If you happen to be in Kyoto on Saint Patrick's Day and are wondering how to celebrate (other than heading to an Irish Pub and getting hammered) - here's something new. I was strolling through the Fushimi Inari area today when I happened to spy this sign. The sign suggests celebrating Ireland's most important holiday, with a glass of beer, flavored and colored … [Read more...] about Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with a Glass of Green Matcha Beer at Otani-Chaen Tea Shop, Inari!
Up-and-coming
The Toy Film Museum – おもちゃ映画ミュージアム
The Toy Film Museum, opened on May 18th 2015 on a tiny little side street just off Koin Doori in the Mibu area. I ventured down there shortly after it opened to see what it was like. My general feeling after visiting is that the place has a lot of potential, but if you are not fluent in Japanese and/or super interested in old movies then this place isn't really for you. I am … [Read more...] about The Toy Film Museum – おもちゃ映画ミュージアム
Fujinomori Festival & Kakeuma Shinji – Acrobatic Horseback Riding
Mewby and I caught this festival last year and for sheer excitement it can't be beat. I highly recommend you catch this event on May 5th. Earlier that morning (from around 10.30) we saw mikoshi (portable shrines) from Fujinomori Shrine carried in a parade to Fushimi Inari Taisha. It was raining but that did not dampen the spirits of the people carrying the mikoshi - they … [Read more...] about Fujinomori Festival & Kakeuma Shinji – Acrobatic Horseback Riding
Fire Ceremony & Kyōgen Performance at Seiryō-ji on March 15th
Many temples hold special ceremonies on March 15th to commemorate the Buddha's death, or passing into Nirvana (Nehan 涅槃 in Japanese). One of the more spectacular and eventful commemorations is at Seiryō-ji temple in Saga. There are a number of reasons why you might want to attend this particular event. On this day only, entry to the temple interior is free. It has a … [Read more...] about Fire Ceremony & Kyōgen Performance at Seiryō-ji on March 15th
Time Travelling on Gojō – An Extract from Deep Kyoto Walks by Jennifer Louise Teeter
Gojō Pottery Fair, in which pottery stalls line Gojō street all the way between Kawabata and Higashioji, begins August 7th and continues to August 10th. Simultaneously, in nearby Rokudo-san temple, is Kyoto's very own festival of the dead, the Rokudo Mairi spirit welcoming festival. Jen Teeter explores both of these events and more in her DKW essay "Time Travelling on Gojō", so … [Read more...] about Time Travelling on Gojō – An Extract from Deep Kyoto Walks by Jennifer Louise Teeter
Hiking Mount Atago – An Extract from Deep Kyoto Walks by Sanborn Brown
Today's post is an extract from Hiking Mount Atago by Sanborn Brown in which he details his participation in the annual Sennichi Tsuyasai pilgrimage to the top of Mount Atago which takes place each year on July 31st. In this excerpt from our book Deep Kyoto: Walks, Sanborn describes his ascent with an eccentric tea ceremony master, and other pilgrims, to the top of Mount Atago, … [Read more...] about Hiking Mount Atago – An Extract from Deep Kyoto Walks by Sanborn Brown
Jazz Band Fujiya Mountain @ 和音堂
Walking up the Kamo river one day, we saw a lively jazz band playing under the Sanjo bridge that were so good we decided cross over and have a look. They were young, fun and funky, so we picked up a flyer for their next gig, which happened to be on the following day. The location 和音堂 (WA・ON・DO) was convenient and the price was only 1,000 yen (+ another 500 yen for a … [Read more...] about Jazz Band Fujiya Mountain @ 和音堂
Kyoto Tanabata Festival
Last weekend Mewby and I visited some of the Tanabata festival events now ongoing along the Horikawa and the Kamogawa rivers. Tanabata is the annual star festival celebrating "the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively)" (see more on Wikipedia!). The festival is celebrated on July 7th according to the modern calendar, … [Read more...] about Kyoto Tanabata Festival
The Artist Brian Williams
Last week I visited the artist Brian Williams at his studio, sat down for a chat and had a sneak preview of his upcoming exhibition at Kiyomizu Temple. Brian is due to have a special one night exhibit of his parabolic paintings this Saturday evening (May 14th) - the first time ever in 1200 years that any art has been exhibited on the famous Kiyomizu balcony. Brian is famous … [Read more...] about The Artist Brian Williams
Two Poems by Amano Tadashi
Here's this month's poetry column from our friend Keiji Minato... Kobo-san (弘法さん) is the popular name of Toji Kobo-ichi (東寺弘法市; Toji Kobo Market), the monthly fair that takes place at Toji Temple. On the 21st every month, hundreds of stalls occupy its huge precincts and alleys all around and sell a wide variety of goods from food and drink through accessories and … [Read more...] about Two Poems by Amano Tadashi
Takigi Noh (Noh by Firelight)
John Dougill writes… For many people Noh is a turn-off. The plays have no conflict, no humour and no facial expression. Actors move at a snail’s pace, the language is arcane and the music archaic. To its detractors it’s simply an outmoded relic of medieval times. Noh way, Noh thank you. There are regular performances in Kyoto, and if you attend you’ll find a good number … [Read more...] about Takigi Noh (Noh by Firelight)
