It’s somehow reassuring to motivate myself. By ahead, It doesn’t mean the future, but this moment, but to put it simply, I made a big purchase. A used laptop, but a pretty good version for 2020. The old ones couldn’t be upgraded, so I was kind of stuck with video editing and writing and other things. Tony-san helped me out alot. Thank you very much.
Since plants don’t move around themselves, perhaps they use the animals and creatures(human) around them as extensions of themselves? For the past month and a half, I have been taking care of the plants on behalf of my friend. Yes, they are the main characters, so I humbly listen to their requests. Sunlight, direction, watering, care. At first, both of us were nervous (?), but we soon got comfortable with each other and it’s now fun to take care of them.
The other day, I went to visit my dear friend Y with kalimba. I played Japanese children’s songs and sang them in her ears. The forest outside the window was still a remnant of summer before the leaves turned red. The warm sunlight wrapped her.
清楚に謙虚に蕾が出ました：The bud have appeared quietly and humbly.フランクの”作詩”クラスに誘われた。皆が俳句に興味を持っていることが面白いなって思った。：I was invited to Frank’s “Poetry” class. It was nice that everyone there was interested in “haiku”.
I inherited the scroll from J.I-chan by chance. Apparently it was a keepsake from his father’s family, who had been collecting calligraphy, paintings, and antiques for generations, but I thought I’d keep it forever. As I am currently(still) living in the basement, the ceiling is low, so the upper part had to be bent quite a bit to hang it. A fairly high ceiling is essential to hang a scroll of considerable length, and a large, sacred room/space where it can be hung comfortably is also a requirement. Is it really okay to just hang Amaterasu, the supreme deity of Japanese Shinto,(<- click) enshrined at Ise Grand Shrine and a symbol of the sun, light, love and truth, in this way?
The small space connected to the kitchen now feels like it has a different vibe. I’m really grateful.
In mid-July, Y.H-san’ family came to visit her in the hospital from Japan. I was worried that A.H-san would be surprised by the heat and humidity here in New York, but her family said that Japan (Kanto region) is still experiencing extremely hot weather. Everyone, including Y’s friends, gathered together and had dinner and chatted after the visit, which was very meaningful.
It was late April when I was informed of the death of the world-famous pianist Fuzjko/Fujiko Hemming by my friend in Japan. Her honest way of life and beliefs, her deep insight and loving life, each and every one of them, are transmitted to me as a sound spirit through the keyboard. Ever since I saw a scene in a documentary about her visiting the grave of Leonard Bernstein, whom she had loved and respected throughout her long life, I have wanted to visit the grave. I don’t think people should rest in a cemetery after they die, but (my own opinion) the constant stream of people leaving lovely flowers like this makes me feel relieved on behalf of Fuzjko/Fujiko. Fuzjko’s interview <- click
グリーンウッド墓地の裏門から入った：Entered through the back gate of Green-Wood Cemeteryお墓はマンハッタンを俯瞰できる高台にある：The grave is located on a hill overlooking Manhattan.
Due to a combination of circumstances, I decided not to participate in a certain film festival, instead, the video has been uploaded to YouTube for many years. “Shadows: Fumio Tanai”, This was inspired by the photographer’s concept of “Kageri (kageri means also Shadow/Shade) “.
Recently, I’ve started thinking about moving, and trying to get rid of movie files, huge amounts of photos, and scattered texts, but once I start looking through them, it’s hard to stop. And I forget immediately to stay HERE & NOW/ a time present, as if I’m drawn to memories of the past. . . However, the things I have made, planned, and left behind have not only faded and weathered, but they are now showing me hints and ideas. This was a surprising discovery for me.
Then, the time I stayed and were nostalgic suddenly turns into creative energy for the future.
I received an email from my Japanese friend, the poet; Ruto Kageyama, with a handmade card attached. I would like to introduce her poem with a very cute picture of a donkey.
On April 11th, I received a pleasant message from Saya from France saying that she had sent me a treasure box/tamatebako/small parcel. It’s an express delivery so it should arrive in about a week. That’s it. However, it became a lonely song of “Yoimachi-gusa/matsuyoi-gusa” saying something like no matter how much I wait, there is someone(small parcel) who never comes. Apparently, due to some mistake was occurred, my zip cord was incorrect, they say. (they changed 11210 to 11201 !) I simply thought that since the address and my name were correct, it should be forwarded to my zip# area. But sadly it turned out that there was no one matching the destination (wrong writing zip #), and a parcel was returned to France. . What is this? I’ll be leaving New York sooner or later, so maybe this happen was premonition to look ahead to the future?
Today is the installation date for the Fridge Art Show hosted by Eric Ginsberg. (<– click to find its detail) I included two objects and three short videos. (“IMPERMANENCE” “A tale of Mimi and Lou-lou” and “Shadows Walking Along the Hudson River” ) The venue is a hotel in the Seaport area, and the event starts tomorrow, so check back soon. Fridge Art Far Video Lounge <– you can watch participant’s videos
Fridge Art Fair logo by Eric Ginsberg” fairy’s nest “” hermit crab “seaport area
In late March, I had the opportunity to visit two botanical gardens in Queens and Brooklyn. One is the Queen’s Botanical Garden. Cherry blossom viewing at S-chan’s memorial tree. Although the garden was muddy everywhere due to the heavy rain the day before, the beautiful flowers blooming on the dignified branches are just like S-chan when she was alive. Apparently it’s a species called Somei-yoshino, and it blooms early in the spring.
The other is the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Two couples of friends each invited me and told me that the tulips would bloom and/or the magnolias would be in full bloom and it would be wonderful. Due to time constraints and work commitments, I wasn’t able to meet up with all my friends, but I felt very grateful to be able to relax on the grass in the warm sunshine, walk around the garden, and sunbathing.
I enjoyed talking with the grasses/trees/ flowers for the first time in a while. Well, maybe it’s just my one-sided imagination, but it seems like they’re talking to me. “Ah, did you notice? ! ” or “Everyone is happy, so I will bloom even more” (smile) etc.
Since Kazuko’s birthday coincided with her art show, the gallery’s owner, Gwenolee, held a cute, homely Birthday party at the Zurcher Gallery. Also, during a lecture given by Shigeru Hanaoka, who came from Japan to participate in the 311 Anti-nuke group show, and is a multi-talented writer, publisher, and musician, I jumped in to sing and ended up sweating profusely afterwards. Zurcher Gallery <— click
Recently, I was happy that a long time friend of mine, Y-san, who is a sculptor, liked our used car and took it over. I am very grateful to R-san and his son for taking care of our used car, Honta, for an entire year and maintaining and inspecting it.
The other day, I attended Katsugen-kai (Noguchi-Seitai) for the first time in a while, which I attended until I moved to Arizona in 2018. Exactly there was a blank period of almost 6 years! I was surprised. It was a good opportunity to wipe out the stress energy that I had built up, and it’s great to continue again.
Earthquake in Noto Peninsula, one week has passed.
As the shaking continues and the fires have not stopped, snowfall, bitter cold, and infrastructure shutdowns, how can we be close to those who have passed away, those who are missing, and all those affected by the disaster?
