MAGICAL INK ART&FANTASY JAPAN by ARTE KINKO

ENGLISH

Sumi, ink, is too close to my life And yet it has been always very fascinating creature Because it has been still mysterious. Please enjoy magical world of ink With four wonder stories.

‘Magical Ink’ Sachiyo Kaneko

Contents

Magical Ink P6 The guard of an old castle Cage P21 Friends P30 Book Review

P11

P38

Magical Ink “Hello. Is this your first visit to this city? May I help you?” “Yeah…ah…I don’t know. The atmosphere of this shop attracted me. Sorry. I’m going out.” “No, no. Don’t leave. Please take your time. See, we have no guests but you.” “…………..” “I saw you looking in the show window from outside.” “Oh, yes, because you have many kinds of unique fountain pens.” “Do you like fountain pens?” “Yes. I don’t have any, though. I’m dreaming to have one someday and I always stop by when I find some in a shop.” “It’s not too early for you to have one.” “No, no. I can’t afford it.” “I understand you are young. How about trying one? It might be lucky that you found my shop today.” “But I can’t. They are too good for me.” “Don’t worry. Please pick up whichever one you like.” Gold, silver, long, short, thick, thin. Each pen has an exquisite design and no two pens are the same. “All of these pens seem to have their own stories. I feel like enjoying picture books.” The master is just smiling. “This one.” The one I involuntarily have in my hand has a ruby on its clasp and is a little bit heavy. “How do you like it?” “I, I don’t feel like I am holding this for the first time. It fits my hand naturally.” “Well, well. It suits you very much.” “Suits?” “Yes. Look in this mirror.” He turned a very old mirror with an intricate and beautiful curving toward me. I 6

looked a little more mature in the mirror than I thought how I was. “You can see it suits you well, right?” “I don’t know.” I felt shy and gave him a clumsy answer. “Why don’t you spend a day with it?” “What?” “Try it. Try it and see if it’s compatible with you.” “But I have to insist I can’t afford such an expensive thing.” “Don’t worry. You just have to come here again to return it.” “……………” “You picked up this. A fountain pen chooses a person, too. You could hold out your hand to it. It means the pen allowed you to do it. Please, please. I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.” I couldn’t say ‘no’ clearly and I found myself out of the shop. The door was closed tightly and I felt it was not possible to open it easily as I had done when I entered the shop the first time. My hand held the pen firmly. Looking at the pink ruby, I started to feel like we would spend a day together. It might be a mere fancy, but I felt like everybody who passed looked back at me. I was smiling back at them. It was different from usual. “What’s going on?” “Ah……I can’t tell, but I’ve been feeling light hearted since yesterday.

entered a different type of dress shop I had never chosen before and bought a different type of dress this morning.” “The dress is on you now? You look more beautiful today.” “No” “Yes, it suits you well.” “Thank you.” The master is smiling. “I usually feel so ashamed of myself and I feel like running away when I receive praise like you just did. But today…..I wonder why? Wow, I feel ashamed. I do not often receive praise. Sorry. “ 7

“………………” “Oh, I have to return this. Here you are.” “Well, thank you. This matched you.” “Yes, I felt happy with it. I looked at it in my room for a long time. I felt it kept talking to me.” “You can hear the story of this pen, can’t you?” “Ah……well……” “Don’t you want to keep this pen? You don’t need to pay for it. This pen is happy with you. I feel happy if this pen is happy. But remember, you must come back here when you need some help. OK?” I felt that what the shop master had said was right. Good things seemed to be happening more often than before. It seemed a lie that I always hesitated to do something before. The things which never happened when I withdrew in myself happened one after another. But, eventually, I experienced a pain I didn’t have to know when I was withdrawing. “Hello. May I help you?” The shop master was still there. Everything looked the same. “What can I do for you?” “I don’t know. I just find I’m here.” “Welcome. You remember being here. Please, have your seat here.” “Ah….I…..” The master is smiling like before. “Did you use the pen after you left here?” “Actually, ……..no.” “Haven’t you filled the pen?” “No. It was too good for me to do so. But it helped me a lot. I could be brave only by having it in my bag.” “Huh. But I’m sorry. I wanted you to write with it.” Though I didn’t notice when I came here the last time, I was surprised to see many kinds of ink bottles over the counter shining in the afternoon sun.

“All of these bottles are filled with ink?” “Yes. All colors are special and original. They are blended here. I recommend them depending on the customers’ need.” “Need?” “Yes, that’s right. I mean need. Letters have power themselves, but my ink adds a little more power.” “Power?” “Here. Hold your pen. Now try some colors.” He chose some bottles from the shelf behind him and put them on the counter. “Which would you like to try first?” He started to open bottles. I saw deep, dark colored liquid waving in the bottle. “I don’t know how to choose. Please start from this end.” “OK. Put your nib into the ink and draw something here.” I drew a line. Ink from the first bottle was like a ruby on my pen. “What is going on? I didn’t feel good today, but I feel like my heart got lighter.” “Try the next one.” “I haven’t seen this kind of blue before. I feel sad a little now.” Every ink was a beautiful color that I had never seen before. Every time I change the ink, my feeling changed little by little. “You got it as I expected. Yes, all of these are magical ink. You tried only the simple types. But I can help you with almost everything with my ink, if you want.” “I can’t….” But I believed his words before I could deny it. “Then, young lady, what made you come here?” The master gazed at me and at the scenes I had before coming here. “Honestly…..” It was hard to speak out. “Revenge.” “Wow. That is serious. But it’s you. I am willing to help you. Well, well….how about these?” 9

Before I knew it, there were many bottles lying on the counter. But I was strongly attracted to one bottle behind the shop master. “Don’t you like any of these?” “Oh, I’m sorry………. You showed me a lot, but would you show me that fifth bottle from the left?” “Of course. But I don’t think it works well for your need.” “What kind of power does it have?” I drew a line while listening to the master’s explanation. It’s color was very close to clear Turquoise. Beautiful. It fit my feeling well. “This is it.” “But I don’t think….” “I know. I don’t have to hurt him actually. I’ll write to him with this ink.” The next day, I posted my letter written with the ink. Now, every time he meets this color in his life, it will remind him of me in the same way many things keep reminding me of him. Is there a more painful thing than never being able to forget? That same day, I received a postcard, too. I found very familiar hand written letters on it with the same blue. They spelled just one phrase. “I miss you.”

The guard of an old castle “Look, what’s that building?” The boy asked. ‘”Which one is it?” The girl asked back. “The one behind the hill over there,” he said. ‘That one?’ she asked. “No, that building with a round top is a mosque. It’s the one a little to the right.” “That brown one,” she said. “Yeah, right!” he exclaimed. “Is it a castle?” she asked. “Maybe,” he answered. “Wow. I wanna go!” she said. “How do you get there?” wondered the boy. “See, there is a bridge over there,” she pointed. “Let’s go.” A small boy and a small girl started to run, hand in hand. There was a bridge near the mouth of a river. From the foot of the bridge, the river looked so wide that it was difficult to tell between the river and the sea. There are small mountains on the other side of the river and one can see a round cap of a mosque on top of each mountain. There are lots of ships coming and going in the river. There is a fish market and many small shops are lined up at the foot of the bridge on the other side of the river. After crossing the bridge, they went up on the slope a little and stopped to look back. They found out that the place they were before was a small mountain, and there were small mountains behind it as well. “Where is our hotel?” she asked. “We can’t see it now,” he answered. “I saw that red roof from the window of my room. So our hotel is over that roof, I think,” she added. “Then we came a long way.” “Are they looking for us?” continued the girl. “I don’t think so. This is normal for me. I go to lots of countries with my parents but I’m always alone during the day. Nobody cares where I am as long as I’m at the dinner table.” 11

“Oh……..so am I.” The girl said while rolling her long hair around her forefinger. “My dad is always busy and he never has time to enjoy different countries. He just works every day and goes to bed.” “What about your mom?” he asked. “I don’t know,” she answered. “What do you mean?” “I think I don’t recognize her even if I meet her,” she replied with a sigh. “Humm….” The girl looked around while stretching her arms and said in a bright voice to change the mood. “Hey, I think the outside of the hotel is quite different from inside.” “Yeah, I think so, too. Hotels are always the same in different countries, but every town has its own face. There aren’t any dressed up people, but……….it‘s........um…….lively！” “Hmmm,” she said. They started walking up the slope again. There were unique wooden houses on both sides of the narrow road. The 2nd floor of these houses bulged out more than the 1st floor. There were trees around these houses, which acted like fences. The branches were full of leaves. The boy and the girl were walking under the shade. “Look! It’s a cat,” she pointed. “This town is full of cats.” “Yeah, I think it’s full of beautiful cats,” she added. “You’re right. But they are only stray cats. I didn’t notice it until you said it.” “None of them glares me,” she commented. “You’re right.” “They look like they’re having fun.” “Yes. Hey, look.” The boy said. “What?” The boy was pointing at a remarkably beautiful cat. “It’s completely black,” she said it with awe. “Yes, it’s all black.” “Only eyes are blue,” she noticed. “Really? I can’t see them. Come on. Let’s check it out!” 12

They started to run towards the black cat. The cat seemed not to be scared of them and jumped up on to the roof of the nearby house quietly and went away. “It’s gone,” he said. “We should have gone more quietly, shouldn’t we?” The boy replied, “Let’s be careful next time.” “Yes. Anyway, where’s the castle?” “Oh, I can’t find it,” answered the boy. “Do you want to go back to the hotel?” she asked. “No………I want to go up a little more. If we turn that corner, we might see the castle.” “You’re right. Then let’s walk some more,” she said cheerfully. They started to walk again. “It’s over there.” “What?” the girl asked. “Look. It’s the same black cat, I think.” The girl noticed also. “Yes. It’s looking at us.” “It turned that corner.” They followed the cat and went onto the path. “Where did it go?” the boy asked. “Uh…there! That corner,” she said. “Don’t miss it this time.” They ran after the cat with all their force. Soon they found the castle roof over yonder. “I found the castle!” exclaimed the boy. The girl joined him “Yeah.” While they were distracted by the castle, the cat had gone out of their sight. The boy said, “Oops! We lost it again.” “Oh, well. By the way aren’t you hungry?” she asked. “Oh….. umm…..I’m thirsty.” “Do you have money?” “I have some in my pocket. Let’s buy some cookies at that shop over there,” The boy suggested. But the girl said, “No, thank you. I have some candies. Please buy some water for you.” 13

They went into the small shop together. There was a fat old woman inside. She came up to them, smiling. “May I help you?” The boy said, “Hello, may I have some water please.” “Here you are.” After receiving a bottle, the boy handed some coins. “Thank you. You are not from around here, are you?” asked the woman. “No. We came here to visit that castle.” “Well,” she said. “Can we go inside the castle?” he asked. “Yes, if you are lucky.” “What do you mean?” he followed up. “Ask the Old Shred, an old guard of the castle, if you can meet him. But nobody knows when he appears,” she replied. “Oh…” With a cheer, she said, “Give it a try. You might meet him in this hour.” “Really?” “Go this way. It’s a short cut,” advised the woman. “Oh, thank you.” “Thank you,” the girl peeped. They went out of the shop and went around to the back and found the steps. When they had gone up the steps, the castle loomed in front of them. “Wow!!” The girl exclaimed, “Gorgeous!’ “I hope we can go inside,” suggested the boy. She replied, “Yes.” They started to run. Actually, the castle was not very big. It looked bigger because it was on top of the mountain. It looked very old. There was not a gate or a wall. Some decorations and window frames were damaged here and there. “This is the entrance, right?” There was a huge wooden door in the center of the stone building. It had a solid-looking key, which looked as though it was guarding the castle’s history. They 14

knocked, but it wasn’t loud and only hurt their hands. “He can’t hear our knocking.” “The door is locked.” The girl commented. “Then he isn’t here.” “Maybe it’s his day off?” she guessed. “Maybe” “Let’s go around the castle before we leave,” she suggested. “Yes, let’s go.” When they gave up knocking, they heard a voice. “Do you want to see the castle, kids?” They turned towards the voice, and saw a tall old man with a white long beard. Without waiting for his answer, he put the big key into the key hole. “Come on in.” He opened the entrance door, inviting them. “Wow!” They ran into the building after the old man. But they involuntary stopped when they realized it was chilly inside. The light from the window slightly shed the entrance hall. “It looks old.” “Yes,” she added. The hall was empty. There was no electricity or a chandelier. No tables, no chests. The walls were broken in many places and there were some piles of rubbish. If there had not been stained glasses in the windows, it looked like a jail. They didn’t feel bad being there though they didn’t know why. “Hey, old man, how old is this castle?” “Well, about 500 years.” “It’s very old.” “Why is it worn down like this?” she asked. “There are many reasons.” “Well??” “Are you bored?” “No. I wanna come here again. May we?” “Of course you can.” “Wow.” 15

“We really must come here again. OK?” she said. “Yes. Will you be here tomorrow, old man? From that day on, the castle became their place. At lunch time, Mr. Shred went home to take warm bread and a pot of tea, and they enjoyed their lunch on the only carpet in this castle. The castle’s only forte was its oldness, and not many tourists found it worth visiting. After two kids started to visit, they were practically the only visitors to the castle, except for one visitor, who knocked to ask the way. The boy and the girl explored one room a day and when they were done, they spent the rest of the time on the carpet. They sometimes showed the old man their pictures from other countries and made him laugh by talking about some funny people they had seen in their hotel. One day while talking on the carpet as usual, the two found a strange pattern on the carpet. It wasn’t a different pattern but it was missing it. “Hey. May be this wasn’t a king’s castle.” She asked, “What’s wrong?” “Look. Don’t you think this is strange here?” “Let me see it. Yes. It’s different,” she agreed. “See? Is this a defective carpet?” “That sounds strange. Doesn’t it belong to the castle? Did the old man bring it later from somewhere?” she wondered. “Oh, he is coming back. Let’s ask him.” They started to ask the old man while he was trying to sit down. “Old man, is this carpet new?” the boy asked. “No. What’s wrong?” “Well, I think the king uses the best things in the country, right? But this carpet is a reject.” “Really?” “It’s true! Look at this here.” “Wait just a second.” The old man stood up slowly and sat again closer to kids. “Look here. It’s not the same pattern.” “Where is it?” “Here.” “Here,” the girl too pointed the spot. The boy and the girl pointed at the blank space simultaneously. Their forefingers 16

hit each other and they pulled their hands back quickly. “Hahahahaha, don’t be so hasty. This is not a flying carpet, so it won’t fly away.” The kids giggled. “Forget it. Please look here.” The old man grinned and said, “I knew it.” ”What?” “I see.” “I don’t understand,” the boy said. “You bought this by yourself, old man,” guessed the girl. “No, no. This really belonged to a king. The last king of this castle used this and it was a miracle that this carpet survived the last war.” “But this…..” “Do you know how to make a carpet, kids?” “No.” “I think you can make it only in a factory,” she answered. “Well. That may be right in your country.” “Then that’s not right in your country, you mean?” “No, all are handmade. It takes long, long time, year after year, to complete one carpet. It requires young girls’ thin fingers and good eyes. They need stamina as well. So a girl can’t make more than one carpet this size in her entire life. So girls give their whole mind to weaving carpets. Because the carpets are so important in the girls’ lives that they can’t weave them correctly sometimes when something very serious happen. They may be so depressed that they miss patterns or weave different designs. The carpet is full of girl’s life. Now you understand this is not a bad carpet.

There are many collectors who seek these carpets with precious

dramas.” The old man gently patted the carpet and said. ”You can rarely meet such a good carpet, which is deeply cared to the hem.” “…………” The boy and the girl watched the carpet again without a word, repeating the old man’s story in their mind. “Then something might have happened to her when she set about the design here,” she said. “I wonder what happened.” 17

The girl asked, “Do you know the story, old man?” He opened his mouth after a while. “Oh…..uh…..it is ………time to go home. The sun is going down. Kids, let’s break up today.” The old man evicted the boy and the girl from the castle. Even though it was not so late in the day, he locked up and disappeared. “He’s gone,” he said. “He’s gone,” she said. They started to walk. Even though they had noticed tears in his eyes, they didn’t mention it. Still they went to the castle every day after that and they had lunch with the old man on the carpet. But nobody talked about the carpet. Somewhere down the line, the black cat that led them to the castle started to join them for lunch. The old man brought some milk in addition to their bread and tea. In the meantime, a long summer was ending. “The old man will be alone again.” “You’re right,” she agreed. “I wanna stay here.” “So do I. Will we see each other again?” she asked. “………….” “When will you leave?” “I leave on Sunday,” answered the boy. “I leave on Monday. Well…..I got a plan. We will have a farewell party at the castle on Saturday,” the girl gave a suggestion. “It sounds really nice. How about we treat the old man this time?” “That’s a good idea. Let’s bring a dinner for him,” she agreed. “And wine too.” “Excellent!” On Saturday they headed towards the castle sweating, lugging a big basket full of cakes and wine. “Oh, what’s this? Will you treat me to a dinner today? I feel I’m a king today. Come on in, come on in.” The old man emptied a glass of wine cheerfully. “Delicious!” 18

“Oh, you like it.” “...……” “What’s wrong with you?” “I don’t want to leave you. I wanna be with you every day.” “Hey boy, you want to be with her and not me. Look, I have a best friend here.” “Meow.” The black cat meowed proudly. “But I don’t think we will ever meet each other again.” “Do you want to meet her?” “But…..” “You must meet her.” The old man’s voice was unusually strict. “You must be with your girl.” The girl was also surprised at his tone and looked up at him. “The blank space in this carpet here,” He pointed the missing pattern where they found before. “is when I went to the war. It took long time for me to come back here. Everybody gave up on my life. When I came back eventually, all had gone, even my truelove. But she was the best carpet weaver and her last work was chosen by the king and remained here. I never saw her again after that although I had a long life. So I want to remain here and guard this castle. I sometimes think that she might come back if I wait here. I don’t want you to feel such sadness, you see?” “….I’m sorry,” she apologized. “I don’t want to leave her either,” the boy said. “But how?” The boy and the girl sank down to think. The black cat looked as though it cannot wait for their answer, stretched and walked away slowly to the adjoining room. “I got it! The time we have until we are 18 is much shorter than the time the old man had been waiting for his love here, right?” “Yes,” she answered. “I’ll come back here to see you at 18.” The girl’s face lit up. “I promise I will come, too. Yes. We should wait just a little until we can come all by ourselves.” “Yes.” The boy replied. 19

“OK. I will treat you to the best wine next time,” said the old man. In the evening, the old man stared at their long shadows for a long time. Even after they turned the corner and disappeared, he looked over to the bridge where they would pass. The last bright light of sun lit the old man’s gentle face quietly. And it sank into the sea.

Cage Oh, it feels good. I just spoke out, feeling coldness of a bed sheet with my bare arms and legs. My body is still warm from the shower. Looking at the ceiling and stretching my arms and legs, the white sheet made a swishing sound. When was the last time I fully

stretched my body in the bed like this? The bed still has some room. Meantime, the hotel’s sheets are comfortable. I don’t need pajamas. I’ll sleep this way today. I pulled back the white covers like the sheets up to my neck and my body was wrapped by comfortable coldness. I dropped off to sleep without turning off the room light. This is a hotel in a certain town. I came to this unknown town alone for the first time. I don’t have a reservation or a plan to go back. I don’t remember well why I chose this town. Somehow I went to the airport and chose this hotel vaguely. I didn’t find anyone who outfit lightly with a small bag like me at the airport. I was afraid that I looked very strange by others. I arrived at a certain airport and took a taxi to the hotel, which I chose at the information desk. The hotel was old and looked like an antique doll house. There was a small lobby on the other side of the revolving doors. The warm indirect lighting made the place very cozy. There were some other guests just arriving and they made a line at the check-in. Everybody appeared to have a long stay with a big suitcase and other baggage. I felt uneasy waiting in the line. But I felt relieved because the line filled my vacant schedule. I was taken to an unexpectedly large room. It might have been as large as the room I always use, but I felt it was very large. I pulled off my socks and sat down on a chair as soon as the bellboy left the room. How will I spend my time? Once I went outside of the hotel, but I came back before I went too far and I took a shower. I was exhausted. Traveling alone might have made me tense. I turned a faucet fully in a way I never do. I emptied my head by pouring hot water on top. I had a good sleep. I woke up feeling well. I was hungry. It was a long time since these things happened. I don’t know when sleep became difficult. I usually idled all morning. But today was different. I enjoyed dressing and having a make-up. 21

I was willingly to go down for breakfast even though I didn’t have any appointments. The breakfast buffet was set in the lobby. It had not been there last night. The long table was full of all kinds of bread and cheese. They looked very colorful. I can never prepare such variety by myself. First of all, I never want food in the morning. I enjoyed choosing food and my table became full of dishes. Did I dish up

too much? My table looks like it’s for two people. I picked up my fork and knife. Everything tasted good. How good can the breakfast be without being rushed! The good breakfast cheered me up. I started to make today’s plan by looking at a map.

Oh, I have to find a shoe store. I need new comfortable shoes to walk a lot. ‘Are you alone?’ A young man spoke to me from the next table. I was unaware that the restaurant was crowded. Today I had gone outside of the hotel and traveled around the city, but I decided to go back to the hotel for dinner. It had been a long time since my dessert and coffee were served. Little drops of coffee made a brown dry circle at the bottom of my cup.

I had been leafing through a fashion magazine, which I

borrowed from the lobby. Although I had already been bored with it, I thought it was too early to go up to my room and I could think of nothing better. ‘We are going to play cards, but the game will be more exciting with another player. Why don’t you join us?’ “?” ‘You saw a room that looks like a study next to the lobby, didn’t you?’ “Oh, there were mounds of books.” The young man had a dinner with three people. It sounded strange that they asked me to join them, because I thought four was enough to play cards. But I replied him in spite of myself. ‘Are you coming or not?’ “Well……” ‘You don’t have any other plan, do you? Come on.’ His joyful attitude made me stand up. The room that looked like a study was on the way to the cigar bar. I could see the handrail next to a desk at the back of the study-like room. There were steps leading to an underground room on the other side of the handrail. The cigar bar was at the end of the steps, but no guests seemed to be there. The study was surrounded by 22

bookshelves along the walls. The bookshelves were not there as a decoration, but contained foreign novels, photo books and travel guidebooks, a good collection to spend a relaxing time. There was a table in the center and three sofas were set surrounding it. The room looked like somebody’s salon. I thought it was perfect place to play a game. Five people including me were seated on the sofas. They let me sit on the middle sofa. Two sat on the left sofa and the rest on the right sofa. The young man who had spoken to me was seated next to me on the left. ‘Now, do you know Napoleon?’ He started talking. “?” ‘Have you heard of the game called Napoleon?’ “No.” ‘OK. I’ll explain. Five people play. This is a game played between two teams. Napoleon forces against Allied forces. One who has the ace of spades becomes Napoleon. One who has the knave of spades becomes an adjutant. The three remaining players make up Allied forces. It looks easy for Allied forces to win because they have one more person, but it is not so easy. Napoleon has to give his name Napoleon showing his ace of spades, but the adjutant doesn’t reveal who he is. Nobody but the adjutant himself knows who is on the same side. They need to cooperate with each other, but they can only guess who is on the same team. At the beginning, everybody should be very careful. It is a psychological warfare. That is the best part of this game.’ ‘Hey, you shouldn’t explain the whole thing all at once.’ His friend reproved him. ‘You’re right. Do you understand?’ “Unfortunately, no I don’t. It sounds difficult.” I answered honestly. ‘Don’t say that. Believe me. You will like it.’ He was a little high-handed, but pleasant. ‘Then, I will explain while we play.’ ‘That’s a good idea.’ His friend on the right sofa said. ‘OK. I deal the cards.’ 23

The calm man who had seemed to be thinking other things while shuffling cards started to deal cards swiftly. Actually, the game Napoleon was exciting as the man said. I didn’t know such game and I was absorbed. It was amazing that four men were also absorbed in the game without drinking even though it was not a gamble. It’s exciting. Does B

know this game?

I’ll definitely tell him. But we need five people.

‘What’s wrong? It’s your turn.’ The man next to me asked, ending my daydreams. “No. It’s nothing.” I grinned and placed the next card. Bong Suddenly a clock on the wall made a sound. Everybody’s shoulders rose and every hand stopped for a moment, but one voice made them laugh. ‘It’s funny. It rang only once.’ He was true. None of us noticed that there was a clock in the room until then. It was twelve. This clock doesn’t ring on the hour.

It only rings at twelve.

“Wow. It’s late.” I checked my watch after hearing the clock and unintentionally spoke out. I was surprised how fast the time had passed. It was early in the evening when we started the game. ‘Are you going back to your room?’ The man sitting next to me looked at my face in a reserved manner. I wanted to continue, but my words said otherwise. “Yes. It’s time to say good night.” ‘Oh,…..’ He didn’t try to stop me, though he was apparently disappointed. I took my bag and was up on my feet. “Thank you. I enjoyed the game very much. Good night.” ‘Good night.’ ‘Good night.’ ‘Thank you.’ Young men greeted and gathered cards on the table and shuffled. The man who was sitting on my right moved to the sofa where I sat. The man who shuffled at the 24

beginning started to deal again. I went back to my room. I felt comfortably tired. Let’s take a long bath tonight. I went into the bathroom and filled the bath tub with hot water. While I bathed, I remembered the scene in the study. Since when had I enjoyed a game like that? Everybody was so nice. I drew every face in my head. He was tall. No, that’s too tall. He was handsome and cute. No, that’s too slender. His hair was fashionable. No, B’s hair is too soft to do that. But if he can, it will match the shirt I bought today. He, sitting over there, was interesting. B must like him. What will they talk about if they meet each other? ..............I found that I comparing those young men to B every time. B………. What is he doing now? Yesterday morning, I suddenly left our flat. I ran away from the life with B. I don’t know what made me so. While I was looking at B’s sleeping face, I suddenly decided. I slipped away and came to this unfamiliar city. I stood for a long time after arriving at the station. I didn’t know what to do alone, though I wanted to be alone. I felt that my bag was heavy. B always carried my baggage for me. But heavy bag made me feel strong. I felt independent and my back straightened. And then I got an idea to take a taxi to the airport. After arriving in this city and I got used to this helplessness, there was me who was thinking of B all the time. While shopping, my eyes followed dresses imagining that they were on B. When I ate something delicious, I wanted B to taste it as well. I wanted to see all the beautiful places with him. Next morning, I went down to the lobby for breakfast. The young men were not there. There were few people at the tables. I took my time with my breakfast and went to the study again. I pulled out some photo books and spread them on the table. I sipped a coffee the waiter brought and started to look at the photos. ‘Good morning. You are up early!’ There was a young man who had dealt cards last night. “Oh. Good morning. Thank you for last night.” ‘Don’t. We have to say thank you. I’m sorry that we were so insistent.’ “I don’t mind. I had a good time.” 25

‘I’m happy to hear you say so.’ “Where are your friends?” ‘They are still in their dreams.’ “It’s a privilege for young people.” ‘You must be joking. It sounds as if you are not young any more.’ I am not as young as you, I almost spoke out. But I stopped myself to feel the youthfulness for just a while longer. But, the young man cut in. ‘How long will you stay here, sister?’ “Oh, you know.” ‘What do I know?’ “You know that I’m older than you.” ‘Oh. My friends thought you were the same age as us, but I just felt you are mature. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I have an older sister. I didn’t say such a thing to them. C seemed happy to meet you yesterday.’ “That sounds good. Anyway, I remember the way you shuffled cards were very beautiful.” ‘Really? I studied magic a little. If you are serious with your compliments, I will practice it more seriously. Hey, are you interested in fortune-telling?’ “Am I interested in fortune-telling?” ‘It has nothing to do with magic. But I have the cards now.’ “Fortune-telling, huh?” ‘Don’t you believe in it?’ “Usually no, but today is special. I will ask you.” This will surprise B. I’m allowed to feel unusual while traveling. There were cards in a beautiful arrangement on the table. ‘Now, choose a card from where ever you like, please.’ I picked one. ‘Then, please put it here. When is your birthday?’ I didn’t know how the cards are telling him of my fortune, but he moved cards one by one in a beautiful way. ‘Oh, you have a special man with whom you fell in love.’ “A man I love, huh?” ‘Yes, you love.’ 26

I felt embarrassed by the word love. The word reminded me of B, though. “I don’t know.” ‘You don’t have to say yes. My cards are telling me so.’ “Your cards are telling, are they?” ‘You’re right.’ I chuckled. ‘What’s he like?’ “Don’t your cards tell you?” ‘No.’ “What can I say…….he has beautiful fingers.” ‘Oh, …..’ “Is my answer enough?” ‘Well, I couldn’t imagine such an answer ahead of time, but it’s OK because you looked very nice while you were thinking of him.’ “Don’t make fun of your elders.” He chuckled like a small boy for a while. ‘And the best part is the next step. Do you want to find out if he and you will make a happy couple?’ “Make a happy couple, huh?” ‘I think you don’t need it.’ “I didn’t say so.” ‘I know. You are going to go back to him right now. I have to console my friend, but he enjoyed himself yesterday. He had a good time with you. So did I. I’m going to go back to my room. It’s time they wake up. Be happy! Bye.’ He rattled on. But I thought I had already decided to go back to B before I came into this room. I left our flat the day before yesterday. Only two days. But I hadn’t left him for such a long time since I started living with B. What is he

thinking now? He looked very tired, so he might have slept a lot yesterday. While I was thinking of these things the man who told fortune appeared suddenly. ‘I forgot something. These are present for you. See you.’ He handed me a set of playing cards, which told that I was in love. Maybe he practiced magic with these cards. Thank you. I thanked him in my mind even though he was already out of my sight.

I can’t remember what I did after I checked out of the hotel. It was very easy to come back to my town this time though I felt I traveled very far. I wondered why I felt free from the stress I felt while traveling even though I was surrounded by strangers even in my town. Did I travel? No, a run-away is the correct term because I sneaked out of our flat without telling him. I wanted him to worry about me. I wanted him to scold me. I know he is at home today but he might be out looking for me. What shall I do until he comes home? If I say hello like usual

while sipping tea, will he be disappointed, or be happy? When I arrived in front of the door of our flat, the light outside of the door was still on, even though it was daylight. I felt at a loss, but I rang the door bell. Nobody answered. I thought he was out and opened the door with my key. It was silent. But there were shoes in the hall. They were B’s shoes. I put down my bag, took off my shoes and headed to the living room. Nobody was there. I went to his atelier next. I could see the curtains are half open through the glass on the door. I opened the door. B was lying down. This T shirt……..? Some wine was left in the glass on the table. Everything was the same as I saw it three days ago. I moved my eyes to his works. No progress was there. I looked into B’s face. And eventually I noticed.

He had never been anxious about me.

That was

impossible. He had been sleeping for the entire three days here. “……………………” I was disappointed. I was too disappointed and got angry. It was very difficult for me to breathe. I suffered. Somehow I breathed with my shoulders and all my strength was gone.

He doesn’t know anything. For what purpose did I do what I did? The sad laughter came out. I got it. It was only a dream. I made up my mind to believe everything was a dream. A dream only I know. I started laughing aloud this time. 28

The voice woke up B. ‘Hey L. Good morning. Oh? Are you going out today?’ “Good morning. I planned to go out but I changed my mind.” ‘I see.’ B put his head down on a cushion again with his beautiful fingers on my hand. His face looked very peaceful. I gently stroked his hair with the other hand and started to tell a story. “Once upon a time, there was a very happy-go-lucky prince.” ‘Mmmn, what story is that?’ “It’s a new story that I heard recently. This is a tale of a prince who sleeps over 200 years in the woods.” ‘Oh.’ B fell asleep as if he were actually under a sleeping spell. Be happy, huh. I held another cushion and laid myself down gently next to him.

Friends Dong, dong, dong There was a strong, heavy knocking sound. ―――What’s that? “Hurry! Is anybody here?” ‘Wow, wow, look here. I have a guest this late in the evening.’ Madam M rose to her feet slowly and put on her gown. Dong, dong ‘Just a second. I’m coming.’ She unlocked and opened the heavy wooden door a little. There stood a young lady in the dark. ‘I was already in bed, so I’m very sorry to say this but I can’t show you inside tonight. Would you please come again tomorrow?’ “Excuse me. Would you please let me in?” ‘Oh, you insist on coming in today? What can I say?’ “Let me in!” The young lady entered the house forcefully and shut the door. “I’m really sorry at this late hour.” “Hooo,” she exhaled. “I have to apology to

your family, too. I’m sorry to annoy you, but thank you for opening the door.” ‘Excuse me. What are you saying? Don’t you speak English? Oh, you spoke English just a second ago. I can’t understand what you are saying now. Would you please change back to English?’ “Oh, my God! I’m sorry! Anyway, thank you for opening the door!” ‘Now I understand what you are saying. You speak beautiful English. But you don’t seem to be my guest. Anyway I am wide awake now. Why don’t you stay and have some tea?’ Madam M started to walk toward the kitchen before the young lady had time to answer. She poured water into the kettle and put it on fire. She chose two cups for tea. The young lady was still standing in front of the hall door. She was looking 30

around uneasily. ‘Come on! It’s cold out there, isn’t it? Don’t worry. I live here alone. It’s alright.’ The young lady finally walked to the table after thinking for a while. ‘Do you like black tea? I’m sorry I don’t have tea from your country. This is my favorite. I hope you like it.’ The young lady stood behind a chair and gazed as Madam M happily measured tea leaves into the pot. ‘Well, well, please have a seat here.’ Madam M said warmly to the young lady. Madam M brought the tea pot and cups and sat down on the opposite side of the young lady. ‘I used to drink only coffee every day. But when I moved here, my tastes changed. I love black tea now. I have been collecting different types of tea. Well, I think it is OK now. Here you are.’ “Thank you.” The young lady picked up her tea cup and thanked. Without sipping she started to ask her gracious hostess, “You let me into your house so late and made tea for me even though I came quite unexpectedly. Why don’t you ask for the reason I came here?” ‘Oh, I remember,’ Madam M answered with a smile. ‘I’m happy because I have a chance to have tea with a young girl from a quite different country. And you don’t look like a burglar.’ “That’s right.” ‘Are you a traveler?’ “Yes. Today is the third day. I was looking out of the hotel room. Today’s moon was so beautiful. I thought the moon can inspire me if I took a walk. I enjoyed walking but I got lost and met wild dogs. I was so scared! You saved me. Thank you very much.” ‘Oh, how terrible! Please don’t worry any more. You are safe here. Please have some tea.’ “Thank you. Oh, this is good.” ‘Well.’ The young lady appeared to have settled herself down. ‘What do you think of this town?’ “I like it here. It seems like a good place. This town was not in my guide book 31

but I was happy to come here.” ‘I’m really happy to hear that. I like this town, too. Where are you from?’ “Japan.” ‘Oh, that’s very far from here.’ “Yes. This is the longest trip I’ve ever taken. This is the best trip I’ve ever taken in my life.” ‘Good. Then how long will you stay here?’ “One more week.” ‘Oh. I hope you can stay longer. I believe that the longer you stay here, the more good things you will find.’ Madam M said as she poured more tea into their cups. Dong, dong, dong There was a knocking on the door again. It didn’t seem like anybody was at the door, though. After a while they could hear the rain hitting the windows. ‘It sounds like it’s starting to rain.’ The young lady said, “Oh, what a pity. I think it will be difficult to find a taxi at this hour.” ‘Yes, you’re right. We don’t have many taxis even during the day in this town,’ Madam M replied. “Really.” ‘Hey, why don’t we just continue talking all night?

Do you have any plans

tomorrow?’ “No, I decided not to make a schedule during this trip, but I don’t want to bother you.” ‘Never mind. I’m delighted with such an opportunity. What fun! Oh, would you like to see my art works?’ “Oh, I remember you mentioned that it’s not open now, or something like that at the door. What did you mean?” ‘It was too dark to see the notice on the door. This is a gallery. The entire house is a gallery. This type of gallery is quite popular in this town. There are accessories and wall decorations in the room further down the hall, but you can see the paintings 32

in every room. You can enjoy the harmony of my paintings and its settings. So I let my guests wander everywhere to enjoy my house itself as my art.’ Then Madam M turned on the light in the next room. The room was quite different from the kitchen where they had tea a little while ago. There was a huge painting on the blue wall and a big sofa and a small table. Very small flowers and leaves were painted directly on the wall around the door. There were same kinds of painting around the window, but they stopped half way up the window frame. ‘This is half-finished. I want to change a little from the window by the door. The window in the next room is finished and I like it very much. Have a look.’ Dong, dong, dong The strange sound came from the next room where they were about to enter. “Did you hear anything?” ‘I think it’s a wind. Please take a look.’ Madam M turned on the light and they found a leg on the window frame. Is it a burglar? A man was about to enter the room through the window. “Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!#$%&()=~|~&%$%&#$%&!!!” The woman suddenly shouted something in an incredibly loud voice. Dong! Something heavy seemed to have fallen. The footsteps were heard running away in the rain and they heard the car engine being turned on. Madam M was standing, her small body shivering. The young lady sat down weak legged on the floor. The strong wind blew the curtains wildly. The rain came into the room and some rain drops wet their faces. ‘Oh, rain is going to come in.’ Madam M closed the window. ‘I have to lock windows. I have to be careful about burglary. Hey! Did you see the burglar now? What? Burglar? Oh, I’ve never thought about such things since I moved here. Hey, keep your nerve. Are you OK?’ 33

The woman was still sitting on the floor in the same position. ‘Thank you. I owe you one. Hey, can you stand up? The burglar ran away because of you. How brave you were. Hey, what did you shout at him?’ “Oh.” The young lady looked at Madam M as though she had just awakened, but she seemed to have lost all her power suddenly. “I was so scared………..” ‘Oh, everything is OK now. I locked the window, too. Hey! Let’s have more tea in the kitchen and calm down.’ After bringing the young lady to the kitchen, Madam M went back to the next room and started to check all the windows. Madam M boiled water and made tea. They drank tea facing each other. ‘I really want to thank you back there. I was really lucky to have you with me. You were so brave! I would never have thought about shouting when I was back in the U.S.’ “Oh. I see I did a very dangerous thing. But I remembered that somebody had once told me that if the dog barks at you, you should shout, and that will calm the dog down.” ‘A Dog? Oh, but you helped me.’ “It was good that nothing happened.” ‘Actually,’ Madam M agreed. ‘Anyway, what did you say back there?’ “Oh, I spoke Japanese again? I just said, ‘Don’t come. Go away’. It sounds like what one would say to a dog actually.” ‘Huhuhuhuhu.’ Madam M chuckled. ‘It really does. But then why didn’t you shout at stray dogs you had met before you came here.’ “Oh…………” Hahahahahahaha They burst out laughing. ‘Hey.

I’m hungry.

Let’s have some cookies,’ said Madam M and opened the

cupboard. But she was disappointed and closed it. ‘I’m sorry. I’m out of cookies.’ “That’s OK. Or we can make it together.” ‘That’s a wonderful idea!’ They sifted flour, mixed it with butter…………., made shapes as their fancy took 34

them and put the cookies in the oven. ‘You are good!’ “No. I just made random shapes.” ‘You really made unique shapes. That’s wonderful.’ “I can’t make the same shapes over and over. I get bored.” ‘You don’t have to make same shapes. You made me very happy. It’s wonderful to make people happy just by watching you. Great!’ Madam M put on oven mittens and opened the oven. Cookies in various shapes were baked beautifully. ‘Let’s try some!’ Madam M started to pick up cookies on the plate. ‘What’s this?’ “It’s Kanji, Chinese character” ‘Oh, it’s a Chinese character. Japanese use Chinese characters too? What does it mean?’ “Oh, I just picked up some characters that sound like your name, which found on your painting in the next room.” ‘I see. This one letter is enough to spell out my name?’ “Yes.” ‘Mysterious. That’s interesting. Then what’s this?’ “It’s nothing. I just made it up.” ‘It’s pretty. I’ll take this one. It’s delicious!’ “Oh, of course, it’s your recipe.” ‘I think they are more delicious today than when I make them by myself.’ Smiling, Madam M put another cookie into her mouth. After they became full, they fell asleep with their faces on the table unknowingly. Chirping birds awaked them. ‘It’s morning already? Hey, wake up. It’s morning.’ “Oh, good morning.” The woman stood up and bowed quickly. “Thank you for last night. And I spent the night here. I don’t know what to say. So…… I have to go now.” ‘No, no, please don’t worry. I mean I had a very good time last night. Please feel at home. Yes! Listen. I’m planning to finish the painting on the wall I showed you 35

last night. Would you like to join me? Please show me your ideas like you did with cookies.’ “Ideas sound a little exaggerated. I feel shy, but it sounds interesting. I have always wanted to paint the walls.” ‘It’s a deal!’ As soon as they washed their faces and had their breakfast, they went to the next room and started painting with brushes. “Ummm………Are you from the U.S?” ‘Yes, I’m an American. I came here five years ago.’ “Will you go back to the States some day?” ‘No. I’ll never go back. I will stay here as long as I can.’ “Humn. What made you come here?” ‘It’s a good question.’ Madam M added a leaf with blue paint. ‘Hey, your leaves are all different. Good. All lines are lively. You never draw same leaf again, just like your cookies.’ “I didn’t notice it.” ‘What are you doing in Japan?’ “I dare to say I’m an artist- well in the making, anyway.” ‘That’s wonderful. So that’s why you came to this town.’ “I don’t know.” ‘Yes. This town is full of art. I’m sure that you can be an artist. When I see you drawing, I feel like I’m seeing myself when I was younger. Madam M looked very far and this time sank her brush into the orange paint. ‘I was older than you. I visited this town alone. I only had painting kits in my suitcase. I drew and drew, day after day. I was completely fascinated with this town and decided that I would come back here again. I declared to my husband, yes, I was married and had children, too, very cute boys. I declared I would come back to this town 20 years later. And I actually came back here, with only a suitcase.’ “How brave you are!” ‘It was not brave. It was really naturally for me. Honestly, I have to admit I might have thrown a lot of things away, though I am happy now. That was a commitment. Today I’m spending wonderful days. I believe such wonderful days are awaiting you in the future. But maybe one thing I have to say to you is to prepare yourself.’ 36

“Commitment.” ‘That’s right. But you don’t have to fear so much. You can only carry so much. If you have more than what can fit in your hands, you can’t walk because you are afraid you might drop something. Even if you can walk, you might drop the most important thing make you regret. You might think you should have brought them one at a time. “That’s possible.” ‘Huhu’, Madam M smiled. Now let’s stop painting. We shouldn’t paint too much.’ The sunshine came into the room and the wall around the window glowed.

Before their painting dried, Madam M was alone and started to put the brushes away.

I hope I can see that girl’s work someday. I think I would be able to recognize her work when the time comes. Then I will check her autograph. If I can’t read her name because they are in Chinese characters, I will ask her name at last. Now, what shall I do next today? Madam M put her hands on her hip and looked around the room.

‘Magical Ink’ Book Review

written by Kei Kisarazu

Sachiyo Kaneko has been involved in SHO as modern art and study of Chinese classic calligraphy works since she started learning SHO at seven. ‘Magical Ink’ consists of four short novels with her works after 2000 when her works started to incline to abstract form. This book easily outwits what people imagine with the phrase ‘ SHO collection’. I was convinced the phrase ‘ picture book of sumi’ named by Sachiyo Kaneko herself. The fountain pen shop which has numerous kinds of ink, the old castle, the hotel like an antique toy, Madam M’s house gallery. Every stage in her story is like a fantasy and unusual though it is not very far from reality. The distance to her world of imagination is only a door away. Time passes a little differently behind the doors. If you describe the time looks like stopping there, it is not only a clichéd but wrong. Actually there is a calmness of the morning dew in a glass field, but there is the vigor of a fall you might meet suddenly in the mountain as well. This impression, synthesis of vigor in the calm, can be applied for also the main part and the partner of 4 novels, sumi. I thought SHO was only as expression of letters in form, but isn’t it always true? At least Sachiyo Kaneko’s works in ‘Magical Ink’ are completely different from traditional SHO. They are patterns, pictures, lines, dots and even rhythm and breath. Yes. Kaneko’s works are dancing through all pages. Lies on the floor pushing palms and soles of feet strongly to set seals on the land. Suddenly strains her body and stands up on the toe and strengthen her body very thin and long. She is dancing alone wearing the simplest black dress. monotonous.

Yet her dances are never

You can see many layers of images behind her.

SHO has an

incredibly long history. Sumi what people succeeded hand to hand ceaselessly flowed into Kaneko’s ink stone, was absorbed by her brushes and made deepness of light and shade. Novels in ‘Magical Ink’ have a consistent theme through; encounter. All heroes and heroines meet somebody or something and get her hearts to flap to fly. You as a reader are not an exception. Once you open the cover of ‘Magical Ink’, there is a big stream of SHO lying and you find somebody swimming in the water and waving her hand toward you. 38

At the end of the book Kaneko wrote she has written this book to share the magical world of sumi. In reading her book, I realized Kaneko too is the one who is keeping attracted by the splash of brilliant sumi world. She described that “sumi is too close to my life and yet it has been always very fascinating creature because it has been still mysterious.” The very last page, the sumi lines are waving and passing through from left to right. There is not an end. You can’t find the point she set her brush off the paper to mean it is over. Her ink is still keeping dropping.

SHO: It is translated into Chinese calligraphy in many cases. However; this is completely different idea from western calligraphy. They are not patterns of letters. They are not for designs. Even hand writings, for example impromptu in private letters, are often recognized as SHO if they contain beauty with some kinds of spirits. In addition, SHO was not developed only in China. After proliferated into Japan, Japanese created original form of letters and developed different types of art. Until very recent past, SHO works always included drawing letters, but a new wave was born last century. They featured the other aspects of SHO. Lines, powers created by action paintings and so on. So I used the word SHO without translating. Sumi: It is translated into Chinese ink in many cases. But sumi is not only Chinese product. Japanese has come a long way to be a superb quality in these days. What is shared in ‘Magical Ink’ is drawn with these Japanese sumi. Basically what is called SHO is works consists of letters drawn by brush with sumi. Hence, sumi is often used as another pronoun of SHO.

Reference: ‘Sanpo Magazine vol.3’ published by Daisanpo Magazine 2009 Translation and annotations by Sachiyo Kaneko

‘Magical Ink’ is an art book which consists of 38 art works with these fantasies. Available from Book shops like Kinokuniya, Amazon from the world. ISBN-10: 4779003474 ISBN-13: 978-4779003479

http://www.kinkochan.com/english/index.html