the appeasement of the ai gods

Thanks to all my friend who did the ritual appeasement dances.It worked! The stirring stick,looks much better than the dyed goods, but that always happens, should see the madder bags!
Think that the problem was incorrect dyestuff to water ratio. i added some more fermented ai balls,and look what i got after 2 dips. albeit slowly,

the color's building up.

Still cannot send the 7th cavalry regiment home, but this looks a lot better.i also started another fermentation precess to have 2 vats going, like the pros :) Famous last words!
Some things i've learned in the process:
one needs to observe the Mr closely as it will tell you about its needs

• ph and temperature control are not enough, there are more factors involved
• water ratio is important
• it's better to add water every day than all at once
• the bran for aiding the fermentation has to be cooked
• all those stories i've heard about the vat being alive are true!
• at least in a fermentation vat , because it is alive, it readjusts itself to optimal ph conditions
• it's also true that Mr vat needs to rest

i could not refrain and the photo above is my tribute to all those dancers out there.
Thank you, thank you!! :)

neki desu


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we interrupt the saga

to bring you THE OTHER
top shelf book, with a lot of reminiscences behind.

This was bought in Osaka at the Ethnology Museum in Senri Park. It was a crazy day trip arriving from Sado-ga-shima just to see a shibori exhibit. And it was sheer luck because when i got to Shibori Kaikan in Arimatsu 3/4 ths of their permanent collection was on loan to the Ethnology museum in Osaka!!!

As ever when the Japanese see a foreigner that enjoys and understands things Japanese they go out of their way. As i was browsing at the museum's bookstore THE OTHER BOOK (all my readers know by now that THE BOOK is The Woven Pixel) caught my eye.
A pricey affair indeed, but what's love got to do with it? :)

The lady attendant struck a conversation and after a while the regimental chotto mate kudasai
(please wait a moment) made it's appearance. She left to make a phone call and when she came back she told me she could arrange a meeting for the next day with the author of the book.
And i could not stay overnight in Osaka!!! Next day my weaving sensei was opening an exhibit and i had and also wanted to be there in Hachioji. i don't remember very well, but i think i cried.

From that day on i'm partial to this book.It's in Japanese, but the photos are self explanatory.It's a two volume beauty, one is a how to and the other is photos of most of the collection of the Arimatsu Museum.
And it's even more special now that i can read and understand tiny bits of it.

You really never know when you will be blessed with joy.

neki desu


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who is that guy Murphy?

The one that invented the law? That wonky faint blue with bronze edges was all i got. And all washed out into a yellowy water. Never mind the deposit on the clamps, it's from last year.i'm at loss because the PH is ok and so is the temperature. i'm using a fermentation lye-slaked lime vat and it looked like a goer.
So ya'll bright and diligent minds i need help!!

neki desu


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