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...]
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...]
Enso Watt Perform CRYST0piA(e) @ UrbanGuild; 11.19.2017
The shaman speaks of a crystal city beyond time’s horizon, imperial and immortal, where the mind-lake sparkles, a perfected form where all is immediate. Multi-media performance group ENSO WATT are back with their latest production “CRYSTOPIA” – an operatic piece set in a dystopian dimension where a neo-humanity searches for the “beautiful objects of eternity.” This is … [Read more...]
Ensō Watt Perform Clonologic Horizone® at Urbanguild Tomorrow!
Our favorite experimental multi-media performance group will be blowing minds again at Kyoto's Urbanguild tomorrow night. Don't miss this if you are free and in town. Date: 5 November 2016 Time: 19:30–1:00 Venue: UrBANGUILD Kyoto http://www.urbanguild.net/ map : https://goo.gl/maps/wHTfPYvzDEN2 door 2800 yen adv 2000 yen student 1500 yen +1 drink ensō watt … [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...]
Pictures from Enso Watt & Instant Eternity!
Enso Watt performed Sanka's 5th Season Ritual at Urbanguild on Sunday night and as always it was a fantastic show. If you are not familiar with what they do, it is a choreographed multi-media extravaganza, of experimental music, pre-recorded soundscapes, live video, art, poetry, heaps of talent, color, and a whole lot of enthusiasm. All of it conducted by classical … [Read more...]
Ensō Watt Return to UrbanGuild for Sanka’s Fifth Ritual!
Oh boy! They are back! This is going to be great! From Marguerite Paget: Dear Friends Ensō Watt is coming back for the Sanka’s Fifth season Ritual ! After completing the “seasonal cycle” (the rites of summer, autumn, winter and spring), honoring the 100th anniversary of Igor Stravinsky’s revolutionary Rite of Spring, the musical/visual ensemble Ensō Watt will add a … [Read more...]
Sanka’s Spring Ritual: A Mixed Media Performance by Ensō Watt @ Urbanguild; April 29th
The fourth and final part of the epic seasonal rites sequence by the experimental arts collective, Ensō Watt will take place at Urbanguild, Kyoto on April 29th. This is an event not to be missed! Date: Wednesday, April 29th Doors Open: 19:30 Show Starts: 20:00 Tickets on the door: 2700 yen Tickets in advance: 2000 yen Student Tickets: 1500 yen (all tickets include … [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...]
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...]
Images from Sanka’s Winter Ritual
On January 25th I attended Sanka's Winter Ritual; a performance at Urbanguild by the mixed media collective Ensō Watt. Just as when I attended the Autumn Ritual in October, I was completely enthralled by the mounting energy of this show. It really is a treat to see talented artists from so many varied disciplines blending their abilities so successfully. Of course, it … [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...]
Autumn Poetry Reading from Kyoto Journal at Be-Kyoto; November 16th
Here's an up-coming event hosted by the good folks at Kyoto Journal. An Autumn Reading Sunday November 16th. 2pm~3:45pm at Be-Kyoto (http://www.be-kyoto.jp/) Entry: ¥500 RSVP: feedback[at]kyotojournal.org Be-Kyoto is just west and north of the Imadegawa/Karasuma intersection. About the Poets MARGARET (MAGGIE) CHULA has been writing and teaching haiku, tanka, … [Read more...]
Pictures from Sanka’s Autumn Ritual by Ensō Watt
I am now officially a fan of Ensō Watt! Last Friday's performance was excellent and I enjoyed every minute of it. With musicians posted in various corners of Urbanguild, and Yannick Paget both conducting and performing with hypnotic percussion from the center, we were fully immersed in a landscape of sound. Simultaneously the live video art of Andy Couzens and Masato Tokumaru … [Read more...]
