Echoes, this year's anthology from the Writers in Kyoto (WiK) group is now available to order from Lulu. Check out this awesome cover from John Einarsen. From the blurb: This anthology collects writings by established and new writers associated with Kyoto. The contents range widely from fiction to non-fiction: an extract from a novel, a short story, and a fantasy; … [Read more...]
The Third Annual Writers in Kyoto Writing Competition
Writers in Kyoto (Wik) have launched their third annual writing competition - and this year there are more prizes including a first prize of 30,000 yen in cash, and runner-up prizes of the recently published Zen Gardens and Temples of Kyoto. Winners will also be published on the WiK website and in the Writers in Kyoto Anthology. Here are some details of how to enter: Theme: … [Read more...]
Three Events from Writers in Kyoto (WiK)
As the year winds down towards its close our friends in the Writers in Kyoto (WiK) group seem to be getting ever more active! Here are three upcoming events beginning this weekend with a talk on haiku legend, Matsuo Basho. Check out the details and the links below. 1. October 28th: Humanity in Basho 2. November 18th: ‘Zen Gardens and Temples of Kyoto’ Book Launch Event 3. … [Read more...]
Kyoto’s 30th Summer Antiquarian Book Fair
This year's Summer Antiquarian Book Fair will be held from August 11th - 16th from 10.00 till 17.30 (until 16.00) on the last day. As always it will be held under the trees of Tadasu no Mori woods which are just in front of Shimogamo Jinja Shrine. Though this book fair takes place at the hottest time of the year it is always noticeably cooler under the shade of those ancient … [Read more...]
10th Anniversary Giveaway: Free *Deep Kyoto Walks* E-Book!
On June 8th of this year, Deep Kyoto will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of its very first post. To celebrate we will be giving away for FREE our e-book anthology Deep Kyoto: Walks for a 3 day period! The ebook will be available for free from June 7th to 9th! Be sure to get your free ebook at this link within this limited one-time-only period. This e-book can be read on … [Read more...]
Book & Bed (+Beer) Hostel Opens in Kyoto
The Book & Bed Hostel who opened their first branch in Tokyo in late 2015 are opening a new hostel in Gion entertainment district of Kyoto this December. This time the minds behind this bibliophile's dream have added a crafty bar space into the mix. I've written all about it for the ZenVita blog and you can read that right here: Browse and Carouse at Kyoto’s Newest Hostel: … [Read more...]
Matsuo Basho Colloquium by Writers in Kyoto on October 28th 2016
Here's news of an upcoming event hosted by Writers in Kyoto (WiK) this week: BASHO COLLOQUIUM OCT. 28 (FRI) 6.00-8.15 pm RYUKOKU UNIVERSITY, OMIYA CAMPUS Shofukan B101 (Shofukan is located at the intersection of Shichijo Omiya. From Horikawa Shichijo walk west on the south side until you reach Omiya. Shofukan is on the SW corner.) Contact on the day: 080 4028 … [Read more...]
Alex Kerr Book Launch Party – Another Kyoto
Last night I attended a book launch party for Alex Kerr's latest book, Another Kyoto. The setting was a lovely old machiya townhouse in the Kamishichiken area of Kyoto where his friend and co-author, Kathy Arlyn Sokol has been living. Apparently about 70 people attended the event, and it certainly did feel like a crowd in the unseasonably hot weather. It was a nice occasion … [Read more...]
WiK Writing Competition Winners
Here's some news from John Dougill, and Writers in Kyoto (WiK): The judges of the first WiK Writing Competition are delighted to announce the winners, as listed below. The competition was on the theme of Kyoto, with a maximum of 300 words. Each of the three prize winners will receive a small gift from the Kyoto Convention and Visitors Bureau, in addition to which the … [Read more...]
Geiko & Maiko of Kyoto by Robert van Koesveld now on sale at Maruzen Bookstore
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...]
