Marcin is a scholar and a part-time lecturer at Kyoto University. He specializes in Japanese folklore, History of Kyoto, History of Japanese culture and Japanese religions. The big theme of his research is "How did Japan create the traditional image it is know for?". Marcin is currently in the middle of a very slow and painful process of writing his Ph.D. thesis at Kyoto University, where he also got his Master's degree. His future Ph.D. is focusing on the traditional depictions of Japanese otherworld and usage of these traditional motifs in present-day Japanese culture and Kyoto tourism. Marcin also has a Master's degree in Japanese studies from Warsaw University, Poland. In Poland he published a book "Kaidan - Strange Tales of Edo period" (2011) in which he introduces Japanese ghosts, demons and goblins in 17th- &18th-century Japan. He also co-wrote "The Culture of Heian Imperial Court" (2008) about Japanese culture in the 9th and 10th Centuries. Marcin has a wide knowledge of Japan, starting from its history, folklore and religion, through its politics and post-war society, but also has an interest in its more recent pop culture and media. In his spare time, he enjoys walking through Kyoto’s streets, rediscovering its secrets and searching for delicious local treats. He also enjoys riding his Kawasaki motorcycle, seeking more remote and hidden places. Marcin has lived in Kyoto for 14 years and is working for Context since 2016.

Marc is a modern-day Renaissance man. His approach to Japanese history, culture and society is multidisciplinary and innovative. His knowledge spans far and wide, from science to the arts, from history to psychology, and from martial arts to tea ceremony; he received multiple advanced degrees and certificates (including a Ph.D.). Originally from France, Marc has been living in Japan for more than two decades. Before settling in Kyoto with his family, he lived all around the archipelago, in the countryside as well as in large cities, for more than a decade; a rich experience providing him with an extensive knowledge of the country. During his free time, Marc enjoys hiking, climbing, and kayaking, while exploring Japan’s wilderness.

Kana holds a BA in English from Doshisha University, Kyoto, and another BA in Japanese Classical and Traditional Arts from Kyoto University of Arts and Design. She is also qualified as a tea master from Urasenke school of tea ceremony and is an experienced government-licensed guide. Kana has been studying and working in Kyoto since 2000. During her leisure time, she loves playing the shamisen, and she also performs Kyogen (Japanese 650-year-old UNESCO heritage theater). The Zen Buddhist philosophy, “live in the moment”, has been always the core tenet of her life.