Written on August 13, 1989 [Permalink]

August 8

Good weather today (at last!) so kept the kids home, and took them to the pool. In the evening, carving, and almost finished the typhoons. In the late afternoon, a phone call from a Mr. Watanabe in Kanagawa. He read the 'Foto' article, and wanted more information. I got his number, and when Michiyo phoned back, he signed up. Eleven!

August 9

The package of 'back-boards' arrived from Muse in the morning, so I cut up some of the torinoko paper, and made up 25 folders. I would have made 50, but I ran out of the grey, textured paper for binding them. It is now a breeze making these things, but I'll have to find a better way to spread the glue than using the built-in applicator on the tube. It's just too small, and takes too long. Maybe using a glue pot and brush would be quicker ...

In the afternoon, a phone call came from a Mr. Fujimori, in Nagano prefecture. This time, I didn't need Michiyo - his speech was fairly easy to understand, and I seemed to be able to make myself clear. He asked to see a sample, so I sent off a package with Tenji Tenno inside. Twelve? We'll see in a few days.

A bit more carving and finished the typhoons. Next stop - face!

August 10

Off to Tachikawa for some of the grey paper for gluing the folders. Bought all they had - 40 sheets - which should make about 200 folders, and made up 25 more folders, using the balance of the back-boards from Muse. In the evening, dropped over to the Sakazakis and gave them their Semi Maru copy.

August 11

Finished the carving of the face and hair, but not really very satisfactorily. I few months ago I would have been completely pleased with this work, but now it's beginning to feel like there's no improvement happening. I sure hope Matsuzaki comes through with an introduction to a carver ...

It's been a month since the original little batch of customers got their last print, so I wrapped up some copies of Semi Maru and delivered/posted them. I had originally envisioned all the shipping being done in one batch at the beginning of each month, but as the customers have come in in dribs and drabs at odd times, that's the way that they will be getting their subsequent copies. I guess having it this way will spread that packing and shipping job over the whole month, instead of having it concentrated in a couple of days.

In the evening, three packages came from Kogado - the 50 new cases. It's great timing, as there is only one left from the original shipment. This time, I had ordered a slightly thicker, more textured fabric, and they look fine (¥120,000). All I need now is 50 more customers!

August 12

Kids home today, so took them to the pool. While they were napping in the afternoon, started the poem - and got one character done before they woke up! When they're around, it's really impossible to get any carving work done. They play well together (usually!), but there are still so many interruptions that there is just no way to relax and settle down at the desk for work.

August 13

Kids again - and a bit more carving.