tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71195918507757840282024-02-20T17:53:10.438-08:00Three Steps Over JapanThe on-going adventures of a manga fan American ex-pat in Japan.TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.comBlogger1766125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-18419291755772929852023-11-06T06:11:00.005-08:002023-11-06T06:11:44.549-08:00Anime Movie Fliers<div><div>
This is a special case. I'm not restarting the blog. Sorry.<br />
<br />
</div><a href="https://imgur.com/lE9JjaZ.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/lE9JjaZ.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
(Spy x Family, side one)<br /></div><div>
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<a href="https://imgur.com/5gv0UYe.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/5gv0UYe.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
(Spy x Family, side two)<br /></div><div>
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<a href="https://imgur.com/k3xpD4o.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/k3xpD4o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
(Golden Kamui, side one)<br /></div><div>
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<a href="https://imgur.com/kBsUMhM.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/kBsUMhM.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
(Golden Kamui, side two)<br /></div><div>
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<a href="https://imgur.com/cN8cRD9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/cN8cRD9.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
(Komada - A whisky family, flier one, both sides)<br /></div><div>
<br />
<a href="https://imgur.com/S6tgU6P.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/S6tgU6P.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
(Komada - A whisky family, flier two, side one)<br />
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<a href="https://imgur.com/KAai5HP.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/KAai5HP.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
(Komada - A whisky family, flier two, side two)<br /></div><div>
<br />
<a href="https://imgur.com/oLkpGzK.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/oLkpGzK.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
(The Imaginary, side one)<br /></div><div>
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<a href="https://imgur.com/GS9SZXc.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/GS9SZXc.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
(The Imaginary, side two)<br /></div><div>
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<a href="https://imgur.com/Mf1X7KG.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/Mf1X7KG.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
(Totto-chan - The Little Girl by the Window)<br /></div><div>
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</div>TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-85516874315623637592022-05-23T21:58:00.000-07:002022-05-23T21:58:41.763-07:00Winding down<p> It's not been a good last two years. Even ignoring the effects of the pandemic and the complete shutdown of outdoor live events since the beginning of 2020, it's not been a good time. (Some of the things that have happened are best kept in private.) Regardless, it's been harder to find anything to take pictures of for the blog, and I am moving on to other interests.</p><p>The kicker though is that I've lost two cameras in the last 2 months. The first one could have been a simple accident. I had the camera case on a carabiner, clipped on a belt loop on my jeans, and it had fallen off once before (fortunately, someone called my attention to it lying in the middle of the road and I managed to rescue it then). But, the action of the 'biner against the loop had caused it to cut through the loop and ruin one pair of jeans already, so I'd taken to keeping it in my backpack normally. Anyway, when the first one disappeared, I had to assume that I'd had it on my belt loop and it had simply fallen off while I was out walking around. I checked the stores that I normally shop at and no one had turned it in as a "found item." I completely retraced my steps and couldn't find it that way. And I reported it to the police as lost, and they never contacted me back about it.</p><p>After a couple weeks, I got a replacement of the same model from Amazon, and this time got a carry case with a sewn-on belt loop. Now, I had to thread the belt through the loop in the case, and there's no way it could fall off. But that was kind of a hassle, and I couldn't easily take it off my belt when I was teaching in class, so I left it in my bag all the time. The only two places the camera could be when I didn't have it on my belt or wasn't using it to take pictures, were in the backpack or on a shelf in the apartment.</p><p>Last week, the second camera also went missing. I turned the apartment upside down, revisited the same shops as before, nothing. This time, I know it was in the backpack, and I'd hadn't used it for a couple days. I was going to take a picture with it outside, and it wasn't in the pack. While nothing is guaranteed, I'm close to 99% sure that it had been in the pack before I went to the school. I checked everywhere it could have gotten to in the school, and checked with the owner, and we couldn't find it.</p><p>So, yeah, that's the last straw. I don't think the disappearance of the second camera was an accident or my misplacing it, but I won't point fingers. And I don't want to buy yet another one for $500 (the last two are out-of-stock models), or to even have to upgrade and go for the $750 current model, just to have it "go missing" again.</p><p>What this means is that even if I get a cheaper model (and I don't have a smartphone because I don't have the money), I'm not going to take it outside with me except for very special occasions. And, without a camera, I'm not going to have anything to post here to keep the blog running.</p><p>I'd like to thank everyone that has been coming by here to look at the pictures. I started the proto-version of this blog back when I first came to Japan in 1992 or '93, and I've kept it running mostly non-stop, even when I was back in the U.S., for pretty much 30 years. It's time to move on.</p><p>So long, best wishes, and thanks for all the fish.<br /></p>TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-83536676875046123612022-05-21T19:54:00.000-07:002022-05-21T19:54:31.832-07:00Baby Sparrows<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/7C8cRW0.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/7C8cRW0.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Nest found under the eaves of the Senganen kiriko glassworks building.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/rWmWDRc.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/rWmWDRc.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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They get very quiet when they think they're being watched.<br />
<br />
TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-33591694817654181292022-05-20T17:12:00.000-07:002022-05-20T17:12:07.227-07:00Kilns<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/CJpqDcK.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/CJpqDcK.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
The remains of an old ceramics kiln site is located behind the Senganen kiriko glassworks.<br />
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<a href="https://imgur.com/JUtfZNZ.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/JUtfZNZ.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
What the remains look like today.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/xgy52aA.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/xgy52aA.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Including fossilized coffee cup.<br />
TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-64409129380314732732022-05-19T16:11:00.000-07:002022-05-19T16:11:52.973-07:00Tangoya Marker Art<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/502gQWB.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/502gQWB.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
Tangoya is a tailor for men. Their marker art is one-size fits all.<br />
<br />TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-75107213588684757672022-05-18T20:29:00.000-07:002022-05-18T20:29:39.936-07:00Shiatsu Clinic Marker Art with Crayon Shin-chan<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/MWV5glo.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/MWV5glo.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
For those about to stretch, we salute you.<br />
<br />TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-33850136670875716142022-05-17T19:46:00.000-07:002022-05-17T19:46:28.149-07:00Reimeikan Archer<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/20x7Uni.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/20x7Uni.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Cosplay actor at the Reimeikan history museum, acting as a greeter during the Golden Week holidays.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/szFmL3m.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/szFmL3m.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
Don't ask him what he can do for you...<br />
No, wait, that's not it.<br />
TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-65231664864479925312022-05-16T19:44:00.000-07:002022-05-16T19:44:15.888-07:00Ruoona Pet Clinic<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/SUZy0HO.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/SUZy0HO.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
When you're into pets in a big way.<br />
<br />
TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-35516001823919020732022-05-15T19:55:00.000-07:002022-05-15T19:55:01.887-07:00Gate Ornaments<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/vEPJB1W.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/vEPJB1W.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Found these figures along my trek.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/1C06jan.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/1C06jan.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Gold Toad.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/F6Ct5XS.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/F6Ct5XS.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Beckoning Cat, Gold Pig, and the Foo Dog Fighters.<br />
<br />TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-10845824013600479272022-05-14T19:48:00.000-07:002022-05-14T19:48:55.832-07:00Goubouji Temple Bell<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/BC8IG9L.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/BC8IG9L.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
When I was walking home from the Kagoshima sluice gate, I saw a sign for what I thought was a small shrine. When I went to look for it, all I could find was a Buddhist temple, called Gobouji.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/EBqKnPj.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/EBqKnPj.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
The only interesting feature was the bell out front.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/gp10WMW.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/gp10WMW.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
But...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/ilXHA9X.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/ilXHA9X.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
It's a <b>nice</b> bell.<br />
<br />TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-91379226820598217642022-05-13T18:29:00.000-07:002022-05-13T18:29:37.546-07:00Coin-operated Rice Dispenser<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/uceqy8D.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/uceqy8D.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Kome-tarou (Rice-boy) says "my rice is delicious, and coin-dispensed!"<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/MFFVjn8.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/MFFVjn8.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
"I hope you're hungry!"<br />
<br />TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-91354078745820404412022-05-12T16:18:00.000-07:002022-05-12T16:18:01.325-07:00In the pockets of Big Can<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/xDRwTr4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/xDRwTr4.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Found this parking lot on my way home from the Kagoshima sluice gate site. I assume the can was part of a restaurant display at one time. I'm not really sure what the parking lot itself is for. There were a few people walking out of a small building at the other end, going to their cars. Maybe it's a junkyard/recycle shop.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/WVHWh97.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/WVHWh97.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Right next to a used Hello Kitty "Magical Pumpkin" ride car.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/rldKvbT.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/rldKvbT.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
I would have gotten closer, but the building owner kept giving me the skunk eye.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/HTXcGTQ.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/HTXcGTQ.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Wider shot of the parking lot.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/xNehsNp.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/xNehsNp.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Santa's got buns of steel. Or, something close to it.<br />
<br />TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-83378789472653514712022-05-11T19:25:00.000-07:002022-05-11T19:25:12.267-07:00Mistakes Were Made<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/QDei9tQ.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/QDei9tQ.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
"Great British Mistake" t-shirt.<br />
<br />TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-74964512016716101982022-05-10T15:45:00.000-07:002022-05-10T15:45:45.361-07:00Tully's and Pokemon Go<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/R34Evyd.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/R34Evyd.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Found this tie-in poster for Tully's coffee shop and Pokemon Go (the walkabout mobile AR game). I don't have a smartphone, so I'm not going to bother checking into this further, but it looks like the idea is to download a Tully's-related app that will interact with the Go app somehow. It also looks like you can spend money to charge the Go app. After that, you can write a note and tape it to the wall.<br />TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-63242435503257283262022-05-09T19:21:00.000-07:002022-05-09T19:21:10.904-07:00Kagoshima Modelers Convention, 2022<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/16K8djc.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/16K8djc.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Convention held by a local maker's group that focuses on building various kinds of models (cars, ships, anime figures, planes, tanks, etc.) out of materials including plastic, wood and possibly cardboard. Little detail is given on methods, so may include 3D printing. Held in the Reimeikan history museum from May 1-4.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/vfGBX9d.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/vfGBX9d.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
Tetsujin-28 go.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/A17LQXq.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/A17LQXq.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
This gun is at least 6' long.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/yf2UZNH.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/yf2UZNH.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
One Piece ships.<br />
<br />
Check out the rest of the photos at <a href="https://imgur.com/gallery/ihr2Awp" target="_blank">imgur</a>.<br />
<br />
TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-39109496231413273482022-05-08T19:12:00.000-07:002022-05-08T19:12:11.425-07:00Senganen Visit, 220505<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/nyc2NNm.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/nyc2NNm.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
After visiting the Kagoshima sluice gate World Heritage site during Golden Week, I decided I wanted to go back to the Senganen gardens to find out where the viaduct came out to supply water to the iron works. So, I did that on Thursday, the last day of Golden Week. The original viaduct emerged behind what is now Tsurugane shrine. The building above is next to the new shrine. I can't tell if it's an old shrine, or just a tool shed.<br />
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<a href="https://imgur.com/2wVOSXa.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/2wVOSXa.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Tori'i gate entrance to the current Tsurugane shrine.<br />
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<a href="https://imgur.com/ZsrKYM0.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/ZsrKYM0.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Prayer point for throwing in your money and making your prayer.<br />
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<a href="https://imgur.com/XpZaXsX.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/XpZaXsX.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Tsurugane shrine, dedicated to the Shimadzu family, original feudal lords of the Satsuma clan. The viaduct is supposed to have come out down the hill in the back, but I couldn't find any traces of that. There is a small creek, or drainage runoff about 100 feet to the left, though. Not sure if they're related.<br />
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<a href="https://imgur.com/wWex39G.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/wWex39G.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Some of the ema (wood plaques people write their wishes on) sold at the shrine.<br />
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<a href="https://imgur.com/OCxStPf.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/OCxStPf.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Kameju Hime (Auspicious Princess).<br />
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<a href="https://imgur.com/ghTTie8.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/ghTTie8.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Shuseikan Machinery factory building. Local daimyo Nariakira Shimadzu realized that western expansion into Japan posed a threat, and he commissioned a western-style foundry for producing cannons, as well as a glassworks and a textiles plant. The machinery factory was used to make and maintain the equipment. It's now a museum dedicated to local history, with some artifacts from the iron and textile works.<br />
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<a href="https://imgur.com/vb1KChr.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://imgur.com/vb1KChr.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Plaque in front of the factory museum. No photos allowed inside.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/BjV7wJl.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/BjV7wJl.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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This is an old office building for the Shimadzu gold mine in 1904 in what's now Kushikino City. It was moved to Josei-cho in Kagoshima in 1923, and then to the present location in 1986. It's now a Starbucks.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/amJeyxd.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/amJeyxd.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Kiriko glassworks. Satsuma kiriko is an exclusive form of cut glasswork (glasses, plates, jewelry) that is very expensive. A small cup can go for 20,000-30,000 yen ($150-$250 USD). The glassworks is still in use, and consists of the blowing factory, cutting and polishing. I wanted to take video, but the people crowding the windows and doorways prevented that. Also, it was getting close to 5 PM, and the workers were shutting down the stations to go home.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/aGhZcuE.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/aGhZcuE.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Glass blowing.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/N9zCgsF.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/N9zCgsF.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Glass forming.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/gWZfryg.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/gWZfryg.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
When the factory and forge were to be constructed, Nariakira arranged to have engineers brought in from England to oversee the work. The Foreign Engineers' Residence was then built to house them. It's currently a museum.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/ahowRHc.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/ahowRHc.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Back side of the building.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/fGA8U0E.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/fGA8U0E.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Front entrance.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/oa8THbN.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/oa8THbN.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Silverware and dishes cabinet.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/w1Q87Hr.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/w1Q87Hr.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Second floor dining set.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/PsAmUpo.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/PsAmUpo.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Second floor veranda. Originally, there was no outer wall or window casing here.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/RV0wOrn.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/RV0wOrn.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Rconstructed bedroom.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/G3aazkB.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/G3aazkB.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Writing desk and mirror.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/JIhXWAt.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/JIhXWAt.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Writing table and chairs.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Y5J66Qe.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Y5J66Qe.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
One or two person bed?<br />
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TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-69582134470767056772022-05-07T19:19:00.000-07:002022-05-07T19:19:01.711-07:00Sluice Gate Walk<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/SnVvXzw.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/SnVvXzw.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Back in the 1850s, Japan was forced to open its ports to international trade. Realizing that it was outmatched, the local feudal lord (daimyo) in Kagoshima sent a number of teenagers to Europe and the U.S. to study government and industrial techniques. When they returned, the daimyo created a steel foundry (Shuseikan) next to his family estate at Senganen to make cannons. The foundry needed charcoal (obtained by charring bamboo from a small company created by local hero Saigo Takamori), and water power. Initially, they used water diverted from the Inari river a few miles away to power a water wheel. Later, the foundry converted to steam power. About 2017, the sluice gate used for diverting the water from the Inari was designated a World Heritage site.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/UkKDdD2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/UkKDdD2.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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When I first came to Kagoshima, in 2011, I wanted to explore the city and see what I could find. Over the next few years, this took the form of "long walks," anything that took more than 4 hours to complete and covered more than 4-6 km (3-4 miles). Later on, I'd thought that I'd seen all there was worth sightseeing, and limited my long walks to the Kotsugi river, and Ishibashi (stone bridge) park areas. But, a couple years ago, I noticed this sign for a sluice gate, pointing away from the old cannon foundry near Senganen, and got curious about it. The problem was, I couldn't find the place on google maps, and I couldn't remember exactly where the sign was. Then, on May 1st, in the middle of the Golden Week holidays, I decided that enough was enough, and I needed another long walk. And, I'd try to get to the sign to start with.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/2eqR6aR.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/2eqR6aR.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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It's about one mile to the sign, down near the Saigo Takamori Memorial Cemetery, 4-5 blocks the other side of the Reimeian history museum from me. And the sign is just across the street from Liberty Cafe, a little sandwich and coffee shop I'd discovered a year ago. I figured that if anyone would know the best way to walk to the sluice gate site, they would, so I went inside to get a couple tuna sandwiches and coffee to go. However, none of the staff had ever noticed the sign before and they had no idea what I was talking about. I'd taken a photo of it just in case, and showed it to the owner, who disappeared to get a tablet and do a google map search. As we were talking, this one older, noisy woman decided to get involved. The next thing I know, she's telling me to get into her car so she can drive me the 6 km (4 miles) there.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/0Lmd6Wg.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/0Lmd6Wg.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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She asks me where I'm from, why I'm in Kagoshima, etc., and why I would do something insane like walk 4 miles to something I know nothing about, and I'm watching the scenery go by, and go by, and go by, wondering what I've gotten myself into. Eventually we drive past the entrance to a gift shop advertising itself as being part of the sluice gate site, and pull into a driveway another half-mile farther on. At first, I thought that this was part of overflow parking for the gift shop, then I discover my new tour guide is lost and asking a couple guys for directions. There's a few minutes of confused discussions on both sides, then one of the men offers to take me off my tour guide's hands. She's happy to unload me on him, kicks me out of her car, and drives off. Turns out, this is a lumber yard of sorts, and the oldest guy is the owner, while the younger one is a kind of carpenter picking up supplies. I get in his truck, and he takes me to his house, where he plans to change to his wife's car.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/lamRbi3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/lamRbi3.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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During the drive, he tells me that he makes the smaller rope ornaments used at shinto shrines, and that the rice paddy where he grows his rice for stalks for making the ropes is right in front of the sluice gate site. But, he's never visited it himself. His wife comes out with a couple cans of canned coffee, and the rope maker gives me one. We switch vehicles and drive back to the lumberyard and then down to the gift shop parking lot, and past that to the rice paddy, which is still dry land because it's too early in the year for planting. We walk the hundred meters or so to the sluice gate site entrance, and are greeted by one of the three volunteers working on the weekend.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/72phamE.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/72phamE.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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I then discover the history of the sluice gate, and the fact that it was used to channel water over at least 7 miles to Senganen, to feed the foundry next door. Most of the route was discontinued years ago, but the dam itself remained intact. After the location was designated a world heritage site, the local Kagoshima people learned about its existence for the first time, and they started getting more visitors. The three volunteer guides all consider me to be an oddity, and everyone wants to hang around and ask me questions. No one believes that I plan on walking back to Kagoshima after this.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Qte8ljk.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Qte8ljk.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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The photo here shows the "leat." The funny part is that when I first saw the English translation of the sign, I thought it spelled "leaf," and I really wanted to know what a "yoshino leaf" was that seemed to be so important as to require its own sluice gate. In fact, "leat" is a British word for "an open watercourse conducting water to a mill." In other words, it's the sluice way running from the sluice gate. What really amused me was that when I asked the volunteers what "leat" meant, they'd never actually noticed the word on the signs, or the brochures, before, and had no idea what it meant, either.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/rLX7V2l.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/rLX7V2l.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Entrance to the site. The leat doesn't actually run anywhere anymore. It just parallels the river for a few meters before being rediverted back into it.<br />
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After talking to everyone for half an hour, I begged off and prepared to walk back home. The rope maker took great care to tell me to get on the little road in front of the gift shop, and DO NOT (his emphasis) take any of the side streets (right or left) until I made my way all the way back to the Saigo Takamori Memorial Cemetery. It took me about 2 hours, but it was mostly downhill, and not that bad of a walk. There was little chance of getting lost, especially when I could see the Sakurajima volcano through the buildings, trees and hills to my left. The only downside was that the street was really narrow for several miles, and there's no sidewalk, so I had to step back into the bamboo groves a lot to let cars pass me (or run the risk of getting hit). The route took me back to Liberty Cafe, and I stuck my head in the door just to thank the owner for his attempt to help me look on the map on his tablet (I should have told him the sandwiches were really good), and that I'd gotten to the site safely. After that, it was another 25 minutes to get back home.<br />
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It was a fun little adventure, and I appreciate meeting people willing to go out of their way to help me like that. And, the rope maker is a genuinely nice guy. But, the original idea was to get exercise, and to see if I'd survive a 12-mile or so trek. The next day, my feet hurt, so maybe not. On the other hand, there is a bus that runs out on that route, and I could always have taken that back to Tenmonkan if things got grim. But, I may try taking the bus back out some day to explore the area farther out, if the weather is good...<br />
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TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-75535685957202113962022-05-06T16:44:00.000-07:002022-05-06T16:44:06.711-07:00Yocado Jazz Day, May 4, 2022<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/TUCgnTJ.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/TUCgnTJ.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Kagoshima Bank opened up a new HQ building down near Kinko Bay. I'm not sure if the building is called Yocado, or if that's the name of their credit card, or what. I haven't had any reason to go inside before, so I had no idea that there was an open plaza in the middle of the first and second floors.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/MLozAxQ.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/MLozAxQ.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Then, on May 4th, Yocado sponsored a Jazz Day, featuring local jazz hero (the guy that ran the Jazz Fest in September the two years before Covid hit) - Keishi Matsumoto. There were 3 shows scheduled, with one duo playing at 12 noon and 4 PM, and the Keishi Trio at 2 PM. I only had a mild interest in catching Keishi for a few minutes, and I arrived at the building shortly after 1:30 PM.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/ktdReEu.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/ktdReEu.jpeg" width="300" /></a><br />
(Kagoshima Bank (Kagin) mascot 1.)<br />
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While I was standing around waiting for the show to start, one of the people in the audience started talking to me. After a few minutes, he pointed to the big sign on the wall and said "That's my son." So, that was cool.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/a7fzlAN.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/a7fzlAN.jpeg" width="300" /></a><br />
(And mascot 2.)<br />
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We continued talking up to the start of the show, then we separated to our selected listening spots. The Trio mostly played audience requests, which tended to be light jazz. The featured song was from Chick Corea. The last requested song was from the movie "Cleopatra." The band hadn't rehearsed that one beforehand, but they did a good job of faking it.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/61NO4m6.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/61NO4m6.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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I'm still not comfortable using the new pocket camera, and I'm having trouble getting good indoor shots in low lighting.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/2elfojR.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/2elfojR.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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There were maybe 50 people in the audience, and the plaza was crowded enough that I didn't want to walk around to get better angles, or get closer to the stage. The bass player was behind a potted tree from me, which is why I didn't get any shots of him.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/W3yf64u.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/W3yf64u.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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The set ran 1 hour, and there was one encore song. At the end, Keishi's father insisted on taking my camera and getting a few pictures of me with the band. I'm not sure if Keishi remembered me - we've only talked a few times about 3-4 years ago - but he put on a good act in saying that he did. Then I found out that the drummer had spent time in Minnesota, and the bass player had lived in Boston for about a year, each.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Yv7tcTe.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Yv7tcTe.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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We continued talking for a while, then everyone split up and went their own ways. It was a good time.<br />
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I didn't have a chance to ask Keishi, but one of the other guys suggested that there may be a live Kagoshima Jazz Fest in Ten Park this Fall. If so, that'd be cool, too.<br />
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TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-28396996770950700692022-05-05T16:16:00.000-07:002022-05-05T16:16:18.675-07:00Trombone Chalk - Boy's Day<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/aElshiF.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/aElshiF.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Trombone cafe also has chalk art for Boy's Day, May 5th.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/qMQ6gCO.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/qMQ6gCO.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Read as "Tarou, Kin" ("gold boy").<br />
<br />TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-28241788479222478612022-05-04T19:20:00.000-07:002022-05-04T19:20:35.087-07:00Shiro Chalk Art - Kintaro<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/ZCDMEUd.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/ZCDMEUd.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Kintaro is a famous fictional character in Japan, and is being used here to promote Boy's Day, May 5th.<br />
<br />TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-82276342894467386072022-05-03T20:55:00.000-07:002022-05-03T20:55:30.448-07:00KFC for Boy's Day<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/onhFm6G.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/onhFm6G.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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The Col. dresses for Boy's Day, May 5th.<br />
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<a href="https://i.imgur.com/m4UDVvE.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/m4UDVvE.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Sanders: "I've done worse things."<br />
<br />TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-54637284013697866552022-05-02T19:28:00.000-07:002022-05-02T19:28:46.891-07:00Red Sticker<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/7RSpQvp.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/7RSpQvp.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Latest <i>Shonen Jump</i> has a sticker insert for the new <b>One Piece Red</b> movie.<br />
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<br />TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-54559397118407561462022-05-01T17:48:00.000-07:002022-05-01T17:48:06.551-07:00Hot Pepper<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/KioRL0n.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/KioRL0n.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Hot Pepper is a free magazine promoting restaurants, hair salons and fashion. They just put odd, random stuff on the covers to get people to pick it up. There's nothing inside that has anything to do with Dragon Ball.<br />
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TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-27200240721742981512022-04-30T18:07:00.000-07:002022-04-30T18:07:41.824-07:00Gindako and Kimetsu no Yaiba<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/MGcCXeP.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/MGcCXeP.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Takoyaki (octopus dumpling) shop tie-in with Kimetsu no Yaiba. They're such cut-ups.<br />
<br />TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119591850775784028.post-89362760953565263832022-04-29T20:30:00.005-07:002022-04-29T20:30:53.622-07:00Second Barbershop Tribute to Smiling Salesman<br />
<a href="https://i.imgur.com/jFUpGc0.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/jFUpGc0.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Second barber shop marker art paying tribute to Fujio A. Fujiko, creator of the Smiling Salesman manga. The owner has two shops in the area, and the art on the first sign wasn't very good. This one's an improvement.<br />
<br />TSOTEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393700603169574150noreply@blogger.com0