Assistant
As long as you’re here –
would you turn the page?
CID CORMAN
_______________________
One of Kyoto's historic literary spots is about to close. Gregory Dunne wrote a book (Quiet Accomplishment: Remembering Cid Corman) about the poet Cid Corman, and also a profile of this legendary writer for Kyoto Journal. He writes:
"CC’s coffee shop, which belonged to the expatriate American poet Cid Corman will be closing its door for good on February 28. This small but elegant coffee has a significant literary legacy. Over its 50 plus years, it has hosted many a significant poet, including Allen Ginsburg, Philip Whalen and Gary Snyder, to name a few. Cid Corman himself was one of the chief architects of the new American poetry (post war poetry). From Kyoto, he edited the seminal literary magazine Origin. This magazine introduced some of the most innovative poetry being written in English from around the world. It also published poetry in translation, as well as letters from readers and poets, and essays on poetry and art.
Cid Corman’s died in Kyoto in March of 2004. His wife, Shizumi, ran the shop after his death. After she passed away, her sister Sachiko took over the shop and ran it until December of last year. Upon her passing, the youngest sister in the family is now closing down the shop.
I have been to the shop on many occasions. It was a welcoming place. Upstairs on the second floor, poetry readings were occasionally held. Japanese poets, such as Kusano Shimpei and others visited the place and worked with Cid there to translate Japanese poems into English.
The shop played and important and singular role in the story of transpacific poetry. I wish more people were aware of its distinctive legacy."
Cid Corman's books from Longhouse
