On the evening of December 8, WiK held its bonenkai, a yearly tradition under the theme of “Words and Music” (for last year’s account, see here). We celebrated the old year, which not only brought a new era to Japan as a whole, but also proved to be a very successful one for our members: several new books published and a wonderful third Anthology, Encounters with Kyoto!
After the obligatory hellos and how-have-you-beens, and a sufficient amount of Pizza, Fish’n’Chips and Guinness, we moved on to the entertainment, with MC Ted Taylor.
Michael Greco started off Set One reading a piece from his new book situated in the jungle of Borneo. The book was dedicated to his young daughter, who had also joined the party. Then, Rebecca Otowa read a short story from her third book about the secrets of shoe-swapping (black sneakers only, folks!). James Woodham followed with performance poetry bursting into song, and epic nonsense poetry which was not quite as nonsensical as it seemed. Preston Houser looked back on 38 years in Japan with a poem followed by the longing tones of his shakuhachi. The set continued with last year’s Competition Winner Lisa Wilcut‘s tanka covering one year in Kyoto, perfectly describing the seasons in a few well-chosen images. Finally, together with a bit of help from the audience, Kevin Ramsden closed the set with his celebrated Kyomojo poem that won him the local prize in our last year’s Writers Competition.
Thoroughly loosened up, we took a break with more chats and more drinks.
Set Two opened with “Drongo”, an Australian idiot who prominently features in Ian Richards‘ new book. Mark Hovane added a reflective and dramatic touch with his thoughts on “mitate” and how it relates to the winding paths in tea gardens (a demonstration was included.) Afterwards, Mayumi Kawaharada read haiku about Kyoto life, accompanied on the saxophone by Gary Tegler. Ken Rodgers read a bit from Robert Brady’s Langdon Chronicles as well as a comical piece of his own, and as the last reader of the evening Robert Yellin explained why pottery is really the same as poetry, to a background of Gary Tegler’s improv jazz.
The final bit, a musical piece with Ted Taylor and Gary Tegler almost didn’t take place, had it not been for Ted’s willingness to compensate for the lack of a drum kit, which of course was highly appropriate for a jazz piece (with or without drums) by Thelonius Monk.
We all had a very enjoyable evening and would like to thank all the participants on the stage and those who were content to make up the audience. A shout-out too to the Gnome Irish Pub, who allowed us use of the venue without charge and provided nourishment for our bodies in solid and liquid form to complement the food for thought provided on stage.
We wish you all a successful 2020 and hope to meet again soon!