The Shikoku Tennis Club meets every Sunday on a beat-up old court at the Pension Shishikui, a magnificent Japanese homestay where every need is provided for. The pension is on the southeast coast of the large but seldom visited island of Shikoku, which is made up of small fishing villages and an aging population. It’s also the country’s spiritual home—the island is dotted with pilgrims visiting any of the 88 temples dedicated to Kūkai, the monk responsible for founding the Buddhist school known as “True Word.”
When I saw the court I immediately inquired about a game. The average player was around 70 years old, and smoking was part of the club’s social structure. As the newest—and youngest—recruit, I was made to play for three straight hours in the 100-degree heat.
Only then was I was allowed to take photographs for just five minutes. Despite my usual confidence, the wily pensioners wore me down, leading to some of the more shocking defeats I’ve suffered on the court. -Tom Parker
Tom Parker is a contributing photographer for Condé Nast Traveller (UK & India), Architectural Digest and Departures. He is also the tennis nemesis of the editor of this magazine.
Featured in Racquet Issue No. 5
