I’ve been helping the crew with the renovations of the nagaya.  It’s been good, satisfying labour and I’ve learnt some skills that should hopefully come in useful.  Mainly I’ve been involved with the plastering or shikkui (lime plaster).  The shikkui was applied to boards (which replace the bamboo frame and mud walling) in two layers.  Obviously plastering is a real skill and I cannot call myself anything other than a novice, but over the past week or so I did see my technique improve.  Mainly I was able to assist because I could reach the bits that the others could only dream about, I became known as Rufus ‘No Ladders’ Ward or Ru ‘Hashigo irazu’ San.  Watching the carpenters at work was a revelation.  I’ve never seen two people work so efficiently and smoke so many cigarettes at the same time.

Now the summer is over, the crew is returning to Tokyo.  Bando san will return once a week to see how things are going.  Jinryo will feel quieter, i’m sure people will miss them.  They will be back; everyone comes back to Kamiyama eventually.