by Michael Greco The neighbors call me the marathon runner. Almost every afternoon at dusk I run from the house, through the neighborhood, across a street, then under the JR and Hankyu lines. It’s about five minutes of exercise to that point. And I’m slow. Real slow. The chatty gal across the street from our …Read More
Category: On Kyoto (Page 5 of 11)
Writings about Kyoto, whether by Japanese or foreign observers
by Lisa Twaronite Sone The man must have been hiking alone in the mountains when he keeled over dead. A group of university students came upon him — the wholesome, outdoorsy type of youths who would have certainly called for help immediately if the man had shown any signs of life. But no, he was …Read More
by Edward J. Taylor We arise at 1:00 am, behind a man who has trekked Hiei-zan’s 40 kilometer Kaihōgyō over a thousand times before. After a quick prayer at Konpon-chu-dỏ, we suddenly move along the paths at a surprisingly quick pace. The rain has cleared but the clouds keep everything below the knees in darkness. …Read More
by Robert Weis «Playin’ those mind games…» John Lennon’s soundtrack rhythms my steps as I move like a ghost from Saga Arashiyama station towards the silhouette of the western hills. My physical persona has arrived in Japan the very same morning, on an overseas flight from Amsterdam to Kansai airport. My conscious mind has yet …Read More
Uji as seen by three ladies from the Westby Yuki Yamauchi Uji has been a favourite destination of mine since I noticed my favorite author Lord Dunsany had written about the bodhisattvas on clouds in the Hoo-do hall of Byodo-in. (You can see the details here.) Though there is no telling exactly how he came …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
Impossible to Imagine (2019) Film review: Jann Williams (March 30, 2021) Film length: 1hr 28mins Cast: Yukiko Ito, William Yagi Lewis, Kazuya Moriyama, Marika Naito, Koko Price, Akira Nishide Writer and Director: Felicity Tillack Producer: Hamish Downie Translator: Hidekazu Takahashi Impossible to Imagine (J. Souzou Ga Dekinai), presents a slice of contemporary life in Kyoto …Read More
A spring walk from Ohara to Kurama-deraby Robert Weis Today is a good day, is my thought, observing the shades of green on the mountain slopes through the panoramic window at KULM, a simple-yet-sophisticated vegan eatery in the quaint village of Ohara, nestled in between the rice paddies and mountains that protect Kyoto from the …Read More
report by Mayumi Kawaharada ”Reminiscence Poets“ In early 70’s to 90’s, there were several poetry readings, by both Japanese and foreign poets, (including Gary Snyder, Kenneth Rexroth, and Allen Ginsberg) held at the legendary café Honyarado where writers, activists, students, artists and musicians used to go. Since Kai himself is a part of Dankai-no-Sedai(Sort of …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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