Ink Painting Classes begin!

We did not know if we would have enough students with the earthquake and the radiation and all, but we have 3 NZlanders and 1 Amer. For the first time the class was held at my studio..  Next class will probably shift to the international house again.

radioactive rice

The rice down wind of the Fukushima disasters is growing nicely.  My students asked me where this rice will be going.  Who will be eating it?  I have not found one person that trusts the food supply in Japan, inside or outside of the country. 

It is shocking what a modern developed country with a very powerful government will do.  And what they will not do.

I read today that  Fukushima rice is shipped and is in Tokyo stores and the government says it is OK.

Geisai

Friday morning at 10 AM the mikoshi come out, led by the Samba band, Ueno Park,  National Arts U.

I wonder what will be the flavor of the festival this year.  For the last few years it has been a bit of a slide, Tamabi too - too tame, kids are doing what the teachers say.  What's with that?

An important part of the festival used to be the Anarchy,  Who can say, it may return.

kids at Tokyo Geidai

Kids at Tokyo Geidai are getting thier Mikoshi ready.  Geisai in a couple of weeks!

semi and the end

Last evening riding beside the Shinobazu Pond in Ueno the cicada screams were reaching a crescendo, with a  desperation that recognizes that summer will soon be gone.

frames

Plenty hot in Tokyo.


But soon it will be October and time for the next exhibition, so  I have begun making frames.

I run the fan and try to not drip sweat on the wood.  To that end have adopted the Japanese technique of wearing a towel around my neck, and picked up some new ones at the 100 yen store.

Tenshin Tea Tray

Nearly done.  I found a photo of his six sided house in Ibaragi that sadly and shockingly looks more like my tea tray than its former self.

Okakura Tenshin's six sided house in Ibaragi after the March 11 Tsunami

my new tea tray, nearly done sanding in Yanaka