A visit to Cid Corman’s coffee shop in Kyoto

Thanks to long-time ModPo’er Alonna Shaw—and her partner Stephen—we are able to share photos of “C.C.’s,” Cid Corman’s coffee shop in Kyoto, Japan. See below. Stephen met the current owner, who has preserved many decorations and amenities dating back to Cid’s time there. One of Cid’s poems in Japanese is there on the wall. Below you will also see a transcription of the poem and several translations of it into English.

This color.
It’s a true color.
And
The taste.
It’s the taste.
And then
Sip the tea
The color of the tea
Tastes better

or:

This color.
Is the right color.
And
This taste.
Is the right taste.
And
Drink the tea
And the color of the tea
Tastes better

“In 1973, Cid Corman and his wife Shizumi Konishi Corman opened CC’s, a coffeeshop in Kyoto, Japan. The second floor was a tatami space with a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf and a space where Cid hosted readings and talks. Soon after opening the shop Cid invited one of his many correspondents, an American named John Levy, to work at the shop for room and board. In 1974 John taped some of the readings and talks on poetry Cid gave. During these gatherings of Cid’s friends and customers (often other American & British writers), the group would sit in a circle on the tatami mats.” — per Steel Wagstaff