Japanese American National Museum

I will be at the Japanese American National Museum signing kokeshi books as well!
12th April, 12 to 1. They did this awesome kokeshi show a while back:
http://www.janm.org/exhibits/kokeshi/

kokeshi talk Japan Foundation LA

I will be giving a kokeshi talk at the Japan Foundation in Los Angeles on the 17th of April, from 7pm.

I will be covering the basics on kokeshi dolls, production methods, types, and the Tohoku hot spring regions where they are made. The talk will also focus on the Tohoku artisan spirit, and the aesthetic sensibilities of kokeshi, and how they relate to modern trends such as kawaii culture and youth culture post 3/11. If you want to know about kokeshi, the psychology of the artisan or the roots of kawaii culture, come over and say hi!

I will bring a bunch of kokeshi (both vintage and new types) for people to check out.

It should be fun fun fun fun!!!! Very excited!!
Kinokuniya will have books there, or if you have a copy of the kawaii book already and want it signed, come over!
it is free!

LA TIMES BOOK FAIR/ KINOKUNIYA BOOKS

 I will be at the LA TIMES book fair on the 12th of April form 2:30 to 4 pm at the Kinokuniya stand signing kawaii books, which is a huge honor as Kinokuniya are the best major book store in Japan.

 It is at the University of Southern California campus, free and looks amazing: The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books began in 1996 with a simple goal: to bring together the people who create books with the people who love to read them. The Festival was an immediate success and has evolved to include live bands, poetry readings, chef demos, cultural entertainment and artists creating their work on-site. There’s also a photography exhibit, film screenings followed by Q&A’s and discussion panels on some of today’s hottest topics. - See more at: http://events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks/fob-info/#sthash.Cyld2Kv9.dpuf

Come and say hi! Or if you are in LA and want to connect, drop me a line.
It is sometimes hard for me to keep up with mails; if you are in the area and are one of those people with mega long emails with a ton of questions, please drop by!


Thanks Kinokuniya, I am SO excited. It has been a while since I have been to LA and looking forward to it! xxxxx

3/11

The Tohoku disaster took place three years ago. RIP to everyone who lost their lives. A lot of people I know had a shift in values and priorities after 3/11, not only for the people who passed away, can't return to their homes, or had relatives and friends who died, the mass devastation marked a change in consciousness for a lot of people. The problem is unfortunately far from over. My grandad's house...fond childhood memories in this village which was hugely devastated.