Tradition in Jan

10 days have passed, time flies!
I noticed why I procrastinate writing blog is my phone and pc are not synchronized.
For example, when I went out somewhere, took photo, without cable, my only way to move picture is using g-mail.
Of course there is better way like using some app.
Another problem is my phone is old, no more room for new app.

Anyway, I visited Imamiya-Ebisu shrine on 11th Jan.
In Osaka, 9, 10, 11 Jan are famous for Ebessan, maybe this is Kansai area custom,
which is the event for business person to pray for prosperous year.
There is very popular shrine, that's Imamiya-Ebisu, I visited first time in my life.

 

Very busy!
On the way here, there are many booth of food, game souvenir, like night market.

In night time, here gets even busier,  stuck between too many people!

This character is Ebisu, one of Seven lucky gods.
Each god has reputation for specific category, Ebisu is especially for business.

I prayed for satokomatsu activity for this year☆

 

Look back 2018

January:
I joined handmade event in Osaka, it was the first time to have my own booth for satokomatsu.
Sales was... but I learned display, how to explain my concept, and I met buyer from department store.

February:
My fiancé and I decided to ask lower to apply fiancé visa.

April:
Busy with collecting documents for the petition and work at office.

May:
In Japan, there is so-called "Golden Week" holiday.
We went to Fushimi where is famous of sake distillers, enjoyed Japanese tastes.

June:
Finally my fiancé and I gathered all documents and submit USCIS.

July:
From event in January, I got a chance to join the event in Hanshin Department store in Osaka.
It was held for whole 1 week. Many friends visited me, I really appreciate it. And feel our bond.
I got confidence about my jewelry concept.

August:
Worked on orders.
Met my old friend from Portugal after 14 years. 

September:
I joined another handmade event in Osaka.
I met customer from web shop and who visited my booth in January(they remembered!)
Got some orders!

October:
Visited Nagoya Boston museum in Aichi. They closed in this month.
Later busy at office.

December:
On 19th, finally USCIS approved our case!
Now I'm waiting for packet from embassy.


I hope you will have a great year!

Escher exhibition

I visited Escher exhibition in Osaka.

He is one of my favorite artist.
He is well-known as an impossible objects and tessellation artist.
I don't remember my first encounter (maybe from art textbook) but remember I got his book in Italy.

Most of his art is flat like woodcut, lithographs, mezzotint.
However his works make us feel them 3D,or even more than 3D, almost next level of gravity.
Maybe because he has a background of architecture?
Every perspective is very accurate.
Still, we get confused which side we focus on.
That makes us not sure about the world how we see.
What we believe right may not be correct for others.
Are we right?

What we believe justice is wrong for others.
That makes conflict.
What makes it right is just majority.
How many people can get benefit from those conflicts?

At the same time, his expression would influence me a lot.
Reality is flat but doesn't look like just 2D.
How to make people feel more than one world is my next assignment.

   

Reunion

Before Japanese summer vacation called "Bon-yasumi", I met my friend the first time after graduation.
15 years ago??
We were same band during collage time in Osaka, we copied Marylin Manson's songs.
After graduation, she went back to Portugal, moved to Monaco, then Paris now.

On Instagram, I got know she visited Osaka.
Texted, she says "Are you in Osaka now?!"
She thought I'm in US(￣▽￣;)
Somehow, many friends think I'm in NY now....yes, I will....someday soon.
So that's kinda sudden, we decided to meet.

Actually, she was planning to have her birthday party next day, I was invited.
I didn't know who comes, anyway I went.

Maybe 12 people gathered?
More than half were "Nice to meet you." (mostly Japanese)
A few were from same music circle.

We could catch up, thanks to social media, we could have a nice chance to reunite.
When I moved to NY, Paris is much closer than from Japan, maybe we can visit each other??
I'm pretty sure that we can meet anywhere.
 

Yoshida brothers

I went to Yoshida brothers' concert on Aug 1st.

 

Last time at Osaka was including other instruments like drums.
This time "only shamisen", no other sounds.

Shamisen has 3 strings, that means 2 shamisens have 6 strings equal one guitar.
It was very rich sound. (I don't know how to describe)

 

Stage set is like this.
Moon and clouds are made of Sekishu-Washi, which is Japanese traditional paper.
This concert is one of Japan Value Project, Sekishu-Washi is very durable paper, they promote this.
Cloud part, paper includes shamisen strings that brothers consumed for 35 years.

Needless to say their playing, light effect, screen were also awesome.

Honestly, I'm not big fun of Japanese traditional music at all.
What fascinates me is Tsugaru-shamisen powerful sound, and Yoshida Brothers attitude or action.
They are still young (around 40) as a shamisen player, but keep trying to explore.
Collaboration with current rock band, Spanish sound, animation music etc.
(Younger brother often goes to Spain, teaches shamisen at collage)
Their appearances are also not like orthodox style.  

I guess, in classic field, starting new thing is difficult to be accepted.
Sometimes people who stick to authentic way refuse and criticize.

They keep challenging.
That motivates and encourages me a lot.





 

Sudden message

A few days ago, I got message from my old friend from collage.
It was the first contact after 8 years.
We were in same music circle, much closer than classmate.
Just we didn't have any chance to talk.

Her message sounded a bit serious.
At the time I couldn't call her so texted.
I wondered what she wants to talk to me...

Finally we could talk today.

That was about kind of business plan.
Not plan, idea. Everything is still up in the air.
Recently she got friend from Saudi Arabia.
She remembered I'm making jewelry using Arabic letter.
In meantime, her friend and she talked about new business, something like English lesson, making jewelry workshop etc.

Her call is if they can make that idea possible, whether they can involve me or not.

Actually they don't imagine anything clearly, just they have the idea.
Though, sounds interesting.
I told her my situation that I'm going to move to US maybe next year but curious about starting something new.

Maybe we'll meet soon and catch up.
Starting new thing makes us nervous but as long as we can enjoy, it's worth it.

 

How are you?

I really left this page for long time...

Last post was 'questionnaire' , now current situation is...
we submitted our petition to USCIS last month! Finally!

We prepared lots of documents, filed them to the mutual folder of both of our lawyer and us, we waited, waited, waited for the farm prepare to send to USCIS for a month.
We guessed they are busy, maybe taking care of us too...
but almost 4 weeks, it was enough time to reach the last straw to me.
I sent message not to assistant but lawyer herself directly.

Probably it worked.
Suddenly they moved on our case.
From my previous work, I'm used to send claim mail...

Anyway we got case number, what we can do now is just waiting for NOA2.

In meantime, I had a pop-up store at Hanshin Department store in Osaka for a week in early July.
For me, it was a great experience and compared to daily sales, it ended up great.
I could meet some old friends, coworkers, and new customers.
Attending exhibition is not the first time but selling MY products by myself is very excited thing.

I try to upload this blog more often!
Have a nice weekend!
 

Handmade event

Wow, time flies!



Last post is about Creema Craft Festival.
Now already 3 weeks have passed.

It was the first time to participate event.
My booth is like this.

From my experience, making height is necessary, I remember.
And visitors sights move left up to right down.
I chose smallest booth, it was actually very small(^_^;)
My friend from former company helped me whole 2 days.
Both of us have jewelry event experience, we know how to display effectively and security.

Let's stop beating around bush, sales result was very poor.
Okay, I could guess, it's first time, world is NOT so sweet for me.
Even though, I could enjoy conversation with people. meeting new creators and atmosphere.
This is not really sour grape expression.

Actually many people visit here feeling like flea market so price average is cheap.
Compare to others, like me, jewelry designers with silver didn't sell well because price is much higher.
One example, the booth next to me, they were selling handmade earring with only $5.
I don't blame them, just they know Osakan customer and this event better than me.
Generally for handmade event, sales in Tokyo is the best, next in Nagoya, worst is Osaka.
Customer in Osaka is more severe about price.
I understand.

But I could grab a seriously big chance.
I got event offer from department store in Osaka!
It'll be hold in July, for 1 week.
I'm sure customers' expectation is different than people coming here.
That's much higher expectation.
I'm nervous in meantime very exciting.
I've never worked for department store even when I was working for company.

Without company name value.
I take responsibility for MY jewelry.
I have my own pop up store.
Whoa!

I can't tell you the detail yet.
It's coming!
Keep in touch!


 

Creema Craft Party 2018

In these days I've been very busy because I join handmade creators' event Creema Craft Party 2018!

This is the first time to participate handmade event, I don't know what I need and how much I should prepare for this show.
Earlier I was feeling there is not much merit for having booth as we also have to think about display and stock.
The merit of selling on internet is that we don't have to have many stocks and display, other materials, don't have to think of "in case".
So I didn't have much goods after making one sample.
When I sold sample, just use photo for order later.

I changed mind "not participate real fair" gradually.
First, this event booth fee is reasonable. (other big event is more expensive)
Second, hold in Osaka. (I live in Osaka)
Third, definitely meet more people at the fair.
Last, good practice for having booth in NY in future.

Luckily I have some experiences of fine jewelry fair like international jewellery fair in Hong Kong, Vicenza, Basel, Las Vegas and Tokyo.
Handmade event is much smaller and not fine jewelry (and not only jewelry), it's different type but I thought my experience could be useful at some points.

For this show, I worked a lot.

I'll bring about double of these items.
I've never seen almost all items gathered!

All items are available on my etsy store.
However, just in case, if you are in Osaka or visit Osaka in this weekend,
I think it's fun to come and see this event.
There are about 3000 creators' booths.
Very unique, handmade stuff, you can dig out.
And my booth is A-234, waiting for somebody comes!
  


 

Puffer fish

Yesterday I ate puffer fish dinner with my friend and our moms.

In Japan, this fish is very popular food especially around this time.

In token of that, it was difficult to reserve seats, our dinner time started 5(^_^;)

Already restaurant was very busy.

 

We ordered basic course.

This is appetizer.
Parboiled puffer fish skin dressed with ponzu (citrus flavor soy sauce)
Feel lots of collagen!

 

Next, Tessa (sashimi, sliced very thin)

 

Puffer fish doesn't have any strong taste but Umami.

And I love this texture.

We upgraded 2 of 4, Butsusashi (chunky sashimi)

Under scallion, there is white chunk. Umm, yummy!

What we're craving is sake!

We ordered Hire-zake (sake with toasted fin)

 

They toast in front of us, it's show time!

Roasting flavor, not fishy, adding umami, sake gets milder.

Generously they put big 3 fins.

 

Next is Tecchiri (hot pot)

First of all, we put fish bony parts into soup, it makes good flavor.

Great for cold season.

After eating ingredients, we added rice, made Zousui, like risotto.

 

Last was small scoop of ice cream.

 

We all are happy to eat, had great time.

In which country, people eat this fish??

 

 

 

 



Japanese traditional music concert

Yesterday I went to Yoshida Brothers concert!

They are famous Tsugaru Shamisen players.
Shamisen is like Japanese Banjo, it has 3 strings.
Tsugaru Shamisen has very strong attack sound when they play.
Whey they play, for me, almost rock music (and I love rock music)

A few years ago, I saw their older brother's another group named "wasabi", that was the first time to see them and listen to real Shamisen sound.
At the time, they'd been already famous.
After seeing them, I visited music school for Tsugaru Shamisen trial lesson.
(At that point, I already decided to study in NY soon, so it was really trial)

I like this instrument's sound, besides, they are young unlike other Japanese traditional musicians.
They wear casual clothes sometimes.
We don't have to dress up.
(And in my opinion, drummer is very stylish and cool guy, I'm fun of him)

In these years they play abroad like in US, Brazil, Spain, Taiwan etc.
This video, they collaborated with rock band.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc4AkEC_UWU

Seeing them, I think what being Japanese means.
I'll start to live in different country from next year.
I'm Asian, Japanese.
Not Christian, not Jewish, not Muslim.
What do those mean for living in US?
As a Japanese?

I'm proud that we have such cool music.
If you have a chance, please visit and listen to their music!

 

My favorite skewer, Yakitori

Yesterday after work, I went to Yakitori bar with my co-worker.
It's very close to office, we went there some times but last 2 times, when we visited, they were closed.
It's not clear which day they're closed.
So yesterday, finally we could enter  after a while.

It's small bar, they have only counter seats.
We can see chef is cooking in front of us.
They are very proud of chicken quality, otherwise they can't serve row chicken, Tori-sashi.

Some may feel "Eating row chicken?! Yack!"
Even Japanese, some don't like.
Breast, heart, liver, gizzard and white meat.
They give 3 types of sauce, sesame oil with salt, original sauce and soy sauce.
We especially like liver, dipping sesame oil, it melts in mouth.
With Tori-sashi, sake matches.

Look! Both containers are full!
They poured generously.

Needless to say, skewers are great.

This is...meat of neck. Very juicy and tender.

Gizzard. I don't know how to describe this texture, chewy, fun to chew.
The more you chew, the more you taste.

And liver. This one, very tasty, we ordered this menu twice!
Tender and fresh, maybe rare, but no strange smell like bloody.

We ate other skewers, everything great.
Adult chicken meat, tail, aorta, skin wrapped meat.

We definitely come back soon!

 

Busy days

After Craft Beer Holiday, I was very busy, been working for 11 days on the trot.
Besides my jewelry brand, I'm working for jewelry company which I worked for before, had big jewelry fair on last weekend.

It was held for 3 days at Herbis Hall in Osaka.
One of the biggest jewelry event in west Japan.

This event is held twice in a year, every time more than 1000 people visit.

 

I'm salesperson here.

 

After show finished, we organized at office, prepare merchandises for many customers.
Then finally tomorrow is really weekend.

I can work on my order, for my customers.
It's been long days!
 

Craft Beer Holiday

Yesterday I met my friends and went to Osaka castle park.
Because...there is Craft Beer Holiday event!
All of us like beer, nice weather, outside event, and craft beer!
No reason not to go!

 

Craft Beer Holiday

It was very sunny and hot, didn't feel October at all.
That means good day for beer(^_-)-☆

There are 21 brewery booths and 15 food booths from all over Japan.
Ticket includes 7 sticker and original glass, at each booth, we exchange sticker and beer or food.

Our first choice was Minoh beer from Osaka, peach weizen.
Fruity, very soothing, I heard this is so popular that sold out soon.

For bar food, we got croquets with prosciutto and wild boar sausage(no photo).

Easy to share and pick up. Savory, matches with beer.

Next my choice is chestnuts beer.

This has very sweet scent, like chestnuts cream cake.
I love chestnuts, so I like this type but seems this is love is or hate it...
My friends don't...

Third choice is Akamiso lagar.

On the photo, center one.
This is the brewery from Nagoya, Aichi prefecture where is known having miso culture.
Generally we use miso for seasoning while cooking,
on the other hand, they have unique miso sauce, after cooking they use like mayonnaise.
I think their passion for miso innovated this beer.

Last one is "out of envy" from Ushitora brewery.

Sign says "We are NOT awarded a gold prize at world beer contest for 7 years."
Wait, wait, NOT?
It's their sarcastic humor.
Their beer is great, we love this.
Full of hop flavor and bitter, this is the very beer.

We enjoyed a lot this unusual hot and sunny day with good drink and chatting(^^)


 

Creperie in Namba, Osaka

I met my friend from college today.
We can't remember when the last time we met is.
We are keeping touch with Facebook, one day she requested original jewelry.
About what she ordered, I'll write on another day.
Anyway we planned to have lunch to give her pendant.

 Alcyon creperie (Photo is from their site)
Retro building, we arrived there before 11 am, already people were lining up!
My friend made reservation, we entered without waiting. Thank you!

Their specialties are garette and crepe.
Both are from Bretagne, France.

Today's special, shimeji mushroom, cabbage Bolognese sauce on egg and cheese garette.
Very thin but big. Dough is well seasoned. Edge was crunchy.

Before this, we had sweet potato cold soup.

This is dessert crepe, pumpkin mont blanc with ice cream.
Dough is very chewy, good with melting ice cream.
After eating, I was very full.
Each was thin but maybe big, I didn't see how big because those were folded(^^;

We ate and chatted, glad to be able to catch up.
My friend moves to Tokyo in Nov, so maybe we can't meet for long time again.
And her hobby is camera, I'm looking for her nice photo of my jewelry!
 

The Tower of Babel exhibition

I take a break from Vancouver trip blog this time (please don't say I'm always taking a break from updating(^^;) )

I got a day off so visited The National Museum of Art, Osaka.
Now they have Collection of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen Bruegel's "The Tower of Babel" and Great 16th Century Masters.

You might have seen this famous painting?
This exhibition has started since July 18th, I expected now already quiet, especially, this day was weekday.
Without waiting, I could buy ticket and enter.
They have some sculptures, Jheronimus Bosch artworks, and other artists' paintings.
Last section, there is Babel.
In front of it, there was long line to only see it!

The reason is this masterpiece is like miniature.
Its size is 60 x 75cm, not big at all but it has over 1400 people on panel!
How precise!
Each person is drawn less than 3mm, we can see it clearly even 300% enlarged.
This lets the tower stand out enormously huge.

After exit, there is official character of this exhibition.

He's from "Big fish Eat Little Fish" by Bruegel.
If you look up this painting, you can find this imaginary creature easily. (more serious looking)

Besides him(?), on Bruegel painting, there are many monsters and unique creatures,
when you have a chance to see, it's fun to look for.