The tone and timbre of Buddhist bells depends on their shape, thickness and metal composition. When the ancient capital was established in the late 8th century, temple bells were positioned in auspicious directions in relation to the imperial palace so their peal could protect the city. Some people are working to create a new "sound of Kyoto" based on these bells. The small bells used in Buddhist rites have transcended boundaries and are being used in everyday life for their calming properties.

American photographer Everett Kennedy Brown, a resident of Kyoto, traveled more than 50 countries during his career as a photojournalist before settling in Japan over 30 years ago. He expresses Kyoto as he sees it using wet plate collodion photography. Up-and-coming artist Yamada Shinya merges the worlds of Nihonga painting and anime characters in his works to international acclaim. They discuss the source of Kyoto culture through their respective arts.

Kyoto has many shrines, temples and traditional structures, spurring people to place special value on old building materials over the centuries. After the Middle Ages, merchants at the center of commerce and industry were thrifty in using old lumber in their townhouse-style residences. Even in modern times, old fittings and timber are reused and repurposed. Discover the spirit of perpetuity through the passion of artisans and craftsmen as they use old wood to give birth to a new aesthetic.