The Circle of Life (0) Preface
As the year 2000 drew to a close, Ryan Armstrong, who was a Coordinator for International Relations, became a pilgrim for one month. His digital cameras forms the record of his wander around the 88 temples of Shikoku. These photographs showing the people that he encountered, and the scenery that touched his heart are accompanied by a poem abounding in lyricism.
Through the henro's eyes (a pilgrim's eyes) the world is
simple and pure. Via the henro experience, encounters with those who
"practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty" can be had, as
the people of Shikoku are the Island's greatest treasure.
My reasons for venturing to Shikoku initially were quite simple. I
wanted to realize "Japan" and wanted to challenge myself. I sought to
discover what type of person I was, whether I was the type who gives up
when confronted, or whether I was the type who pushes forward in the
face of adversity. Could I walk the entire 1200-kilometer route and
keep this as a promise to myself? What I sought to find here was quite
simple indeed, and in just over a month my questions were answered, my
promise remained unbroken, and my life forever changed.
Dedicated to the spirit of Shikoku and revolving around the small
and splendorous things, this is the Island as I saw it - through a
pilgrim's.
- Ryan
Ryan Armstrong (USA)
ALT at Kagawa Chuo High School, 1998-1999
CIR at Kagawa Prefecture, 1999-2001
