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Gouverneur Mosher
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Kyoto: A Contemplative Guide Paperback – December 15, 1964

by Gouverneur Mosher (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 25 ratings
See all formats and editions
This Kyoto travel guide presents the best tourists sites in Japan's spiritual and historical capital.

With this guide the visitor needs no further assistance to learn all that a place has to offer. It is factual, concise, and complete. This Japan travel book is generously illustrated with photographs, maps, route plans, and building plans, as well as a selection of reproductions from old prints and picture scrolls.

The sights were specifically chosen to give foreign visitors a broad understanding of Kyoto's political, religious, and cultural history. Among them are the ancient Phoenix Hall of the Byodo-in, the famous rock garden at Ryoan-ji, the mountain temples of Enryaku-ji, the lavishly decorated Nijo Castle of the Tokugawas, the Silver Pavilion and its remarkable garden, and the "all-time temple," Kiyomizu.

Three appendices—a chart of Japanese art periods, a glossary and a list of useful Japanese phrases—further enhance its value.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    368 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Tuttle Pub
  4. Publication date
    December 15, 1964
  5. Dimensions
    4.5 x 0.75 x 7.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0804812942
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0804812948
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tuttle Pub; Later Printing Used edition (December 15, 1964)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0804812942
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0804812948
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.5 x 0.75 x 7.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 25 ratings

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Gouverneur Mosher

Gouverneur Mosher

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
25 global ratings
THE BEST GUIDE
5 Stars
THE BEST GUIDE
I have taught English at a college between Kyoto and Osaka since 1984. Many of my students become tour guides or hotel workers, Consequently, I have the time and motivation to tour Kyoto using a variety of guide books. This is by far the best I have seen so far. Its author does not attempt to cover all the sights in Kyoto. Instead, he concentrates in depth on what he considers the best or most important sites. By reading his book I have gained new insight into places I have read about and seen multiple times over the last 30 odd years. I especially like how historical explanations of each area visited and the actual tours are divided into separate entries. Having rekindled my interest in Kyoto through a reading of the first half of the book, I now plan to revisit each place following the author's recommended tour routes.
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Top reviews from the United States

saverio mennella
5.0 out of 5 stars Really ‘contemplative’
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2023
Verified Purchase
I love this book. It’s a book about the history of Kyoto in the first place and a guide book about what the author regards as essential must see places. But it really is a work of literature and as such I would recommend it to anyone who wants to ‘feel’ Kyoto rather than just read about it. 5 stars!
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Guy Butterworth
5.0 out of 5 stars A timeless guide
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2013
Verified Purchase
The man who wrote this book has probably died, and one section of it, which offers advice to the tourist on how to get to the different sites is moot because of the modernization of Kyoto public transportation. But neither of those items limits in any way the relevance of the first two sections. One puts the site in itrs historical context, and the other gives a fine description of the site itself.

I cannot praise this guide too much even though I had thought it unattainable for many years after I loaned my copy to someone who failed to return it. Kyoto has many sites to choose from, but with or without a tight time schedule, this book will offer the reader/tourist an exceptionally intelligent and beautifully written introduction to the most important of the most accessible sites in Kyoto. And even if one never has the opportunity, the book can be used in conjunction with the Internet to explore these world treasures.

I can think of no other guide which is as selective, as interesting, as informative as this one is. I used it whenever I had the opportunity to visit Kyoto. I hope others will benefit from it as well as I did.
4 people found this helpful
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BG from the US
5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST GUIDE
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2019
Verified Purchase
I have taught English at a college between Kyoto and Osaka since 1984. Many of my students become tour guides or hotel workers, Consequently, I have the time and motivation to tour Kyoto using a variety of guide books. This is by far the best I have seen so far. Its author does not attempt to cover all the sights in Kyoto. Instead, he concentrates in depth on what he considers the best or most important sites. By reading his book I have gained new insight into places I have read about and seen multiple times over the last 30 odd years. I especially like how historical explanations of each area visited and the actual tours are divided into separate entries. Having rekindled my interest in Kyoto through a reading of the first half of the book, I now plan to revisit each place following the author's recommended tour routes.
Customer image
BG from the US
5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST GUIDE
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2019
I have taught English at a college between Kyoto and Osaka since 1984. Many of my students become tour guides or hotel workers, Consequently, I have the time and motivation to tour Kyoto using a variety of guide books. This is by far the best I have seen so far. Its author does not attempt to cover all the sights in Kyoto. Instead, he concentrates in depth on what he considers the best or most important sites. By reading his book I have gained new insight into places I have read about and seen multiple times over the last 30 odd years. I especially like how historical explanations of each area visited and the actual tours are divided into separate entries. Having rekindled my interest in Kyoto through a reading of the first half of the book, I now plan to revisit each place following the author's recommended tour routes.
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4 people found this helpful
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David K
3.0 out of 5 stars Not very usable as a guide to visit Kyoto today ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2016
Verified Purchase
Not very usable as a guide to visit Kyoto today. Provides travel information using trolleys that have been out of use for at least 30 years . historical information for many gardens and temples but is difficult to read and utilize.
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2017
Verified Purchase
comprehensive
One person found this helpful
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LS
5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless classic
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2015
Verified Purchase
Classic, exquisitely written introduction to Kyoto and to Japanese culture and history in general. Still pertinent in spite of many changes since it was written. A great book to read before you go. Nice to pair this book with "Kyoto: 29 Walks in Japan's Ancient Capital", which has excellent up-to-date information (unfortunately, it's a little heavy to carry around all day, but is otherwise the best Kyoto guide, in my opinion).
5 people found this helpful
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Zerbe
5.0 out of 5 stars Best guide to Kyoto Temples
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2014
Verified Purchase
I was thrilled to fins this available as a kindle edition. It was my bible 40 years ago when I studied art history in Kyoto, and it's still the best book out there as far as I can tell. Too bad the directions to temples no longer work since the streetcar system has been replaced by buses, but the temples themselves are eternal.
3 people found this helpful
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Curtis J. Eshelman
5.0 out of 5 stars This book had more influence on my life than any other.
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2024
In 1972, I was in my 20s serving in the US Navy in Japan. It is quite amazing. Three sections as I remember, each dealing with a specific site. The first gives a concise history of the place, enough to understand the critical importance of what you will see. The second is a guided walking tour and the third is a practical guide to how to get to the site. The third section is no longer accurate, subways have replaced street cars. But the first two would be completely current and I would recommend it highly. This is the way we should see important things in foreign countries.
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Top reviews from other countries

Payal S.
5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2019
Verified Purchase
its a must keep. but I feel guilty retaining it given only some 60 copies are there in the market
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars I true Kyoto lover
Reviewed in Japan on February 20, 2020
Verified Purchase
Fantastic book.

Do not hesitate to get it.
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bryan ellison
5.0 out of 5 stars Kyoto history.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 22, 2015
Verified Purchase
Great read, ideal for someone visiting Kyoto who want to know about the historic sights, obviously the travel details are now very much out of date, but still very informative.
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Patricia Murray
3.0 out of 5 stars Not so contemplative, but interesting.
Reviewed in Japan on May 29, 2013
Verified Purchase
A lot has changed in Kyoto since Mosher's time, but this is still a good book for the exploration of 'Quaint Japan'.
Mosher sometimes gets to grips with the differences in ideology of the various temples and shrines he covers, but there are better guides available now. Good for an insight into the world of gaijin in the 1960's..
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