Written on February 25, 1991 [Permalink]

February 21

Sumi on the 65 in the evening. Again, keeping it on the dry side. Stopped at the bookstore in the afternoon to pick up a copy of Serai magazine, in case my article was in the issue coming out today. It was! Looks OK. The colour is not so good on the pictures, but it gives a good overview of what we're doing. The price is quoted as 100,000 yen per set, but there is also a mention of the subscription policy, in case that sounds too scary. What will come of this one .....

February 22

One day passed - one phone call. A gentleman from Kamakura read the magazine, and called up to order two back number sets. He doesn't have the cash ready, so asked us to hold shipment until next month. I would have thought a 'back issue' subscription would have done the trick, but he didn't seem to want to go that way. Michiyo took the call and said that he sounded quite enthusiastic.

She was busy tonight making some more bokuju. My supply is almost gone, and I've had some sticks crushed and soaking for about half a year now. I'll need quite a bit this year as three of the prints have black kimono.

Started in on the colours, but no chance to get them all done. Giving another speech this morning kind of cut into the printing time. This one went much better than the one earlier in the week. It was entertaining, and interesting for them, and I found myself depending on Michiyo for help much less. We were all seated at low tables, and the more informal atmosphere seemed to make things go much more smoothly. Practice makes ...

February 23

One more day - one more call. This time, it was somebody in Tochigi Prefecture, who ordered all back numbers, as well as a current subscription. If this keeps up .....

Wrapped up the colours. Spoiled a few more, but still ended up with more than enough for the drawer. Quite happy with this one.

Also been working steadily the last few days on the next issue of the newsletter, preparing the layout boards, getting an illustration from Takayoshi, printing out the articles, etc... I'd like to get it to the printer by Monday, and get it shipped out by the 10th or so.

February 24

One more day - nothing. Worked steadily on the newsletter, and got the layout all done. This one has run to 12 pages instead of the usual 8, and I've got to get more concise next time. It's not just the extra cost that'll be involved, but the fact that I've got to make this 'story' last eight more years. There's no hurry to get it done right now!

Wrapped the prints for the people in Tochigi. Found that I had to go through quite a few copies of Koko Tenno [2-1] before I found one that I felt was good enough to send. That's the big problem with getting better all the time - the back numbers become unacceptable! I've been thinking that I had 100 good copies of each of these prints in stock, but I'm going to have to revise that number downward.

February 25

One more day - one letter. A lady in Aomori saw the magazine and wants information. She only gave an address, so I sent off an information package.

Shipped the prints to Tochigi (yesterday was Sunday), as well as a small package to the University of Texas. There was a little article in the paper a while ago giving a few details of James Michener's teaching routines. It mentioned that he would be in residence at that University this spring. I've been meaning to drop him a line and a few sample prints for some time now, but have had no idea where to get hold of him. I really think that if I hadn't read that essay of his discussing the taking on of 'big' projects, I'd never have had the nerve to start this one. I don't know if he'll get the package, or even be interested if he does, but there's no harm trying ....

Delivered the newsletter layout sheets to the printer. He says it'll be ready by the 10th.