Today I am very happy to share news of a brand new publication, Kyoto: A Literary Guide, which was launched this month by Camphor Press. This book was born from the shared efforts of the Kyo-centrics: a long-standing poetry in translation discussion group - of which I happen to be a member. In addition to myself, the six Kyo-centrics who collated, translated and edited this … [Read more...]
Plum Blossom at the Imperial Palace Park
On my way home from Kitano Tenmangu Shrine the other day, I stopped by the Imperial Palace Park to enjoy the plum blossom. The trees at Kitano Tenmangu are probably more famous, but the shrine grounds were also a lot more crowded. Though each tree in the park had its admirers, there was really only a small scattering of people around, and so I could enjoy the blooms in a more … [Read more...]
Hiking the Rice Buyers’ Way
Two of the most rewarding activities I have been involved in during my time in Kyoto, are the events organized by the Hailstone Haiku Circle, and the conservation activities of People Together for Mt. Ogura (PTO). Stephen Gill is a primary organizer of both organizations, and so some of their activites tend to merge. So it was that on October 26th Mewby and I took part in a … [Read more...]
Honke Owariya with Sean Lotman
On Sunday Mewby and I had the pleasure of lunch with writer/photographer Sean Lotman. Sean's wife manages the Honke Owariya soba noodle business, a family company which is pretty famous in Kyoto. The business actually dates from 1465, though they "only" started making noodles Sean told me about 300 or 400 years ago, as they were originally a confectionary business. They still … [Read more...]
Blue Sky – An Excerpt from Deep Kyoto Walks
Today I am posting another in a series of short excerpts from our ebook Deep Kyoto: Walks. In Blue Sky, the poet Stephen Henry Gill acts as a guide to the Saga & Arashiyama area for a young visitor who has come to learn more about the conservation NPO, People Together for Mt. Ogura. Stephen whimsically names his visitor Blue Sky, because that was the first thing he saw that … [Read more...]
Meltdown – An Anthology of Haiku, Z – A
MELTDOWN メルトダウン (2013) An Anthology of Haiku, Z to A. ISBN: 978-4-9900822-5-3 Edited by Stephen Henry Gill Includes almost 500 haiku and a short 4-part seasonal renku cycle over 228 pages. Cover by Richard Steiner. Price:￥1,500; airmail $20, incl. p&p Dimensions: 19 x 13 cm. Covers feature a tactile matt paper finish. How to order: details are at the Hailstone Haiku … [Read more...]
Highlights from the Bob Dylan & Allen Ginsberg Poetry & Song Celebration at Tadg’s Bar Kyoto
Friday night's Bob Dylan & Allen Ginsberg celebration at Tadg's was a whole lot of fun. High praise to all the performers and musicians who took part and to our hard-working hosts Tadg & Mika McLoughlin. Apologies also to Mika for trying to pay the same bill multiple times. I must be more careful when supping craft beers... Here below are some video highlights I managed … [Read more...]
Zuishin-in ~ A Refuge in Ono
As I posted a piece on the autumn leaves at Daigo-ji last week, I thought I might post some pictures I took earlier this year at the nearby Zuishin-in. These pictures were taken in June; the season for irises and azaleas. I think this temple would be good to visit in any season though. It has a very special atmosphere. You can see a slideshow of the gardens through the seasons … [Read more...]
Hiking & Haiku on the Uminobe-no-Michi Trail
For the last 3 years or so I have been joining the Hailstone Haiku Circle on their annual autumn hike. Always good outings, in previous years we have gone further afield to Mount Daisen in Tottori, and Tateyama in Toyama, but this year's hike was closer to home： along the Lakeside Way (湖ノ辺の道 Uminobe-no-michi), in Northern Shiga. These are haiku composition hikes, so we take … [Read more...]
Kyoto: the forest within the gate
Here is a new book project from the team behind Kyoto Journal. The ancient capital of Japan in images and writings Resting on the earth who needs satori or faith? Embrace what holds you! … [Read more...]
100 Thousand Poets for Change / JIPS Poetry Reading @ Heartpia Kyoto 9/28
Do you want to join other poets, musicians, artists, mimes, dancers, photographers, performing artists, around the USA and across the planet in a demonstration/celebration of poetry to promote serious social, environmental, and political change? September 28th is the global 100 Thousand Poets for Change Day, 2013! I posted this once on Facebook back in June, but here is a … [Read more...]
Phil Norton & Max Dodds at Papa Jon’s Eatery – Video
Many thanks to Charles Roche for hosting yet another great night at Papa Jon's last weekend. "Jazztronic" poet Phil Norton and singer Max Dodds provided excellent entertainment for a full house and a very enjoyable time was had by all. Here are a few video samples from the show, with news of more upcoming events below: What with storytelling nights and musical … [Read more...]
Eastern-Western Poets in Sympathy – Poetry Reading 2012
Japan Universal Poets Association (JUNPA) have organized a poetry reading event to be held at Kyoto International Community House on November 1st. Most of the poets taking part are Japanese, but there are also two guest poets from overseas: Hughes Labrusse from France and Gabriel Rosenstock from Ireland. There will also be a musical performance with flute and … [Read more...]
Genjuan International Haibun Contest 2013
幻住庵 Genjuan Haibun Contest 2013 Genjuan is the name of the cottage near Lake Biwa where, in 1690, Basho lived for a while and wrote one of his most famous haibun. It was probably the happiest period of his life. This is the second year of the contest crowned by the name of Basho’s cottage, and its purpose remains to provide a common arena for haibun writers of the world. … [Read more...]
