deep kyoto

An Interview with film-makers Roger Walch and Ted Taylor

I love film-making… I love to think of stories, to make a film, to edit a film, to put the sound track together… And as soon as I’m finshed with a film. I want to do the next one…
(Roger Walch)

Left to right, Thomas Cramer (sound, lighting and still photography), Roger Walch (director), Lili Sakamoto (actress).

Last week Ted Taylor invited me to dinner with the makers of the movie “Tengu” in the izakaya “Tengu” (do you see what they did there?). I spoke to Ted and to the director Roger Walch about their new film project: “Children of Water”. They had just completed a long day location shooting at Itami airport, the Kamo river, Yoshida yama, and in front of Tengu. Though tired, over a bite to eat and a few beers they waxed enthusiastic about their new movie. Roger explains the plot as follows:

After one year in an ESL-course in the US a Japanese graphic designer returns to Japan and discovers that she is pregnant. She contemplates abortion, but her American boyfriend strongly opposes and flies to Japan to convince her to keep the baby. During his stay he not only gets to know life and customs in Japan but also different moral and religious values. Read the rest of this entry »

Shizuku is a lovely little cafe overlooking the tree-lined Kitashirakawa canal. Within its white walls the wooden tables, comfy chairs, handmade tableware and gentle lighting, all contribute to a quiet, unpretentious and peaceful mood. I like the music they play there too; on my last three visits it was first British folk music, then Salif Keita and then Corinne Bailey Rae. The food is tasty; the daily lunch (a main dish with rice and salad) costs ￥750 yen or ￥1,000 with dessert and a drink. On my most recent visit the daily lunch was a salmon and potato cheese bake and I chose a chiffon cake for dessert both of which I give the full thumbs-up to. You can see them amid the pictures below.

Shizuku’s homemade cakes are also a popular item at nearby Chionji’s monthly “Tezukuri” flea-market. Obviously the best time to visit Shizuku is when the cherry blossoms are in bloom; there is a splendid view from the window seats. However, at any time of year this is a nice area for a stroll either along the canal or southward and up the hill to the Yoshida yama shrine. To find Shizuku go west along Imadegawa away from Shirakawa Dori. When you see the big red Torii gates of Yoshida yama on the south (left) side of the road you should look out for a turning on your right marked by a large buddhist statue of Jizo (pictured left). Turn right here and go north and you will soon see the canal and Shizuku on your left. It’s about five minutes walking from the Ginkakujimichi bus stop. Here is a map.

Open: 11:30 ~ 17:00 / 18:00 ~ 22:00 (closed Wednesdays)
Tel: 075-702-2893