October 29th, 2000

I have big news to tell you!
My wood block print has been selected to be shown at the Nitten Exhibition (The Japan Fine Arts Exhibit)!
It is the part of the (zu-pang-chwi) in Taiwan which I have mentioned in this diary before.
It is the (tea house) near the Taipai International Airport in Tao-yuang , where the carps swim and soft breeze sway the willow. This was the first time I ever picked a Chinese scenery instead of Japanese for my topic . It was a challenge.
This year, I had to work on the wood block print while feeling dizzy from a hard schedule and fighting the flu, and I almost did not make it in time. So when the notification of acceptance came, I was so happy I felt tears welling up in my eyes. To tell you the truth, I still have a pain in my right thumb and index finger from having carved till dawn. But life is full of 'NEVER GIVE UP's, isn't it? I am glad I didn't give up.

Nitten (The Japan Fine Arts Exhibit)
Title: Water and Soft Breeze
Place: Ueno Tokyo Metropolitan Museum
Nitten Exhibit period: November 2nd through 24th.
Please come and see it.