Japan - November 2012
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I still look after The Flat Head business for a few retailers around the world. One of them is VMC, they Roger and Co have never been to Flat Head HQ in Nagano, so we decided to put that right this time. Internet coverage has been patchy to say the least….
We take the Shinkansen to Nagano and then go straight out for Soba noodle lunch.
This guy was sitting a few tables away, loved hid jacket
After lunch it was off to Stockburg (where much of The Flat Head Leather stuff is made)
Pile of belts
Roger was made one as a present in the summer, here is the belt and the original concept,,
Then he decided he needed another, so we sketched out a design
After looking at how all the leather goods are made, we popped upstairs to look at an impressive collection of Union Specials. Brigitte was not interested so stayed outside. Five minutes later we came down the stairs to find her being comprehensively grilled by the police. A foreigner in Nagano was worthy of stopping the car for questioning, then when she could not speak Japanese and seemed to lost, the police got very concerned….Out of the 6 of us, Brigitte is definitely the least likely to be stopped and questioned by the police, so it made for a few laughs....
We then hit Googies (part if the Flat Head empire) for dinner…
Then back to the hotel…
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Yesterday started with traditional Japanese breakfast…
Then to Flat Head HQ - nice to know I have a corner in Nagano as well as Hachioji…
Then to see some of Kobayashi-sans collections - cars, bikes, pyrex, snap on tools, cameras (basically, you name it, he collects it)…
Off to lunch at another Googies cafe - more of his collections on American advertising signs….
Then my battery died…..
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I arrived back from Japan yesterday. Woke up at 2am as is the norm and was missing G&P so much I thought I'd go and welcome them at London Heathrow. (Actually, they are bringing back an item I had left behind but that truly is a secondary motive)
I got exited as I saw the first Japanese come through customs. You can always spot them by their pristine four-wheeled luggage gliding effortlessly by their side. Bags in hall had already been announced so I knew the reunion was in sight.
Japanese super luggage after super luggage passed me by. Surely they hadn't traveled coach and were to be the last ones through?
So I called Giles. He soon answered." Where are you?" I asked.
" in Tokyo " came the bemused reply.
I got the day wrong. They arrive tomorrow.
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I made it today! Found the shop overwhelming (honestly) with the amount kit in stock that was there in real-life. After a year or so of ordering online, to know the makes/models and see it in person….It took a while to get used to., Bumped into H-San, was skilfully helped by #2, and Tom.
@G Turns out some of your lollies are still about =), thanks
Oh, and yes, I picked up a few pieces in person =), could have picked up more, including those tote bags, the IHJ-06,8…
