The Cicada's Summer Song

The Cicada’s Summer Song: Walking the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage

The Shikoku pilgrimage is a 1200km circular route around Japan's fourth largest island, visiting sacred sites associated with the 8th century Buddhist saint Kobo Daishi. For over a thousand years, pilgrims have walked in his footsteps, leaving behind their regular lives to pay respects at 88 temples. Dressed in white robes and conical hats, modern day pilgrims cross mountains, forests and paddies, as well as teeming cities and busy highways. Lu Barnham embarked on this journey in the middle of summer, discovering a sweltering, colourful island, wriggling with snakes and spiders. She was met with smiles, gifts and encouragement from the local people, and for 51 days, her solo trek was accompanied by the constant song of the cicada. Lu set out to Shikoku hoping for a challenge, and a chance to experience Japanese culture by participating in an ancient Buddhist tradition. The Cicada's Summer Song is an account of her journey.