Miss miss

new camera & new friend in 2014 ?

Well here comes the spring.

It means it's been already 2 years since I moved out from Tokyo.

 I believe the cherry blossom season is soon arriving there.

I miss those days scrolling around my quarter in Tokyo 

to hunt for the cherry blossoms with bringing my film camera.

I would often take pictures by my Contax or Yashica.

Mostly I take pictures of street cats and my friends...

Probably it might be nice to look back on what I saw through the lens ? 

friend in front of the mirror

Trip to Sendai 03

My grandmother's

Every year, my grandparents had traveled around Japan since 1965, 

one year after Tokyo Olympic.

When they visited Tohoku area, it was always a pleasure for my grandmother to get a Kokeshi, a doll traditionally crafted in this area. 

Until 1990s, she collected as many as 11 Kokeshi, and it is now her small collection. 

I visited Sendai, the biggest city in Tohoku last month 

where I never failed to fall in love with Kokeshi.

Frankly, I was totally indifferent to Kokeshi that my grandmother has.

 And I was even surprised
 when my Norwegian friend returned Tokyo with several vintage Kokeshi from her trip Tohoku ! 

This time, it was my turn.

I was instantly fascinated by the beauty 

when seeing Kokeshi displayed at one of the shop in Sendai. 

Each Kokeshi has different face, patterns and shape according to its craftsman and the area where it was crafted...

At an independent book store in Sendai, I came across one second-hand book ( a small dictionary listing name and address of traditional Kokeshi craftsman. )

 I felt my next duty is

 to look for a craftsman who made old Kokeshi in my grandmother's collection.

Here is the drawing of Kokeshi in her collection.

 My duty is almost done 

but I need to know who crafted this Kokeshi wearing Kimono.

i need to know who crafted this kokeshi !

Cat Day

looking for a chance

In Japan, today is the cat day ! 

So let's celebrate their meow life !!

Here is a quick gif animation dedicated to one of my cats.

His tiny short tail aggressively moves 

when he seeks for a chance to play with other cats at home. 

Sadly others don't like him that much because he shows too much love for them

 ( oh so poor !! ), 

though he never gives up.

finally he finds a mate

I love this cat all the more for his clumsy tenderness and caring to others. 

And another one

20 years old cactus

This is a cactus I bought almost 20 years ago,

when I was the last grade of my elementary school.

On the way back home from my grand mother's home, 

we would drop by one of the shopping centre where I got this one.

This is also a nice memory from the summer.

Detour

Now, one of my cactus blooms its white flowers.

Although they are so tiny, it's amazingly lovely and elegant.

This is the one I bought at a gallery space in Nakano, Tokyo. 

It sadly and happily reminds me of my last few years there.

Looking out from the window in my room where this cactus is hung, 

it is snowing silently. 

And these tiny flowers are just as white as snowflakes. 

Today I miss the summer day 

when I bought the cactus after a night out in my hood.

Trip to Sendai 02

I love watching travelers buying souvenirs for their loved ones.

I was spying on them from the window of a cafe and did a quick sketch of them :)

Trip to Sendai 01

Last month, I had a very quick trip to Sendai in Tohoku area.

Surprisingly, it was my first visit there.

So as a typical tourist, I had Gyutan for lunch and took a break at a nice cafe,

 and fell in love with Kokeshi and of course bought some Sasakama for souvenirs.

Here are the drawings I sketched during my stay.

Firstly, a lovely cup of coffee, Hyoutan Age ( Fried Sasakama )  and melon soda :).

Secondly, the delicious Gyutan lunch.