26th.Aug. "New Grass Cutter"
After all these years of struggling to keep our `garden`/field under control with a strimmer we invested in a second hand mower and a half! Kata achieved more in an hour than previously took a day. (KT)
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The moment I really apreciated 20th century technology!! (HK) After all these years of struggling to keep our `garden`/field under control with a strimmer we invested in a second hand mower and a half! Kata achieved more in an hour than previously took a day. (KT) |
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| Shearing the sheep | Sanada san's felt installation | Toda san and Kata |
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Kata discussing the joys of organising arts event with a very tired looking Toda san. I think he is exhausted from working flat out to organise the wonderful "Wool in Wool" art festival at Koiwai (not from listening to Kata!?) The textile artist Sanada san led the children in a workshop which covered the whole process from sheering the sheep, cleaning and carding the wool, spinning, and finally weaving on string and cardboard frames(KT) |
| Sean carding the wool with Sanada san | The proud participants | NB Toda san was a main man for the Iwate Art Festival`s Land Art in Koiwai event. |
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right: Hiroshi Koyama with his sculpture |
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Ikue chan and Emily playing a version of snap. |
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When Emily volunteered to cut Sean's toenails she had me biting my nails visualising the first aid I would have to administer after her debut surgery. But Sean was much more relaxed and no ice packs or even band aids were required. (KT) |
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The stag beetles which had been lured into Emily's collection with an amazing cocktail of banana marintated in shochu (Japanese vodka) and honey were given back their freedom after a drunken night in the cells. (KT) |
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Top secret (apart from those of you we have told about our latest dream) project for Ukishima. (KT) |
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| Before the feast | Percussion group "Falsa" from Hirosaki | Yoshito barbecueing his pig! |
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| Looking at my drawings | Mr.Mori, photographer | children's table | Kazue riding Emily's bike (not sure if she will ever forgive us for publishing this photo) |
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Momose san and the painter Kuriki san joined us, Shibata san and the symposium artists for a Chinese meal in Morioka. My Chinese is still non existent, but managed to remember enough Italian to have a good conversation with Giorgi. Meanwhile the children were having a wonderful time at Momose`s house. |
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Emily and Sean are getting pretty good at hammering, making ladders and decks for the lookout tower. (KT) |
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I went to my high school reunion in Sendai. And we had about 500 old friends and teachers! (left) Also, I was with my good friend Goto, who used to be our high school art club chairman, smiling with nice young ladies, Japanese Bali dancers.(HK) |
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Posts are standing up now. Sean is working on HIS See-Saw, and I made a See- Saw,too. (HK) |
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Our big project this summer, Ukishima Playground has started, using up the wood left over from building the house. The heat was not unbearable, so we started planning (left), and cutting logs with the chainsaw!! (HK). |
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Mr.Guo, who's now working in Iwate International Sculpture Symposium, carved Chinese ancient letters and symbols on his sculpture. (HK) Had an interesting `conversation` with pen and paper about the evolution of Kanji and written language in general. I wish I could communicate with Guo more he is a lovely fascinating person. (KT) |
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Emily and I went in to the forest near us in Ukishima, to catch beetles, dragonflies or something. Then, we found this! Looks poisonous! Is it edible?! (HK) |
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Our good friends the Yano family came from Shikoku island to see us. We met them when we were working on a sculpture symposium on Shikoku ten years ago and have keapt in touch by post and phone ever since. (KT) |
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They built a Pokemon palace with Lego. Pikachu and Pichuu at the gate?! (HK) |
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The local sculpture symposium is well under way. 4 artists Guo Demao (China), Giorgie Cpajak (Yugoslavia), Hiroshi Koyama (Kyoto), and Masanori Sugisaki (Miyagi) all working hard in the hottest summer ever recorded. (KT) |
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My sister's family came to visit Sendai for a week. So, we drove to meet them. Went out for dinner at Korean barbecue restaurant. (HK) |  |
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from far left; Sean, Tomohiro(under water) and Naoya. |  |
Fantastic meals! All plates were empty! (above). Pillow fight between Sean and Naoya (HK). |
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Children playing Nintendo 64 . |  |
Playing Nintendo 64 with Sean, Naoya and me. Naoya is a veteran player, I was beaten every single time! (HK) I refuse to have one of these computer games in the house so our lot were total novices! (KT) |
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Nice to be a tourist sometimes. (HK) |
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Emily went to the swimming school near my parents' house in Sendai for two days as a present from Grandad. She can dive and swim reasonably, but Grandad thought that it might be good idea to learn properly. She enjoyed it very much. QUALIFICATION!! (left) (HK) |
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Went to see friends working on public education in Miyagi Art Museum. And spent time looking at Ukishima Homepage on the internet. Mr.Sai's comment, "Homepage looks good, but do you have time to make sculptures any more?!" (HK) |
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Our half of the children from Ukishima Primary school on a holiday outing to the swimming pool, followed by a picnic in the park. Kata and I were both more than happy to cool off with the children. (KT) |
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Emily and I were lying in the pool (the only place where the temperature was bearable when Kata reminded me that Kukida san was bringing several friends and colleagues to visit. Just managed to cover up and do a sprint preparation of cool drinks before they arrived. Although they all looked as if they were about to melt they set to playing very free style `badminton` with no net, no court and tennis rackets, followed by a water pistol fight. (KT) |
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