Written on February 27, 1989 [Permalink]

February 27

So, that's this log caught up to date. Looking back over what I have scribbled, it seems that I have omitted any description of just what I have in mind for this project ... The idea is this: take a set of 10 of the images from the Shunsho book, and carve and print them over the coming year, about one per month. Try and sell them on a subscription basis, the idea being that instead of making sales on a one-at-a-time basis, we would have a regular 'clientele', as it were. It doesn't seem impossible that somewhere in Japan, 100 people exist with the interest in Hyakunin Isshu, and/or prints, and who have that kind of loose change around. If we could accumulate a list of 100 people who were willing to accept 10 prints a year, that would give us a regular income, plus a good level of savings, and with no English teaching! Will it be possible? Stay tuned and find out!

[Edit from Dave in 2026: Well, that's what you wrote back in February of 1989, but what about that little newspaper clipping on the previous page? In there it clearly says you are planning a 10-year project to make all 100! Just what did you tell the reporter? Hmm?]

February 28

Finished printing the sample run of 10 Tenji Tenno (the first ones on Yamaguchi's paper). Tried mixing a 'beni' type of colour ... close, but ... Four out of the ten were spoiled by blotches, and all 10 have very weak colour on the red under-kimono. The coloured parts of that block are just the wrong distance apart for my strong baren to bridge. I can't press firmly without getting blotches. I've made a 'mask' to protect the 'between' areas while printing this colour, and maybe next time will be more successful.

Michiyo called 'Aoyama Shoten' in Kyoto, and ordered a set of blocks (one sakura and three ho (magnolia)). I got the address from the Kitaoka book. They promised about two week delivery, and the price seems to be lower than Ita Kane (Shimano-san). Quality?