Oideyasu! Please take off your shoes.
Zen and Kyoto is a new (published Sept. 17, 2004) softcover book by John Einarsen, founder of Kyoto Journal. History and development, approaches, guide to zen temples in Kyoto, clear explanations of connections with other Japanese arts, a lengthy glossary and a list of resources. Brief sidebar features throughout the book enrich the practical information. So many foreign authors on Japan simply wave a few sticks of incense and deploy a smoky cloud of tired "exotic and mysterious Japanese" phraseology, because it sells. Einarsen's deep background knowledge of both subjects, Kyoto and Zen Buddhism, brings clarity and understanding to this book. In keeping with the subject, the design is unadorned, with monochrome illustrations and photographs (by Stewart Wachs?) throughout. 135 pages, ¥2,500 Zen and Kyoto (Amazon Japan , Japanese)
You've got my interest piqued. I'd like to check this out... once midterms and all have passed.
(^-^)
seems a lovely book! But I don't understand ... Is it in Japanese or English or what?
Lena
hi. is the book available to purchase via internet (or otherwise) in the usa? [besides the japanese amazon.com website] i saw the book in tokyo but wanted to buy it in the states. THANKS! -chris
Posted by: chris on October 15, 2005 03:01 PMFunny, I just had the book out yesterday to look up something. It's a very good reference.
Kinokuniya has bookstores in SF, L.A. and NY. They might have it. Otherwise, I don't know. Try contacting John Einarsen through Kyoto Journal (new domain name) and ask.
Posted by: nils on October 16, 2005 01:19 AM
