How fortunate you are to have such caring friends and neighbors - and a cat who adores you so. You are also fortunate to live where medical care is excellent. I send you all best wishes for complete recovery.
Thank you for your kind words, Marc. Yes, I am very grateful to have such wonderful and supportive friends. I don’t know how To can ever express my thanks and repay all that they have given me over the past year.
Your comment about the level of healthcare especially struck a sensitive note. Japan has a great system, and I just happen to live within walking distance of some of the best hospitals in the country.
Additionally, I was blessed with a fantastic ER doctor on Saturday/Sunday. She was still very young, but extremely driven. She even ordered two CT scans.
I don't know you but I've appreciated your informative posts and photos. I'm glad you navigated these emergencies and are alive to be with your friends, your cat, your photos, and more.
Thank you for your kind words, Anne. I am glad that you enjoy my articles and photographs.
Most of the photos are from the collection I am building to paint a picture of daily life in Japan between the 1850s and 1960s. I would like to pass it on to future generations, but don’t yet know in what form. They take a lot of space and really deserve their own museum.
I like that you wrote, “I don’t know you.” I wondered if I should share such a personal post like this amongst the research and discussed it with one of my readers who has become a good friend over the years.
In the end I thought that this perhaps could help readers a little bit to get to know me better. And perhaps through the comments I can get to know some of my readers better.
That after all is the power of Substack — to make that direct connection.
From the Swiss side of my dad's family, originally Hof before emigrating, but the lore is the patriarch way back came to Switzerland from up north, presumably Scandinavia. While I don't know you I tend to feel friendly towards gaijin in Japan as I lived in Tokyo myself for 15 years quite a ways back. It still feels like home - I miss it terribly. I spent a lot of time at flea markets and have a few old colored postcards, plus a photo album of unknown people that is quite touching. So I appreciate your endeavor. A museum would be grand. Maybe you can find a patron, individual or corporate, to fund it?
Oh, a Swiss background and even further back to Scandinavia. Nice! My first name is actually Scandinavian. But I am Dutch.
Great that you lived in Japan for such a long time. There are several readers who lived in Japan in the past and are now back in their country of origin. Some of them went to school here at the time.
Japan's flea markets are wonderful. I think you probably refer to the ones at temples and shrines? It is actually very hard to find good photos and postcards there, so you are lucky.
Trying to find a patron, individual or corporate, is a good suggestion. I should perhaps invite some of my curator and historian friends to look at my collection to brainstorm different possibilities.
I went to various flea markets... this was late 80s into early 90s, not sure if they have changed. I've been back and almost haven't wanted to check because of have such good memories and the prices then were quite reasonable; not sure now... The flea markets I went to most were one on the steps of a building in Roppongi because it was near my job, then one in a park or shrine (in Harajuku perhaps?), and of course the annual Boroichi. I got to know one vendor well enough that he'd call me ahead of time if he was going to be bringing tansu as I'd bought a few from him... and transported them home on a luggage cart on the trains... Natsukashi...
I've noticed there are many small museums in Japan sponsored by corporations, or wealthy founders or heirs of corporate fortunes. I think that's a good route. Perhaps they get a tax break? Hopefully there's interest and altruism involved as well.
Ah, when I went to Holland some years ago, I thought to myself, “this is a nation of graphic designers” just from the bold use of color and especially black… Something about it reminded me very much of the Japanese graphic sense while also being so different. Does that make any sense to you?
There has actually been a lot of exchange between Dutch and Japanese design. Both Vincent Van Gogh and Dick Bruna (Miffy) were deeply influenced by Japanese design. In return, Japanese graphic design was again influenced by Van Gogh and Bruna. I have written about this in the past after interviewing art historians and curators in both countries.
So, your observation makes a lot of sense to me.
I think that many of the types of flea markets you describe have not survived. But they have 'offspring' at different locations. If you make it back to Japan for a visit I can send you some links. Prices are still fairly good. Especially for you because the yen exchange rates are unbelievably low.
The Boroichi is still there — not so far from my home actually. At the last one I purchased some postcards there. Prices are still very attractive. But the crowds are larger, and there are lots of foreigners these days. Some of the signs are even in English now.
Thank you for your insights on the exchange between Holland and Japan in art and design. I'll have to look up Dick Bruno. I should have thought of Van Gogh... For flea markets, I'd love your recommendations. What's the best way to reach you when I have a trip planned? I'd like to make it back maybe next year... although I do often think to go for the Boroichi, which I recall being in December.
Dear Kjeld, I’m very sorry to hear that you had more health scares. Your cat is truly your guardian angel! Thank goodness for your sensible friends and neighbors. Whenever your cat alerts you, please call the doctor right away! Your work is so special. Let’s all help you bring your museum to reality. Take extra good care of yourself!
Thank you for your kind words, Kristin ❤️ Fox is a treasure, isn't she! I thank her every day for being my guardian angel. I had to laugh about calling the doctor right away when Fox alerts me. "Dr., can I come in? My cat just alerted me." And yes, let's make that museum a reality!
Dear Kjeld, I'm glad you've posted this and more glad you're back safe and sound -- having just gotten out of the hospital myself and finished a week and half of tests (MRI, C Scan, endoscopy, etc.) I am in awe of the Japanese medical system, especially compared to the USA where I came from. You are in good hands, both in the hospital and with your friends. Do keep us posted. I wish I was in a position to reach out to you with help as I deeply appreciate what you are doing with your Substack, but I'm in Yamanashi now, and live on a meagre income. But keep it up, and keep us posted. Warm wishes, Bruce
Thank you for your kind words, Bruce. And thanks for mentioning support. I completely understand.
Very sorry to read that you are also wrestling with health issues. I hope it is not to serious and that you are able to recover.
I spent the first 19 years of my life in the Netherlands, travelled around Europe, lived in the U.S. for two years, and have lived in Japan for 43 years.
Japanese healthcare does indeed compare very favorably with that of the U.S. Incidentally, my experiences in Europe were also excellent.
So glad you are okay. I had sepsis in 2013 after having my son. And I also had a very kind but firm nurse who told me to go to the hospital and she was right. It was horrific and I truly thought I would die. Even had a nurse in the ICU praying over me the first night. It is a very scary situation. I am so glad you had people around to help you make good decisions. Sometimes we can be too sick to help ourselves. I hope you continue to heal and can get back to Fox and your happy place.
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your harrowing brush with death, Bex.
I am glad you got through it, but that experience must have left a life long emotional scar.
An extremely personal question: did you desire more children, and if so did you have the courage and strength to face that terrifying fear?
I am in awe of nurses. They do such important work under often extremely difficult circumstances, and have to deal with people who don’t know, or can’t see, what is good for themselves.
I wish I could thank that stern anonymous nurse on the phone. We have never met and never will, but I will be forever grateful to her.
The nurses here are all angels. I would love to hug everyone one of them when I leave. But I shall politely refrain 😊
Glad you were able to overcome this scary obstacle. Well done to all your friends, both human and furry, and good on you to be brave enough to ask for help. お大事に〜
First, I'm relieved to hear that you are now recovering. Thank you for sharing your gripping personal story. What a close call! It's amazing how attuned our four-footed companions are to the human condition. We really have to thank your concerned neighbors. While I'm sure your medical team is giving you plenty of advice, be sure to rest and stay hydrated! I'm looking forward to reading your next, more routine posts!
The past few years I have started to realize that I have greatly underestimated the emotional and cognitive abilities of animals.
One thing that has helped to open up my eyes is the video clips of animals using the FluentPet buttons that makes it possible to combine observational knowledge with actual communications.
Especially three cats — Billy, Russell and Flounder Meatloaf — and a charming dog called Bunny have changed my outdated views.
But what 🦊 does was something new again for me. One often reads about dogs warning their owners of medical conditions, but clearly cats can do so too. I still have to learn to better listen to her.
I am blessed with wonderful friends. Incidentally both of them brought to me by 🦊. My neighbor C-san and I became good friends after she rescued 🦊 and asked me to take care of her for a night, some eight years ago. 🦊 never left and C-san and I became friends.
H-san, who regularly rescues street cats, fell in love with 🦊 when we met at the vet many years ago. We exchanged names and contact information and a very deep friendship evolved.
Yesterday evening C-san sent me a clip of her and H-san playing together with 🦊 at my home and bonding. 🦊 is bringing them together too. She has this very special superpower to pull people to each other.
Thank you for your advice to stay hydrated. That is what the doctor and nurses tell me too. I actually get special IV’s for staying hydrated and also have several large bottles of water next to my bed.
Someone said something in response to a comment of mine on a third-party's post, which I felt was very apropos. I turned it over in my mind: I couldn't not comment back. But how could I take the conversation further? The distance that business correspondence style is intended to establish from one's private emotions makes it cold, formulaic. It's very good at what it does: it refuses to reveal the writer's emotions. But on Substack, we have a coterie of writers who very vividly describe their emotions, but do so in a sort of sealed-off room. Like having a rant at the bathroom mirror with the door locked against intruders.
So, a response to my commenter could have ended the conversation there, in business style. Formal, polite and unresolved. After all, I'd said America was in a mess because of Americans. And it was therefore Americans who would have to get it out of it. The commenter had simply agreed. But she was the only one.
She was amazed when I wrote an article about what she'd said and what the next steps might be, in my view. And I told her why I'd done that: because I see Substack as a community and not as an audience.
Thank you for your well-wishes. As both a writer and reader I want to do my little bit to help build a community at Substack, at the very least with my own readers.
Indeed! Staying alive is key! You have good friends in all the right places ❤️. 🦊 will be very happy to see you back home when the doctors release you.
That’s just miserable. I’m sorry you are having to deal with that. I’m glad you are in the hospital though getting the care you need! Do you have enough reading material? Can you get out of bed and drag your I’ve stand around for a bit of exercise?
Thankfully, the pain is only during the short visits to the bathroom. I am out of bed a lot actually. With all the IV changes, the checks, three meals a day, staying in contact with friends and my daughter and the daily visits of H-san and C-san I am actually remarkably ’busy’.
Also, I don’t manage to sleep well at night, so I use part of the morning to catch up.
All in all, there is no time for reading 😅
My ‘exercise’ is walking to the ‘Day Room,’ a nice comfortable place with tables and chairs. But I can’t be too far from the bathroom for too long. 😂
Hello again Kjeld...You are in my thoughts...Have a steady, smooth recovery from this health scare....Be positive, be well...You have been a kind and helpful friend to me over many years.
Give Fox some extra treats when you get home!
You have wonderful neighbors and friends there, great!
Glad to hear you are okay. Thanks to the cats and Japanese nurses! Anyway, all of us tend to work too hard. We deserve (need) rest and relaxation too. Speedy recovery, and take it easy :-)
My mantra at 80 yo, "Still kicking, just not as high but above ground!
I love that, Patricia!
Glad you dodged this bullet, Kjeld. All the best.
Thank you, Gianni. Yes, me too!
Because of my stubbornness to endure pain and discomfort this could have easily gone terribly wrong.
We learn our lessons!
How fortunate you are to have such caring friends and neighbors - and a cat who adores you so. You are also fortunate to live where medical care is excellent. I send you all best wishes for complete recovery.
Thank you for your kind words, Marc. Yes, I am very grateful to have such wonderful and supportive friends. I don’t know how To can ever express my thanks and repay all that they have given me over the past year.
Your comment about the level of healthcare especially struck a sensitive note. Japan has a great system, and I just happen to live within walking distance of some of the best hospitals in the country.
Additionally, I was blessed with a fantastic ER doctor on Saturday/Sunday. She was still very young, but extremely driven. She even ordered two CT scans.
I don't know you but I've appreciated your informative posts and photos. I'm glad you navigated these emergencies and are alive to be with your friends, your cat, your photos, and more.
Thank you for your kind words, Anne. I am glad that you enjoy my articles and photographs.
Most of the photos are from the collection I am building to paint a picture of daily life in Japan between the 1850s and 1960s. I would like to pass it on to future generations, but don’t yet know in what form. They take a lot of space and really deserve their own museum.
I like that you wrote, “I don’t know you.” I wondered if I should share such a personal post like this amongst the research and discussed it with one of my readers who has become a good friend over the years.
In the end I thought that this perhaps could help readers a little bit to get to know me better. And perhaps through the comments I can get to know some of my readers better.
That after all is the power of Substack — to make that direct connection.
Anne Hoff sounds like a Dutch or German name?
From the Swiss side of my dad's family, originally Hof before emigrating, but the lore is the patriarch way back came to Switzerland from up north, presumably Scandinavia. While I don't know you I tend to feel friendly towards gaijin in Japan as I lived in Tokyo myself for 15 years quite a ways back. It still feels like home - I miss it terribly. I spent a lot of time at flea markets and have a few old colored postcards, plus a photo album of unknown people that is quite touching. So I appreciate your endeavor. A museum would be grand. Maybe you can find a patron, individual or corporate, to fund it?
Oh, a Swiss background and even further back to Scandinavia. Nice! My first name is actually Scandinavian. But I am Dutch.
Great that you lived in Japan for such a long time. There are several readers who lived in Japan in the past and are now back in their country of origin. Some of them went to school here at the time.
Japan's flea markets are wonderful. I think you probably refer to the ones at temples and shrines? It is actually very hard to find good photos and postcards there, so you are lucky.
Trying to find a patron, individual or corporate, is a good suggestion. I should perhaps invite some of my curator and historian friends to look at my collection to brainstorm different possibilities.
I went to various flea markets... this was late 80s into early 90s, not sure if they have changed. I've been back and almost haven't wanted to check because of have such good memories and the prices then were quite reasonable; not sure now... The flea markets I went to most were one on the steps of a building in Roppongi because it was near my job, then one in a park or shrine (in Harajuku perhaps?), and of course the annual Boroichi. I got to know one vendor well enough that he'd call me ahead of time if he was going to be bringing tansu as I'd bought a few from him... and transported them home on a luggage cart on the trains... Natsukashi...
I've noticed there are many small museums in Japan sponsored by corporations, or wealthy founders or heirs of corporate fortunes. I think that's a good route. Perhaps they get a tax break? Hopefully there's interest and altruism involved as well.
Ah, when I went to Holland some years ago, I thought to myself, “this is a nation of graphic designers” just from the bold use of color and especially black… Something about it reminded me very much of the Japanese graphic sense while also being so different. Does that make any sense to you?
There has actually been a lot of exchange between Dutch and Japanese design. Both Vincent Van Gogh and Dick Bruna (Miffy) were deeply influenced by Japanese design. In return, Japanese graphic design was again influenced by Van Gogh and Bruna. I have written about this in the past after interviewing art historians and curators in both countries.
So, your observation makes a lot of sense to me.
I think that many of the types of flea markets you describe have not survived. But they have 'offspring' at different locations. If you make it back to Japan for a visit I can send you some links. Prices are still fairly good. Especially for you because the yen exchange rates are unbelievably low.
The Boroichi is still there — not so far from my home actually. At the last one I purchased some postcards there. Prices are still very attractive. But the crowds are larger, and there are lots of foreigners these days. Some of the signs are even in English now.
Thank you for your insights on the exchange between Holland and Japan in art and design. I'll have to look up Dick Bruno. I should have thought of Van Gogh... For flea markets, I'd love your recommendations. What's the best way to reach you when I have a trip planned? I'd like to make it back maybe next year... although I do often think to go for the Boroichi, which I recall being in December.
Dear Kjeld, I’m very sorry to hear that you had more health scares. Your cat is truly your guardian angel! Thank goodness for your sensible friends and neighbors. Whenever your cat alerts you, please call the doctor right away! Your work is so special. Let’s all help you bring your museum to reality. Take extra good care of yourself!
Thank you for your kind words, Kristin ❤️ Fox is a treasure, isn't she! I thank her every day for being my guardian angel. I had to laugh about calling the doctor right away when Fox alerts me. "Dr., can I come in? My cat just alerted me." And yes, let's make that museum a reality!
Dear Kjeld, I'm glad you've posted this and more glad you're back safe and sound -- having just gotten out of the hospital myself and finished a week and half of tests (MRI, C Scan, endoscopy, etc.) I am in awe of the Japanese medical system, especially compared to the USA where I came from. You are in good hands, both in the hospital and with your friends. Do keep us posted. I wish I was in a position to reach out to you with help as I deeply appreciate what you are doing with your Substack, but I'm in Yamanashi now, and live on a meagre income. But keep it up, and keep us posted. Warm wishes, Bruce
Thank you for your kind words, Bruce. And thanks for mentioning support. I completely understand.
Very sorry to read that you are also wrestling with health issues. I hope it is not to serious and that you are able to recover.
I spent the first 19 years of my life in the Netherlands, travelled around Europe, lived in the U.S. for two years, and have lived in Japan for 43 years.
Japanese healthcare does indeed compare very favorably with that of the U.S. Incidentally, my experiences in Europe were also excellent.
My best wishes to you as well.
I’m glad you’re okay!
Thank you, James. Me too! 😉
So glad you are okay. I had sepsis in 2013 after having my son. And I also had a very kind but firm nurse who told me to go to the hospital and she was right. It was horrific and I truly thought I would die. Even had a nurse in the ICU praying over me the first night. It is a very scary situation. I am so glad you had people around to help you make good decisions. Sometimes we can be too sick to help ourselves. I hope you continue to heal and can get back to Fox and your happy place.
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your harrowing brush with death, Bex.
I am glad you got through it, but that experience must have left a life long emotional scar.
An extremely personal question: did you desire more children, and if so did you have the courage and strength to face that terrifying fear?
I am in awe of nurses. They do such important work under often extremely difficult circumstances, and have to deal with people who don’t know, or can’t see, what is good for themselves.
I wish I could thank that stern anonymous nurse on the phone. We have never met and never will, but I will be forever grateful to her.
The nurses here are all angels. I would love to hug everyone one of them when I leave. But I shall politely refrain 😊
Glad you were able to overcome this scary obstacle. Well done to all your friends, both human and furry, and good on you to be brave enough to ask for help. お大事に〜
Thank you for your kind words. I will be eternally grateful to my friends, both the furry and unfurry.
First, I'm relieved to hear that you are now recovering. Thank you for sharing your gripping personal story. What a close call! It's amazing how attuned our four-footed companions are to the human condition. We really have to thank your concerned neighbors. While I'm sure your medical team is giving you plenty of advice, be sure to rest and stay hydrated! I'm looking forward to reading your next, more routine posts!
Thank you for your kind words, Mark.
The past few years I have started to realize that I have greatly underestimated the emotional and cognitive abilities of animals.
One thing that has helped to open up my eyes is the video clips of animals using the FluentPet buttons that makes it possible to combine observational knowledge with actual communications.
Especially three cats — Billy, Russell and Flounder Meatloaf — and a charming dog called Bunny have changed my outdated views.
But what 🦊 does was something new again for me. One often reads about dogs warning their owners of medical conditions, but clearly cats can do so too. I still have to learn to better listen to her.
I am blessed with wonderful friends. Incidentally both of them brought to me by 🦊. My neighbor C-san and I became good friends after she rescued 🦊 and asked me to take care of her for a night, some eight years ago. 🦊 never left and C-san and I became friends.
H-san, who regularly rescues street cats, fell in love with 🦊 when we met at the vet many years ago. We exchanged names and contact information and a very deep friendship evolved.
Yesterday evening C-san sent me a clip of her and H-san playing together with 🦊 at my home and bonding. 🦊 is bringing them together too. She has this very special superpower to pull people to each other.
Thank you for your advice to stay hydrated. That is what the doctor and nurses tell me too. I actually get special IV’s for staying hydrated and also have several large bottles of water next to my bed.
Sounds good. Hang in there! We're counting on you!
Thanks!
First, get well soon.
Someone said something in response to a comment of mine on a third-party's post, which I felt was very apropos. I turned it over in my mind: I couldn't not comment back. But how could I take the conversation further? The distance that business correspondence style is intended to establish from one's private emotions makes it cold, formulaic. It's very good at what it does: it refuses to reveal the writer's emotions. But on Substack, we have a coterie of writers who very vividly describe their emotions, but do so in a sort of sealed-off room. Like having a rant at the bathroom mirror with the door locked against intruders.
So, a response to my commenter could have ended the conversation there, in business style. Formal, polite and unresolved. After all, I'd said America was in a mess because of Americans. And it was therefore Americans who would have to get it out of it. The commenter had simply agreed. But she was the only one.
She was amazed when I wrote an article about what she'd said and what the next steps might be, in my view. And I told her why I'd done that: because I see Substack as a community and not as an audience.
And so do you.
Get well soon.
Thank you for your well-wishes. As both a writer and reader I want to do my little bit to help build a community at Substack, at the very least with my own readers.
Indeed! Staying alive is key! You have good friends in all the right places ❤️. 🦊 will be very happy to see you back home when the doctors release you.
Hoping the pain subsides soon.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Glennis. I have really been blessed with wonderful friends.
The pain during visits to the bathroom is excruciating, so I deeply hope that your wish may come true soon!
That’s just miserable. I’m sorry you are having to deal with that. I’m glad you are in the hospital though getting the care you need! Do you have enough reading material? Can you get out of bed and drag your I’ve stand around for a bit of exercise?
Thankfully, the pain is only during the short visits to the bathroom. I am out of bed a lot actually. With all the IV changes, the checks, three meals a day, staying in contact with friends and my daughter and the daily visits of H-san and C-san I am actually remarkably ’busy’.
Also, I don’t manage to sleep well at night, so I use part of the morning to catch up.
All in all, there is no time for reading 😅
My ‘exercise’ is walking to the ‘Day Room,’ a nice comfortable place with tables and chairs. But I can’t be too far from the bathroom for too long. 😂
narrow escape, Kjeld! Gelukkig gaat het nu weer de goede kant op.
Dank je, Dick. Ik heb enorm geboft.
Hello again Kjeld...You are in my thoughts...Have a steady, smooth recovery from this health scare....Be positive, be well...You have been a kind and helpful friend to me over many years.
Give Fox some extra treats when you get home!
You have wonderful neighbors and friends there, great!
Take care of yourself Kjeld.
Warm regards,
Jay
Thank you for your kind words, Jay. And thanks for your input regarding this article!
Wow, close call! Get well soon, wishing you a speedy recovery. Best wishes.....
Thank you, Serge. Yes, close call indeed. If I had not listened to my neighbor and the nurse, this story could have been a lot more painful…
Glad to hear you are okay. Thanks to the cats and Japanese nurses! Anyway, all of us tend to work too hard. We deserve (need) rest and relaxation too. Speedy recovery, and take it easy :-)
Thank you, Patrick. You are right about the need for rest. If we disregard that need, our bodies eventually just force us to take a break…
Rest up and look after yourself. I love your posts, but without you there are no more posts from you. Take your time to recover.
Thank you, Rebecca. It makes me very happy to read that you love my posts!