So I made it to the hobby show on Saturday with Chris and we had a blast trying out a bunch of different crafts - leatherwork, button covering, and some other weird disappearing pen thingy (photos to come). Um yeah, anyway I was disappointed that there was very little to do with knitting - for a moment my heartrate jumped to about one million when I saw a sign for Noro, but alas they had very little at their stall and I took nothing home. I was also disappointed as I had wanted to meet the knitting prince, Mitsuharu Hirose on Thursday but couldn't take the day off work. Claire tried to console me by telling me that there would be other opportunities - 'yeah right' I thought.
But alas - Claire has once again guessed right, and supposedly the knitting prince wants to come and visit our little Tokyo SNB this week and he will be bringing tv cameras!!! I was worried because I forgot my makeup today and thought they might film at tonight's SNB and I definitely can't go on national tv au naturelle!! But because of Hirose-san's schedule it looks like we'll have to have an impromptu SNB this Saturday. Hope all the girls can make it, and I have to get my hair done!! :)
UPDATE: The schedule has been changed and it seems that Hirose-san can make it TONIGHT, May 17 at the Pink Cow. Gawd! Thank goodness I have a loving husband who is bringing me my makeup, my camera and my Orangina. I wouldn't normally ask, but this is seriously serious.
For those of you are wondering why I would be excited about this - here's a CNN article about Hirose-san:
Knitting Prince strings along thousands of women
TOKYO, Japan -- Though many people may like to knit, they probably never thought it would be the talk of the town.
That may all change, thanks to Japan's Knitting Prince.
Mitsuharu Hirose, who is in his early 40s, has become a heartthrob for Japanese women who tune in to watch his knitting show or buy his how-to-knit videos and books.
In a scene more suggestive of pop stardom, hundreds of women stand in line for hours to get Hirose's autograph or to shake his hand.
Hirose knit his first sweater in high school and was captivated by the idea of making clothes out of a single piece of string. Now his sweaters are full of intricate designs using not only yarn but also ribbons, beads and even fake fur.
But for many fans, his knitting skills are rivaled by his lanky looks.
"When I knit, I concentrate and watch my hands. But when I see him on TV or on video, I get too involved watching him and drop stitches," said one woman in line at a recent department store appearance.
I absolutely love that last quote. I think I'll be dropping more than stitches on Saturday tonight.
Wow, you are so lucky! Is it going to be on TV? You have to let me know the details, I'm dying to see it!
Posted by: molly | May 17, 2005 at 03:36 PM
OH MY GOD oh my god that is SO much better than lining up with a million other women to meet him at the craft fair!! ha ha... how exciting! That photo of him is totally hilarious :) you have to take your camera and post some pics ok? Maybe you could get a job as the Knitting Prince's assistant/side-kick and become the 2nd most famous knitter in Japan? xx
Posted by: Lucy | May 17, 2005 at 03:41 PM
No Way!!!!! I can't believe he's coming to SNB, THE SNB that we started. *sniff sniff*. On Saturday? Please tell me the when and where. Maybe I can make it with Emily?
Posted by: Jennifer in Tokyo | May 17, 2005 at 06:20 PM
hi! when i was shopping for knitting books in taipei, i saw a lot of them with this guy in it, i knew that hirose must be popular in japan, but since the magazines look like it's from the 80's i had no idea he is actually popular NOW! wow. you must be excited! let us know how it goes. this is my first comment to your blog, i visit quite often and i love all your pictures!
blossom
Posted by: blossom | May 17, 2005 at 09:45 PM
oh nooey...i will miss the festivities AGAIN! I did make it to DF, the hobby show*, Thai Food Fest and Sumo though! YAY!
* I was also disappointed that they didn't have much yarn related things.
Posted by: queen t | May 17, 2005 at 10:40 PM
oh my god, you must post pictures IMMEDIATELY after :) i'm dying to see this guy.. we don't get his tv show in the states. ganbare!
Posted by: gleek | May 18, 2005 at 12:39 AM
Oh, I can't *wait* to hear all about it! Photos please! Details! Outfits!
Posted by: alison | May 18, 2005 at 12:46 AM
How cool, I am so jealous. I hope you take lots of photos and have a full write up of his outfit. I can not wait
Posted by: Kitty Kitty | May 18, 2005 at 02:50 AM
wow, that's so cool! can't wait to see the pics too and the knitted outfits! he has flawless skin, i'm so jealous, or is that photoshop? maybe, he'll pass out knitted flowers to all the ladies! have a great time!
Posted by: Lily | May 18, 2005 at 03:11 AM
You are too cute! I hope there's a way we can see the televised episode? And here in the US, I think we would call that dude the Knitting Queen, not the prince. Heh. Have a great time!
Posted by: Mariko | May 18, 2005 at 03:57 AM
I hope there are going to be pictures taken!! How fun!
Posted by: frecklegirl | May 18, 2005 at 05:41 AM
Take a deep breath and remember you're there to have fun! Enjoy your fame tonight, lady!!
Posted by: Jenn | May 18, 2005 at 06:13 AM
I need to see me some pictures of *this*. And, clearly you married a great guy.
;-)
Posted by: claudia | May 18, 2005 at 06:39 AM
nice pics. i suppose a SNB movie is in the works for next year. i owe you a burger. thanks
Posted by: ty | May 18, 2005 at 07:14 PM
Hello,
I absolutely love your site and was wondering about your ebay photos section. Where did you get those Japanese pattern books? Do you sell them on ebay? Do you know if they have english instruction in them as well. I like the designs and would love to get my hands on some of them.
Posted by: smnforest | December 08, 2005 at 07:57 AM