John Dougill writes, Priests hopping and cawing like crows. Seven year old kids doing sumo. What’s that all got to do with Shinto, you may wonder? Kamigamo Jinja is Kyoto’s greenest shrine and probably the oldest. It was established by the Kamo clan long before Kammu founded the capital in 794. One of the clan, according to legend, helped guide Emperor Jimmu across Kii … [Read more...] about Karasu Sumo at Kamigamo Shrine on September 9
Hiking Along the Old Hozu River Towpath
Last Saturday I joined Stephen Gill and Okiharu Maeda of the conservation group P.T.O. for a hike along the Hozu River. The hike wasn't purely for the pleasure of getting out into the fresh country air though, Maeda-san and Mr. Gill were making a detailed report, with photographs of the exact location of trees on Mount Ogura that have been affected by a deadly oak disease. Even … [Read more...] about Hiking Along the Old Hozu River Towpath
Ikkyu Sojun’s Kyo’unshu
Here's this month's poetry post from our friend Keiji Minato. Ikkyu Sojun (一休宗純; 1394-1481) is one of the most famous monks in the history of Japan. Since his lifetime countless legends have been told about his weird acts and unmatchable wits. For contemporary Japanese he has become the most familiar figure as a Buddhist monk through the television anime series Ikkyu-san … [Read more...] about Ikkyu Sojun’s Kyo’unshu
Makimura Dental Clinic
Like most people I'm not keen on visits to the dentist and tend to put them off for as long as possible. However, if I want to keep this set of gnashers in good nick then it's important to get them checked out occasionally. When I do so, I want a dentist who can explain things to me in English and I want someone I trust. I've had bad experiences with unscrupulous dentists, in … [Read more...] about Makimura Dental Clinic
Chidzuko Ueno’s Book of Haiku, Eldorado
Here's this month's Kyoto poetry post by our friend Keiji Minato! Haiku is a well-established poetic form in Japan. Japanese newspapers call for haiku submissions, and a large number of amateur poets send them their works to be chosen for publication by famous masters. There are some TV programs specializing in haiku, for which big events are often held and big … [Read more...] about Chidzuko Ueno’s Book of Haiku, Eldorado
