A few weeks ago I had the good fortune to meet and spend some time with the artist Daniel Kelly. After meeting by chance in Tadg's one night, Daniel invited me over to his studio in northern Kyoto to get to know him and his work. Upon arrival one Saturday evening, I was immediately accosted by his gorgeously beautiful but extremely cheeky collie Max. I'm a bit shy around dogs … [Read more...] about The Artist Daniel Kelly
Introducing Keiji Minato
I am very happy to welcome a new regular guest contributor to Deep Kyoto: Mr. Keiji Minato. Keiji is going to introduce us to the wonderful world of Kyoto poets and poetry! In his own words... Kyoto was the center of Japanese poetry for a long time, as of most other cultures in Japan (Am I writing the obvious?). Since the old capital was founded in 794 the royal family, … [Read more...] about Introducing Keiji Minato
People Together for Mt. Ogura – The Poets’ Mountain
...to feel the presence of this graceful Poet's Mount, we should go there. If possible, climb up a bit and take in the view. Listen, as the sounds of the city dwindle and those of nature take over. The trail at your feet will soon turn to earth and rock... - Stephen Gill For the last two weekends I've been taking part in conservation work with the environmental action group … [Read more...] about People Together for Mt. Ogura – The Poets’ Mountain
The Photographs of Jeffrey Friedl
Here is the fifth in a continuing series of profiles of Kyoto-based photographers. Each photographer chooses five of their favorite pictures from around Kyoto and tells us a little about what those pictures mean to them. This time I asked local photo-blogger Jeffrey Friedl to contribute - and I am so glad that I did! Jeffrey's pictures are breathtakingly beautiful! Jeffrey … [Read more...] about The Photographs of Jeffrey Friedl
Kirishitan Kyoto
John Dougill writes... In the heart of Kyoto there once stood a Southern Barbarian Temple (Nanban-ji). It was located not far from Rokkaku-do, the city’s belly button. The three-storey structure was built in 1576 and was an exotic addition to a city in the midst of revitalisation. For a while it was the height of fashion for the city’s leading figures to go visit the … [Read more...] about Kirishitan Kyoto
Blues Cafe Ball’n’Chain
Sometimes Mewby and I head back up to north Kyoto to revisit our old haunts. One Sunday afternoon we spent a pleasant afternoon up by Demachiyanagi flying the kite that I'd brought back from Bali. There's a spit of land there where the two rivers meet that's just perfect for it. Many kids (and their dads) were eyeing my paper bird with silent envy, but the two ladies … [Read more...] about Blues Cafe Ball’n’Chain
The Photographs of Frédéric Devos
This is the fourth in a continuing series of profiles of Kyoto-based photographers. Each photographer chooses five of their favorite pictures from around Kyoto and tells us a little about what those pictures mean to them. So far the participants have each shown a unique and canny eye on the city they live in. Today's participant, French traveler and photographer Frédéric Devos, … [Read more...] about The Photographs of Frédéric Devos
Club World
OK. Let me be completely honest about this. I'm an old git and I don't go to clubs anymore. The only other club I've reviewed up here is Club Metro and that's only because they have an '80s night (that's how old I am). So when John Gatewood II wrote to me saying he was "a bit sad" I hadn't reviewed World on Deep Kyoto and then invited me along, I have to admit I was a little … [Read more...] about Club World
The Photographs of Ken Rodgers
This is the third in an occasional series of profiles of Kyoto-based photographers. Each photographer chooses five of their favorite pictures from around Kyoto and tells us a little about what those pictures mean to them. Previously, we have featured Kyoto Journal's founder editor John Einarsen and associate editor Stewart Wachs. This time it's the turn of KJ's managing editor … [Read more...] about The Photographs of Ken Rodgers
Rokudo-Mairi & The Haunted Candy Shop
"The Japanese say that the heat of summer is the best time for ghost stories, as the little tingle they give you helps to fight the heat," writes Jeffrey Angles in his fascinating blog International Date Line. He goes on... In fact, during the Edo Period (1600-1868), there was a summertime pastime known as “One Hundred Tales” (百物語). In it, a group of friends would light a … [Read more...] about Rokudo-Mairi & The Haunted Candy Shop
The Photographs of Stewart Wachs
This is the second in an occasional series of profiles of Kyoto-based photographers. Each photographer will choose five of their favorite pictures from around Kyoto and tell us a little about what those pictures mean to them. Last week we featured Kyoto Journal's founder editor John Einarsen. This week's photographer is KJ's associate editor Stewart Wachs. Stewart … [Read more...] about The Photographs of Stewart Wachs
