## [[Inohana-oji (猪鼻王子)]] | Nakahechi 14 | [[Mizunomi-oji (水吞王子)]] #trail/kumano-kodo/nakahechi > [!NOTE] World Heritage: Hosshinmon-oji > Hosshinmon-oji is one of the most important sites on the [[Kumano Kodo (熊野古道)|Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route]] marking the outermost entrance into the divine precincts of the grand shrine, [[Attractions/Kumano Hongu Taisha (熊野本宮大社)|Kumano Hongu Taisha]]. Ojis are subsidiary shrines (of the [[Attractions/Kumano Hongu Taisha (熊野本宮大社)|Kumano Grand Shrines]]) that line the pilgrimage trail offering places of worship and rest. Historically, there were many gates along the [[Kumano Kodo (熊野古道)|Kumano Kodo]] that were physical markers of religious ritual stages, and Hosshinmon-oji is one of these important spiritual landmarks. "Hosshin" means "spiritual awakening" or "aspiration to enlightenment" and "mon" means "gate". Passage through this gate was a transformational rite marking initiatory death and rebirth in the Pure Land paradise. ![[hosshinmon-oji IMG_7908.png]] ![[hosshinmon-oji IMG_7905.png]] ![[hosshinmon-oji IMG_7906.png]] ![[hosshinmon-oji IMG_7910.png]] ![[hosshinmon-oji IMG_6652b.png]] ![[hosshinmon-oji IMG_6653.png]] ![[hosshinmon-oji IMG_6655.png]] ![[hosshinmon-oji IMG_6662b.png]]