Kyoto Journal, a non-profit quarterly established in 1987, reaches far beyond Japan's ancient capital to be your gateway to understanding and appreciating thought-provoking aspects of the lifestyles, cultures and societies of Japan and Asia.
Here (in addition to some books and gifts), you can access current and past issues, dating from 1987 to the present. Many are in print format, but some exist only in digital form, downloadable as PDFs.
Our present (post-Covid) publishing schedule includes one print and two digital issues per year.
Showing 1–16 of 57 resultsSorted by latest
Empty Kyoto・閑かなる京都
In 2020 & 2021, Kyoto’s crowds of tourists disappeared, offering a unique chance to capture the city’s natural beauty without distractions. Empty Kyoto is a compilation of these photographs.
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Kyoto Journal 107: Fire & Kyoto
KJ 107, guest edited by Jann Williams. Fire consumes, transforms, renews and purifies. This primordial element has remained deeply embedded in the culture and psyche of Kyoto as a powerful destructive force, a sacred agent and a vital component of everyday life, throughout the city’s 1,230-year history.
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Kyoto Journal 106: Cultural Fluidity (Digital)
KJ 106 dives into the theme of ‘Cultural Fluidity,’ the accelerating flow and blend of cultures across borders. From Japonisme to Pokémon, contributors illuminate this subject from diverse viewpoints, through a mix of essays, poetry, photography, and illustrations. Guest Editor: Lane Diko.
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Kyoto Journal 105: The Geography of Myth (Digital)
KJ 105 encompasses vast arcs in Japan’s mythical history and social geography through articles, photo-essays, and intriguing excerpts from the latest books by some of our favorite KJ-associated authors.
Kyoto Journal 104: Flora & Kyoto
This special print issue explores the ubiquitous role of flora as an essential subtheme in Kyoto’s timeless culture through essays, interviews, and poetry, illuminated by superb photography and artworks.
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Kyoto Journal 103: Creativity (Digital)
In KJ013 – Creativity, we bring together the strivings of poets, musicians, visual and sculptural artists, photographers, art event curators, meditators and philosophers, even a part-time futurologist, to evolve new ideas and invent new forms.
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This Very Moment
A new book of Miksang contemplative photographs by John Einarsen
Text by John Einarsen; translation my Mitsue Nagase
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Kyoto Journal 102: Encounters/Transitions (Digital)
(Digital issue) In KJ102 we bring together accounts of formative experiences, in the context of historical momentum. (Approx. $6 US)
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Kyoto Journal 101: “Water in Kyoto”
The vital element of water has been one of Kyoto’s most characteristic features, ever since Heian-kyo was famous for its “purple mountains and crystal streams.”
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Kyoto Journal: 100 Views of Kyoto — A Tribute (Digital)
Kyoto Journal’s 100th Issue, now in PDF format with 18 additional articles
We’ve tapped regular and new Kyoto Journal contributors, including long-time residents and cultural experts, as well as international poets, writers, photographers and others to create a fresh collection of viewpoints, voices, reminiscences, personal accounts, sketches, photographs, and historical and literary quotes evoking the unique spirit of KJ’s hometown and inspiration, Kyoto.
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