Writers in Kyoto held its summer Words and Music open-mic style event on the warm rainy evening of June 16th at Irish Pub Gnome in downtown Kyoto. The venue was filled to capacity as ten WiK members, introduced by organizer and MC, Rebecca Otowa, presented poetry, writing and music to an audience of fellow members, spouses and friends. See videos of the performances below.

1) Yasuo Nagai

Yasuo Nagai sings an original song, “Higashiyama Sanjūroppō.”

2) Eleanor Yamaguchi

Eleanor Yamaguchi reads poetry written by her mother in the 80’s.

3) John Dougill

John Dougill reads poetry he wrote while traveling the world in the 1975.

4) James Woodham

James Woodham reads his poetry about Lake Biwa and Kyoto.

5) Jann Williams

Jann Williams chants the Fudo Myō mantra.

6) Rebecca Otowa

Rebecca Otowa reads poems she wrote while living in Japan in the late 70’s and early 80’s.

7) Mayumi Kawaharada

Mayumi Kawaharada reads work she published in seashores, an international haiku journal.

8) Mary Louise Nakata

Mary Louise Nakata plays Irish tunes on her viola.

9) Ken Rodgers

Ken Rodgers reads writings inspired by his visits to the circuit of 88 temples in Shikoku.

10) Kirsty Kawano

Kirsty Kawano reads two of her poems, “Eat My Words,” and “Too Close to See.”

Videos by Rick Elizaga.