Tuesday, July 29, 2008

A Wood Worker's Workshop

Hideo is about 54 if I recall correctly. He used to fuel fighter jets at a military airstrip close by. Now he is retired and does what he enjoys most of all in life - making wood crafts in his incredibly immaculate garage! The man's garage looks like a sporting goods shop, only much more elaborate and welcoming. Hideo san takes great pride in his garage. And I am proud to say that I was the first guest to step foot in his newly finished hobby room! Shioi Hideo san has even copyrighted his wood crafts under the name "Moku" which means wood in Japanese. Inside their home as well, Hideo and his lovely wife Junko enjoy the warmth of Hideo's wooden crafts. He has made everything from book shelves to picture frames. He orders his wood from various parts of Japan via the Internet which he lives by! If there's a deal, Hideo will find it and won't let it get away. Inside his garage are numerous bicycles and his big black 250cc motor scooter which he road 6000 kilometers on to Kyushu and back again to Hokkaido. When I met Hideo in Yakushima over 3 months ago, it was on that bike he'd come. Bicycles and motorcycles are a passion of hideo san, but it's a family affair as well. Him and his wife Junko also go on cycling jaunts together. Last spring they cycled in Shiretoko during Hanami (Cherry Blossom Season). Their 29 year old son Teppei lives in Tokyo and makes his living as a bicycle messenger. They couple also have a daughter named Satoko who lives nearby.

In the picture above, Mr. green is taking 5 in Hideo's garage. Mr. Green fits right in!

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