Written on October 20, 1989 [Permalink]

October 12

The member of the ladies class returned the sample pak I had lent her, and asked to sign up. Her husband must know something about prints, because he asked her to make sure that I would only prepare early copies for them. Actually, with the low print runs I am making, there is no detectable difference between 'early' and 'late' prints. Maybe when I get up to the 100's, it might be more important, as there will presumably be visible wear on the block at some point.

October 14

Put the translations aside and spent 12+ hours carving on Asatada [1-7] (back to the kimono pattern). I am really regretting that I included this particular print in this year's set. This pattern is way too difficult for me at this stage, and I'm afraid that it won't look particularly professional. If I had had any brains, I would have put it in a later year's position, by which time I will presumably have somewhat better skills ...

The payment arrived today from Mr. Ishikawa in Tochigi-ken, ¥60,000. This is the largest amount that we have received so far, and the post office account is starting to look pretty healthy, although next month's bills for paper, blocks and the new baren should take care of it! It still seems a bit strange that someone would willingly send us that much money just for a few scraps of paper ...

Ordered the photo enlargements for this year's final two prints, Sarumaru Daiyu [1-9], and Dainagon Kinto [1-10].

October 17

Not much chance for any carving in the last couple of days - digging my way through laser and endoscope manuals. If this print business never makes it, at least I'd be able to become a medical instrument technician! Zipped down to Tachikawa and ordered 6 frames from Sekaido for the coming culture festival display. I've bought lots of frames this year, but seem to keep giving them away... I'll have to hold onto this set, and build it up bit by bit, or one day I'll find myself shelling out a million dollars for a complete set of them.

Typed up and ran off some forms for keeping the customer records. The book I've been using is OK, but quite clumsy to use. These new sheets have pre-printed names for the prints, etc. and spaces for all the necessary record keeping. It should make things a little easier, and certainly neater.

Started preparation for the next set of flyers to go out. If I want to target the 'New Year's Issue of the mass magazines, I'd better get something off soon. Considering that the only really good response we have ever had from any of the publicity so far, has been the 'Foto' issue, I guess that shooting for more magazine coverage might be the way to go. The newspapers are interesting, but don't seem to bring in the phone calls.

October 20

Mrs. Kamata, the woman from the English class who has asked to join the print group, phoned this morning and asked me to make sure that her prints be 'all the same number' when I prepared them. It seems that her husband has the idea that these are 'limited editions' with 1/100, 2/100 ... etc. being scribbled at the bottom of each print. I explained to her that my prints were not limited in any way, and nor were the originals that they are pattered after. She understood, but said that she had better check with her husband ...

It apparently didn't make any difference, as she came over later in the day and picked up a set of six!

Picked up the frames from Sekaido, and put in the prints. I've never seen them all lined up in a row before, and they look great! Can I really make 100 ?...