where on earth is hibarigaoka?

Today we went out to the country and visited a knife-wielding .. master woodcarver.

When I'd only been in Japan a month, Mari and I made a trek out Hibarigaoka and bought some carving knives for my ongoing hobby. This morning, to my dismay, I found that one of the most useful knives—a parting tool—had somehow chipped and bent. While sitting in storage.

Mari immediately suggested that we go out to the master carver and knife-maker again and see about getting it fixed. Two long train trips later, and we were having ourselves a nice chat with the fellow. He told us that the knife could be fixed and that he'd do it .. for free.

Mari and Kenny listening to the master

Leaving his home studio, we spotted some kids in the river. So...

Splashing about in the river

It's been so hot this summer that we decided the pools would be impossibly crowded. It honestly never occurred to us to go find a stream for Kenny to splash around in! Sorry Kenny, we're kinda learning as we go.