160309-0024 - Pilgrims Ascending Stairs

Illustration of religious pilgrims at the Okunoin Temple (奥の院) on Mount Koya in Wakayama, apparently ‘worshipping’ the legs of a woman ascending the stairs.

Okunoin is the site of the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism.

Postcard published by the Kokkei Shimbun (滑稽新聞社発行) in 1907 (Meiji 40). The satirical publication was founded in 1901 (Meiji 34) by Osaka-based journalist Miyatake Gaikotsu (宮武外骨, 1867-1955) whose real name was Kameshiro Miyatake (宮武龜四郎).

Between May 1907 (Meiji 40) and June 1909 (Meiji 42), Kokkei Shimbun featured a supplement named Ehagaki Sekai (絵葉書世界, The World of Illustrated Postcards). Each issue contained 30 postcards, many giving salty social commentary. In total 26 issues were published, this card was published in Volume 1.

Under pressure from the authorities, Miyatake shut down the Kokkei Shimbun in 1909, ending it with a “Suicide Issue.”

Title: 奥の院参拝者 (Okunoin sanpaisha) — Worshippers at the Okunoin Temple