Lost In Translation

Structures of Kyoto

The Writers of Kyoto (WiK) have just produced the fourth anthology of writings about Kyoto, Structures Of Kyoto: Writers in Kyoto Anthology 4, edited by Rebecca Otowa and Karen Lee Tawarayama. It boasts contributions from 24 different writers, and once again there is an eclectic and assorted collection of writing styles-from fiction, nonfiction, prose, poetry with photographs and illustrations-this time on the theme of “structures of Kyoto.” There is in addition a note from the editors of the collection and a Forward by Judit Clancy with a map of the location of some structures mentioned in the collection as well as a an original proposal about the future of tourism in Kyoto in Alex Kerr’s Afterword, “A New Philosophy.” The Introductory section includes a ruminative essay about Rona Conti’s decades long study of calligraphy paired with an evocative WiK Writing Competition 3^rd place poem, “Interlude Kyoto” from 2020 by Brenda Yates. The first part has pieces that commemorate famous city structures such as Ryoan-ji in Mark Hovane’s “Rocks, Gravel and a Bit of Moss”) as well as three contrabutions dedicated to the Kamogawa river among others: Ina Sanjana 2019 WiK Writing Competition 2^nd place winning poem “Sunrise Over the Kamogawa”, a spirited fiction offering, “The Life Dispensary” from editor Tawarayama, as well as a fond remembrance of a bike ride along the river in Robert Weiss’ “Converging Waters (Kamogawa Delta Blues).” Among the other selections has John Dougill discussing at the historical associations of “Three Literary Cafes” and editor Otowa ruminating on “Structures of Tea.” After this section there is an Interlude (Kyukei) with a focus on philosophical musings in Reggie Pawle’s “The Magic of the Training Structures of Zen and Kyoto.” Part Two includes some structures outside Kyoto city proper as well as some abstract structures. Edward J. Taylor takes a contemplative walk around the village of Ohara in “Ohara, After Scarlet Leaves” and in Simon Rowe’s short story the protagonist has an epiphany during okuribi festival (the subject of Lisa Wilcut’s WiK Writing Competition 1^st prize winning poem of the same name) in “One Dog Day in Summer.” Jan Williams mediation on the Buddhist concept of gorinto is analyzed in “Beyond Zen-kyoto’s Gointo Connections”, Catherine Pawasarat takes a deep dive into the Gion festival in “The Gion Festival-A Hero’s Journey”, and John Einarsen has produced a meditative pictorial essay with commentary on the “Dragon Gate of the World” that leads to Nanzen-ji in “The Gate.” The anthology that boasts a variety of writing styles and visuals adds another layer of introspection to a city that is brimming with contemplative structures.

Kyoto Winter 2020

It's spring vacation so I went down to Kyoto to visit my friend Ted for a couple of days. This is a wild boar themed shrine near the Imperial Palace.

Hiatus

So I haven't stopped reading or watching movies, but I've stopped writing about it here for the time being. I may pick it up again sometime in the future, but at the moment I can't be bothered.

Joker

Joker was one of the most talked about films of the season mostly for Joquaim Phonix's role as the titular Joker. Also it is something of a dystopian fable  that is quite cynical about life in Gotham city.

Fresh-Air Fiend: Travel Writings, 1985-2000

Fresh-Air Fiend (2000) by Paul Theoroux is another collection of non ficiton that is mostly travel stories, but lots of other things too. There are several profiles on celebrities and others as well as introductions to his books and other books he reveres.

Billions

Billions feels like a poor man's Succession, another show about power, wealth, and corruption. I suppose the main appeal here are the leading roles as played by Damain Lewis (alpha male Bobby Axelrod) and Paul Giamatti (District Attorney Chuck Rhodes).

Fire Down Below

Fire Down Below (1957) was something of a revelation. I expected this Jack Lemon, Robert Mitchum, and Rita Hayworth film to be light and heavy on the Caribbean background. And the first half of the film had lots of dances and local flavor, but it took something of a somber turn as Tony (Lemon) gets stuck in an accident on a ship that was damaged in a fog related accident and risks losing his life. It is a Hollywood film after all and is concluded in an orderly fashion.

Making Waves: The Art Of Cinematic Sound

Making Waves (2019) by Midge Costin tells the story of how music became central to cinema in the 70s. The documentary talks to several of the prominent film makers (Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas among others) and their sounds crews to explain how these aspects became central to the films. There are bits from dozens of well known films throughout.

Far From Vietnam

Far From Vietnam (1967) is an omnibus film series with New Wave mainstays such as Jean Luc Goddard and Agnes Vardas among others who support the North Vietnamese in their struggle against the US. There is a lot of protest material that looks fresh.

If The Dead Rise Not

Phillip Kerr's If The Dead Rise Not (2009) is yet another complex Bernie Gunther crime novel set in Poland in 1943. Gunther is there investigating a war atrocity committed by the Russians, but gets mixed up in other gun play and murders while undertaking this job. Kerr's skill at creating a believable crime story amid historical figures is unmatched.