Not the favourite author of this forum (even I have to admit that the guy is perhaps a little too familiar with his own anal passage
) but he does have a real love of Shikoku - and puts across a great case for visiting this island.
I'd suggest you read 'Lost Japan' by Alex Kerr
http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Japan-Ale.../dp/0864423705
Read it for what it is - a set of deeply personal opinions on the country. And take some of the rantings with a pinch of sacred salt. Mind you, I've found that there is the odd rant in there that I actually agree with!
I'm not sure if I'd enjoy spending too much time with the man, but he is extremely knowledgeable (albeit on occasion there's a strong whiff of arrogance and the strains of repeated trumpet solos) and I've got a lot out of this book. So I can wholeheartedly recommend it - ESPECIALLY for someone keen to visit Shikoku (not that I've been myself... yet)
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Alan Booth is a much more companiable author (although sadly no longer with us) and a part of his
Lost Journeys Through a Vanishing Japan describes a trek through Kyushu in the footsteps of General Saigo. (The book covers several of these journeys which are themed on historical characters - so be warned that the section on Kyushu is only about a quarter of the book).
Alan Booth is probably one of my favourite contemporary writers on Japan, and all his books are both enlightening and a joy to read.
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And to quickly get a feel of the 'folk religions', i.e. the sort of beliefs held by many who constructed most of the older temples and shrines you'll come across in rural areas, why not read 'Kwaidan' by Lafcadio Hearn?
The tales are neither Shinto nor Buddhist, but showcase some of the stories and superstitions that sprang from people who held these beliefs. Many of them are still told today. I re-read them from time to time, and the more I get to know Japan, the more creepy and sinister some of those old tales become.
You can download the book for free here:
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/1210
You may need to scroll down a fair way to get to Lafcadio's introduction and the stories themselves.
Nearly forgot - when you see badgers mentioned, scrub it out. There aren't any badgers in Japan. The word should be 'tanuki' also translated as 'racoon-dog'.
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I'll let other forum members get on with giving you some useful and relevant information for your trip rather than just this theoretical background nonsense
