Another Kyoto

Alex Kerr a well-known Japanologist has just come out with another compelling book on Japanese aesthetics, Another Kyoto (2016). Kerr has previously written about Japanese arts in his seminal book Lost Japan and most recently he analyzed the arts of his new home Thailand in Bangkok Found. One of the strengths of the book is that Kerr writes authoritatively about South East Asian, Chinese, and Japanese culture seamlessly drawing comparisons between the three based on his experiences and expansive knowledge of the artistic traditions of the three regions. The book is based on conversations Kerr had with his collaborator Kathy Arlyn Sokol while visiting the many temples and shrines of Kyoto. Kerr's astute observations are based on received knowledge (from mentors like David Kidd) and his impressions, and discoveries rather than conventional scholarship. The tone is conversational and avoids the turgid prose that often accompanies most formal scholarship. However, Kerr has formally studied Chinese and Japanese (Chinese at Oxford and Japanese at Yale) and has been a student of Japanese culture most of his life living at least part-time in Japan, so his pronouncements are authoritative. Many of his observations are original and based on personal observations and ruminations about culture. For example, he points out that Chinese aesthetics are based more on the mind and logical constructs whereas Japanese aesthetics are more about he heart and feelings. The beautifully illustrated book is divided into nine chapters that discuss the aesthetics of temples and Shrines of Kyoto in great detail: 1. Gates, 2. Walls, 3. ShinGoSo (the concept of basic, standard and high style in a nutshell), 4. Floors, 5. Tatami, 6. Plaques, 7. Fusuma (sliding doors that usually have paintings on them), 8. Screens, 9. Enma-do (statues of the king of hell). All in all, a fascinating look at Asian art in general and the many beautiful temples and shrines of Kyoto which I have had the pleasure  of visiting many six times and a place that I expect to continue to visit in the future. I will use this book as a guide and a reference in my future visits to the ancient capital.