Ken Rodgers writes… This special print issue of Kyoto Journal explores the ubiquitous role of flora as an essential subtheme in Kyoto’s timeless culture through essays, interviews, and poetry, illuminated by superb photography and artworks. The city is famously unique for its superb gardens, its rich heritage of tea ceremony and flower arrangement, its deeply-rooted culinary traditions based on heirloom vegetables, its longstanding literary appreciation of seasonal blossomings, and its …Read More
Author: WiK (Page 6 of 13)
by Tetiana Korchuk Mari nervously took a glimpse at her watch: it was 10:58, Two minutes left until her annual time travel. She already made it twice in the past, as obligatory part of her social studies class, first time when she just turned 13, and last year – at the age of 14. Where …Read More
by Peter MacIntosh There once was a beautiful geikoFamous from Kyoto to EdoBut if clients tried holding handsShe would whack them with her fanBecause that was the way she said “No No” There once was this cheeky young geishaSo cheeky she’d even surprise yaShe would look here and thereWhen she was pouring your beerAnd “accidentally” …Read More
by Amber Logan Below is an excerpt from Chapter Two of The Secret Garden of Yanagi Inn, a modern Gothic retelling of The Secret Garden. Here is a synopsis: Still grieving her mother’s death, American photographer Mari Lennox is sent to document Yanagi Inn, an old, dilapidated ryokan outside Kyoto. By day, Mari explores the …Read More
By Stephen Mansfield Stephen Mansfield is one of the leading writers about contemporary Japan and a reviewer for The Japan Times. This modern garden profile will be included in a book he is currently writing and photographing about Japanese Gardens since 1900, due in July 2024 from British publisher Thames & Hudson. ********************* Teshima, a …Read More
by Rebecca OtowaJan. 21, 2023 at Ryukoku University Omiya Campus On January 21, nine people gathered to hear Timon Screech’s talk, which was abundantly illustrated with interesting photographs. This talk was organized by WiK with the locale assistance of Paul Carty. Timon Screech has about 20 books to his credit, including Tokyo before Tokyo and …Read More
by Malcolm Ledger In the foothills of Mt. Hiei, in north-east Kyoto, is a Japanese cultural centre dedicated to the dance. Designed by the same architect who planned the State Guest House, it is a sprawling complex of rooms, magnificent gardens, stages, and halls. When money is little object, this is the result. The first …Read More
by Cody Poulton When I moved back to Kyoto in August I had to find somewhere to live for the long term. The old house in Katsura was no longer liveable; besides, I wanted to be closer to town. A friend of a friend, Mr. Fujita, was a real estate agent, so I asked him …Read More
Members and Followers of Writers in Kyoto are cordially invited to join Timon Screech for a presentation on the topic New Light on Nikkō: The Cult of Tokugawa Ieyasu as Great Avatar. <Event Date> January 21st, 2023 (Saturday) <Time> 16:30 ~ 18:00 (Doors open at 16:15) <Venue> Ryukoku University Omiya Campus, East Hall, Room 208 …Read More
Book Review of The Way of the Fearless Writer by Beth Kempton (Piatkus 2022)) Reviewer: Rebecca Otowa （Beth Kempton is a writer and mentor who spent a year in Kyoto in the nineties, and has travelled back and forth frequently since then. Her books may be found on amazon.com.） Now that the New Year’s season has passed …Read More
Kyoto 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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