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bekijk ook het algemene dagverslag van 6 - 23 september | 24 september - 7 oktober | 8 - 21 oktober | 22 oktober - 4 november lees ook het persoonlijke dagverslag van Alex| Kees |Marie-Claire | Marieke Dagboek: Alex de Wolf (illustreren) Friday September 8 (my birthday) By car we are leaving Fukuoka, mr. Akira is our guide and he is an English teacher. Soon the mountains turn green, they are full of bamboo. We see rice growing and even some grapes. This is the Japan I wished to see for. Our arrival in Hirado harbour by motorboat is special and the welcome is warm. My apartment is small and very Japanese, with Tatami bedroom floor and the window oversees a mountain with a temple and… bamboo. In the evening there’s a small welcome party for us in the harbour at the cafe Carillon (they serve Heineken). Everybody wishes to practice there English. Kees plays a happy birthday-song for me. Saturday September 9 I slept for a long time. In the afternoon we are getting a tourist walk through Hirado by a guide (mr. Koteda-san). We walk pass the Dutch wall and a beautiful museum. It has many historical artefacts and there’s an old teahouse. After the walk we are going to my new atelier in the main street. Here I will show my illustrations and the paintings I plan to make. The old flower shop is not used for a wile. After some cleaning, I will put some white paper on the walls, this works well. The promised frames and flip over are not there, but I brought my easel and they will look for frames in the morning. Kees and I eat in a very traditional restaurant. Sunday September 10 A grey day. In the morning I make some sketches by the teahouse, later we start to make my atelier ready for the opening in the afternoon. Frames are there (none the same) and I clean them with the help of my interpreter Ruriko. Mr. Inoue, an architect and Mr. Machida (signboard-painter), are putting them up the wall. There are many people at the opening, Kees plays a piece on a electric piano, by the second part I will make a drawing. It is a mix of Hirosige and windmills. The last part Kees plays is by Eric Satie. They all seem to like it and there are many questions about the workshops and lessons. In the evening we walk through the castle and see a man fishing from a bridge. They have a bucket full of flying fish, called Ago! Monday September 11 This morning we’ll all meet at the City hall. We will have a good look at the schedule and talk about our wishes and there’s… The list of materials for my workshop with adults did not came through. We will work with watercolour instaid. They asking me to do more workshops on a high school, but I have to say no. Nursery and elementary schools are fine and there is also no time left in my schedule. Kees and I like to have a bike, they will provide one, great! Now I’ll ride a red lady’s bike with a basket. I also like to visit some gardens and they will try and find some for me. For the first time I did some painting in the harbor. In the afternoon we will have a meeting with the mayor. He has been to Amsterdam and I give him a DVD of the live of Rembrandt. Tuesday September 12 My first workshop at a Nurseryschool is on the island Ikitsuki. W will drive through a beautyful landscape but the weather is grey and it rains. The children are singing for me and after my talk with drawings, they all start making fishes for a big sea. One of the boys is a keen artist, he draws a great squid. His father is a fisherman, so he knows best. We put a big blue paper on the wall and they paste them to it. It really looks fine and they like it a lot. Wednesday September 13 Today Kees and I will visit the south of Hirado island. Our guide is Michiru-san, she works at the cafe Carillon and her husband has a photo shop. Kees has today a small performance and there will be a presentation of my illustrations. The next day Kees will have his first long concert. We have some time for sightseeing and a visit to the local piano teacher. She likes to sing a jazz song with Kees, but he only plays classical music. She is disappointed, but we have a nice lunch. We will stay for the night at the home of a famous fisherman. There’s a photo on the wall him catching an giant King-fish of 120 cm! He even did a program on national television. The house is traditional with a shrine in the corner. Today is also his birthday, so there’s a table full of food, sake and friends. We sleep well. Thursday September 14 In the morning we will get a boat tour and have a lovely time, but we did not catch any fish. That evening the concert will be in a sake-factory and my illustrations are on display. Kees plays Chopin and some very modern pieces, he even played a piece by four hands with a Japanese girl. In between I did my thing. It was a great concert. Later we are getting something to eat and there is …sake. Kampaj! Friday September 15 My second workshop at the island Ikitsuki. It is a small group and they seem more shy then the class I had before. At my first school they drew everyday, so they where more free in there expression. After a while they start to like it and we are making a wonderful sea together. I will take my lunch with the children and I am happy to have learned eating with chopsticks! There lunch is very healthy with: egg, chicken, tomato, fishcake, grapes and some rice. We smile a lot and we have a Yakult for desert. I would like to do this everyday. There is talk of a typhoon coming this weekend, there always come in autumn… Saturday September 16 The weather is OK and I have no workshop today, time to see the Hirado Castle. The reconstruction was completed in 1718. And the present Donjon dates from 1960. Build upon a mountain, there is a great view over the harbor and the bridge. If you walk through the green and nearby park, it is easy to feel a samurai, after seen all the armor in the castle. I do some painting and go to Machida-san. He has a iBook for me to use for the dairy. Again a gray day. Sunday September 17 Sunday, I will go with Kees to Sasebo by bus. There is some rain no more. Sasebo is a real town with some high buildings, we take a coffee and a donut at a shopping centre. I find some postcards and we walk down the harbor. It really starts to rain now and the wind is getting stronger. By phone several people warn me to return to Hirado. The bridge will be closed, they tell me… It sounds serious and is no fun to walk in this weather, so I will go back to the bus station. Kees want to stay and have a look at the cultural centre. It is not getting better and I am lucky to arrive at Hirado. The rain is like a curtain and I can not see the other side of the bay. The wind is blowing very strong and the bridge is now closed for all traffic. I speak with Kees by phone: he has found a hotel for the night. At 20.00 It is all over. Monday September 18 Today I have time for a small walk. Near the steps that lead to the big hotel, there is a hidden museum. It has many historical items, Dutch and Portuguese. A print of an elephant is very interesting. On the second floor, they have an unusual collection of shunga-pictures. Some of the most explicit parts are covered by a leaf or flower…! After this visit I am going to the Three-storied Pagoda, build in 1998. A clime through a bamboo forest is needed. The red of the Pagoda is striking! The place is nice and very peaceful. In the afternoon, we try to buy paint for my workshop. The shops can not help us, but Machida-san has some left over paint we can use. That evening I am getting a TV, I will become more and more Japanese. Tuesday September 19 By ferry we arive at Oshima island, where I will give a workshop at the elementary school. After my introduction talk and drawings, the children will draw there own homes. For some children it is hard to start, but after a while they all make beautiful homes. We put them on the wall and create a new town. The children are very pleased with the result, so am I. There is time for me to paint and I will start in an old street dated from the Edo-period. Later I will make one of the pretty ricefields. In the evening there is a concert at the Oshima high school. Because there is no ferry at that time, they charter a fast boat to bring us back to Hirado. On radar only, the boat goes like mad through the night and there are many stars to see. Wednesday September 20 The workshop ‘acrylic-painting’ for adults will be held at Usaka harbour. Dutch Ymke will be my interpreter and my group of 11, mostly older people and one high school boy are waiting for me. I will look for the right spot to paint on this hot day. They all wear straw-hats. When I try to prepare the paint, I see it will not work. It’s all old and dry. To get started, I share my own paint. They work well and there are some fine results to see. That evening I will have my first Shodo lesson. The master explains the history of signs and the many way of writing them. His brush-strokes look so easy, but in mine hand is not that easy at all. For the next lesson I have to select two words. Thursday September 21 This morning I join the Etegami-group of Akira-san(Etegami;drawing-letter). On a blanc postcard they will make a drawing and write a greeting. The postoffice is suporting this and we may use a room in the building.We all paint flowes, fruit or vegtables and even a Ago. In the afternoon I’ m going to Sasebo to buy the paint I need for the workshop on Saterday. Yuriko-san, the daughter of Machida will drive me to the shop. They have all I need and we also buy some brushes, great. Friday September 22 We meet at the City-hall and go to the Nakano Elematary-school, a 15 minutes drive. With two groups we are making a very big town. On the way to this school, we passed a beach and it looks very tempting on this hot day. I’m free for the rest of the day and my guide Ruriko-san is so sweet to drive me back to it. There’s also sea view ranch, for hors riding, and a big hotel. The beach is empty and I go for a swim. The water is clear and warm and there are no jelly-fish. I’m happy to do something different. In Hirado I have a beer in the sun at cafe Carillon, a perfect day! Saturday September 23 There is a strong wind blowing today, and I have a painting-workshop. So, the harbor will be no option. Looking for an interesting spot, I cycle and walk uphill to the Castle. At the Sumo-grounds you will have a nice view at two separate towers and a little temple. I make a painting and have to hurry back to meet the group at cafe Carillon. About 15 people are joining the workshop, including some teenagers. After my little introduction, they start to work with the new paint and brushes. In the end we talk about the work and many of them are nice and charming. Sunday September 24 After I did some painting near one of the many temples, I’m going to the house of Kimiko-san. Together with the wife and son of Kees, are we going to visit two gardens in Hirado. The first garden looks traditional with step stones and clipped trees. There are many bushes of Azalea’s, they will look wonderful in spring. A guest room and teahouse are in the old garden and the lady of the house bring us tea. It really brings you back in time. The next garden is not very different and there is also a nice room to overlook the garden. We drink tea and talk about our countries. In the evening, Kees performs a memorable concert in a temple. Monday September 25 Sakigato-cho kunchi, a festival at the Shinto-temple. On my way to the temple, Machida-san tells me their expecting me to join the parade. Together with 8 more man, we dress in special costumes. We will carry the shrine through the streets. At the temple there’s a priest performing the sacred dance with three swords. Also there seems to be some complication about me, I’m too tall and will bring them out off balance. My new place in the parade will be in the front and what’s more…I will wear an mask! Oh dear! It is a wooden mask, red and has a long nose. Dutch already have long noses, that’s true. A local TV channel is present and they seem to like filming me. Kees and his two children are also joining and will gathering gifts. My mask is warm and has tiny eye holes, I hardly can see a thing. So, slowly we walk the streets of Hirado and I feel a bit silly but will take my task with dignity. After an hour we are back at the temple and my face is sweating heavily. How I feel, they are asking me on camera. I answer: After this, live will be good to me! Tuesday September 26 After a drive of 45 minutes we are at Shishi Elementary school. The room of the headmaster is overlooking the mountains and sea. We work hard and make a nice city together. There is more time before lunch, so I have to talk and draw some extra about Holland and the houses of Amsterdam. I also have to explain by drawing, where Holland is on the world map. We have our lunch in class and go to the next school, more south on the island. We do the same again, and I must thank my guide Ruriko-san and Sakamoto-san from city-hall for their support. It has been a long day and I go for a drink at Kees. Wednesday September 27 Machida-san has asked me to draw an illustration on music and I make one this morning. At the harbor, I’m looking for a good spot to paint for my workshop later this day. I thing the fisherman’s boats will do fine. I eat my lunch at cafe Carillon and will meet my group there. When I start with my introduction talk, I notice the TV-people who where at the temple. Now they know how I look for real. We are all making nice paintings and speak about it on camera as well. At the Shodo lesson this evening, I learn to draw: island, wolf, travel and sushi. My teacher can tell by looking at my Sushi if it is good or just from the supermarket… Next time I will carve my name-stamp for signing. Thursday September 28 The first of two workshops at the Hirado elementary school, 37 children at the age of eleven years old. They are different from the classes I had in the country, they are more free, real city kids. Together we make a very large city but there’s no time left to give it a name or clean the Gym before lunch. They are very strict about time. In the afternoon I”m going for a swim at Sea View ranch. Machida invites me for dinner and his daughter is cooking Ago and Bamboo for me, wow! Friday September 26 In the morning I prepare my paintings and give them a passe-par-tout. They will be exhibited at the next concert at Ikitsuki Island. Ymke is so nice to drive me around for seeking a new spot for my painting class. We are going to Kawatsi mountain near Hirado, this is a fine spot for painting I decide. After this she brings me to the temple Yokuji, where Kees had a concert. When I am painting a statue of Buddha, the priest invites me in for a cup of tea. I am wearing a t-shirt from 12xHolland, so he knows my name, and he has a information leaflet with our activities. We talk about god and he shows me a book about Bhagwan, the famous man from India. He had many followers in Europe. The temple has inside a pond with Koi-fish. An interesting meeting. Saturday September 30 At 10 in the morning we are going to Kawatsi mountain with the painting class. Kees’ wife, Moos and her two children are joining the workshop. The place is nice and we work in the sun. At noon we make the farewell picture of the group and their works of art. Back in Hirado I collect my things to go to Ikitsuki Island for the concert in the evening. Sakamoto-san has a van and drives us. Because the concert is at seven o’clock, we have time to do something else. Wile Kees is walking, I’m painting the high rocks. The concert is fine and I make some drawing in the break. All my paintings are on display at the foyer of the concert hall. We stay for the night at the house of the family of Sakamoto-san. Sunday October 1 It was a short night, there are 6 children in the house! After a nice breakfast and a warm goodbye, we left the Island and drove back to Hirado, thank you, Sakamoto-san. I had time to change cloths for the concert this afternoon in the catholic church of Tabira. Many people game and Kees was at his best form! I even got a good laugh at my drawings during the break. In the evening we where invited by Inuoe-san, the chairman of the comity to a sushi restaurant. We talked about 12xHolland and why there are no Japanese going to Holland as well. Tuesday October 3 Yesterday I went to Sasebo by bus to do some shopping. But today I will be having my last workshop in Hirado, the second on the Elementary school here. I tell the story about Mouse and the kiss and after this we will make a big sea. I really like doing this and I do hope the children have the same feeling about it. The result looks great, even there are too much fish drawn! In the afternoon I have to prepare the paintings we did in my workshop for adults. They will be exhibit at the City hall. Wednesday October 4 One of my last days in Hirado, I will go to the tourist museum. It is nice and has pretty Dutch items. Later I walk to the beach, it takes about 75 minutes and the water is cool. I make a painting and go back by bus. In the evening I have my last Shodo-lesson and carve my name in stone (used as stamp). We use the special Ten-Sho-style for it. It is not easy and I have to be very precise! I am very happy with the result. Thursday October 5 I will go to Oshima Island to do an extra workshop and some painting. I was asked for it. Because today there is an training for a running, many of the children are away, only 15 kids of the Junior High school are left for me. But I like it and they will draw there own houses. After this I make some paintings between the showers…it is ok. Friday October 6 Because my Illustrations will be exhibit next august at Huis Ten Bosch, I want to see the place. They did sent me two tickets and Ruriko-san will drive me. It is a strange feeling to see all the Dutch buildings, almost if I am already be back in Holland. The curator of the museum gives us a tour. It is nice to see the museum and the big mural by Rob Scholte. He was at the same class at the Art school. I buy some real Dutch cheese for the party I will give in the evening at my house. I make spaghetti and after my party we move to another party… and tomorrow is the farwell-party. Saturday October 7 I will do some shopping and go to the harbor for the final presentation of all the works made during my stay at Hirado. On a big wall all the works will be on display, also the best works made by the painting workshops. Kees and the 12xHolland Ensemble will preform a piece with song and dance. The wind is blowing and we have to ensure the wall with extra rope. The music is a mix of many instruments and cultures and in the ensemble are over 40 people playing and singing. A wonderful piece! It’s very hot and there are not too many people in the audience. After this we all go for a swim at the beach, I feel melancholic, it is over… At 6 we have the official farewell party at Bunca centre with drinks and snacks. Later that evening Kees and I eat for the last time at Hanna (the best) and join the group at a Karaoke bar. Sunday October 8 At the same pier Kees and I arrived, 4 weeks ago, we shall say goodbye to all the friends we made in Hirado. I had the best time ever and learned a lot about Japan and myself. It was very special to be part of this town and being so close the real Japanese life. Working, learning, eating and drinking together. The workshops were a joy to give and I will never forget the faces of the happy children. As the boat leaves the harbor and the serpentines get longer, I cannot keep my eyes dry… THANK YOU ALL FOR THE GREAT TIME I HAD AT HIRADO!! Also many thanks to Wil and Junko for choosing me and make a dream come true. SU-GOY! bekijk ook het algemene dagverslag van 6 - 23 september | 24 september - 7 oktober | 8 - 21 oktober | 22 oktober - 4 november lees ook het persoonlijke dagverslag van Alex| Kees |Marie-Claire | Marieke