Writers in Kyoto

Archives: 2026

A Marriage Proposal

  • by Cody Poulton
In this excerpt from a memoir in progress, the author recounts the tension and humor around an impending change in the family.

Cracked_Ribs

  • by Stephen Benfey
All bets are off in Osaka’s notorious nightlife district known simply as Minami

What Kyoto Chose Not to Replace (Unohana Prize — Tenth Kyoto Writing Competition)

  • by Kabilova Diyora
A look at what Kyoto chooses to hand down through the generations and why.

In Celebration of Hagi 

  • by Lisa Wilcut
Lisa Wilcut offers odes to the autumn beauty of bush clover.

The Zen of Cats

  • by Stephen Mansfield
Stephen Mansfield shares an extract from his forthcoming book, ‘BEAST: How a Tokyo Shelter Cat Changed Forever the Life of a Couple.’

Helen Keller and Kyoto

  • by Yuki Yamauchi
Yuki Yamauchi details the links between the world-famous educator and Kyoto.

You Will Not See Kyoto in Time (Yamabuki Prize — Tenth Kyoto Writing Competition)

  • by Vidushi Sharma
A reflection on capturing the ever-shifting perception of Kyoto from afar, by Vidushi Sharma.

Ten Nights of Dreams

  • by Mark Willis
Mark Willis translates a section of Natsume Sōseki's short work, “Yume Jūya”

Fire Rite (Kyoto City Mayoral Prize — Tenth Kyoto Writing Competition)

  • By Anton Tongue
A Kyoto ritual turns grudge to grace.

The Little Green Book

  • by Rebecca Otowa
The strange power of a book, beyond words.

Book Review: Murder on Teramachi Street by Sara Aoyama

  • by Rebecca Otowa
A journey into Kyoto. Rebecca Otowa reviews a new cozy mystery.

Three haiku

  • by Stephen Benfey
New poetry from Stephen Benfey

Announcement: Tenth Kyoto Writing Competition Results

  • by Lisa Twaronite Sone
Announcing the prizewinners selected from 114 submissions WiK received from around the world.

Langdon Warner and Kyoto: Error or Deception? (pt. 2)

  • by Joseph Cronin
The second part of Joseph Cronin's piece on Harvard lecturer Langdon Warner, who for many years was believed to have saved Kyoto from heavy bombing in 1945.

A WiK Writers Afternoon exercise

  • by Lisa Twaronite Sone
Lisa Twaronite Sone shares a piece she wrote in response to the writing prompt, "Kyoto fabric and kimono."

Years

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