This is the seventh and last in a series of Lafcadio Hearn stories set in Kyoto. ‘Kimiko’ first appeared in Kokoro (1896). For an introduction to Hearn’s Kyoto stories, please click here. ******************** Synopsis The story is set in the ‘Street of the Geisha’, which at night ‘is one of the queerest in the world’. …Read More
Category: Featured Writers (Page 7 of 26)
Writers in focus
AMY CHAVEZ (non-fiction) Amy’s Guide to Best Behavior in Japan (Stone Bridge, 2018)Guide to Japanese customs & etiquette. Running the Shikoku Pilgrimage: 900 Miles to Enlightenment (Volcano Press, 2012)First-person account of circling Japan’s Buddhist 88-Temple Pilgrimage route. Japan, Funny Side Up (e-book, 2010)A selection of ‘Japan Lite’ columns that appeared in the Japan Times from …Read More
‘The Reconciliation’ first appeared in Shadowings (1900) This is Part 6 of a series of seven stories by Hearn which are set in Kyoto. For an introduction to Hearn’s Kyoto stories, please click here. Synopsis: A young samurai of Kyoto, reduced to poverty by the ruin of his lord, had to take work in the …Read More
(‘Story of a Fly‘ first appeared in Kotto, 1902) Synopsis: The story takes place around 1700 in a merchant’s house in Teramachi. His name was Kyuben, and he and his wife had a maidservant called Tama of whom they were fond. Now Tama showed no interest in clothes and always looked badly dressed. One day …Read More
Japanese Wood and Carpentry – Rustic and Refined – By Mechtild Mertz A book review by Judith Clancy___________________________ Japan is a country whose primary building material is wood, ranging from delicate alcove posts to some of the largest wooden structures in the world all employing exquisitely selected wood species. Walking the old streets of Kyoto …Read More
On Jan 20, 2021, notice of the obituary of Mary Smith (1930-2020), former wife of Donald Richie, was posted on the Writers in Kyoto Facebook public page. This prompted discussion of the renowned Japanologist, which led to personal reminiscences by Alex Kerr and Everett Kennedy Brown. John Dougill initiated the discussion: Donald Richie once recommended …Read More
John Dougill writes: This synopsis of a story from Shadowings (1900) is Part Four of a series covering Lafcadio Hearn’s stories set in Kyoto. (For the introduction to the series, mentioning Hearn’s visit to the city, please click here.) The title, ‘O-Kichi-Seiza Kudoki’, was taken by Hearn from a ballad that was sung by wandering …Read More
A Foreign Mom Navigates Human Relations In The Old Town When your life path meets a brick wall, look for a door By Kirsty Kawano | (First published by Savvy Kyoto) Making friends in a new town can be tough, but it’s even harder in an old one. I was at a Japanese cultural workshop …Read More
Up now near the Kamogawa delta on the west bank of the river there are some large boards exhibiting black and white photos by local photographer, Kai Fusayoshi. whose name will be known to many because of his involvement with Honyarado coffee shop and Hachimonjiya bar. The blown-up photos cover the side of a building …Read More
Hans Brinckmann: Born in 1932 in The Hague, Hans grew up during the German occupation of Holland. Due to the dismal post-war conditions, he had to suppress his hope to become a writer. In order to make a living, he joined a Dutch bank after high school, for a one-year in-house education, in preparation for …Read More
WiK Writing Competition
WiK Anthologies
The Nature of Kyoto (2023)
Eds. Lisa Twaronite Sone & Robert Weis
Foreword by Pico Iyer
Structures of Kyoto (2021)
Eds: Rebecca Otowa & Karen Lee Tawarayama
Foreword by Judith Clancy
Encounters with Kyoto (2019)
Eds: Jann Williams & Ian Josh Yates
Foreword by Juliet Winters Carpenter
Echoes (2017)
Eds: John Dougill, Amy Chavez, & Mark Richardson
Preface by Alex Kerr
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