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...]
English Haiku Poems Class
Hailstone Haiku Circle "Hibikiai Forum" One of the most enjoyable activities I regularly take part in, is the monthly haiku class at Friend Peace House. I'd recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about poetic forms like haiku, senryu, and tanka in English. The class is usually divided into two main parts. After sharing an introductory poem of his … [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...]
Japan International Poetry Society Returns… but not to Kyoto
After a long silence, JIPS will be holding a new meeting this November. I'm rather sad to say they seem to be moving their base of activities away from Kyoto to Osaka, however they do have an impressive list of speakers, so it might be worth making the trek down into the heaving hurdy-gurdy of the metropolis... Here are the details from Jane Nakagawa: Meeting: Saturday … [Read more...]
Kyoto & Poetry on Japan Navigator
Ad Blankestijn, the writer of the Japan Navigator site, is an incredibly prolific blogger on all kinds of subjects, among them travel, history, art, literature, film, music, Japanese cuisine and sake. So many subjects in fact, it is quite hard to keep track. Readers of this blog will certainly be interested in his ongoing (and ambitious) Kyoto Guide. This post for example, on … [Read more...]
News from JIPS
Here is some news from Japan International Poetry Society (JIPS) regarding publications and activities by Kansai's resident poets: The biggest news first. Kobe poet Yoko Danno, Kyoto poet Kiyoko Ogawa (and other poets from both Japan and overseas) are featured in a poetry anthology, the proceeds of which will be donated to help the Tohoku region. The book can be ordered … [Read more...]
Kyoto as depicted in “Haifu-Yanagidaru”
Here’s this month’s poetry post from our friend, poet and translator, Keiji Minato. This will be the last post on Deep Kyoto this year. Happy holidays and see you all safely in 2012! Haifu-Yanagidaru (『誹風柳多留』; 1765-1840) is a collection of maeku-dsuke (前句付), which are now commonly called ko-senryu (古川柳; old senryu). It is not one book but a series of 165 volumes … [Read more...]
A Ginko, at Seishu Netsuke-kan
Here’s this month’s poetry post from our friend, poet and translator, Keiji Minato. Have you tried a ginko (吟行)? A ginko is a group excursion to make haiku or senryu: you visit a landmark, a museum exhibition, or any place of interest and write poems based on the experience. Usually, a kukai (句会; a haiku or senryu meeting) takes place afterwards, and you can share your … [Read more...]
The Kikakuza Haibun Contest Anthology
Kikakuza Haibun Contest ~ Decorated Works 2009~2011 Compiled by Nobuyuki Yuasa & Stephen Henry Gill Lovely little collection this. I purchased a copy last week at the Hibikiai Forum English Haiku Poems seminar, and as it rained solidly all the next day, I spent a very nice, lazy afternoon reading through it with the rainfall as perfect background music. Haibun (俳文) … [Read more...]
