Islander Pens New Book, A Pilgrimage in Japan

Friday, June 22, 2 p.m., Darvills

— from Joan Stamm —

In 2012, Joan Stamm and her sister Gwen began a Buddhist journey to the thirty-three temples of Kannon (Guan Yin), an ancient pilgrimage route in Western Japan travelled for over a thousand years. That journey is now a book entitled A Pilgrimage in Japan: The 33 Temples of Kannon, just released by Mantra Books (an imprint of John Hunt Publishing).

Joan will be at Darvill’s Bookstore on Friday, June 22nd at 2:00 PM to sign copies and answer questions about the pilgrimage. Please meet her in the coffee shop for an informal conversation.
What others have said about A Pilgrimage in Japan:

“This deeply observed and exquisitely written journey is filled with Zen wisdom and mystery that awakens the reader to the hunger of search that simmers within us…” Eido Frances Carney Roshi, Abbess and Teacher, Olympia Zen Center and author of Kakurenbo: Or the Whereabouts of Zen Priest Ryokan

“In Joan Stamm’s account of her indomitable trek to 33 Japanese Buddhist temples, we encounter the intimate heart of Buddhism: fearless compassion…” Karen Maezen Miller, author of Paradise in Plain Sight: Lessons from a Zen Garden

“… It is rare to find a book about traditional pilgrimages in Japan. This book will serve as a valuable, practical guide to those with the courage and determination to undertake even a portion of this very special and sacred journey.” Jan Chozen Bays Roshi, author and Co-founder of Great Vow Zen Monastery

“An excellent, fully personalized, and well-informed account of Japan’s oldest circulatory Buddhist pilgrimage.” Michael Pye, Professor of Religion (emeritus), University of Marburg, Germany and author of Japanese Buddhist Pilgrimage.

“… Weaving together both her knowledge of Buddhism and of Japanese culture, and her experiences first with the people she meets along the way and then at the temples themselves, Ms Stamm has given readers an eloquent tapestry they are sure to enjoy.” Nicholas Teele, author and co-translator of Ono No Komachi: Poems, Stories, No Plays and other works.

Joan Stamm has also authored the Nautilus award-winning book Heaven and Earth are Flowers: Reflections on Ikebana and Buddhism, published by Wisdom Publications. She has an MFA in writing and literature from Bennington College and lives on Orcas full time. Please visit her website at www.JoanDStamm.com.