Last week I was very happy to catch up with photographer Robert van Koesveld while he was in town. Robert was kind enough to give me a copy of his new book, "Geiko & Maiko of Kyoto" which he self-published after an extremely successful Kickstarter campaign. If you are at all interested in the world of geiko and maiko then I would happily recommend this book. Robert's … [Read more...]
Maruzen Bookstore on Inside Kyoto
My review of the new Maruzen Bookstore & Cafe is now up on Inside Kyoto... After a 10-year interval Kyoto’s best bookstore, Maruzen Books has returned! Our resident bookworm, Michael Lambe, went to take a look at the new premises and see if the new store matches up to its legendary past. Check out the full story here: Maruzen Bookstore Returns to Kyoto! … [Read more...]
Kyoto’s 39th Autumn Antiquarian Book Fair 2015
Kyoto’s annual Autumn Antiquarian Book Fair starts Thursday Oct. 30th at Chion-ji Temple – just a stone’s throw away from the Hyakumanben intersection. Though the majority of the books available (about 200,000 in all) are Japanese, there are always some English books available, as well as art books and ukiyo-e prints etc. The grounds of the temple are also a very peaceful and … [Read more...]
The First Annual Kyoto Writing Competition; Deadline March 1st
From John Dougill, WRITERS IN KYOTO PRESENTS THE FIRST ANNUAL KYOTO WRITING COMPETITION (Sponsored by Tadg’s Irish Bar and Restaurant) Theme: Kyoto (English language only) Deadline: March 1, 2016 (midnight JST) Genre: Short Shorts (unpublished material only) Form: Haiku, short poems, character studies, essays, whimsy, wordplays, experimental verse, … [Read more...]
Maruzen Bookstore Returning to Kyoto!
It's been ten long years since Kyoto's best bookstore closed it's doors... but now Maruzen is coming back! Kyoto's legendary bookstore occupied a special place in the hearts of expats because of it's huge English language book section. Locals too were sad to see the historic shop close down, for Maruzen had occupied a spot on Kawaramachi Street since 1907. The new … [Read more...]
Writers in Kyoto – Launch Party with Amy Chavez on April 19th
This month sees the birth of a new group in Kyoto: Writers in Kyoto (WiK). This from the website sets out its aims: Writers in Kyoto is a group of published and self-published English-language authors working or living in the city. It is run on a membership basis and its purpose is for writers to help each other by creating opportunities for promotion, book launches, … [Read more...]
Regarding the Cherry Blossoms in Okazaki, Kyoto
Just over a year ago I took a walk in Okazaki just before the cherry blossoms bloomed, and recorded my thoughts for the book Deep Kyoto: Walks. I was primarily focused on the architecture of the area, a lot of which dates from the Meiji era. Throughout my walk though I was very conscious of those cherry blossom buds which were "just about to pop". So a week later I went back … [Read more...]
A Long March – Ted Taylor Reflects on Anti-Nuclear Protest in Kyoto
Each year, as the anniversary of the 3/11 disaster in Tōhoku approaches, anti-nuclear protestors here in Kyoto hold a rally and march to protest the government's pro-nuclear policies. On Saturday March 7th this protest will take place once again. A year ago Ted Taylor joined this same rally and reported on it for our book, Deep Kyoto: Walks. As the marchers once again gather in … [Read more...]
Kyoto Conference on Contemplation, 27-29 March 2015
“The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions - the little, soon forgotten charities of a kiss or a smile, a kind look or heartfelt compliment.” ― Samuel Taylor Coleridge Many thanks to Peter Cheyne for sending me the following information on an upcoming conference on contemplation at Kyoto Notre Dame University. Peter writes, While the title is 'Coleridge … [Read more...]
Kyoto Botanical Gardens by Izumi Texidor Hirai
The Asahi Shimbun recently ran a story about Kyoto Botanical Gardens. Researchers there are planning to build a greenhouse for endangered species. Not only will the greenhouse be used for preservation but it will also serve an educational purpose as visitors will be able to observe the plants and the work involved in keeping them alive. The garden's botanists also anticipate … [Read more...]
