Around the same time we learned that we will most likely have to postpone our trip, a long awaited package arrived for me:
It was not so much that the book had been long underway – in fact the shipping time from Japan was surprisingly short. Rather, I have been looking to get my hand on this book for … well years now. I’ve been wondering when would be the right time to buy it, balancing my curiosity with the practical need for guidebooks to be up-to-date.
The book consists mostly of detailed road maps, but it also contains practical, cultural and historical information as well as a small glossary in the back (which will probably come in handy in situations where I accidentally introduce myself as an apple).
My favourite part about it though, is the combined elevation-and-distance-maps, which run though-out the book and guide you to the right page number for your current location:
I love this graphical overview of the pilgrimage, and can almost imagine little 2D versions of Jonas and I, moving up and down along the line towards the red dot at temple 88.
The book is paperback, measures roughly 13×18 cm and weighs 250g. And even though this is more than half the weight of the sleeping bag I plan to bring, this is definitely weight that you don’t want to skip out on.
I bought the book from Amazon Japan, but you can also buy it directly from the publisher or wait until you get to Japan (and depending on when we end up going, we might get a new version once we do). Admirably, the publishers of the book have chosen to make it super cheap, by basically volunteering their time, so the price adds up to little more than printing and shipping fees.
Finally, the book offers little tid-bits of Buddhist wisdom, such as on the backside, where the Seven Muzai no Shichise (Gifts Needing No Wealth) are listed:
- Gense – Look upon others with kindness
- Waganse – Smile to others when you meet
- Gonjise – Speak to others with kind words
- Shinse – Offer to others those free services you are capable of offering
- Shinse – Offer your heart to others
- Shōjyase – Surrender your seat or similar location to those that could better use them
- Bōjyase – Offer your own lodging to others in need
I have added the book to the Resources page, where you can also see other recommended reads for the pilgrimage. And if you know of any other good (guide) books on Shikoku, don’t hesitate to reach out, we would love to check them out!