Decision....

Because of the earthquake and the nuclear disaster, since the 15th we have evacuated to my parents home in Minakami, Gunma.

After many long discussions, we have come to a decision.

We have decided to move our family here permanently, though the option of Australia was open to us...

We were only renting the house in Tochigi, but we would have had to repair it at our own expense.The bathroom neede to be completely rebuilt. The roof, the back wall, the kiln, all needed to be rebuilt.

Many discussions at my parents home have led them to offer us a small block of land here. If we are to rebuild, then it is better if what we build should belong to us.

We have very limited funds, and so we have accepted their offer. Firstly we shall build the studio and kiln, then later, when things are more stable, we plan to build our own home.

For a while (a LONG while) we will stay with my family, and the children can start the new school year here.

I have resigned from my job.

It has been a sudden decision, and we apologise if it inconveniences anybody.

We are very grateful for the tremendous help from friends, family and neighbours. We thank you from the heart.

Leaving the place where our children were born and raised, leaving the home where we have so many friends, leaving the pottery town of Mashiko. it is with great sadness, but with hope, that we have chosen to make a new start in Minakami.

In hope of moving forward...

We hope you understand.

We will continue to do our best, and hope for your support.

Thank you.

We are OK.

We are all alive and OK!!!!

Electric & Telephone lines connected 2 days ago, water is back yesterday.
We still have earthquakes and aftershock every 20 minutes, not very big now.
We are checking news about Nuclear power plant.

Bad roof damage, damaged back of house and bath room.
We have emergency water, food, shelter and wood stove for heat and cooking.

We are OK.

Mobile Phone

Even in this day and age, we don't have a mobile phone.
We have decided to not have a mobile phone.


Yes, it is sometimes inconvenient.
Some people have said to us that we should have it.


Euan says,
" I don't  like a mobile phone. They take control of my life, and are completely unnecessary."


We can survive quite well with a Telephone, a Fax and E-mail.

When there are inconvenient situations, I and the children send telepathy to Euan, " Call us now!!!!".
And it's strange, but he often phoned us a half hour later.


Today, a mother of my daughter's friend visited us.
They don't have a mobile phone, either.

I was very glad that it is not just us.

Even if she is inconvenienced, she thinks it is more important to learn about caring enough about a person to wait for them. Years ago her husband once waited for her for about 16 hours, when she could not get back to Tokyo from Kanazawa because of heavy snow .
The purity of their heart to care for each other so much moved me.


But, on the other hand, I watched the news about the earthquake in New Zealand. Some people contacted their family from the under the buildings. When I thought of the families concerns about their children's safety, I could not help watching the news without tears.

I, honestly, started to consider about having a mobile phone recently. But her words reminded me, it is right to live as we believe. We are living according to our own values. Every family places importance on different things.

Even in the midst of inconvenience, I choose  to care for the people around me and a way of living which is not adrift to social whims.

Therefore, please understand that though may inconvenient for others, we choose not to have a mobile phone at this stage.
By all means, contact us by Phone, Fax, E-mail, Letter or telepathy if necessary. 



Like Auntie Thora used to say;
"Just remember, even though I don't write to you very often, I still think of you and love you very much."

Starting work...

It is not about Euan, but about myself.

I started to work at the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art as a temporary worker from January 5th.

I haven't worked in an organisation for a long time. But since I married to Euan, I've helped him with all his pottery paper work, making customer addresses, sending post cards for his exhibitions, helping to design cards, taxation documents, etc.

And I think that I can learn so many things there through working for Museum.


I work from Tuesday to Saturday, so I can not work without my family's support and co-operation. I very much appreciate their help.


If you visit the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art, you might see me....

Happy New Year !

Happy new year to you all.

I greatly appreciate so many people's support for us last year. It was very encouraging.
I wish much happiness to come to you this year.



It was also our 17th Wedding Anniversary on 1st January.

It is a holiday for both our Japanese and Australian family at new year, so we had the wedding on 1st January at the church in Sydney seventeen years ago.

And it's also very easy for Euan to remember the date of our anniversary, he can't forget it.

There were so many things that happened in 17 years, so many things....

The Family has grown bigger from just two people, we have four beautiful children now. Time is passing very fast....

We are all going to do our best this year also.

I will start something new this year, I will try to do my best, too.

I wish this year is going to be a very, very good for you and us.  It is a brand new year just started!