Written on September 30, 1992 [Permalink]

September 28

Carving continuing on Kii [4-8], and the kimono is now pretty much finished. She should be on schedule. Had quite a bit of trouble with knife blades again. The Usui-san blade that I was using broke clean off while I was carving, not just the tip, but the entire shaft of the blade. Of course I was using hardly any pressure, and it seems that there was a fault across the metal. I had seen a hairline crack there, but didn't think it would really break.

Switched over to one of the new left-handed blades I bought at Shimizu a few months ago. It always seems to take me quite a while to get settled in to a new blade. It's difficult to get the angle established, as both the thickness and breadth of the blade are different, and the whole sharpening procedure has a different feel. The different steel also affects the way the stone cuts, and I can well believe what I read somewhere, that each tool blade should be carefully matched to a suitable sharpening stone. That's something else on the 'got to get around to it soon' list - good sharpening stones.

Sakurai-san came over for picture taking. He brought a few cameras and lights, etc. with him and obviously thought that he was going to finish up in a few minutes, but once I explained to him just what it was that I wanted, he dumped all the stuff back in the car and we got to work to try and think of a good approach. The photos for the last three exhibition flyers have been good ones; the first one the Tenji Tenno printing, the second a carving shot with the lamp and globe, and last year's panorama picture. What to do this time? We couldn't really think of anything, but got in his car and went around to various places in Hamura to see if an outdoor shot might work. He took a bunch of trial shots and will call me back next week ...

The second go at the CWAJ class went very well. They all came back, and most of them were well along with the carving. We got the 'transfers to colour block' procedure explained, and by next week they should have their carving all done. One of the members asked if she could come over next weekend for an interview and pictures for one of the English language 'Tokyo' magazines, and we set up for Sunday about noon. It seems she knows people there through her CWAJ Print Show puublicity work, and suggested a story on my work to them. I don't know if they asked her to go ahead, or if she is doing it on 'spec'. We'll see. Didn't get around to heading over to Adachi's place, as the women laid on a lunch after the class, and it would have been too late.

Off to the hospital tomorrow for an X-ray checkup. I've been feeling an irritation in my bowel and better not ignore it. I went one day last week and spent 5 1/2 hours waiting around, simply to spend 5 minutes with a doctor. The upshot was, "Come back next week for X-rays." At least that one is with an appointment.

Got the letter today from Kumagaya with the contact information on those three potential customers. I'll call Ashida-san tomorrow and get her help on the phone calls. I don't want to lose them! (Furuya-san hasn't called back yet with his possible contacts ...)

September 30

Ashida-san called up the people in Saitama, and they all want to go. As we thought, they all want to start from Tenji Tenno - which means they won't finish until 2001 sometime. I had been trying to avoid getting into this situation by encouraging 'beginners' to take two per month, but there was no way around it here ... I shouldn't gripe. It's three new customers, which is going to help a lot! The future can take care of itself.

Ashida-san was too busy to help today, so I wrapped up and shipped off the three packages, before finishing the kimono pattern.