Written on February 4, 1990 [Permalink]

February 1

.... followed by another one. Three calls from the Jean Pearce column today, a woman in Nagano, one in Okayama, and one from Vancouver! I sent a sample pak to each of the first two, and will visit the third tomorrow at her hotel in Asakusa. She's from some kind of art/antique shop, here on a buying trip. I questioned the idea of buying at high yen prices, and trying to sell in Vancouver to people who had no idea of what 'Hyakunin Isshu! means, but she brushed off my qualms. Subscription sales of these prints overseas doesn't seem to be really practical, and I want to avoid 'one by one', but now that I have sets of 10 ready (almost), perhaps that's the answer. It would certainly be a lark to have the stuff available back in Vancouver.

All in all, that's seven calls from the column, 5 of which may well become subscribers. Amazing.

February 2

A 7:30 train to Tokyo to see Mrs. Robinson and her daughter from Canada. They are in the antique business, here on a buying trip looking for anything that they think might sell in their store. We had a little chat about the prints, and they decided to go for a set, and give it a try. They kept the sample set I had taken to show them, and paid me cash for the 10 (I'm to send Dainagon Kinto [1-10] when he's ready next week). This is our first 'full set' sale, and to Canadians! They were very nice people, and I have put together a pak of stuff to help them sell the prints: English labels, the Kanada book, a book of translated poems, a detailed explanatory letter, etc. etc. The exchange rate at the moment leaves them with about $80.00 invested in each print, so my guess is that they'll be selling them at about $150. Gulp! I certainly hope it works out for them, and have given them a 'money back guarantee'. I think that they are sticking their necks out a bit on this, and have offered to take back any or all for a refund, if things don't work out. We'll see.

February 3

Last night I forgot to prepare the paper for this weekend's printing (Dainagon Kinto), so first thing this morning I moistened 50 sheets. This is the end of my paper stock. Yamaguchi-san ... please!

At ten in the evening started the sumi printing. I've been dreading this smooth black kimono. The last time I tried one, on Semi Maru [1-4], I had nothing but trouble, and have yet to print a really acceptable copy. Today it went very well. This is the first time I've been able to print a smooth black. Surprisingly enough, I used almost no nori, a 'modicum' of sumi, and together with a somewhat dry paper, got very good results.

A letter from a Mr. Davis in Hokkaido, asking for information on the prints, etc. I'll prepare another sample pak ...

February 4

Michiyo is off to Sendai for the day (!?), so I've got to juggle kids and colour printing (of course, it's raining). After getting over the hurdle of that black kimono yesterday, this seems easy. He looks great. 10 done!

In the afternoon Mrs. Morita phoned back from Osaka. She's one of the people who got a sample pak as a result of the Japan Times column. She raved. She and her husband want all the 'back issues', and subscription for the coming year. An interesting sidelight is their business - producing newsletters for people on their desk-top publishing outfit. Hmmmm. I've been collecting ideas in my head for over a year now for a newsletter for customers (and potential customers) that would dig into the background of how these prints are made. Maybe we can make a deal - prints for services, etc. I wrote and asked her for info.

Richard Sams, the 'ex' print dealer called back. He raved. He doesn't appear to have the resources to buy many, but he is obviously interested in the work. We made a tentative appointment for him to come out next weekend. He spoke at length about contacting people in London about both my work, and my 'search' for a copy of the Shunsho book. It's certainly beginning to sound like I'll have to send Jean a little 'thank you' something ...