phrase. Understanding this concept is essential to grasping Shingon Buddhism's pilgrimage culture.