Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. As we walk beside him through these pages, we hear of the origins of the sacred route, its history. Dec 31, 2004 this study involves a fourteenhundredkilometerlong pilgrimage around japan s fourth largest island, shikoku. The breed, previously known as the tosa ken, was developed through domestication of the wolflike dogs that. A henro pilgrimage guide to the 88 temples of shikoku island, japan. Dive into a fascinating journey through several thousand years of history, as you plan. Some do the pilgrimage simply to discover japan, but others undertake it. A visit to shikoku offers a wonderful chance to see a side of japan rarely experienced by travellers, most of whom stick to the wellworn and wellloved sites of japan s main island. In kotohira youll follow the pilgrims skywards as you climb the steep steps of konpirasan, shikokus most famous shrine. The henro michi, the traditional pilgrims route, is nearly 900 miles long and includes 88 buddhist temples associated with kobo daishi, the 9th century founder of. Whether youre looking to dive deep into timehonored history and culture, dig in to mouthwatering culinary delights, walk on the wild side or get lost in the hustle and bustle of the big city, this unique region has it all. Distinctly different from mainland japan in many ways, shikoku evokes a more rural and serene feel. The first such book is attributed to a priest named yuben shinnen d.
Not everyone wishes to do some homework before their holidays but for those with the time and inclination any of the following books provide interesting and useful background on japan for your tour. History early history to the ashikaga shoguns japans early history is lost in legend. Kochi is located in shikoku, japans smallest island. Shikoku is the smallest of japans four main islands. This site introduces travel diaries and fun routes not only for tokyo, japan s bestknown travel destination, but also chugoku and shikoku, areas famed for their historical sites and contemporary art. Shikoku was made of four old countries or provinces that are now prefectures. In japans feudal past, the island of shikoku was divided into four regions hence the name shi four and koku region. It is often the way with americans they visit somewhere and show it to be otherworldly and how they grew or found themselves, this is in that vein. This study involves a fourteenhundredkilometerlong pilgrimage around japan s fourth largest island, shikoku.
In this inspiring and beautiful book, gertraud wild weaves together the 1,200 plus kilometer 88 temple way pilgrimage in shikoku, japan with the history and. His book is entitled, fighting monks and burning mountains, and if you are thinking of coming to shikoku to experience the pilgrimage yourself i very much. Shikoku simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The shikoku dog shikoku inu or kochi ken is a spitz type hunting and working dog originating from the kochi prefecture on the shikoku island, japan.
The very first human habitation in the japanese archipelago has been traced to prehistoric times around 30,000 bc. Shikoku japan 88 route guide english language guidebook with all the maps you need to get around the island. A well preserved, original hilltop castle from the feudal period marks kochis downtown. If you are planning on making the pilgrimage in shikoku you will need one of the many guide books, but for background information this book is indispensable. Really helps you feel more connected to the areas where you are going. Oct 04, 2019 these are my top 10 favorite things to do in shikoku, japan. Shikoku is also one of the countrys regions, which includes nearby islands associated with its constituent prefectures.
Love japan, love shikoku, want to visit the 88 temples, but this travelogue for that it what it is was a dull type. About 4 million people live there, fewer than on any of the other main islands. Mar 11, 2020 takamatsu surrounded by steep mountains in the lowest part of japans shikoku island, iya valley was once called the hidden land. The divine design of the empiresupposedly founded in 660 bc by the emperor jimmu, a lineal descendant of the sun goddess and ancestor of the present emperorwas held as official dogma until 1945.
No right way to complete shikokus 88temple pilgrimage. It is separated from honshu by the inland sea north and the kii strait east and from kyushu by the bungo strait west. Popular japanese history books showing 150 of 1,837 a modern history of japan. The island is thought of as a rural backwater, with few mustsee attractions, but a visit there can wash away those doubts. A visit to shikoku offers a wonderful chance to see a side of japan rarely experienced by travellers, most of whom stick to the wellworn and wellloved sites of japans main island. An outstanding feature of japans economic development after world war ii was the rapid advance in overseas sales, even though the share of exports in the countrys gross national product generally remained relatively constant. Takamatsu surrounded by steep mountains in the lowest part of japans shikoku island, iya valley was once called the hidden land. The evolution of buddhism in japan shikoku season 1. Shikoku, literally four countries is japan s fourth largest island, southwest of japan s main island honshu. These are my top 10 favorite things to do in shikoku, japan.
This is one portion of the popular 70 kilometer shimanami kaido cycling route and the. Explore shikoku holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. One of the most warlike of nations in the early 20th century, japan today often serves as a voice of pacifism and restraint on the international stage. Kochi, kochi is the capital of kochi prefecture on the southern coast of shikoku. A popular and distinctive feature of the islands cultural landscape, and with a long history, large numbers of pilgrims, known as henro, still undertake the journey for a. A complete guide to shikoku contains the following books in one complete boxset. Records seem to indicate that he spent his life wandering the island of shikoku, walking the pilgrimage, and aiding other henro by setting up sign posts and building henro lodges around the southern part of the island. History in japan s feudal past, the island of shikoku was divided into four regions hence the name shi four and koku region. The shikoku pilgrimage is the oldest and most popular pilgrimage in japan. Mar 23, 2018 a former fishing village that flourished into a bustling port town, yokohama is now japan s secondmost populous city and has a rich history as one of the first ports in japan to be opened to forei. Shikoku is famous for the shimanami kaido that allows bicycle access across islands of the seto inlet, the whirl pools of naruto and kagawas famous shrine, kotohiragu. The above 3day itinerary offers you a glimpse of how shikoku island is like. Aryton of the institute of technology in tokyo unveiled an arc lamp to celebrate the opening of the central telegraph office. In recent years, the pilgrim journey ohenro around the 88 temples scattered across shikoku has become a popular activity for.
An introduction to the history of japan by katsuro hara. Legendary beginnings kukai 774835 there are several legends related to the beginnings of the pilgrimage on shikoku island. Shikoku dog breed info characteristics traits personality. However, from the point of view of individual industries and as a generator of growth, exports are much more important than their. Shikoku, literally four provinces is one of the five main islands of japan. Its really interesting that these guide books were published at times such as these. The birthplace of revered ascetic and founder of the shingon buddhist sect kobo daishi 774835, shikoku is synonymous with natural beauty and the pursuit of spiritual perfection. It is characterized by isolationistic, semiopen and expansionistic periods. Thus the history of electric power on a large scale in shikoku starts fairly recently. This is one of six native japanese dog breeds other five being the akita inu, shiba inu, kai ken, kishu inu, and the hokkaido dog. Although it has a history of having been demolished once, it was reopened in 1947, making it japans oldest amusement park. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg.
More than 20 years in the making, ian readers book on the shikoku pilgrimage is simply the best book in english on the subject. List of books and articles about japan, postwar period. For the visit to be official pilgrims carry a special book that is stamped at each temple. Some of the top sights for visitors in the city are kochi castle, the splendid makino botanical g. Kochi boasts several attractions of interest to travelers.
Sep 01, 2019 kagawa, shikoku, japan on day three of our road trip around shikoku we headed into the iya valley on one of the most beautiful drives of my life to experience the vine bridges of iya valley. Ian readers longawaited book is a masterful study of the shikoku pilgrimage, the. The old names are still in common use in their prefectures. In traveling the circuit of the eightyeight buddhist temples that make up the route, pilgrims make their journey together with kobo daishi 774 835, the holy miracleworking figure who is at the heart of the pilgrimage. Long isolated from the outside world, its remoteness. The history of electric power in japan as a whole, however, goes back to 1878 when professor w. The iya valley is set deep in the mountainous interior of shikoku, the smallest of japans four principal islands, cradled between kyushu to the west and the main. History of the shikoku pilgrimage shikoku pilgrimage j. Children of the mist delves deep into the spiritual allure of shikokus.
Jan 01, 20 love japan, love shikoku, want to visit the 88 temples, but this travelogue for that it what it is was a dull type. Discover the best japanese history in best sellers. True to its name, shikoku is divided into four prefectures. While highminded scholars often called for reforms, their memoranda carried little weight with an idle aristocracy. In kotohira youll follow the pilgrims skywards as you climb the steep steps of konpirasan, shikoku s most famous shrine. The smallest of the major islands of japan, its high mountains and steep slopes limit agriculture and impede communication. Actually, reliable records date back only to about ad 400. The significance of the shikoku henro and the reasons for peoples fascination with it were written about in guide books published in 1936 when japan was at war with china, and in 1947 amid the postwar chaos. In this wise and compassionate book, sibley vividly captures life on the. It is also the home of the 88 temple pilgrimage of the shingon sect of buddhism. The japanese island of shikoku is the birthplace of the most revered figure in japanese buddhism, the monk and teacher kobodaishi, who brought a populist form of buddhism to japan from china in. Shikoku is the second smallest main island after okinawa. The smallest of the four principal islands that makes up japan. Although it has a history of having been demolished once, it was reopened in 1947, making it japan s oldest amusement park.
The more religiouslyminded henro may also carry a book of sutras, kyobon and goeika. The books a henro pilgrimage guide to the eightyeight temples on shikoku, japan taisen miyata, echoes of incense. Episode 2 3m 38s learn how buddhism, founded in india, evolved to a more populist form in japan in this video resource from pbs learningmedia. Asakusa hanayashiki has appeared in numerous movies, comic books and dramas, but it also continues to be popular as an amusement park, and as a tourist spot. The prefectures of western japan are an area of endless discovery. This book has detailed maps about all of the temples and small sections about their history, as well as things to do in the area. The smallest of japans big four, it lies to the south of honshu. Whether youre new to the subject or are looking for more detail on an era or topic, here are nine books to get your japanese history on. Aug 24, 2011 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg.
But, according to its entry, this book analyzes the 88temple pilgrimage on shikoku island, japan, regarding its religious, historical, and sociological. This is a great destination if you want to escape from the hectic city life and slow down your pace of life. The first era of recorded history in japan is the kofun a. The kofun were headed by a class of aristocratic warlords. Unfortunately, the history of foreigners and the shikoku pilgrimage does not resume until oliver statler comes to matsuyama in 1968. The most popular legend, of course, is that kukai walked to all of the sacred places on the island, founded many of the temples, and established the pilgrimage itself. The entrenched interests of the regional nobility prevented the proper functioning of a government built upon ethical practice. A 100year history of foreigners and the shikoku pilgrimage. And yet there i was on a mountain in shikoku, japan well under 1,000 meters, stammering, out of breath, a little ball of anxiety and sweat. History in japans feudal past, the island of shikoku was divided into four regions hence the name shi four and koku region. Settled by migrants from the asian mainland back in the mists of prehistory, japan has seen the rise and fall of emperors, rule by samurai warriors, isolation from the outside world, expansion over most of asia, defeat, and rebirth.
Both the prefecture and city share the same name, and are one of the countrys bestkept secrets. A 3day shikoku island itinerary for the timestrapped. Sep 28, 2016 the shikoku dog shikoku inu or kochi ken is a spitz type hunting and working dog originating from the kochi prefecture on the shikoku island, japan. Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage japanvisitor japan travel guide. A captivating guide to japanese history, including events such as the genpei war, mongol invasions, battle of tsushima, and atomic bombings of hiroshima and nagasaki. A former fishing village that flourished into a bustling port town, yokohama is now japans secondmost populous city and has a rich history as one of the first ports in japan to be opened to forei.
Shikoku consists of as four prefectures and is one of the four islands that make up japan. Once seen as a marginal practice, recent media portrayal of. Written by volunteers and periodically updated, the book contains a short introduction to the shikoku pilgrimage and detailed maps of the entire route along with a wealth of useful information to help you navigate the island and find places to eat, sleep and much more. Shikoku, the smallest of the four main islands of japan. Andrew gordon shelved 23 times as japanese history avg rating 3. The shikoku japan 88 route guide is the indispensable companion for all walking henro. Its home to the 88 sacred temples of shikoku, japans most famous pilgrimage. A great book with historical information on the 88 main temples on the pilgrimage. The city is small and friendly, with a casual atmosphere and a dose of southern flair.
More visiting the sacred sites of kukai a companion to the 88 route guide more shikoku pilgrimage. The old names are still used sometimes, especially for foods, music, or art. By the edo period 17th19th centuries guide books to the pilgrimage appeared. Oliver statler 19152002, a researcher of japan from the university of hawaii, was very influential in promoting the shikoku pilgrimage to the west. Although the establishment of the shikoku pilgrimage is widely accredited to kukai, its development and popularity originate from the collective efforts of various historical figures. Kagawa, shikoku, japan on day three of our road trip around shikoku we headed into the iya valley on one of the most beautiful drives of my life to experience the vine bridges of iya valley. The name shikoku literally means four countries in japanese. Shikoku, literally four countries is japans fourth largest island, southwest of japans main island honshu. No right way to complete shikokus 88temple pilgrimage the. In other words, each prefecture has a modern name and an old provincial name. Shikoku island is the smallest of japans four main islands. Part travelogue, part historical guide, part spiritual tale, 88 and forty will be of interest to anyone interested in the shikoku pilgrimage, or those who wish to know more about the culture and history of this fascinating country. The history of japan covers japan and its relation to the world.
Secrets of shikoku self guided adventure inside japan tours. The provinces of awa, tosa, iyo and sanuki became the modernday prefectures of tokushimaken, kochiken, ehimeken and kagawaken. Your pilgrimage in japan discover yourself in deep japan. Nov 24, 2016 the above 3day itinerary offers you a glimpse of how shikoku island is like. Journeys on the shikoku pilgrimage is a fascinating and moving account of the authors pilgrimage on the japanese island of shikoku.
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