EVENTS/NEWS for "Whisper of the Land"
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エドの講演・講座などのご依頼はこちらへ
CONTACT FORM
For more Whisper News see the "Reviews/Comments" Page!
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(comes out three or four times a year)
I have a new prose and poetry photo essay posted on the “Writers in Kyoto” website of which I am a member. Some back stories and reminisces of photographing with my pinhole camera in Kyoto going back to the 1990’s and my Sacred Japan series. Illustrated with four of my black and white photos. Please have a look.
https://www.writersinkyoto.com/2023/08/10/on-kyoto/kyoto-visual-stories/
In Shisendo’s Garden, pinhole photograph
Intro by John Doughill, chairperson of Writers in Kyoto:
“Last year WiK member and highly-rated photographer Edward Levinson gave two well-received presentations to the group in which he talked of the spiritual aspects of his artwork and gardening. Though he lives on the Boso Peninsula, where there is also a Kamogawa, he has close connections to Kyoto, as can be seen in his latest photoessay up on the WiK website. Please do take a look when you can..”
Poetry, prose, and photos at Edo Photo Blog:
My photo and mini essay blog http://www.edophoto.com/blog/index.html
Local Summer Scenery ローカルな夏の風景
"Shocked Awakening - A Poem and Photos"
"Break the Silence" a poem
And
Haiku by Abdulkareem Kasid Inspired by Edward Levinson's Photos in the book Timescapes Japan
Also see Photo inspired essays and Artist Statements
http://www.edophoto.com/writings.html
I was a speaker at Soka University, South Asia Research Center Symposium
on “Surviving in a Global Village”
May 27th, 2022
Speakers: Mukesh Williams, Rohit Wanchoo, and Edward Levinson. See the flyer for bios
This Symposium was held on Zoom
A recent new prose and poetry piece is available for reading on the “Writers in Kyoto” website of which I am a member. Title - "Winter Wonderings of Body and Mind": Some memories of Zen in Kyoto and meetings with the Japanese vagabond poet Nanao Sakaki plus two poems.
Illustrated with four of my color photos. Please have a look here.
Article Intro from John Doughill, chairperson of Writers in Kyoto:
"Up now on the website is a poetic memoir by Ed Levinson of his connections with Kyoto, and with Nanao Sakaki in particular. Much of it will resonate with readers, and I was struck by finding that Ed and Nanao had attended the same Ram Dass talk as myself many moons ago (I wondered where all those hippies had come from!). As well as some touching poems, Ed has illustrated his piece with striking photos. I'm delighted to say he will be doing a Zoom session for members in April, so this can be considered a 'teaser' for what is to come." My WIK MEMBERS' Zoom talk is scheduled for April 17th, 11AM Japan Time (details coming later)
I posted a new short essay on my blog regarding the New Year, meditation, nature, love, and kindness. Its only in English at the moment, but the language is quite easy to understand even if English is not your native language. Check it out. Here is the link.
The above haiku appears in "Whisper of the Land" and "Balloon on Fire"
Photo: Daikokuten, Deity of Fortune and Wealth, one of the Seven Lucky Gods in a mini shrine just beside the lottery ticket window near Ginza in Yurakucho Tokyo
Talk Presentation at the Japan Writers Conference
I made a 50 minute presentation at the 2021 Japan Writers Conference (JWC) Oct .17th at 2pm Japan Standard Time. This year the conference was an online Zoom event.
The recording of my Oct 17th Zoom Talk is now available to view online!
You can also view at these links
Watch on my Vimeo Channel at:
https://vimeo.com/638106662
Watch on Youtube at the JWC Channel:
https://youtu.be/wb8hHoTwEns
Edo Photos YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ5TDmLXE50&t=27s
About my talk:
"Simple Nature Attunement – Tips and Practices for Writers of Any Genre"
Short Lecture with Q&A
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Attunement is one of the main keys to creativity and inspiration. In this presentation Edward will share the simplest of techniques that can used to increase one’s attunement with nature and self, thus increasing our state of receptivity and balance from which all creative endeavors can benefit.
More details about my talk at http://japanwritersconference.org/jwc-2021/#edward-levinson
JWC main site http://japanwritersconference.org
An audio version the live talk I gave on July 4th, is now available for listening as a podcast.
Please see the links below to listen on your favorite platform. Duration 43 minutes.
7月4日に私が行ったライブトークのオーディオバージョンがポッドキャストとして聴けるようになりました。英語です！良い勉強になりますよ。下のリンクどぞう。43分です。
Listen to Edward Levinson: "Whisper of the Land from Finding Home Far From Home in Podcasts"
On Soundcloud: (other listening platform links below!)
https://soundcloud.com/user-185944436/liane-2final
Description: Award-winning photographer, filmmaker and author takes you behind the scenes to his fascinating world of Japanese rice paddies and drones, searching for the perfect blooming cherry blossom tree, and how he found his corner of paradise on Solo Hill. Reading from Whisper of the Land, and sharing his writing process, the author is interviewed by Goshen Books presenter Liane Wakabayashi in the second episode of the Meet the Memoir Writer series: Coming Home Far From Home.
Thanks Liane and Goshen Books for arranging this talk and the podcast.
On Soundcloud:
Listen to Edward Levinson: Whisper of the Land from Finding Home Far From Home
https://soundcloud.com/user-185944436/liane-2final
On Apple Podcast:
Listen to Edward Levinson: Whisper of the Land from Finding Home Far From Home in Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/.../finding.../id1577538512...
On Spotify:
Listen to Edward Levinson: Whisper of the Land from Finding Home Far From Home
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3XcTIjij2vaTSte5JWQrsd...
TALK SUNDAY JULY 4, 2021
***Finished, but you can listen to the free Audio recording on Soundscape etc see above! ****
8:00-9:00 PM Japan Time ONLINE EVENT
Coming Home Far From Home: Meet The Memoir Writer’s Series I
Goshen Books Celebrates Memoir Writer Ed Levinson:
July 4th, 8PM Japan Standard Time On Zoom
(EST NYC 7AM, Paris 1PM, Sidney 9PM, Auckland 11PM - Please confirm your own times zones beforehand!)
Meet Photographer And Memoir Writer, Edward Levinson, Author Of Whisper Of The Land
Edward Levinson was 25 years old in 1979, trying to establish his life in the post hippie-era style of back-to-the-land living in the woods of Virginia. What on earth was he thinking and feeling when he suddenly took off on a wanderlust trip to Japan, knowing almost nothing of the culture and zero of the language? He told friends and family he’d return in two months. “For someone who tries be truthful and live an honest life, that turned out to be a huge miscalculation. I never went home,” Levinson recalls.
Join Edward as he reads from his memoir, Whisper of the Land – Visions of Japan,” show his highly regarded and worldwide exhibited photographs documenting a country lifestyle transformed into art.
“Who are we to really know what awaits us on our journeys, both the outer tangible steps we take and the inner path that tries to guide those steps? The process of doing things fascinates me. But it is the inspirations gained from nature and the contemplative life that brings me joy and feeds my photographic art, all my writings, and life as a whole. Having made my home in Japan has deeply influenced all aspects of my being.” Edward says, adding that he will happily take questions on any subject from gardening to photography and writing, or tips on daily meditative attunement practices that aid inspiration.
MORE DETAILS HERE
https://goshenbooks.com/ed-levinson/
My essay in English, “Haiku Attunement and the ‘Aha’ Moment”, was published in the online magazine “Japan SPOTLIGHT”, a publication of the Japan Economic Federation. The essay covers my thoughts on traditional and modern haiku, with many samples from my haiku book “Balloon on Fire”, along with their back stories. Traditional haiku are represented by Basho, Issa, and Shiki; modern haiku by Ban’ya Natsuishi and others. Of course it is illustrated with many of my color and black and white photos. Hope you’ll enjoy reading and please feel free to share with haiku friends and groups. Many of the haiku and back stories in this essay are connected with "Whisper of the Land" ! (May 2020)
MY ARTICLE LINK:
https://www.jef.or.jp/journal/pdf/231st_Special_Article.pdf
Mountain Laughing
Talk and Slideshow- "Whisper of the Land - Visions of Japan” (FINISHED)
I gave a talk on Feb. 9th, 2020 at Unitarian Fellowship of Tokyo’s monthly gathering. Titled "Whisper of the Land - Visions of Japan” the talk was illustrated with many slides of my photos.
We enjoyed for socializing in the cafe afterwards. Held at the International House of Japan in Roppongi,Tokyo.
"Whisper of the Land" lecture at the International Exchange Society Ota-ku Tokyo Nov. 7th, 2017 (FINISHED) see Lecture Feedback on the comments page!
Edward Levinson Presentation at the Japan Writers Conference Oct 30th. 2016. (FINISHED)
I made a presentation at the 2016 Japan Writers Conference in Tokushima City Shikoku Japan. The conference was held Oct 29th-30th and my presentation was at 10am on Oct. 30. The title of this craft workshop was "Visual Stimulation and the Unthinking Mind". Signed copies of "Whisper of the Land" and my award winning photo book "Timescapes Japan" were on sale throughout the weekend at special prices. See details about my presentation here. For complete info on the conference visit the JWC Website.
SWET Talk and New Year’s Party (FINISHED)
SWET Talk: "Whisper of the Land: Visions of Japan"
Edward Levinson on Writing and Photography
(SWET= Society of Writers, Editors, and Translators)
Date: January 16, 2016 (Saturday)
Time: 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Place: Wesley Center, Room 204 (Near Shibuya and Omote Sando) (http://www.wesleyfoundationjp.com/en/access.html)
Fee: 500-yen donation
Attendance: No reservations necessary
FOR DETAILS VISIT THE SWET WEBSITE.
"Whisper of the Land" lecture in English on June 17th, 7PM in TOKYO (FINISHED)
I did a "Whisper of the Land" lecture in English on June 17th, 7PM at Lakeland College Japan in Shinjuku. shared my Visions of Japan with heartfelt ninjo inspired cultural and meditative insights illustrated with a slideshow of my photographs.
http://lcj.lakeland.edu/lakeland-lectures/ (Lecture PDF flyer here !)
Photo Courtesy Lakeland College Japan
Tokyo, Sunday May 17th, 2015 - 5-7 PM PDF Invitation to Book Launch here. (FINISHED)
Signing books at the launch
Taking a break at the launch while people watched my new short movie
Publisher's "Official" Book Launch Event in Tokyo!
"You are cordially invited by Fine Line Press and Edward Levinson to a book launch in Tokyo."
Place: Foreign Correspsondents' Club of Japan (FCCJ) in Yurakucho
所Venue:日本外国特派員協会(会員制プレスクラブThe FCCJ)内
Admission: 5,000 yen dinner buffet (including numerous vegetarian dishes), speakers, slideshow and video presentation, drinks, music)
Limited space! For more info and the necessary RSVP contact: books(AT)edophoto.com or use the CONTACT FORM
PDF Invitation to Book Launch here. 日本語の出版記念会ご案内はこちらへ
Photo Exhibition "Whisper of the Land" April 27 - May 23, 2015 (FINISHED)
Featuring 25 gelatin silver prints from my pinhole series. Classic images from the past, plus a selection of new works.
Signed copies of "Whisper of the Land" and my photo book "Timescapes Japan" will be on sale.
PLACE: Art Gallery M84 in Higashi Ginza behind Kabukiza Theater
DATES: April 27 - May 23, Opening Reception April 27 from 6 PM
OPEN 10:30～18:30（until 17:00 last day）Closed Sundays.
Artist Talk: May 9th,３ｐｍ (Mainly in Japanese with a little English as necessary)
Full Press Release Details here!
© Edward Levinson
Gallery Website (In Japanese)
http://artgallery-m84.com/?p=1425
Art Gallery M84 ACCESS
http://artgallery-m84.com/?page_id=11
An Evening with Edward Levinson: celebrating the publishing of his new book "Whisper of the Land", a collection of essays based on his life in Japan.
Time: Feb. 13, 2015 Door opens 7:30pm, presentation begins 8:15.
Place: Frank DeAlto's Place, Richmond Virginia.
Edward will show photos from his archives taken over the years in Japan and some short pinhole movies, interspersed with readings from his new book. The stories mix haiku and humor, with cultural and spiritual insights creating a unique memoir.
If you know Edward (Eddie, Ed) from his early years in Richmond where he was born and raised, this is special chance to see what he has been up to over the past 35 years. Friends, friends of friends, or anyone just interested in a Japan, the challenge of living in a different culture, and seeing with the eyes and heart are welcome.
Admission is free. Signed copies of Edward’s new essay book "Whisper of the Land" and also his award winning photo book “Timescapes Japan” will be on sale. (Advance orders for the photo book are recommended, as only a limited number will be available due to shipping logistics). Limited seating for 34 people.For reservations please RSVP via the email contact or contact form below for location details. BYOB if you like!
****For more info and RSVP contact: books(AT)edophoto.com or use the CONTACT FORM
SEE THIS ABOVE EVENT ON FACEBOOK!!
At Book People Richmond: Meet the author and book signing. 4-6pm
"Best known for his photography, the author shares his photographic vision and writes with love and insight about his adopted culture. Please come and meet Edward. His is a beautiful book, for a beautiful day."
Request an Event and Book reviewer inquiries welcome! CONTACT FORM
To get the latest news Sign up for Edo Photos English Newsletter
(comes out three or four times a year)
For Edward Levinson's photography site visit Edo Photo. com