Self Introduction – Jay Crystall

I was born in New York City in the 1960’s.  And that’s where I spent my entire life before moving to Kyoto in February 2011, weeks before the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake.

I never had designs on becoming a writer although I spent decades developing my musical style and songwriting.   The inescapable draw towards exerting myself creatively resulted in the roadkill of several mini-careers that ranged from Civil Engineer to Advertising Exec to Fine Arts Logistician.   Whether it was my two-piece industrial rock band Orchid Room opening for 80’s rockers Flock of Seagulls or being the fair skinned singer percussionist in Jamaica’s Children of Jah I knew my advent in this life was to dive in and make a dent in culture,  one way or another.  My YouTube channel (jaycrystall) and solo performances express my determination to blend culture and build bridges to and from Japan.  For sustenance  I own an English school and work at Doshisha University and a few hospitals.

Orchid Room

In terms of my writing, the phrase taiki bansei is what a NYC-based Japanese newspaper journalist referred to me as 20 years ago (大器晩成 – great talent matures late). I had the incredible fortune to meet Catherine Lenox, a well published ghost writer from Seattle, who was vacationing in Japan 4 years ago. Our friendship has led to the cross-Pacific collaboration that has become Lovesic in Kyoto, published with the support of Iron Twine Press. Japanese ceramic guru Robert Yellin was kind enough to contribute a prologue to this book:   

Seen through the lens of Buddhist wisdom, Lovesic in Kyoto is a journey through spirit, language, musicianship, and the beauty and contradictions of modern-day Japan. From racing through New York City subways to riding his bicycle past white-faced, kimono-clad maiko in Kyoto, author/expatriate Jay Crystall shares the colorful, twisting life path that led him to Japan. Told with wit and candor and backlit by myriad lessons, hilarious faux pas, and the slippery slope of self-discovery, he begins to unfold a lifelong dream of impacting culture.

I look forward digging in and getting to know more of the colorful Writers in Kyoto community.  Thanks!