popularly said to have established or visited many of its temples and to have carved many of their images. He is posthumously known as Kōbō Daishi. Development The legends and cult of Kōbō Daishi, such as the episode of Emon Saburō, were maintained and developed by the monks of Kōya-san who travelled to expound Shingon and were active, along with other hijiri, in Shikoku. In the Edo period, the policy of restricted and regulated the movement of ordinary people. Pilgrims were required to obtain travel permits, follow the main paths, and pass through localities within a certain time limit, with the book of temple stamps or nōkyō-chō helping to provide proof of passage. Practice Stages Shikoku literally means "four provinces", those of Awa, Tosa, Iyo, and Sanuki, reorganized during the Meiji period into the prefectures of Tokushima, Kōchi, Ehime, and Kagawa. The pilgrim's journey through these four provinces is likened to a symbolic path to enlightenment, with temples 1–23 representing the idea of , 24–39 , 40–65 attaining , and 66–88 entering . Equipment The pilgrim's traditional costume comprises a , , and . This may be supplemented by a . The henro also carries a containing , (also known as ), a to collect , , and . The more religiously-minded henro may also carry a and set with a bell. Rites Upon arrival at each temple the henro washes before proceeding to the Hondō. After offering coins, incense, and the osame-fuda, the is chanted along with repetition of the Mantra of the and the . After kigan and ekō (prayers and dedication of merit), the henro proceeds to the . Coins and a fuda are similarly offered, and again the Heart Sutra is chanted, along with repetition of the Gohōgō Mantra, namu-Daishi-henjō-kongō. UNESCO World Heritage Bid Since 2010, Shikoku's prefectural governments, NPO members, and local leaders have worked toward achieving UNESCO World Heritage status for the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Currently, it is recognized as a "Provisional Candidate" by Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, or a cultural asset which has not yet been added to Japan's World Heritage Tentative List but which should 'proceed with preparations.' Imitative versions Attesting to the popularity of the Shikoku pilgrimage, from the eighteenth century a number of smaller imitative versions have been established. These include a circuit on Shōdo Island northeast of Takamatsu; a course on the grounds of Ninna-ji in Kyoto; a route