Dermatograph

Some people around me seem to be interested in dermatograph which I use for drawing self-portraits. So I'll explain a little about it. Dermatograph is originally a writing tool. The company selling dermatograph pencil says "It is even writable on skin, glass, metal and film". Dermato is a Latin word meaning "skin"(from the Q&A page, unfortunately they don't have an English page. In Japan, lithograph artists use this dermatograph pencil instead of lithocrayons, because former is cheaper than latter. I majored in lithograph until I dropped out the university of fine arts. I was very familiar with dermato. So I was surprised when I saw my senior workers were using it to mark on film sleeve for printing directions at the design company which I joined just after leaving school. Then soon it became a tool at work for me. when I went to Ito-ya last summer, I saw it on a shelf and came up with using it as drawing tool. At first I felt it was easier way than craypas, but becoming interesting. It makes me remember lithograph. The matière looks like it very much. It's fun! If I found more usages, it must become a big hit for me. By the way, why they don't show it on their web catalog?

About self-portrait everyday group

Self_January12 I'm an admin of a group Drawing: We do self portraits everyday in flickr. I have a problem. The members don't stay for a long time! Sometimes I feel sad, because it's becoming my stream. The word "everyday" could be pressure on the menbers. I don't care whether they do it everyday or not. I don't upload the picture everyday, though I draw them. I don't like scanning. Actually, I wasn't an original member. I signed up to Flickr in late January 2008, I found the group and started drawing self-portraits since March. It had almost been in resting phase. Several months later, I felt like creating our group icon. I e-mailed the admin of the group. She replied to me that she made me one of admin, so I could add icon which I created. I've not considered myself to be an admin, but maybe have to do something. I decided to leave invitations when I find self-portraits in other groups.

Power of TV Commercials

TVCM of Haseko Corporation, 1988 TV commercials had big influence. When I was 16 years old, Haseko Corporation was special for me. Because I liked their TV commercial very much. Every time it was broadcasted, I stared at TV intently, I bought Toshifumi Hinata's CD whose song used there, and fascinated paper crafts remembering the CM at Ito-ya in Ginza. But now, it's just one of general contractors for me. Even allowing that I was purer than now and very ignorant, I can't deny the power of TV commercials. Also I liked this one. Hitachi Ltd.

Ramen Ifu/威風 in Akihabara

In the end of 2008, I went to a ramen restarurant Ifu/ 威風 in Akihabara with friends. It's a controversial shop on the internet, but I like their ramen. There are a lot of tonkotsu ramen restaurants in Tokyo, so I drop in naturally. I don't remember the last time I had soy sauce base one. I thought it was good! Some people are saying their miso ramen doesn't have much taste and others are saying with butter topping is ok. By the way, a small Chinese restaurant used to be there... 焦がし醤油ラーメン/ Kogashi Shoyu Ramen seared soy sauce ramen(I don't know how to say こがし醤油 in English) 600yen 威風 / IFU Kanda-Sakumacho 1-20, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 11am-11pm get out of Showa dori exit of Akihabara station, walk right, and then turn right at the coner of Shosen Book Tower.

Finally I finished printing out new year's card!

People write new year's card in the middle of December generally, but I started to think about it from new year's day this time. I thought it's already been in "寒中見舞い:winter greeting" season now, but I wrote in謹賀新年:Happy New Year. Anyway, I'll post them soon!