Written on January 21, 1990 [Permalink]

January 15~16

Tried to get started on Dainagon Kinto [1-10], but both kids are sick with a throat infection, vary high fevers, and night-time delirium. Nobody's getting much work done.

Went to pick up the next two enlargements from the photo shop (I had ordered them a week or so ago), and found that the lab had screwed them up again. This time, the basic size is completely wrong, making them totally useless for me. Decided, with the guys at the shop, that this time we'd try and get it sorted out for once and for all, and get the whole year's enlargements done at once. I'll take in the other 8 negatives, we'll write a long explanation, and cross our fingers!

January 17

Finished the kimono pattern. It's gone quite quickly, as the pattern is reversed, white on black, greatly reducing the amount of clearing needed. It's going to be tough to print though - all that flat expanse of black...

A little bonus today two of the English classes were cancelled (by the students) due to the heavy snowfall last night, giving me a couple more hours carving time!

January 18

Took the negatives in to the photo shop, and ordered the complete set of enlargements for this year. Fingers crossed!

Ordered another 100 backboards from Muse, as I just have enough left to make the Dainagon Kinto shipment next month, and I'll probably need some to get ready for the Mitsukoshi show.

January 20

Used the new backboards which arrived today, and made up an accordion-folded display to hold the set of ten completed prints. I don't have any idea what kind of display space will be available at Seki-san's 'booth', but if there's room for it, this will be a very effective way of showing the prints.

Finished the hair, and started the poem.

January 21

A phone call this morning from Jean Pearce of the Japan Times. She apologized (!) for taking so long to get around to it, and said that a column containing information on my stuff will appear on Wednesday the 31st. She seemed impressed with the sample that I had sent, and made a few suggestions about trying to get lectures, etc. with women's groups. I suppose I could start chasing that sort of thing, but as I don't imagine that many 'foreigners' would be interested in subscribing, I don't have much enthusiasm for it. In any case, the exposure in her column can't hurt, and may lead to something.

Got down to about halfway through the poem.