KJ 100 / ‘100 Views of Kyoto’
By Ken Rodgers

A very special celebratory print issue of Kyoto Journal

No one on the Kyoto Journal production team has been watching the virtual Olympics. We’ve been too busy wrestling our next issue into shape, for a strict print deadline.

 (Yes, print!)

Since it also happens to be our one hundredth issue—a milestone we never foresaw reaching—we set out to compile a kaleidoscopic compendium in the tradition of ­the many “100 Views” woodblock series, presenting a diversity of perspectives on a specific theme. In this case, a fresh assemblage of views, voices, reminiscences, personal observations and descriptions (many written or adapted especially for KJ100), sketches, photographs, historical and literary quotes (including brief excerpts from KJ back issues and other relevant sources), all intended to evoke by their juxtaposition the unique spirit of Kyoto. (While also intentionally avoiding the all-too-familiar tropes of ‘ancient capital,’ and ‘cultural heart of Japan’…)

Kyoto is of course both Kyoto Journal’s hometown and its overall defining influence. Since our first issue, published in 1987, KJ has explored and depicted innumerable aspects of Kyoto, honoring the city’s rich heritage while also attempting to envisage Kyoto both within its historical context in Japan, and within the bigger picture of life in Asia.

One of the most difficult parts of presenting KJ100 to our mostly intensely Kyotophile readership has been the search for a cover image that represents the essence of this entire city, an entity that remains almost indefinable in its diversity. We’ll be posting our final choice on KJ’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/kyoto.journal/), in advance of release.

We expect the magazine to be published in September, in bookstores and through our website, www.kyotojournal.org. (A page for pre-orders is under construction.)

Did I mention that this will be a limited edition, of over 140 pages? Or that it will be printed by Kyoto’s pre-eminent art printer, SunM, meaning the image quality of this very visual issue will be phenomenal? Or that with Japan currently closed indefinitely to visitors, this may be one of the best ways for anyone residing elsewhere to encounter and experience present-day Kyoto? (Great value as a present, too!)

You’ll find at least a hundred (and probably more) different reasons to enjoy this issue. We like to think it will be more tangible, and lasting, than the Olympics. We think you’ll like the cover, too.

—Ken Rodgers, KJ managing editor