Performances for the Gods Ian Ropke writes... Japanese Noh theatre is one of the oldest dramatic forms in world. The early developments of Noh lie in the festive entertainment of various kinds (dance, simple plays) performed at temples and shrines in the 12th and 13th centuries. Noh drama for much of its history was favored by the samurai, priest and aristocratic … [Read more...] about Japanese Noh Theatre
Cherry Blossoms at Heian Jingu
One of the best books you can read about Kyoto is a novel by Yasunari Kawabata: The Old Capital. It is both a great story, and a wonderful guide to the city and its seasonal traditions. One of the most famous scenes in that book is in the gardens of Heian Jingu when the characters Chieko and Shin'ichi go to see the cherry blossoms. I visited Heian Jingu yesterday to see these … [Read more...] about Cherry Blossoms at Heian Jingu
京町家の再生 – Machiya Revival in Kyoto
I've just finished reading this fine little book about the machiya (町家) of Kyoto. Machiya are the traditional narrow wooden townhouses of the old capital. Once, their tiled roofs and wooden lattice fronts typified Kyoto’s urban landscape. However, since the end of WW2 this traditional landscape has in large part been replaced by high rise buildings and parking lots. 13% of … [Read more...] about 京町家の再生 – Machiya Revival in Kyoto
Tengu
Ian Ropke writes: The mountains throughout Japan are home to a very long-nosed creature known as a tengu or mountain goblin. The origins of tengu are not very clear. They can be found in both Shinto and Buddhist texts. Some scholars trace the origin of the tengu to one of the primary gods of Shinto: Susano-o, who shares many of the characteristics for which tengu are feared … [Read more...] about Tengu
Apollo Plus
Apollo has become one of our favorite places to eat over the last year or so. It's an izakaya-style restaurant, but the food is just a little bit nicer and the atmosphere just a little bit quieter and calmer than some of the bigger chain izakayas around the Kiyamachi/Kawaramachi area (where you might have to scream to make yourself heard). Even so the prices are pretty … [Read more...] about Apollo Plus
Kanso
Sean Roe invited me out to this place ages ago. "￥380 a beer," he said. Very hard to resist. So I went. And here's what I found: Kanso is a bar, and an art installation combined. Its concept can be roughly summarized as drink x cans = fun The art here is nothing precious, consisting as it does of cans. Big cans that you sit at like tables and walls of cans to dazzle … [Read more...] about Kanso
Kyoto: A Cultural History
Disclosure: Links in this article to Amazon or Amazon Japan are affiliate links. The owner of this website may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. In the movie “Lost in Translation”, the character of Charlotte (played by Scarlett Johansson) takes a day trip alone to Kyoto. As she wanders through a temple and a shrine her sense of being lost in this alien land is … [Read more...] about Kyoto: A Cultural History
Kimono Old & New
As today is 成人の日 ("seijin no hi" or "Coming of Age Day") it seems timely to post Ian Ropke's article on the kimono. First though here is a picture of some brand new adults sporting their kimono's for the day, and one other of a lady I spotted at Ebisu shrine. Ian writes... An industry caught in time An enduring and potent symbol of traditional Japan, the kimono is … [Read more...] about Kimono Old & New
An Interview with Mara Alper
To celebrate the 400th anniversary of ties between Mexico and Japan the Kampo Museum is currently exhibiting the art and crafts of the indigenous Huichol people. Dominating the exhibition are the extraordinary peyote inspired yarn paintings of the late Huichol artist and shaman José Benitez Sanchez. On the 24th of January, Professor Mara Alper, award winning media artist and … [Read more...] about An Interview with Mara Alper
Hamacho
I had a wafu Christmas dinner at Hamacho, a nice traditional Japanese style restaurant just north of Sanjo on Kiyamachi. I had a little peak at the first floor before heading upstairs... … [Read more...] about Hamacho
Ogoto Onsen
I wanted to do something special for Christmas Eve and my friend Andrew suggested getting an onsen hotel room in Ogoto. Once infamous as the soapland capital of Kansai, Ogoto has been working hard over the years to create an alternative image as a family spa resort. You can get reasonably priced rooms there, with gorgeous views over Lake Biwa. And as it is only a twenty minute … [Read more...] about Ogoto Onsen
