Eri Wilde's The Wind

~ Eri Wilde's Private Life in Japan ~

 

Eri Wilde's Trip to Kyoto
~ in Search of Bowie's Memoirs ~


Daimonji Bon Fire Seen from the Imperial Palace

I stayed in Kyoto from 11 to 18 of August in 2001. The main purpose of my visit to Kyoto was to trace the reminiscences of Mr. David Bowie's stay in Kyoto: what he was interested in and how he liked them. Here I am introducing the strange experiences I had as the result of my curiocity. Please click the date to visit each detailed journal page.


Tawaraya Inn

11 August, Saturday

This day I departed my hometown Tadotsu for Kyoto. After checking in the hostel, I visited Tawaraya Inn, where David stayed when he lived in Kyoto about 20 years ago. I also dropped in at some shouvinir shops on the Kawaramachi and Teramachi Streets. On the Teramachi street, there was a fascinating exhibition going on at 'Gallery F', and I made friends with the artists there. At night, I visited a bar called 'Pig & Whistle' to ask westerners if they knew anything about David's stay in Kyoto. And I was fortunate enough to be imformed of his friend's residence and cafe by an American professor who teaches English in Kyoto.

Tetugaku-no-michi (The Street of Philosophy)
 12 August, Sunday

On the second day, I went walking in the north-eastern part of Kyoto. I visited the temple called Shin'nyodo, walked through the street called 'Tetsugaku-no-Michi (The Street of Phoilosophy)', which is covered with granite plates. As for my reserch on Mr. Kidd, I was still less imformed of the exact places to visit, and I had a hard time in finding out the truth, misunderstanding an ordinary house for Mr. Kidd's former residence and such.


Moss Garden (Saihoji Temple)

 13 August, Monday

On the third day, I visited the Moss Garden, Saihoji Temple in the western part of Kyoto. Later, on my way back to the hostel, I visited Saga Arashiyama, and visited some shrines to make prayers.

Cafe David
 14 August, Tuesday

Making prayers at the shrines might have worked. I could finally find the exact address of 'Cafe David'. It suddenly occurred to me I might be able to find it on internet, which I did! I also could find the phone number of the restaurant called 'Zappa', where David Bowie visited once 23 years ago.
At night, I visited Kodaiji Temple to see Manto-e. There thousands of paper lanterns were decorated to welcome the spirits of our ancestors.

'Togento' - Mr. Kidd's Former Residence
 15 August, Wednesday

Getting to know the name of Mr. Kidd's residence, 'Togento', I made up my mind to find the exact place by asking local people.
After leaving there, I visited Kozanji Temple, where Chojugiga, the oldest Japanese cartoons, which have rabbits, frogs and monkeys, are displayed. I believe Mr. David Bowie must have been influenced by this art very much.
At night, I went to see Daimoku-Odori in Matsugasaki.

Cormoratance in Arashiyama
 16 August, Thursday

Relaxing after discovering what I had been looking for in this trip, I went to Saga Arashiyama again to see the climax of the series of the traditional events: Toro-Nagashi, Daimonji-Okuribi and Cormorantance.

"Ch Ch Ch Ch Changes!" - Eri Became a Maiko Just for One Day

17 August, Friday

To spend my time left meaningfully, I visited Kyoto Imperial Palace.
To make my trip to Kyoto more memorable, I tried to become a Maiko (a young girl studying to be a Geisha).

Chojugiga - The Origin of Japanese Manga
18 August, Saturday

Before going back home, I visited major sightseeing spots near the station: the National Museum and the Kyoto Tower.

 

Eri Wilde's The Wind

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