SHIGEMORI Mirei (1896-1975) was one of the most prominent Japanese
garden designers during the Showa period (1926-1989). Shigemori’s
designs often appear as avant-garde while respecting traditional designs
which might be the key as to why his gardens are highly valued both
all around Japan and the world. This book introduces about thirty of
SHIGEMORI’s gardens. The dynamic rock arrangements and modern
design will surely capture the viewers’ heart.

A collaborative photo book featuring the work of six photographers based
in Kyoto. An every-day scene in a narrow lane, costumes in traditional
events, the dignified figures of temples and shrines – The photos taken
by each photographer introduce their different perspectives and images of
Kyoto.

Gardens that incorporate elements of tea ceremony are called Chaniwa,
or tea gardens. Passing through a small gate, guests are greeted by a
small waiting space followed by stepping-stones that lead them into the
pure world of tea. These are quintessential features guiding people into
an extraordinary time and space. Kyoto’s representative tea gardens are
introduced with fascinating photos and individual explanations for each to
assist readers in deepening their understanding of Japanese tea ceremony
rooms and gardens.

A photo book of recommended places for flower viewing in Kyoto.
Wherever visitors go, gardens in temples and shrines or even in the middle
of the city color the old capital in every season with their ever-changing
variety of flowers and plants.

A photo collection of snow scenes around Kyoto in historical temples and
shrines, gardens and narrow lanes lined with classical machiya townhouses.

Miyagawacho is one of the five Kagai districts in Kyoto where geiko (geisha
in Kyoto) and maiko (apprentice of geiko) culture is still vibrant. Geiko and
maiko regularly pass along the historical narrow street of Miyagawacho,
which is full of the elegant and nostalgic atmosphere of old Kyoto. The
book consists of photos of seasonal scenes in Miyagawacho as well as life
of geiko and maiko.

A photo book featuring 111 must-see sightseeing sites in Kyoto. Cherry
blossoms in spring and vividly colored leaves in autumn – No matter which
season, the old capital never fails to fascinate its visitors. Historical temples
and shrines and carefully maintained gardens are featured.

A photo collection of popular cherry blossom viewing sites in Kyoto
divided into five areas (central, west, north, east and south) introducing
lesser known local streets as well as the truly popular sites such as
Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Ryoan-ji Temple. Maps and basic information
(opening hours, access, etc.) are included making this a useful guidebook.

A photo book collection featuring awesome sites for viewing autumn
colored leaves. Many atmospheric townscapes still remain in Kyoto where
the vivid colors of autumn leaves decorate the historical temples and
shrines, gates and gardens. Every photo focuses on the very best moments
of autumn. With maps and basic information about each location.

“Kyoto’s machiya townhouses are full of the wisdoms of life.” Machiya
is a classical residential architectural form of Kyoto. This book consists
of beautiful photos of typical machiya structures including courtyard
gardens, classical Japanese rooms with tatami mats and traditional kitchens.
Seasonally changed interior decorations and the related traditional
ceremonies are also introduced offering readers a glimpse into the wisdom
of Kyoto life.

The ancient capital of Japan: Kyoto. Human made buildings and gardens
merge harmoniously with the natural surroundings to form a city of unique
beauty. Every moment and view is different and the eighty-one photos in
this book show the enchanting faces of the old capital at its best.

A visually fantastic book composed pairing Japanese words about every
season with sublime photos of Kyoto. Some words are classical Japanese
representing the traditional 24 seasonal divisions and names of flowers and
others are very unique to Kyoto culture. The atmospheric photos attest to
the sensitivity of the Japanese spirit.

A supreme photo book featuring gardens in Buddhist temples and Shinto
shrines in Kyoto that truly capture the changing beauty of each season.
Seventy-four locations are introduced in all their seasonal splendor. The
vivid colors of autumn leaves and sublime winter snow shots in a single
garden will amaze readers of just how different they look depending on
the season. Information about each temple along with maps and access
information is also included.

An English edition of the book featuring Kyoto’s Zen gardens (introduced
on pg 3). In Kyoto, only a few steps from the bustling city center can
lead people into the tranquil precincts of Zen temples. This photo book
introduces the simple yet fascinating beauty of Kyoto’s Zen temple gardens.
Includes brief explanations about gardens along with basic information
(opening hours, access, etc.) in Japanese and English. English explanations
and insights by Tom WRIGHT included.

It is inevitable that it takes longer to move around when the roads in Kyoto
become crowded during the tourist seasons yet most tourists wish to visit
more than one place for cherry blossom viewing. At such times, taking
trains is recommended and convenient. This book features popular cherry
blossom viewing sites near main train stations making it both a fascinating
photo book as well as a useful guide.

It is inevitable that it takes longer to move around when the roads in Kyoto
become crowded during the tourist seasons yet most tourists wish to visit
more than one place for autumn colored leaf viewing. At such times, taking
trains is recommended and convenient. This book features popular autumn
leaf viewing sites near main train stations making it both a fascinating photo
book as well as a useful guide.

A photo book featuring the soothing green maple leaves in Kyoto. The
young leaves emanate a vigorous vitality in the early summer and their
lush green adds a vibrant atmosphere to Kyoto’s temples and shrines. In
general, maple leaves are favored for viewing during the autumn but their
refreshing green leaves also calm people’s hearts. This book is a testament
to the attraction of green maple leaves in the old capital.

Gion Kobu, Miyagawacho, Pontocho, Kamishichiken and Gion Higashi
are the exclusive districts of Kyoto called Kagai where geiko (geisha in
Kyoto) and maiko (apprentice of geiko) culture is still vibrant. Gokagai
is the collective term for these five Kagai. This photo book introduces the
elegant world of geiko and maiko including a variety of traditional events
and seasonal “Odori” dance performances in spring and autumn.

There are many Buddhist stone statues standing outside in Kyoto that are
worshipped and carefully taken care of by the local people. This photo
book features these Buddhist statues located in temples or the old remains
of temples in Kyoto as well as the nearby cities of Kameoka and Kizu.

In Kyoto, just a few steps from the bustling city center can lead people
into the tranquil precincts of Zen temples. This photo book introduces
the simple yet fascinating beauty of gardens in the Zen temples of Kyoto.
Every seasonal must-see is captured, from flowers blooming colorfully in
some seasons to the profuse lush green of another. In winter, the garden
stands in perfect silent beauty, covered with white snow. Brief explanations
about the gardens and basic information (opening hours, access, etc.) are
also included.

This photo book features flowering gardens in Kyoto. Kyoto gardens
bring delight in every season; however, some are even more supreme than
ever in the flowering season. One example is the famous rock garden in
Ryoan-ji Temple with its leaning branches of weeping cherry blossoms.
Both famous gardens and lesser-known ones are introduced with vibrant
photos. The book can be used as a guidebook as it contains maps and basic
information of each place (opening hours, access, etc.).

MIZUNO Katsuhiko is a Kyoto-based photographer who has been absorbed
in portraying the beauty of Kyoto for 40 years. This large size photo book
collects together his finest photos presenting natural beauty – light and
shadow, rain, wind, snow and sound. Every image is transient and precious
clearly reflecting how Kyoto’s scenery has captured his heart.

“Courtyard gardens in Kyoto are the culmination of all garden styles.”
Featuring tsuboniwa, or courtyard gardens in temples and shrines, seasonal
shots from traditional Japanese inns and restaurants and sophisticated ones
from private residences. The essence of Kyoto’s aesthetics presented in one
book along with English explanations.

A photo book featuring eighty-four tsuboniwa, traditional Japanese
courtyard gardens, incorporated in classical machiya townhouses. The
beauty of machiya and tsuboniwa are introduced with 152 superb
photographs classified into three chapters: “Gardens in Merchant’s Houses,”
“Gardens in Exclusive Japanese Restaurants and Café” and “Gardens
in Residences.” This photo book depicts the harmonious aesthetics of
tsuboniwa in classical Kyoto-style machiya townhouses.

A photo book of Kyoto’s nightscapes. Gardens lit up at night, gentle
lights emanating through machiya townhouse windows, fantastic scenery
illuminated by moonlight… Kyoto reveals another face of its beauty from
the one it shows during the day.

In Kyoto, many closed-door or never-before-opened gardens are rarely seen
by the general public. This photo book introduces such “selected secret”
gardens with informative explanations by the author providing keys for
readers about how they can enjoy the gardens more deeply and understand
their structures better. This great guide invites readers to enter the beautiful
world of gardens in Kyoto that have been nurtured for generations up until
this very day.

Buddhist and Shinto gardens in Kyoto that visitors can regularly access
are introduced with fabulous photos. Internationally famous gardens such
as Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) and Ryoan-ji Temple to almostunknown
hidden gems are presented along with more contemporary yet
exceptionally attractive ones. A brief explanation about gardens and basic
information (opening hours, access, etc.) is also included.

Tsuboniwa, a traditional courtyard garden, is said to represent the ultimate
beauty of a Japanese garden. It fulfills important functions such as
ventilation and lighting but a more important element is that in spite of
their compact size, they are perceived as a place where one can relax and
feel comfortable. A wide variety of some eighty tsuboniwa examples from
Kyoto’s imperial court, shrines, temples and classical machiya townhouses
are introduced.

An English edition of the book featuring Kyoto’s tsuboniwa, or courtyard
gardens (introduced on pg 4). Tsuboniwa play important roles in classical
machiya townhouses, (often called “Eel’s bed” due to their thin and long
rectangular shape), temples and shrines. Located in the inner part of the
house, tsuboniwa provide both functionality such as ventilation and lighting
and add natural comfort to daily life. About fifty tsuboniwa from machiya
townhouses, temples, hotels and museums are introduced.

Tsuboniwa, or courtyard gardens, play important roles in classical machiya
townhouses, (often called “Eel’s bed” due to their thin and long rectangular
shape), temples and shrines. Located in the inner part of the structure,
tsuboniwa provide both functionality such as ventilation and lighting
and add to the natural comfort of daily life. About fifty tsuboniwa from
machiya townhouses, temples, hotels and museums are introduced.