Polite to Stranger
Cultural · Religion
八十八ヶ所を巡り終えることを「結願」と申しまして、人生の大きな節目とされております。 — Completing all 88 temples is called 'kechigan', considered a major milestone in one's life. (Cultural · Religion, Polite to Stranger, JLPT N3)
You
八十八ヶ所を巡り終えることを「結願」と申しまして、人生の大きな節目とされております。
はちじゅうはっかしょをめぐりおえることを「けちがん」ともうしまして、じんせいのおおきなふしめとされております。
Completing all 88 temples is called 'kechigan', considered a major milestone in one's life.
Romaji: Hachijuuhakkasho wo meguri-oeru koto wo 'kechigan' to moushimashite, jinsei no ookina fushime to sarete orimasu. / Reply Romaji: Sore wa subarashii koto desu nee. Omairi sarete imasu ka?
Reply
それは素晴らしいことですねえ。お授かりされていますか？
それはすばらしいことですねえ。おさずかりされていますか？
What a wonderful thing. Have you received the blessing?
Gesture & etiquette
Speak with deep reverence—kechigan represents profound spiritual achievement. If the listener is a pilgrim themselves, place hands together briefly (gassho) when saying 「結願」. Recommend they visit Koyasan as part of the closing ritual.
「結願」 (kechigan) is the completion of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage (お遍路). Many pilgrims save the journey for retirement, illness, or after losing a loved one. Modern pilgrims may walk it (40-50 days), drive it (1-2 weeks), or bus tour it (10 days). Upon kechigan, many return to Temple 1 to 'close the circle', then visit Koyasan to thank Kobo Daishi.