Written on January 28, 1991 [Permalink]

January 24

Well, the first three days are over ... how is it going? Just fine! The environment is way, way better than last year. The gallery is a comfortable, peaceful place for people to see the prints and watch me work. The women who run the place are helpful, making tea and stuff available all day, talking to people and passing out brochures, etc. I don't even want to come home at the end of the day (with English classes waiting every evening I don't have much choice!). This year I put the prints up together with the descriptive sheets that I wrote for the customers, and these are attracting almost as much attention as the pictures. I wear my 'shokunin' outfit, and start a printing demonstration whenever there are people around. There have been lots of people around. I don't have an actual count, but it was about 30 or so the first day, somewhat less the second day, and about 50 or 60 today.

As far as orders go, there are four so far, two orders for the coming year, and one person who wants to receive sets one and two on a month-by-month basis over the year. This year's pamphlet is much better than last year's at trying to explain the subscription concept, but it's still necessary to talk to them directly before they understand what I am doing. I can't understand why it seems to be so difficult for them to 'get' it. It's extremely straightforward in English ....

I also seem to have talked myself into giving some kind of lecture at a women's college in Kichijoji in early March. It's some kind of a Sunday afternoon event, and I'm to take my big box, do some demonstrations, and talk about .... something. This is in addition to a 30 minute talk I'll be giving at the local community center next month to a group of housewives, and a 10 minute speech (in March?) at some kind of city affair that will bring together five or six 'artists' from the community. How do I get into these things?

January 27

Wrapped it all up and came home in two taxis (Michiyo and the kids were there for the last hour or so). A most enjoyable week; a little disappointing in the order department (six subscriptions, one back number set), but a good time nonetheless. If I had been accepting orders for 'one only', I could have sold tons of them, but there's no way that I want to become a full time print salesman, which is what that would lead to. I'm willing to wait as long as necessary to build up the stable of subscribers - I know they're out there somewhere!

Had the visit on Saturday from Rebecca Marck, the customer in Nagano who I will be using for the next newsletter. She spent an hour in the gallery with a friend, and we were able to chat for an hour or so in the train on the way downtown (I was going to the Kumiai Shinnenkai). I don't know if that gives me enough background to write something interesting, but I'll see what I can come up with.

The Kumiai dinner was OK. I was a bit glad to see that Seki-san wasn't there, as he always gets me to sit together with him, and I'm sure the other members have us in their minds as a 'team'. He's been making such trouble with them recently, that I don't really want to be associated too strongly with him in their view. I asked Ishii-san if I would be allowed to joing as a regular member, and he said that he'd bring it up with the top guys. I don't think that there'll be any problem. The dinner was good, and I didn't do too badly at trying to understand what they were all 'talking at' me.

January 28

Today was the interview with Serai magazine. Yajima-san and a photographer came out from the publisher Shogakukan, and spent about two hours going through the routine. They intend to use the story on one of the opening pages of the magazine, where there is a series of single page features on various people doing interesting things. I didn't think too much of the photographer (in comparison with the man from 'Foto' magazine last year), but the stuff should be visible enough to give the readers an idea. Now, if only the information on the price and policy isn't too confusing ..... It should appear in early March.

A call came in from one of last week's gallery visitors. They have decided to go for all 100, and would like two per month until they are caught up (sets one and three together, and then sets two and four next year).

In the meantime, the carving on Gotoba In [3-1] is moving on quite well. The screen, carpet and tatami are now all done, and its time to start on the clothing. Maybe he won't be as late as I thought a while ago ....