A Rising Sun on the Scallop Shell: Dual Identity on the Camino de Santiago

By Mike Guest

Mike Guest grew up in Canada, absorbing Western history, art, and philosophy. However, for the past thirty-five years, rural Japan has been his home and the ways of Japan have washed over his identity such that he now feels a sense of belonging to both cultures. In 2023, having just retired, Guest chose to 'represent' Japan on Spain's famed 800-kilometer pilgrimage, the Frances route of the Camino de Santiago. Here, Guest met with pilgrims from all over the globe, chatting about Japan, listening to various views and opinions on the country, entertaining their questions, and discussing topics ranging from education to crime to love. The experience allowed Guest to meditate upon his adopted home as well as his altered identity as he walked across Spain to the famed city of Santiago de Compostela.

Guest's memoir offers insights into not only the nature of the journey itself but also delves into reasons for tackling the pilgrimage, the contemplations and meditations that such a solo journey engenders, contrastive descriptions of East and West, anecdotes and reflections spanning his nearly 40 years spent in Asia, practicalities for those considering a Camino of their own, plus a series of photos taken from the journey.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FB91DRMX
• ISBN13: 9798280956964
• Release Date: May 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 322 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"