Written on July 14, 1989 [Permalink]

July 10

A busy, busy day. Printing in the morning - and it turned out pretty well. The colour combination looks good, the colour is smooth, and there were few registration problems. Next time though, I'll definitely go back to the standard way of doing sumi first.

After the printing was finished, turned to the p/r flyers for TV stations. Finished wrapping them, and went to the Post Office to send them all. Twenty-one sent ... how many will respond, and when?

Next, print packaging. Drew up and prepared a set of little labels to go inside the print folders, giving a nutshell description of what each print is, along with a space for the name of the person for whom it was made. I think it will help things look a little bit more professional. Ran them off on the local photocopy machine, and stuck them down in all the folders.

Signed and packed all the complimentary prints, as well as the 5 for the current subscribers. Cut cardboard shipping boxes, and wrapped up the ones needing to be shipped by post.

Wrote all the notes to the people receiving complimentary copies, and realized that customers too, should get some kind of note inside their copy. Wrote a 'Dear subscriber' type of note to be enclosed. I'll do a similar one each time from now on.

No time for carving!

July 11

Finished wrapping everything and took seven packages to the post office (maybe next month we'll qualify for their 10+ discount!). Delivered the bakery and Soda-san's copies by hand. This business of packaging, wrapping, labelling, etc. sure takes up a lot of time. It's too bad the kids aren't a bit older to help out ...

Today I also sent copies to Seki-san in Hachioji. I don't think he's really interested in our stuff, but at least it will be a way of maintaining contact with him ...

In the afternoon turned (at last!) to the carving. Got in about 5 hours on Semi Maru's face. What he lacks in kimono patterns, he sure makes up in hair! I find that I'm not being too intimidated by the thin stuff anymore. Keeping the knife as sharp as possible helps, and the wood seems pretty good, but it's probably just accumulating experience, and the more regular practice.

July 13

Seki-san phoned to 'thank' us for the prints. (He really doesn't think the printing is very good, and he's the only one who will say so!) He recommended using thinner colour, printed twice. I know that that results in smoother colour, but I find it difficult to control the darkness that way. I'm reluctant to resort to double impression for all the colour work, and would rather learn how to do it right with a single impression. He is certainly correct to criticize the impression though, as I know it can be smoother and deeper.

He is trying his hand at some carving, and asked about my transfer method. I wrote a letter explaining it, and sent it off with some samples of the laminated paper I use.

Also sent the letter to Toyo Bunko, formally asking for permission to reproduce the illustrations for commercial use. I hope they don't ask an arm and a leg ...

About an hour on Semi Maru's beard. Thinness is not the focus now, but the 'character' of the lines. Every single line on the original print has some specific shape and character, showing its origins in the brush, and most of that is not coming through in my carving. The giant, thick lines are no problem, but the thinner ones definitely lose their character under my knife.Step by step ...

July 14

A couple of hours on the beard, and finished it. Next ... the hair! Hiroyo came by in the afternoon, and picked up the kids and grandma. They'll stay with her for about a week, so this next few days should be a chance for carving, carving, carving!

July 15

Finished the hair with a couple of hours work in the morning. A nice surprise was waiting when I returned from the Fussa classes - some complimentary copies of 'Foto' magazine, with the article on our project. It looks great, with dramatic photos, and an interesting commentary. There's even an extra bonus - they've included our telephone number, along with a description of our prints (including the price!). What will come of this one? Stay tuned, and find out!