Hey all, sorry for being MIA. I've begun to destroy the home we set up last year, and have begun our reentry to Honolulu. The reason for returning to Honolulu after a year of being in Japan are so that I can parent my kid, as she and her mom move back to Hawaii. It doesn't feel like I had enough time here, but this was always the plan. And, I feel like I got to scratch the itch to work in Japan. Now, it's time to focus on the most important thing in my life, being a father. I'm not done with Japan, as I'll be coming back as often as I can to work and shoot Somakosha. And I have thousands of photos and little pieces of advice to share through the next few months or longer.
Heading back was very physical. We carried 18 bags of cameras and things back by plane, and have totally crashed from the effort. Right after unpacking, I have just returned to Japan again to shoot Kezuroukai, see with friends, and to transport my tools and stones back. While here, I want to work on and shoot some Somakosha projects. Please find me if you are going to be at the Kez event.
Lastly, I'm not going to be posting as regularly, so i'll pause some monthly subscriptions and figure out how to extend the annual ones.
I never want anyone to feel obligated to support this work when they are trying to get by as a craftsperson themselves. And at the same time, I need to find ways to support my family. Likely, I'll start selling a ton of hand tools to members and professionals from my personal stash. I have 10x what I need, and they deserve to go into rotation as working tools that make beautiful things. If anything, working in Japan has given me a fresh understanding of how important machine and digital work is in keeping craft alive, as long as the core is solid.
In the meantime, here are some photos of Yama-san working on a nearby structure down the road in Okayama, for his old boss's firm. Clark joined, on his day off, just so he could help. Watching 3 generations collaborate to restore beauty to an old structure was a gift. By morning the next day, the awning was restored and ready to be re roofed in thatch.
Talk to you soon. As always, if I can help you in any way in the pursuit of your craft, please send me a note.
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