Shisendo has remained a deeply personal place since the author first wandered Kyoto decades ago.
Memories of Miyamoto Musashi, an encounter with Kinjiro Yamashiro, and a New Year’s musical gift intertwine across time.

When I first began wandering through Kyoto decades ago, for some reason, I was deeply drawn to Shisendo.
2016-01-01
Today, WOWOW broadcast the complete series of “Miyamoto Musashi,” directed by Tomu Uchida and starring Kinjiro Yamashiro.
It is one of the defining works of both the director and the actor.
When I first explored Kyoto many decades ago, I found myself inexplicably fond of Shisendo.
Even now, I visit it at least ten times a year.
Shisendo stands above Ichijoji Sagarimatsu,
the very place where Musashi fought his legendary and brutal duel with the Yoshioka clan.
Just above it lies Hachidai Shrine.
Naturally, Miyamoto Musashi is always present in my thoughts.
As readers may know, I was extremely close to the owner of a certain establishment in Kitashinchi,
close enough to be called a close friend,
and during my busiest working years, I was the customer who arrived at the very latest hour.
One such night, at an otherwise empty counter, I found myself seated next to Kinjiro Yamashiro,
who had only recently recovered from a serious illness.
He was with an acquaintance, yet our conversation flowed effortlessly.
That was because, at the time, I was firmly convinced that among Japanese actors,
only he and Shintaro Katsu were truly authentic, existing on a completely different level.
When I told him this honestly, he was genuinely pleased.
From that moment, the conversation took off.
While recording the film, I noticed that on a neighboring channel,
Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, and Thomas Hampson were scheduled to appear in
“Three Stars in Munich” starting at 6:30 that evening.
Sensing something special, I continued watching.
Everyone who saw it must have thought the same thing.
What an extraordinary New Year’s gift this is.
I offer this to readers around the world, and to O, S, my teacher, and everyone in Yuriage.
The final portion, in particular, can only be described as breathtaking.