Product Description

A stunning visual introduction to historic Kyoto,
also packed with practical information.

What better way to see Kyoto than at dawn, when the back streets and alleys of this 1,200yearold city are still under the spell of the past? Old folks fuss about with their bonsai and laundry poles, pausing to chat on their way to the neighborhood shrine with flowers and morning prayers. Knockkneed white egrets stalk the stream beds for breakfast, and the giant bronze temple bells awaken the former capital of Japan every morning as they have done for centuries.
Through wars, fires, famines, tyrants, and now rapid modernization, the old neighborhoods of Kyoto are the places where the customs and traditions of this fascinating city, with its confusing blend of old and new, have managed to survive.
American writer and former Kyoto resident Diane Durston introduces seven mustsee precincts of this ancient capital city, including four Historic Preservation Districts. Among them are the worldfamous geisha quarter, the kimono textile neighborhoods, the sakebrewing area of Fushimi, and the teagrowing region of Uji. Durston weaves together local lore and historical sites to create a panoply of provocative walking tours that take the reader back in time to the elegance of earlier days.
Accompanying each section is a fullcolor map and the fine photography of Katsuhiko Mizuno, a Kyoto native and one of the city?s most famous photographers. Sections highlighting Kyoto crafts, cuisine, festivals, and tourist essentials round out this attractive volume, making it the perfect introduction --and guide-- to one of the world?s most evocative cities.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #611351 in Books
• Published on: 2003-02-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 68 pages

Review

"Everyone that loves Kyoto knows that Diane Curston is its modern poet laureate." -Pico Iyer

"Diane Durston's books are classics and have not been superseded by more recent publications." -The New York Times

"An eloquent look at seven neighborhoods where everyday life in Japan continues despite the crush of modernity." --Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Explore the hidden beauty of historic neighborhoods with seven walking tours that transport visitors back to more elegant times." -Endless Vacation

New York Times
"Diane Durston's books are classics and have not been superseded by more recent publications."

Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"... an eloquent look at seven neighborhoods where everyday life in Japan continues despite the crush of modernity."