Happy Holidays

Wow. It is already at the Christmas day. Humm. I want to open my gifts. I should wait for a few hours. humm. So nice to receive letters and emails from friends. All cards are hanging near my kitchen. So nice to see them all. Good night. Merry Christmas!

Laugh

I have new neighbors. I love them. I never met them, and saw them. However, I hear their laughing all the time . A man’s voice and sometimes a woman’s voice. I can’t hear what they were talking since they don’t scream, but it still can tell, they are happily laughing. I am in my room, and made me so cheerful. I used to have neighbors who used to live before my new neighbors. They were fighting every day, and night. Sometimes, I could hear they shattering glasses or beer bottles, screaming voices, and sobbing. It was terrible. They fought sometimes in 4 AM. I thought about to call DV even. I saw him several times. He is very shy, a young, student-like, white man. We never really talked and just say hello to each other. After years, they moved out, while I was away. I didn’t know when they moved out. I was relieved I didn’t need to hear the quarrels anymore. It is funny that, we never talked, but I knew all their quarrels and drams.

となりに新しい住人が越してきた。とてもいい人、あったこはないけど。いつも笑い声がきこえてくる。男の人と女の人の笑い声。何を話しているかはわからないけど、楽しそうに笑っている。以前、住んでた人たちは喧嘩ばかりだった。ののしり合い、大声で泣き叫んだり、グラスが割れる音がきこえたり。まるで、ドラマをみているよう。DVをよぼうかと思った事も。大声で叫ぶので聞きたくなくてもいろいろな事が聞こえてします。朝、４時でも平気で喧嘩をしていた、殆ど毎日。実際にあうと優しそうな、若くて、学生ぽさがある、白人男性。挨拶すると、挨拶してくれていた。私が長い間留守をしている間に引っ越していった。なんか、解き放された気分だった。もう、あの喧嘩をきかなくてよいのかと。

黒い傘

朝出かけに雨がふっていたので、急いで、傘を持って飛び出した。ジャンプ傘のボタンをおして、傘をひらく。空をめがけて開いた傘をみて“おっさんみたいな傘”と一瞬思った。真っ黒のおっさん傘。こんな傘恥ずかしくて日本にいる時はさせなかったなあ。ニューヨークではそんなのあたり前で、誰でもこの傘をもっている。３ドルと安いことに伴って、２、３度つかうと壊れるようになっている。壊れなくとも誰かにもっていかれちゃったり、わすれちゃったり、ボールペンのような扱いをうけています。お昼から天気になりました。雨がやんでしまったので、もちろん、傘をわすれてきました。ごめんなさい。きっと誰かに拾われる事でしょう。

In the morning, I was rushing out. It was raining, and took my umbrella. Opened the umbrella by pressing the button. Against the dark sky, a black umbrella. I thought, ﾒ It is like an old manﾕs umbrella!!ﾓ I didnﾕt use these kinds of umbrella, when I was in Japan. However, the black umbrella is so common here in New York. Most of people are using when it rains. Every corner of the blocks, you see people who sell these black umbrellas by pushing carts. Umbrella, umbrella! These umbrellas are so cheap, around 3 bucks. Of course, they broke after using a few times.
Also, umbrellas are like pens, people take others, or forgotten on the shops, or streets easily. In the afternoon, it became a clear sky. Of course, I forgot my umbrella. Hope he finds a new owner!.

I am still Verical!

The New York Marathon was held on October 4th. I was worried about the weather that would have been cold. However, it became a great marathon day. It is so difficult to start running, even though I always thin that I will run this year. I was one of cheerleaders again. There were many runners, some were running fast, somewhere running slowly fighting with pains, some were with slogan, and some were in funny costumes. The atmosphere in New York marathon is so powerful, as if a whole city is cheering. The end of the runners, a woman couldn’t run anymore and walking and dragging her foot. One of people on the street said something not nice. However, she didn’t care at all, and said, “ I am still vertical, that only required.” Cool.

One of runners’ friends ran this year also. He lost both his legs from a car accident. He was with his artificial legs, and run the marathon. The start of this year was pretty bad, and he suffered from the beginning. The race became so difficult for him. When I saw him at the 13-mile point, he was so tired. I couldn’t let them (he, his sister and another friend) go alone. I decided to catch up with them and walked together from Greenpoint. It was so painful to look at him. He needed to stop and rest the legs. When we entered Manhattan, the neon lights were reflected on the wet surfaces of the street since the cleaning car washed the roads. It was very dramatic scene. Seeing the man with artificial legs kept walking touched many people. People were screaming “ Inspired!!” and the voices came from everyone.


１０月の４日にニューヨークマラソンが行われました。寒さを気にしていたのですがお天気もよくマラソン日和でした。今年こそはいつも走ろうとおもうのですが、なかなか走れず。今回も応援の方に回らせていただきました。凄い早さで駆け抜けていく人も入れば、自分のペースで走る人、スローガンを抱えていろいろなコスチュームでアピールしながら走る人、体の不調と戦いながらはしる人など様々でです。特にニューヨークマラソンを応援する人はすごい。町がいったいとなって応援してるかのよう、町中が大騒ぎです。レースの走者も最後の方になり、ある女性が走れなくなって歩いているときに、誰かが野次をとばしました。さすがニューヨーカーあさっりと"I am still Veritcal, that is only required!"と言い返して、さっていきました。強い。

知人のうちの１人は両足義足というハンディをもちながら今年も完走されました。今回はスタートの地点でのトラブルから困難なレースへと展開してしまい、１０時間をえて完走されました。おつかれさまです。私は１３マイルのグリーンポイントからついて歩きました。実際そんなに遠いとおもってなかったので、驚き。疲れた。知らないっていうことは強いですね。あれ、まだ遠いのねと思いながら歩いているとついてしまいました。Tavern on the green のところのゴールについたときはぐったり。疲れた。

だけど、歩いてよかった。途中マンハッタンに入ると誰もいないファーストアベニュー、マラソンの後の道路を掃除する清掃車のヘッドライトと、ネオンライトがぬれた道路に反射して、きらきらしていました。その中を義足で一生懸命歩く姿は数々のかたに感動を与えたようです。大きな拍手で"inspired ！”と叫ぶ人たちの声が、車の全くいないファーストアベニューに鳴り響き、後ろを歩いている私もじーん、何度か涙がでそうでした。

Being New York

I took my friend’s dog to a dog run in Chelsea. I always think that New Yorker dogs are so well taken cared. I was walking on the street Saturday morning, every corners I saw dogs. They are so happy in the dog run, running with other dogs and jumped in the water. Ground was specially paved soften ground, so they don’t hurt themselves and don’t get dirty in the muddy water.

Late afternoon, my friend took me to the Central Park Summer Concert. It was so nice to be in the park and listening good musics. Our friend was also playing in it, so it was the highlight of the event. My friend and I decided to walk down the park. We just walked a few meters; we heard music coming from a different direction. Ohh. That is the tango-dancing event, I heard from my Canadian friend who dances tango 3 times a week. It was so nice to see people dancing tango in the park. The streetlights cast the dancers shadows on the grounds.

We walked down more, and saw a temporary amusement park. We were walking near it. We saw New Yorker raccoons passing in front of us and disappeared into the bushes. They weren't careful at all, just passed by. I always like to encounter animals. I feel I see the wilderness, something exotic environment. However it is so funny to see them in the central park.

The shinny neon from the amusement park, apartment buildings of Upper East Side, and Central Park, made romantic atmospheres. It was like a hidden sanctuary, situated in mixed moods. Upper East Side, a night of the Central Park produced romantic feelings, but the same time the amusement park take me back to my childhood memories.

A bit more, we walked down, we saw two musicians playing. They were practicing in the tunnel. The tunnel created the special sounds. They took turn to play sometimes, it was like there were talking each other with instruments. The lights were spotlighted them and casting their silhouettes.

Walked down to the 59th Street, and got out of the park, we blended into the busy 5th avenue. It was a little moment of summer in a little oasis.

芸術家

昨日友人の画家と二人で暑いさなかMOMAとWHITNEYにいってきました。久しぶりに美術館周り。がんばったなっと充実感。ニューヨークにいると、つい、いつでもいけると思ってなかなか美術館に足を運ばないのが現状です。反省。Richard Serraのショウをみてきました。やっぱり凄かった。流動間のある今回の作品。いつものようにシンプルで無駄がないのデザインなのだけれど　どっしりとしたマテリアル、そしてそれが優雅に何の固定もなく飾られてあるあの不思議な安定感に驚かされました。床を這うようにしてどうやって設置したのだろうとみてしまいました。そしてどうやって美術館にいれたのだろうって。。ビルの横が全開するとしても中にいれて設置するにはクレーンもつかっただろうし。引きずるわけにはいかないし。天井もたかいけどSerraの作品をいれすには天井はそんなに高いとはいえない。意外に軽かったりして。笑。特に彼の初期の作品がみれてよかったです。彼がどうやっていままでの作品を気づき上げてきたのかが少しでも垣間見えれたようなきがします。

English: I went to Moma and Whitney Museum with my painter friend. It was very hot day. I felt I really archived. Sometimes, to be in New York is not advantage to me. Since I know I can go to museums anytime, I get lazy to go there. However, today, I went two big museums at one day. I wanted to see Richard Serra’s work. I saw his works many times. However, this show was very special. This time the wavy shape sculpture made more complicated the sculpture. I couldn’t imagine how it stood there. I was also amazed how they installed the pieces into the museum. I knew all window doors open and could bring from outside directly, however, these were still big and tall. I could see his early works that was the most interesting to me.

家

家が欲しいとおもう。私の知人は私が家がほしいっていってもう２年以上がたつことをしっていることでしょう。家をでて早くも十何年の月日がたっている。家と呼ぶ家があったときはきにしていなかったのだけど、少しづつ家族がバラバラになり知らないうちに家と呼べる家がなくなってきづいた。実際は家って物質的であるのだけど重要性はもっと他にあって私の心の中にどーんとかまえたもであったように思う。今家を探しているけど、もし家を買ったら少しでも地に足がついた気分になるのだろうか。Home. Since I left my home when I was eighteen, I never lived with my family after that. (Of course I go back there and stay with them.) Gradually the home I used to live became a foreign place. I always thought I wanted to buy a property here. I feel more connected to here. Home is not only substantial, but also something ground me.

July 13th

July 13th. My friend gave birth. It became such a important event in my life.
Thinking of her, recalled when I hesitate to speak to her first time, the 2nd year of junior high. It has been so long, and so many things were happened. But I still remember vividly. Time passed, we changed, but also we never changed some parts of us. It is so nice to have a long time friend. Great feeling

Coincident

I got back a few days ago, but I was still not oriented myself. Walking around the New York City to do errands. I took shower after wondering around in the dirty city and found out that I forgot to buy cotton. I went out to the Duane Read near me to get some cotton wearing with any make-ups. I walked in the store with my jet-lagged face, grabbed cottons and stood in the line. A woman looked familiar with me was passing in front of me. I just called her name without thinking. She realized me and came toward to me. We hugged on the store. (Aha very common in USA.) We chatted on the street.

I know her pretty long time. She is a filmmaker. I think I know her almost 8 years. We don’t really meet each other, having dinner, going club, or watching movies. We always call each other whenever we feel like. Sometimes, we don’t talk 3 months, or a year. We usually call up or email, and say, “ hey I am going to a bar so and so, do you want to come up?” I feel we have some kind of magnetic. I meet her everywhere. Once I met her on the train station in Williamsburg. Well, it is common to see people near the train station. I also met her when I went to drop off my work to a gallery and got lost on the street with heavy stuffs. Another time, I was walking to see my friend; she was providing programs for her screeing on the street with our mutural friend. Another time, I was total drunk, and walking back from my studio to my home. I met her again on the street. Always, I meet her, different times and different locations. This time, I just got back from a big trip and have stayed in New York only 2 days. She also just came back to New York from Ireland after staying 6 months there. I met her by a chance. Wired, isn’t’ it? I always meet her and I am sure I will meet her again. She just left for Virginia the day after we met. Life has lots of coincidences. I love them.

梅雨 Tuyu

I was traveling around from New Hampshire, Japan, and Hong Kong, experiencing different springs. New Hampshire spring was very romantic. Trees started to show new green leaves, the barks of the trees were so dark and contrast because of the rain and the color of the leaves. The plenty of water are running streams and flooded on the paths and filled the sounds in the forest. The spring Japan was so festive. I like this time of the year. Not too hot, not too cold. I can wear cute outfits. When I was leaving Japan, the weather was getting hotter, almost like summer. I flew into Hong Kong, ha. I realized Japanese summer is nothing for Hong Kong summer. Hong Kong in June was rainy.



Everyday was so muggy, hot and humid. It rained everyday. I actually like the color before it rains. It is like almost brown.
ニューハンプシャー　日本　香港と3種類の春を経験してきました。日本や香港はちょうど梅雨の時期。ニューハンプシャーの春はそのなかでもロマンチックな光景でした。新緑と雨にぬれて黒くなった木の幹とのコントラストが奇麗で　小川からあふれた水が小道にながれその音が森のなかに響き割ったっていました。その後日本へ。日本はなんかうきうきした気分のよい春。春一番を歌いながら自転車でぴゅーとはしりたい気分でした。香港。春というより熱帯。空港をおりてあの通路をとおってバスにのる瞬間。ああああーあつーい。もう香港は夏。その上雨期。毎日雨がふっていたのは　雨男による倍率か。あーあち。

post-MacDowell

I was in Japan for 4 weeks. When I reached Japan I was so tired because I didn’t sleep and watched 3 movies in the plane... When I came back around 7 pm, we went to YAKITORI YA. Sooo good. The place is near my apartment in Osaka, and served good foods. After the dinner, the waiter went out with us and sent us off. . After staying at Mac Dowell in NH, for a month, and stayed in New York one day, I came back in Japan.　Big changes.. Even hot. I miss Mac Dowell so much, try not to think. More than one month passed after I got back from Mac Dowell, I still remmeber the time in dream. It was just great. When I was in Japan, I hadn't worked on anything. I felt so frustrated. Too many errands. I need to organize the Mac Dowell photos. When I was looking at photos, I found some cute snap shots of animals. I will post here. Banbies and turkey!


日本に４週間帰ってました。楽しかった。ついたその日に焼き鳥屋にいってきました。吹田の家の近所にあるやきとりやです。とっても美味しい。帰りにお店のひとが見送りにでてきてくれました。なんか日本っぽくていい。もう一ヶ月もたっているのにMacDowellの夢のようなときを思い出します。よかった。日本にきてからまったく作品づくりをしてないのですこし焦り気味。用事があり過ぎです。MacDowellの写真も整理しなければ。撮影したものをみているとスナップでとったものも沢山出てきました。本当にスナップなのだけどなんか懐かしいのでのせちゃいます。

open studio

It has been so long time since I wrote last time. I have been so busy the Mac Dowell life making work, chatting friends, playing ping pong, etc. I feel like I came back to school, meeting friends, eating together and playing games every day. I had an open studio, it was great. One of colonist poets read her poetry; her voice and heavenly sounds of birds from outside merged and echo in my studio. One another poet also had an open studio next day, and a composer joined her reading, he improvised and played piano. It was amazing to see that.

長い間かいてませんでした、、
Mac Dowell にきてから　制作活動共に娯楽で忙しい日々をすごしています。
学校生活にもどったかのように毎日友達に会い食事をともにし夜な夜なピンポンにふけっています。先日オープンスタジオをしました。コロニストの詩人と一緒に共同パーティでした。彼女が詩をよんでいる間中外から鳥の声がきこえてきて私のスタジオになりひびいていました。次の日にもう一人の詩人のオープンスタジオにいってきました。飛び入りで作曲家の人が演奏を詩の朗読にあわせてピアノをひいてくれました。ただただ感動するのみです。

Mac Dowell

Since I got back from Finland, I was just drawn into the New York life. I met my accountant right after I came back, went to see few properties, went to a bar for dancing. I had Chinese and Japanese food that I missed. I stuffed my self with noodles everyday.

I packed my stuff for the next trip to Mac Dowell. I took a bus from the port authority, and left for NH. Now I am in Mac Dowell


フィンランドにかえってからあっというまにニューヨークの生活にもどりました。帰ってすぐに税理士にあい、物件を視にいってクラブにいって踊って、楽しみにしてた中華料理と日本料理を交互にたべてMac Dowell にいくためにパッキニングしてバスにとびのってニューハンプシャーにむかいました。

Good-bye

(Japanese)やっとjfkにつきました。つかれたあ。だけど日本からかえってくるよりはまだまし。東にとぶより西に飛ぶ方がなぜか楽みたい。なんだかわからないけど。だれかいつか説明してくれることを願います。KARJAAカリアの駅についたとき急に寂しくなってしまいました。いつかまたフィスカにかえってくることだけを考えしのぎました。涙。本当に良い人たちにあいました。ありきたりの言葉なのだけどいい人ばかりでした。ニューヨークに長い間すんでいるせいか人がどんなに暖かさをわすれがちです。フィンランドの人はそのことをおもいださしてくれました。（ニューヨークの人が悪い人でないのですよ。都会にいるとなかなか感じにくいということです）

(English)I arrived at the JFK Airport. I am so tired after the flight. However, it is much better than coming back from Japan. I always find out myself flying west is easier than east. I don’t know why, hope someone can explain me someday. When I reached to the Karjaa train station, I felt so sad. But I only tried to think about that I was coming back to Fiskars soon, so I said good-by to Fiskars for a while. I met so many great people there. I know it is such a cliché to say that, however, I really enjoy the people. I have been living in New York, and the States too long. I sometimes forget how warm people are, finish people’s reminded me. (It doesn’t mean New Yorkers are evil, just didn’t feel that much of love in the city)

あ、Karjaaの駅のカフェ最高。かわいい、
By the way, the café at the Karjaa’s station rocks. Sooooo cute.

このブロクを書いている間に事件。メキシコ人のカップルがやってきて私のコンピューターをかしてくれといってきました。もちろん　良いといったのですがすぐに彼等がインターネットを使いたいというのに気がつきました。ホットスポットがあるのだけど無料ではないのですよねここ。それにプリンターが必要ということで　彼らはなんとかするといって去っていきました。だけど航空会社の人はだれもインターネットにアクセスができないのかしら？だれも助けてあげれないのかしら？今日、私はヘルシンキから飛ぶときに新しく変更したスケジュールをいらないと思っていたのでプリントアウトをもってなかったのですが必要だといわれましたが、すぐにどこのカウンターにいってプリントアウトするように指導されすべてスムースにいきました。いま走り回っているメキシコのカップルに同情してしまいます。飛行機にのれないかもしれないという不安でいっぱいにちがいない。かわいそう、世界の中でも大きなこのニューヨークの飛行場、なのに誰もなにもできないのかしら？？心配になってきた、今カフェテリアにいてうえからみているのだけど、、力不足で　ごめんなさい、今　したのカウンターで調べてもらっているよう。うまくいくといいのだけど。ああ。よかった。なんとかうまくいったみたい。よかったよかった。

When I was writing this bolg, a Mexican couple came and asked me if they could you my computer. Fists, I said yes, but I found out that they waned to check their email. It seemed me that they had a trouble to check in without the copy of e ticket. I had a computer didn’t have the Internet access and printer! So they left to find another solution. However, I couldn’t believe that they couldn’t simply look it up for them? Today, when I flied from Helsinki, I didn’t have a copy of new schedule e-ticket, since I had an old one, I didn’t think I needed. They told me I needed to have the copy of new one, and suggested me to go to one of Finn air’s counter to print out. It was very smooth and easy. I felt sorry for the Mexican couple, they must be so worried not to be able to catch the flight, and running around the airport to find a way to prove their reservations. Can no one help them in this big airport, one of the biggest international airports? I started to worry... .I am looking down from cafeteria, I see them but I feel useless I can’t help them.)I see them at the counter; the flight assistant is trying to look at their system. Great!! I think they got it.

写真はヘルシンキ、雪、ヘルシンキ（オリンピックタワーからの眺め）、イースターのお祭りで近所にお菓子をもらいにまわる子供だち

the photos, Helisinki, Snow, Helsinki, the view from the olymic tower, kids walking the neighbors for trick a treat

Good bye Fiskars

明日フィスカを立つのかと思うとなんだか悲しくなってきました。悲しんでいても仕方がないので、最後の散歩にでかけました。いつもの道をあるいていると、春一番に咲くといわれている青い花が木の下に並んで咲いているのをみつけました。嬉しいのと同時にまたなんだか悲しくなりました、春は旅立ちのイメージがあってなんかじんときちゃいます、

I started feeling so sad when I thought that I was leaving tomorrow. But nothing I could do, I decided to go for the last walk in Fiskars. When I was walking along the usual path, I found the blue flowers under a tree. The flower should be the first flower blossoms in spring. I was happy to see the flower, but felt sad again, spring somehow makes me sad, it has a feeling of departure.

Helsinki

ヘルシンキからの帰り乗り継ぎのバスに乗り遅れました、４分しか待ち合わせがないなんて！非道理。泣きそうになっているとやっぱりやさしいフィンランドの人たち私をつれてバスをおいかけてくれました。よかった間に合って。お礼をいいたいけどどこのどなたかわかりません。本当にありがとう！！とてもいい人たちでした。涙

When I was coming back to Helsinki, I missed the connection bus to Fiskars. I was almost crying at the station, the sweetest finnish people, gave me a ride to catch the bus! So sweet. I could get on the bus. I donﾕt know who they wereﾉ Thank you!! So nice people.

KIDS 828

(Japanese)
今日Fiskarsから離れた方向にあるいていたらバイクにのった子供が通り過ぎました。立ち止まってバイクが通り過ぎるのをまっていると、通り際にわざとクラクションをならして笑ってさっていってしまいました。静な環境に慣れたせいか悲鳴をあげてしまいました。くそーくやしいくそガキーとおもっていいるとまたもどってきて。また通り際に激しくクラクションをならしてとおりすぎていきました。こんどはわざと私の歩いている方向にバイクで追突するふりをしてわらっていってしまいました。あまりにも悔しいかったので今度やってきたら写真でもとってどんなやつか顔を見ようとおもってかまえていると今度は友達をつれてやってきました。またビーとならして私の歩いている方へよってきたのでカメラとかにいたずらされるのではないかと心配になって路肩によけてしまいました。くそー！みつけたら今度は文句言ってやる！私を子供とおもったのかしら、そう考えるとよけいくやしい、

(English)Today, when I was walking on the big road away from Fiskars, a kid passed by a bike. When he was passing by me, he honked me even though I was standing and waiting for him passing. I believe he wanted to scare me. Since, I got used to the silence, I was surprised when he honked me just near me, and I screamed. That made him interesting, he came back again and honked me, even he tried to run over me. (not that dangerous, it was obvious he was just teasing me) However, I was so angry with the kid! I wanted to take a picture of him, and find who he was! As I expected he came back again, but with his friend. I was a bit worried, since I was carrying very expensive camera. I wasn't worried to be stolen or something, just I didn't want to fell on the ground and broke my camera, etc. They came back tried to scare me to run over and honked me many times. They were laughing!! So frustrating! I took the photograph, I will find them!! So mean! Did they think i was a kid? If so, it makes more angry!

Mr. D

(Japanese)フィスカスの家には暖炉があります。(適当な写真が今のところないので一枚写っているのがあったのでそれをアップロードしました。ちょっと解りにくいのですが右横にある黒い柱みたいなので。殆どみえないけど。もう一つの写真は朝、目にする霜の写真です。氷細工のようです。）普通に想像する暖炉の形とちょっとちがっています。フィンランド語には普通につかわれている暖炉とは違った名前があるそうです。とてもかわいらしいデザインですが使い方がわからないといったら、今日、アメリカの友人が火のつき方の方法を送ってくれました。公開しますね。笑　（あくまでもこれは暖炉の使い方でないので気をつけて。暖炉はもっとややこしいみたいです。）

(English)Every house has a fire place in Fiskars. The design of the fireplaces are so unique. (I dont' have a good photo at this moment, I uploaded one here.. you see the black pillar on the edge of the photo.. but not clear. Another photo is the photo of the frost, when I wake up this morning! It looks like Ice workmanship) They told me that the fireplaces have different names from the regular fireplaces. When I said that I didn't know how to use, my friend form the states sent me the procedure to create fire. I thought it was funny. Than you Mr.D!　
(please notice, this not the usages of the fire place. the fire place is more complecated.)

PROCESS FOR CREATING FIRE
Materials:
Newspaper
Wood
Match

Pre-fire Activity:
Buy newspaper
Chop down tree
Buy match

Procedure:
1. Crumple 6 sheets of newspaper
2. Put in fireplace
3. Place 20 small pencil size twigs over newspaper
4. Strike match and place against bottom of newspaper
5. When twigs flame, add finger size twigs
6. When finger size twigs flame, add 1 branches
7. When 1 branches flame, add 2 branches
8. When 2 branches flame, add 4 branches
9. Continue adding 4 branches until you reach desired comfort level.
10. Push ashes and embers into a neat pile before going to bed.
11. Rake ashes apart in morning and place 1 size branches on hot coals
12. Repeat steps 6 through 9.

雪の中に忘れられた足跡 Left Behind Footsteps

(Japanese) フィスカスにきてから下を見てあるくことがおおくなった。朝丘を歩く事にしている。あるいているといろんなことを発見する。鹿や大鹿の足跡、ウサギのかろやかなジャンプの後、良く解らない足跡。みてるだけでたのしい。ここへ来てから一度狐をみただけでなにもみたことがない。なのだけどきっと夜になるとなんやらと動物たちが起きてきて、夜な夜な歩き回り、私たちが起きてくる頃に姿を消し去る。足跡だけを消し忘れて、寝床に帰っていったのかと思うとなんだか楽しくなる。

(English) Since I came to Fiskars, I started looking down while I am walking on the paths. They are so many interesting things lying on the grounds. Footsteps of Deer, Moose, Rabbit, and strange creatures. It is entertaining. I only saw a fox, since I got here. However, animals woke up the middle of the nights, and wondering around and leave when we are about waking up. They forget the footsteps in the snow, and go back to home. Just imaging it, it is hilarious!

Ekenas/Tammisarri

(Japanese)今日はイカネスとういう街にARTIBUSという他のレジデンスのアーティストのオープングにいってきました。イカネスの街には小さな港があります。港の水はしっかり凍っていました。（以前は驚いていたのだけどもう慣れておどろきません。）本当に寒いのだなっと実感しながら　冬の季節ならではの静けさとその風景がかもしだす静寂さに北欧の美に感動。冬にきてよかったとおもいました。

そのアーティストは編み物を媒体として（かぎ針編みが主）作品制作していました。その他古着屋などでみつけた編み物を再利用してのインスタレーションもありました。かぎ針編みで編んだトイレと水道の作品は、とてもエレガントでそして同時にすこし滑稽な作品で、そのバランスがとても気に入りました。

(English)We drove down to Ekenas to attend an opening by one of the artist residents of ARTIBUS. Ekenas had a little port with small ships, of course the water was frozen, I wonﾕt be surprised anymore. I was realizing that it was really cold, and fascinated by the special winter landscape of Finland, that creates the atmosphere of serenity and calmness. I thought I was lucky to come in winter.

The artist creates works by knitting or crocheting. She also constructs from the second-hand knitted pieces. I love her crocheted toilet and sink. She made toilet and sink using white crochets. It looks elegant, but the same time it was amusing. The contradictions made the work so interesting to me.

Fiskars Artists

Fiskarsにきてから何人ものアーティストにお会いする事ができました。ニューヨークよりもその数は多いのではないかと思うくらいです。昔ながらのビレッジの伝統が引き継がれ、家具、陶器、鍛冶などを扱う芸術家の方々が沢山在住しています。もちろん画家や写真かジュエリーデザイン、ファブリックデザインなどをされるアーティストの方もいらしゃいます。日本のアーティストの方もいらっしゃいます。ここであった何人かのアーティストを紹介しようとおもいます。


Since I came to Fiskars, I met so many artists. I started to doubt that the population of the artists in this village was bigger than New York City. Taking after the traditional arts, there are many ironsmiths, furniture designers; ceramists live here, including painters, photographers and jewelry designers. I would like to introduce here some of the great artists who I met here.


Jukka Makelaユッカと発音します。彼はFiskarsで制作活動をされる画家です。彼のアトリエに遊びにいかせて頂きました。彼の隣に写っている写真の女性は私と同じFriskarsのアーティストレジデンスに来ているWin-lynです。写真の前では照れ屋さんのようで１人よりも女性を横に撮影したときのほうが良い顔をしていたのでこの写真をのせました。ニコニコと笑顔の絶えないやさしいユッカさん、ソーダやスナックまでわざわざ私たちのために用意してくださいました。彼のアトリエは2000か3000sq feetぐらいの広々としたアトリエでした。大きなキャンバスに大胆な絵を描かれるユッカさん、時に息抜きにビービーガンで的を狙いうちするそうです。その的もとってもアーティスティックでキュートでした。

Jukka Makela, pronounced Yukka. He is a painter based in Fiskars. We are able to visit his studio. The lady next to him is Win-lin who is another artists resident in Fiskars. Jukka was shy for being photographed, this picture with Win-lin, he was more relaxed, so I decided to use this photo. He welcomed us with some drink and food with his charming smile. I can’t tell, but his studio was closed to 2-3000 square feet, it was very spacious. He paints big powerful paintings. When he needs to take break form it, he concentrates one moment to shoot objects on the wall with a be-be gun. The target was also so cute and artistic!

Fiskars

先週、Helsinki から西にあるFiskarsの街にやってきました。ついた日は春だったのに、先日から雪です。小枝ちょこのホワイトバージョンがでたときのような感激。

I came to Fiskars last week, an hour west of Helsinki, Finland. When I arrived it was a spring day, however the snow started from a few days ago, Fiskars was covered with white snow.