Kevin Ramsden is well-known in Kyoto's expat community for his tireless and creative fundraising efforts for charitable causes. This Christmas he has come up with a new fundraising initiative: a collection of eight short stories he has both written and published himself - with all proceeds going to support the educational needs of children in rural areas of Cambodia and … [Read more...]
Conserv’Session: Documentary Screening of “SEED – The Untold Story” at Kyoto University
Thanks to Zsofia Budai of the Conserv'Session group for the following message. On June 23rd, we will screen the documentary “SEED – The Untold Story” (2016, 94 min), at Kyoto University, in English with a presentation and discussion in Japanese in English. Film synopsis: Few things on Earth are as miraculous and vital as seeds. Worshipped and treasured since the dawn … [Read more...]
Documentary Screening of “Masked Monkey – The Evolution of Darwin’s Theory” at Kyoto University
The Conserv'Session conservation group at Kyoto University will have another documentary screening on February 10th. Here with the details is a message from Zsofia Budai: Documentary Screening of “Masked Monkey – The Evolution of Dawin’s Theory ” on February 10th, 2018 On February 10th, we will screen the documentary “Masked Monkey - The Evolution of Darwin’s Theory” … [Read more...]
Kyoto’s Annual Anti-Nuclear Rally at Maruyama Park, This Saturday, March 7th 2015!
From Aileen Mioko Smith, I realize this is late notice! Here is the information on the big annual no nukes rally to be held this Saturday, March 7th at Maruyama Park. The demonstration will leave the park and end at Kyoto City Hall. The rally starts at 1:30pm. Booths are open from noon, right outside the venue. Everyone welcome. Thank you, Aileen! Details, in … [Read more...]
Support Kai Fusayoshi & the Spirit of Honyarado this Saturday February 28th at Urbanguild!
...the café caught fire in an unknown cause before dawn of 16th January and over 2million frames of black-and-white photographic negative film I’ve saved for more than 40 years, along with tens of thousands of prints, thousands of copies of more than 40 books I wrote, posters, postcards, my favorite cameras, a hundred and several tens of diaries I’ve kept for 43 years, … [Read more...]
Please Support EMA Japan’s Campaign for Same-Sex Marriage Rights & Sign their Petition!
Last week the good people at Japan Today were kind enough to publish a profile piece I wrote on the Equal Marriage Alliance of Japan (EMA Japan for short). Founded in February of this year, EMA Japan is the only NPO advocating solely for legal same-sex marriages in Japan. Unfortunately, same-sex marriage is still illegal in Japan, so EMA are running a petition that aims to put … [Read more...]
Help Send a Bright Young Tibetan, Tsewang Phuntsok, to University
The following is from Kyoto blogger Heenali Patel, Hello everyone! I'd like to introduce you to somebody who has meant a great deal to me for almost 7 years. His name is Tsewang Phuntsok. Tsewang was a 12 year old student at the school I volunteered at, in Nepal back in 2008. His family comes from a small village in Tibet- he was sent to live in Kathmandu in the … [Read more...]
To Boldly Go – TEDxKyoto x George Takei & Patrick Linehan
Once again I have to congratulate Jay Klaphake and his TEDxKyoto team of volunteers for organizing a splendid event at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies today! It was a delight to see Patrick Linehan speak here again, this time on the effect his last speech at TEDxKyoto has had on his life and also on the lives of others. In September he told us to embrace the qualities … [Read more...]
Three years ago today…
On this day of remembrance, I would like to share with you some simple memories of March 11th that have taken me three years to properly digest. I was far removed from the disaster then, but of course the events of the day made a big impression on me. I remember clearly where I was, what was on my mind and those who were about me. I remember most of all their grace, their … [Read more...]
Buddhism after the Tsunami – Free Movie Screening at Chion-in
From Souls of Zen via Jean Downey: "We are delighted to announce that Chion-in, the head temple of Jodo (Pure Land) Buddhism in Japan will show Buddhism after the Tsunami this March in Kyoto!" From Ten Thousand Things: Souls of Zen – Buddhism, Ancestors, and the 2011 Tsunami in Japan follows the "greatest religious mobilization in Japan´s postwar history." Filmed from … [Read more...]
Ant-Nuclear Protest Demo & March in Kyoto; Saturday March 8th
"No one can guarantee the safety of nuclear power stations in an earthquake-prone country. They are unnecessary and have proved to be a disaster. Demonstrate this Saturday in Kyoto against the prospect of nuclear restart? The march begins around 2:45 from Maruyama Park." - Stephen Gill Date: Saturday 8th March 2014 Place: Maruyama Park Schedule: From 12:00 pm - "Free … [Read more...]
Philippine Typhoon Recovery Charity Concert in Fukuchiyama
Thanks to Eric Hawkinson for spreading the word about this. Here's a charity show up in Fukuchiyama in the north of Kyoto Prefecture. Date: March 9th from 7pm Location: 福知山厚生会館 (Fukuchiyama Kousei Kaikan) Address: 京都府 福知山市 字中ノ（西中ノ町）170-5 Tel: 0773-22-4955 Here is a MAP. 会場収入はフィリピン被災地に送金します All proceeds go to benefit the Philippines typhoon recovery effort 出演 ・ … [Read more...]
Volunteering in Kameoka
Last weekend I joined Rob Mangold and his IDRO crew on a relief trip to Kameoka, which was hit hard by the last typhoon to sweep through Kansai. After linking up with some regular volunteers at Kameoka's Volunteer Center, we drove out into golden fields where a landslide caused by heavy rain had filled up the drainage ditches. Our job was to dig them out. Here are some pictures … [Read more...]
Flood Relief in Arashiyama
Yesterday, I had planned to spend the day running round Kyoto's most iconic sites, taking immersive 360 degree images with my new Ricoh Theta camera... However, inspired by Tito's flood relief poetry, and Rob Mangold's posts on Facebook I decided to join them and Joel Stewart for a spot of volunteering in Arashiyama. I was encouraged by the community spirit there that inspired … [Read more...]
