After building 555, I wasn’t sure what my next big project would be. Well, it has turned into a fluster of expanding my circle of acquaintances and activities. I am making time to get to know the neighbors, build rapport, find support, be a useful member of the community, and ensure my life is not isolated in the studio.
Last week, I participated in two new things – both facilitated by my Oyama Senmaida friend, Sugimoto-san. They were surprisingly fun.
Handcraft Club
Sugimoto-san and I have worked together in the school experience workshops making paper. She is a craftsperson and weaves lovely bags and baskets. In fact, her work is for sale in the gift shop. When I admired her latest bag, she invited me to the Handcraft Club meeting. “There are no teachers, everyone does their crafts. I can teach you the baskets. Come see what it’s all about.”
So I went on Friday. It was relaxed and fun. Eleven women were working on projects – making sweaters, embroidering, and weaving baskets. Some worked together and shared skills. Some conversed across the tables. A few sat quietly and worked steadily in the company of everyone.
Sugmoto-san gave me a solid introduction to the basket materials and tools and we prepared all the necessary parts for a simple basket. With help from two crafters, I formed the base of the basket during the club meeting, then brought it home where Maura has been supervising me as I finish it. He takes great interest in all of my art and craft projects.
Kitchen Staff
On Sunday, I debuted with the Oyama Senmaida kitchen staff, where Sugimoto-san is in charge. I got an apron, kerchief, and a time card. We were cooking curry for 130 program participants who were cutting grass in their rice paddies. For three hours I peeled potatoes, cut vegetables, washed rice, and was general dogsbody to the four women who knew what they were doing.
In a funny moment that is a perfect example of my linguistic incompetence and also the forgiving nature of the people around me. I was directed to open a drawer and get something from it. But I didn’t understand what I was supposed to get. It was a drawer filled with sponges. Was she saying ” hand me the laundry” (sentaku)? Huh? I picked up a sponge with some confusiion “This?” Nope. She was asking for the calculator (dentaku) that was tucked under the sponges. But I don’t know that word for caluclator.
We had a big laugh about how hard it can be to listen in a second language and about the Japanese words for calculator. Dentaku and keisanki are both shorter forms of the full word: denshishikitakujoukeisanki. That’s a long word I will never know, but I will remember dentaku from now on.
So while I don’t love kitchen work and my language is imperfect, I am competent at the tasks and expect I will be called again when they need an extra pair of hands.
I have to end this post with a big shout-out to Sugimoto-san for enthusiastically including me in her circles. I feel warmly welcomed, even when I don’t completely understand what anyone’s saying.
