Written on March 21, 1989 [Permalink]

March 19

Prepared 10 sheets of paper to take to Matsuzaki's tomorrow, along with small pots of colour, etc.

March 20

Quite a day! Dropped the kids off early at the Hoikuen (day care center), dashed for the train. Two hours getting there, and two getting back doesn't leave much time for a good visit (pickup time for the kids is supposed to be four o'clock - we made it back by 5:30!). Matsuzaki-san was as friendly and helpful as anyone could possibly be. He said, and it seemed true, that he wasn't so busy, and we ended up staying from 10:30 to 3:30, talking and printing. I filled a few notebook pages with notes, etc.

The main message I got from the session was: get some real tools! (I'm glad Michiyo was there to hear it!) Specifically, a baren or two, more brushes, and a sharkskin are all absolutely essential for the quality of work I am trying to reach. He is using only 'ganryo' (mineral pigments), no watercolours at all. We got recipes, addresses, etc., but most valuable was simply watching him print my blocks. What was especially pleasing (to my ego!), was the side-by-side comparison of our two finished prints. Other than the colour tone difference due to our use of differing pigments, there wasn't a whole lot of difference. Of course, mine was the best pick from 24, and his was just slapped out in a few minutes ... but it tells me that I'm on the right track. I probably learned more about printing today than on any other day since we came to Japan.

Because there is apparently not much work around, he is printing 'Ukiyo-e' Christmas cards ( a run of 1000!). His son was printing a stack of yokan package labels. When we left, I tried to leave an envelope, but he totally refused (he paid for lunch, too!). Truly a nice guy. I would like to spend more time with him. He talked about going fishing in Okutama one day in April, and maybe we can get together then ...

March 21

Thank you letter to Matsuzaki. Stopped off at the Chujitsuya film counter to put in some family photos, etc. and saw their info on enlargements. Ordered a real-size print of Ono-no-Komachi from the tiny half-size negative that I have. I doubt that it will be adequate to make a hanshita, but it's the only way I can think of to get the lines that are missing from the strip film (nose, eye, mouth, kimono 'red' lines, etc.). They say it will be ready by the 30th.