COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

Alex Kerr recalls 1970s Japan and David Kidd, the mentor whose influence never fades

David Kidd — seen here in 1986 — was “a genius of Asianaesthetics,” says author Alex Kerr, who continues to wield influence in the Japanesearts via the “disciples” he left behind. | COURTESY OF ALEX KERR

By Amy Chavez
Special To The Japan Times

Sep 25, 2017

Known to most as the author of "Lost Japan," "Bangkok Found," "Dogs and Demons" and, more recently, "Another Kyoto," Alex Kerr is a product of 1970s Japan, a golden era when he hung around with other notable foreign residents such as antique dealer David Kidd, curator Alexandra Munroe and Zen abbot John Toler.

Alex is sitting in my living room right now on Shiraishi Island.

"I love these old Japanese houses, the wood, the space, like this room I'm sitting in now. It's both airy with big columns and you can see out," he says.

Alex Kerr recalls 1970s Japan and David Kidd, the mentor whose influence never fades

In your social network

In your inbox

In your social network

In your inbox