It’s been one of my biggest dreams for over the last 10+ years — traveling to Japan. Now I’m getting my chance. Recently, I was selected to participate in the filming of a Japanese TV show. The show will have me visiting sakan (plasterers) and touring traditional buildings. It’s for a show called “Who wants to come to Japan”? (Yes, literally. Only aired in Japan.) The premise is that they invite folks with a passion for some specific element of Japanese culture to learn more about their interest.
I don’t know how they found me, but they did. Earlier in the summer, a crew visited me to see some of my plastering work. I made a Japanese shikkui lime plaster on camera. We talked about my collection of Japanese trowels. We ate some of our homemade miso for lunch (which they really liked, luckily.) It was fun, and many weeks later they got back in touch to say that I was selected.
So tomorrow I’m headed out. The itinerary is supposed to be a surprise, so I won’t totally know what’s happening until I’m there. (Though I have some clues…) Afterwards, April, Hazel and I will be touring around to visit friends and see more sights and take advantage of the flight out there.
If you want to follow the adventure, I’ll try to post a few pictures along the way on instagram and facebook. Once I get back, I’ll have more time to share details.
Needless to say, I’m pretty thrilled.