On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're talking about Kyoto, kimono and more with Dr. Rebecca Copeland.

About Dr. Rebecca Copeland

Dr. Rebecca Copeland is a professor of Japanese language and literature at Washington University in St. Louis. Her research specialties include modern and contemporary women's writing in Japan, modern literature, and translation studies. Dr. Copeland also writes fiction and just published her first novel called The Kimono Tattoo (Brother Mockingbird).

Topics Discussed

• About Dr. Copeland's new novel The Kimono Tattoo
• Some of the aspects of Dr. Copeland's life that influenced and appear in The Kimono Tattoo
• On spending time in Kyoto
• Some of Dr. Copeland's favorite places in Kyoto
• About Tanukidani-san Fudō-in Temple
• Exploring Kyoto and going off the beaten path
• The canals that run along the Philosopher's Path
• What inspired the "cursed kimono" that is one of the focuses of The Kimono Tattoo
• The recycling of kimono fabric
• How valued items such as kimono are sometimes thought to be imbued with the spirit of its creators
• About studying traditional Japanese dance (Nihon Buyō)
• About the classic strict student-teacher dynamic often see in traditional Japanese arts
• On Dr. Copeland's transition to writing fiction
• The long process of writing The Kimono Tattoo
• On future plans for a sequel to The Kimono Tattoo that furthers the story of Ruth Bennett
• About Yamamba: In Search of the Japanese Mountain Witch and Dr. Copeland's story Blue Ridge Yamamba
• What the yamamba is
• About the experience of teaching inmates at the Missouri Eastern Correctional Center about Japan
• On how getting to learn about Japan and the Japanese language is a privilege
• And much more!

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Links, Videos, Etc.

To pick up a copy of The Kimono Tattoo, please consider using the Amazon affiliate link below. It will not cost you anything extra and it will support the show.

• The Kimono Tattoo on Amazon

To pick up a copy of Yamamba: In Search of the Japanese Mountain Witch, consider using the Amazon affiliate link below.

• Yamamba: In Search of the Japanese Mountain Witch on Amazon

To listen to the latest episode of Ichimon Japan, use the link below.

• Is the story of Kaguya Hime proof that aliens have visited Japan? (About Taketori Monogatari) | Ichimon Japan 44

If you would like to support the show by picking up some merchandise, make sure to visit KimitoDesigns.com.

• KimitoDesigns.com

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.

Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.

Featured image: Courtesy of Dr. Rebecca Copeland

Featured image: Courtesy of Rebecca Copeland

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Full Show Notes

• Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com