Kyoto Journal 108 continues the theme of ‘Fluidity’ explored in KJ 106, delving further into the many ways in which culture has flowed in and out of Kyoto: how foreign cultures have manifested in new ways in Japan; how aspects of Japanese culture have been reimagined overseas, and further, how those manifestations of Japanese culture have returned to influence Japan. Guest Editor: Lane Diko.
Kyoto Journal 108 continues the theme of ‘Fluidity’ explored in KJ 106. The theme was so rich and submissions so varied that we decided to dive even deeper with a ‘Part Two.’ 108 will further develop the wide-ranging theme of Fluidity, delving into the many ways in which culture has flowed in and out of Kyoto: how foreign cultures have manifested in new ways in Japan; how aspects of Japanese culture have been reimagined overseas, and further, how those manifestations of Japanese culture have returned to influence Japan.
From “Liberdade—Behind the Mask of São Paulo’s Japantown” by Marcio Scavone
Fluidity can be observed in the complexity of diasporic and immigrant experiences around the world, from prehistory until today. It is inherent to the metamorphoses of ancient gods and goddesses as well as to modern, shapeshifting figures like David Bowie. Fluidity includes modern, international versions of Noh theater, sumo competitions, and tea ceremony. We can find it in the interpretation and reinterpretation of music, from rock to the avant-garde compositions of John Cage; in the work of visual artists like Kanemaki Yoshitoshi or Delphine Diallo, who blend traditional techniques with cutting edge technology; in global drinking cultures, whether sipping Japanese whisky cocktails in a Kyoto temple or serving a bowl of green tea in Vancouver; and in the international influences of designers, architects, and writers.
From Japonisme to Nintendo, AI to Hello Kitty—Fluidity is the nature of culture in the 21st century.
We hope that the poetry, personal essays, interviews, photography, and illustrations featured in these issues will invite you, as a reader, to recognize and appreciate the depth and fascinating complexity of these blending edges of cultures, in the world and in yourself.
Delphine Diallo and the Warrior Journey
Contents
The Light in Kyoto: Ken Rodgers (1952-2024) Pico Iyer
Natural Phenomena Express No Emotions Ken Rodgers
Fluidity 2 Lane Diko
First Experiences 2
The Jesup North Pacific Expedition
Metamorphoses of a Goddess Catherine Ludvik
CONVERSATIONS
Kanemaki Yoshitoshi Interview by Lane Diko and Mariko Yamada
Margot Gaches Interview
Delphine Diallo and the Warrior Journey Interview
Chameleon David, by Julian Holmes
HEARTWORK
40 Years of Traditional Theater Training in Kyoto Jonah Salz
Chameleon David Julian Holmes
Ezra Pound’s Japan: An Interview with Andrew Houwen Matthew McLaughlin
Throwing Sounds Into Silence Magda Rittenhouse
OUR KYOTO
Kyoto Blues Tim Fitts
カタツムリ, or, NE Looks Like SNAIL Piper Rasmussen
Observing the Observers: An American Undercover in Kyoto’s Sacred Spaces Scott Kikkawa
Lost Dream in Kyoto Hua Liu, Translated by Max Cao
The Kitschy World of “Zen in/and the Art of…” Yamada Shōji
Mario—Born and Raised in Kyoto Matt Alt
Kawaii Kitty—Around the World in 50 Years Alex Mankiewicz
EYE
Liberdade—Behind the Mask of São Paulo’s Japantown Marcio Scavone
IN TRANSLATION
Luck is a Form of Talent A. Muttulingam, Translated by Sahana Kumar
Sumo Revival Lewis Miesen
Sharing a Bowl of Tea: Sustaining a Japanese Art Practice in Canada Millie Creighton
Tea Hunters—The Tale of O5 Tea Brian Eastlake
How to Talk About Wine Like a Tea Master Leanne Ogasawara
Slainte!—Bringing Scotland’s Spirit to Japan Andrew Bonn
Charles Schumann in Conversation With Matthias Ley
Denis Guidone Interview
Matsumuro Shigemitsu: Designing Modern Kyoto Ichikawa Shinya
REVIEWS
RAMBLE
The Very First Robert Brady
website
Africans in Japan—A New Diaspora Solene Bouda
Confessions of an Otaku Garrett Speller
Transcending Temporality An Interview with Rosanna Rios Perez
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