Written on July 21, 1989 [Permalink]

July 16

Started on the poem, doing only about three or four hours. A lazy day.

July 17

Spent about 12 hours carving, and finished the poem. All that's left now is the border lines. Very pleased with the thin lines of the poem; they seem to have pretty good 'character'.

Two phone calls during the day, both from the 'Foto' article. One was from a lady in Kyushu. She wanted to buy just one print, rather than a whole set. I really want to avoid selling prints one by one, as I feel that if we go that route, we will end up spending a massive amount of time every month on sales and promotion. If this subscription idea will click, it will take that entire load off our shoulders. She talked about getting together with some friends to buy a set ... Unfortunately, Michiyo didn't get her name or address, so we can't follow up. The other call was from somebody in Kurashiki, Okayama. I'm to send out our information sheet. Maybe one more ...

Yamashita-san, the cardboard box company president, called back today, and we arranged to go over to their place next Sunday morning, to start them off with their set.

Faxed off a letter to Hashimoto-san of 'Foto' magazine, thanking him (and the photographer) for the article.

July 18

Finished the border lines - an awkward, thankless job. I'm thinking about making a block with just these lines on it, and using it to print the border on all the prints. That should save me about 8 hours carving on each sumi-ban.

In the evening, printed a few transfer sheets, and stuck them down ready for carving the colour blocks. This print only uses two pieces of wood, as it is possible to arrange the colour printing areas on three sides (the fourth side is sumi).

July 19

Zipped through the English preparation, and did a couple of the colour blocks.

It's now been about 10 days since the flyers went out to the TV programs, and as yet, there has been no response. Bad timing? (middle of the election campaign), or simply not interesting for them? I guess it's time to move on to the next idea. Only one problem - I don't have a next idea!

July 21

Finished the colour blocks. Prepared 10 sheets for a sample printing run.