1997: Machiya Garden

October 1, 1997
Kyoto

I returned to Kyoto about two weeks ago and I have been getting this new (very old machiya style) house in order. I was just in the house a few weeks last fall before I left and although the living space was quite finished, the studio was not ready for me to work. I have been devoting myself to that since I arrived along with the garden which I love very much and enjoy working in. It was neglected for many years when the house was not lived in, so it needs a lot of work. It will be a “Glen-style” Japanese garden — with an ishi-gawa that I am building from pebbles, rocks and stones from the near-by Takano-gawa bank. There are many wonderful trees, shrubs and plants for me to work with and I have been moving some of the smaller of these about with great energy.

My return was late this year because my mother, who is now 88 years old and in pretty good health, is now living with me in Athens. She had been with me for many winters, but now has moved permanently to Athens. She is able to visit friends and relatives in Arizona now for two months, so I was able to come here for the same time. I will stay until the middle of November.

My basic plan is to stay here and work diligently in my studio. I have no exhibitions scheduled this year in Japan, but I have two going on in the U.S. while I am here. I plan to enjoy this Shimogamo area of Kyoto, between the Takano-gawa and the Kamo-gawa, every day that I am here — rain or shine. I could not have found a more perfect spot in Kyoto, and I have no intention of moving again. I also found the perfect person to share the house with me. Jay Ercanbrack, from Hawaii, is a professor of English at Kyoto Sangyo University and we get along very well. He is gone most days until late at night while I stay home and work — and he has the house for himself most of the year.

If you have any plans to visit Kyoto this fall, please come and see me. I can always take time out to see good friends.

Best Wishes,

Glen