Ryokan trained to be a fine priest at Entsuji in Tamashima for Ten Years or so from age 22 to 34.

Perhaps the time he spent with the Reverend Kokusen at Entsuji remained in his memory forever.

　This picture book was published by the Tamashima Lions Club and Okayama-ken Ryokan Society.

　　　Ryokan suffered more than two or three times in his life.

　　He was not defeated by suffering and learned how to fight it.

　Also, as Ryokan loved nature more than anything else,he lived with it:

　　　　　　　　　　Enough for the fire

　　　　　　　　　　　　　The wind brings

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Fallen leaves

　　　　　　This is haiku he composed in praise of nature.

　　　　　The strict training he had at Entsuji may have given him

　　　　　the purity of spirit to play with children in his later years.

　We sincerely hope that this picture book will help young readers understand

the importance of living and getting happiness by enduring painful things in life.